About the Work
I am motivated by the beauty of the physical substance that is oil paint; the process also involves stream of consciousness, recollection, intuition. Themes surface from a current preoccupation (nature, urban environment, a vase shape, an extreme emotion). Painting is an exploratory process. While using the materials to create a composition, I become aware of memories and concerns bubbling beneath my daily consciousness. I don’t start with a particular image or plan, though there is always a mood. Emotion needs to be part of the work, so I try to get thinking out of the way. To start, I pick up the brushes, select a color, and make a free form composition on the canvas. Responding to the action of making marks, seeing colors, takes me down an unfolding mental path. I keep painting until I find the story then I work on refining the surface action until the story comes clear to me.
I am motivated by the beauty of the physical substance that is oil paint; the process also involves stream of consciousness, recollection, intuition. Themes surface from a current preoccupation (nature, urban environment, a vase shape, an extreme emotion). Painting is an exploratory process. While using the materials to create a composition, I become aware of memories and concerns bubbling beneath my daily consciousness. I don’t start with a particular image or plan, though there is always a mood. Emotion needs to be part of the work, so I try to get thinking out of the way. To start, I pick up the brushes, select a color, and make a free form composition on the canvas. Responding to the action of making marks, seeing colors, takes me down an unfolding mental path. I keep painting until I find the story then I work on refining the surface action until the story comes clear to me.
BIO
Originally from Seattle, I now live in Oakland after living over 40 years in San Francisco. My studio is located at the Hunters Point Shipyard Art Colony in San Francisco (www.shipyardartists.com).
My artwork can be seen here:
SFMOMA Artists Gallery at Fort Mason in San Francisco
Barba Contemporary Art in Palm Springs, CA
Private studio visits. Contact me via the contact page.
Originally from Seattle, I now live in Oakland after living over 40 years in San Francisco. My studio is located at the Hunters Point Shipyard Art Colony in San Francisco (www.shipyardartists.com).
My artwork can be seen here:
SFMOMA Artists Gallery at Fort Mason in San Francisco
Barba Contemporary Art in Palm Springs, CA
Private studio visits. Contact me via the contact page.
RESUME
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018
Reflections on Nature, Montclair Gallery, Oakland, June-July
2017
City Streets and Rural Paths,Main Street Artists Gallery, Quincy, CA, September
Installation of 10 paintings and monotypes, Hanson Bridgett Law Offices, San Francisco,
June - September (selected by Studio Gallery, SF)
Urban Scenes/Rural Walks,Think Round Fine Arts Gallery, 2140 Bush Street,
San Francisco, May-June
2015
Paintings and Monotypes,Indian Springs Art Gallery, Calistoga, CA, April-May
Serenity: In Harmony,UCSF Women’s Health Center, 12 paintings, 5thfloor, Jan-April
2014
Mementos, Hardin Studios, 2140 Bush Street, San Francisco, February
2013
Color in the Abstract, Main Street Artists Gallery, Quincy, CA, July2012
Abstract Visions, UCSF Faculty Alumni House, San Francisco, CA2009
Abstract Landscapes, Barton Gallery, Sacramento, CA
Color on the Wall,Nomad Rugs, San Francisco
2008
Blue=Water, Yellow=Light,San Mateo City Hall Gallery, San Mateo, CA2007
Recollections in Color, Minna Street Gallery, California Institute of Integral Studies,
San Francisco
Sixteen Abstract Paintings, San Francisco Perinatal Clinic, San Francisco
New Monotypes,The Body Gallery, San Francisco
2006
Landscape Abstractions,California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute
2004
