I have a need to create that is grounded in everything I do. I think in visuals, and painting is my way of calming and release my head in a therapeutic way, dealing with the challenge and superpower of ADHD. As a mother, it is important to me to inspire my girls to being able to follow their dreams and that it is possible to combining that with the mother role in a healthy way.
I love to play with colors, capture soul through eyes and explore shapes, shadows and lighting in my objects. I get extremely provoked by unfairness, societal boundaries, judgement and barriers. My work often origins in matters that are important to me - such as mental health, equal opportunities, humanity and societal unfairness. But I focus on the beauty that surrounds it. I often work on dark backdrops as I love how the motif and colors pop. My main value in my artpractice is dearing to be different in a world that constantly tries to put you in framework of expectations and boxes. Trust yourself, follow your dreams and don't let anyone dull your sparkle!
Her medium is mainly acrylic, often a brush-stroked motif in combination with her characteristically colorful "pourpaint" with metallic pigments on a dark background, which provides contrast and makes the motifs "pop".
The artist is deeply provoked by social restrictions, prejudices, inhumanity and injustice, which is often reflected in her work. She works to contribute to awareness, tolerance and knowledge about important topics through her art. For instance she has donated to several charitable causes through her work, such as Amnesty, Save the Children, PrideArt, charity auctions and crisis centers.
Marlen was one of the executives in Female Artists Oslo 2021-2023, a member-based art-community who worked for equal opportunities for women in the art industry, share knowledge and support each other upwards rather than compete, create platforms and arenas for visibility and provide resources helpful for artists.
Marlen quit her office job of 10 years at the turn of 2020/2021 to focus on her art, and many of her artworks are already hanging in homes around the globe. She has painted live at several events, exhibited works in Milan, New York and Venice, had several solo exhibitions in the capitol of Norway, as well as organized and participated in several exhibitions group exhibitions