Paintings from France, Matt’s at the Market Restaurant, Seattle, WA
2003
Abstract Anomalies, Zyt Gallery, Los Altos, CA
Twenty Paintings, Mt Zion/UCSF Women’s Health Research Center
2001
Abstract Paintings, Sharon Park Gallery, Menlo Park, CA
GROUP SHOWS
2020
"SNAP!" Pop-up Juried Show at Arc Gallery, San Francisco, January 18
BAC Member's Showcase, Berkeley Art Center, January 11 - 16
42nd Hayward Area Artist' Annual, juried by Diane Zuliani, Hayward, CA, January 25 - March 7
2019
Art in Neighborhoods, arranged by ArtSpan, 5 framed monotypes, CUMAICA, 4725 Mission Street,
San Francisco, December 15 - March 26, 2020
Season of Abundance, All Media Show, SF Women Artists Gallery, July 9 - August 3,
juried by Saxon Holt, Photography Program Director, SF Botanical Garden
Sanctuary, Group Art Exhibit at Arc Gallery, juried by Bryan Yedinak, San Francisco,
May 18 - June 22
New Currencies, JPG at the Bank, Lafayette, CA, March 23 - April 27, Curated by
Jennifer Perlmutter
Spring Exhibit at Adobe Art Gallery, honoring 75 years of the Hayward Area Recreational
District, March 30 - May 11, Juried by Leah Virsik, Director of Adobe Art Gallery
Nordic Light, Artwork by members of Nordic 5 Arts, Think Round Fine Arts,
2140 Bush Street, San Francisco, March 30 - May 14
2018
Tiny, Studio Gallery, 1641 Pacific Avenue, San Francico, group show of small works
(7" x 7" or smaller), December
The Color Red- Four artworks, Jingletown Art Studios, Oakland, March
Nordic Voyage: A Sense of Place, group show of artwork by the artists of Nordic 5 Arts,
Harrington Gallery, Pleasanton, CA. March
2017
Runes Revealed: Contemporary Artists Respond to an Ancient Alphabet,Adobe Art
Center, Castro Valley, CA. December 2017 - January 13, 2018
The Depth of Perception. Inaugural reception, Barba Contemporary Art, Palm Springs, CA
November-December
2016
House and Garden, paintings by Marc Ellen Hamel and Kit Cameron, Gallery Sanchez,
Noe Valley Ministry, San Franicsco
In the Abstract, Studio Gallery, San Francisco
Runes Revealed, Contemporary Artists Respond to an Ancient Alphabet, Scandinavian
Cultural Center, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma WA
2015
Presenting Marc Ellen Hamel and Norma Lewis,two-woman show at Main Street Artists
Gallery, Quincy, CA, September
Runes Revealed, A Mixed-Media Exhibition by Nordic 5 Arts, San Pablo Art Gallery,
June-July.
2014
Runes Revealed, A Mixed-Media Exhibition by Nordic 5 Arts, The Sanchez Art Center,
Pacifica, CA, July-August
2013
Architecture of the Soul, The Barber Lounge, 854 Folsom St, San Francisco, March-April
2012
All-Member Exhibit, Main Street Artists Gallery, Quincy, CA, September and December
Sin and Redemption,SFMOMA Artists Gallery, San Francisco
2011
Retrospective 4,Inclusions Gallery, San Francisco, December-January
Three Monotype Printmakers, Pierson 20thCentury Design, San Mateo, CA
Voyages of Discovery: Contemporary Work by Nordic 5 Arts,Scandinavian Cultural
Center, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA, April – November
One Off, Monotype Prints by 4 Bay Area Artists, ARC Gallery, San Francisco, July
2010
Voyages of Discovery; Artwork byNordic 5 Arts, Inclusions Gallery, San Francisco
Bay Area Women Artists,juried by Donna Seager, O’Hanlon Center for the
Arts, Mill Valley, CA,
THREE: 9 Painters, 3 Paintings Each,Gallery 94124, San Francisco, CA
Angular and Architectural, 901 Market Street Atrium Gallery, San Francisco
2009
Working Artist, Artist Working, Video Installation and Exhibit(an SFAC Commission
“Art in Storefronts”Project), located 4114 3rdStreet, San Francisco
Crossroads, A Group Exhibit of Hunters Point ShipyardArtists, Gallery 94124,
San Francisco
2007
Summer Fling,Mad River Post, 451 Jackson Street, San Francisco
The Subject is ColorThe Art Foundry, Sacramento, CA
Eight Paintings,Mad River Post, 451 Jackson Street, San Francisco
2006
The Steel Event at Fort Mason,Conference Center, Fort Mason, San Francisco
Is Dada Dead?The O'Hanlon Center for the Arts, Mill Valley, CA
Paint Tube Collages,Forbeadin’ Gallery, San Francisco
Primavera,Steel Gallery, San Francisco
2005 Define: Book,Art Books Press, Seattle, WA
2004 Rouge,Steel Gallery, San Francisco
2002 Berkeley Art Center 19thAnnual National Juried Competition, Berkeley, CA
2003 The Holiday Show, Steel Gallery Inaugural Group Show, Steel Gallery, San Francisco
AWARD
1999 Best of Show Award, Gallery Route One Annual Competition, Pt Reyes, CA;
Juror: Philip Linhares
RESIDENCY
2006 Ballard Art Works, Seattle, WA; one-week monotype residency
MEMBERSHIPS
2017-present Northern California Women's Caucus for Art (NCWCA)
2012-present Member and Publicist, Main Street Artists Gallery, Quincy, CA,
www.mainstreetartists.net
2008-present Member, Nordic 5 Arts, www.Nordic5arts.com
2008-2012 Board Member, Shipyard Trust for the Arts (STAR) nonprofit organization
2009-2012 President of the Board, STAR as above (www.shipyardtrust.org)
2008-2011 Founding Member, Art 94124, a grassroots organization promoting arts
in the Bayview District of San Francisco
PUBLICATIONS
Editor, "Runes Revealed" show catalog for Nordic 5 Arts Exhibitions
Editor, Newsbrief, Bi-Annual Newsletter for Nordic 5 Arts
TEACHING & VOLUNTEER WORK
2017 - present Editor, Newsbrief, the newsletter for Nordic 5 Arts, an arts organization
2010-2012 Teaching Artist, Malcolm X Academy Afterschool Program
2008 Summer Teaching Artist, Think Round Inc Family Art Program, Bayview
Opera House, San Francisco
2007-2009 Teacher, ArtSeed, An Arts Program for Youth, After School Program at
Leola Havard Child Development Center, San Francisco
2000 Volunteer Teacher, Children’s Summer Art Program, SF Museum of Modern Art
1996-2000 Art Group Facilitator, DrawBridge, An Arts Program for Homeless Children,
San Francisco
1999 Teaching Artist, Children’s Mural Project, Bayview/Hunters Point, San Francisco
COLLECTIONS
My artwork is represented in private and public collections in the Bay Area, nationally, and in France,
Germany, Switzerland, Sweden.
Corporate Collections:
California Institute of Integral Studies (San Francisco)
Kaiser Foundation (Oakland)
Neiman Marcus (Walnut Creek)
Women’s Health Clinical Research Center of UCSF/Mt. Zion (San Francis
BORN: Seattle, Washington
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
University of Washington, Seattle, English Literature and Studio Art
University of California, Berkeley; BS, English, 1976
MICA, the New Art School, Painting Critique Group with Michael Dee Cookinham, 1981-1994
Monotype Workshop, Aurobora Press, 2004
Monotype/Carborundum Workshop, Kala Institute, Berkeley, CA 2005
One-week Monotype Residency, Ballard Art Works, Seattle, WA 2006
Monotype/Encaustic Workshop, SF Center for the Book, 2011
Monotype Workshop with Kathryn Kain, Smith-Andersen Press, Palo Alto, 2014
Etching I Workshop with Kazuko Watanabe, Kala Institute, Berkeley, CA, 2018
Contact Information:
Telephone: 415-202-4315
Home: 4112 Park Blvd, Oakland, CA 94602
Email: marcellenhamel@gmail.com
Website: www.marcellenhamel.com
Studio: Building 101, #2507
Hunters Point Shipyard, San Francisco
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018
Reflections on Nature, Montclair Gallery, Oakland, June-July
2017
City Streets and Rural Paths,Main Street Artists Gallery, Quincy, CA, September
Installation of 10 paintings and monotypes, Hanson Bridgett Law Offices, San Francisco,
June - September (selected by Studio Gallery, SF)
Urban Scenes/Rural Walks,Think Round Fine Arts Gallery, 2140 Bush Street,
San Francisco, May-June
2015
Paintings and Monotypes,Indian Springs Art Gallery, Calistoga, CA, April-May
Serenity: In Harmony,UCSF Women’s Health Center, 12 paintings, 5thfloor, Jan-April
2014
Mementos, Hardin Studios, 2140 Bush Street, San Francisco, February
2013
Color in the Abstract, Main Street Artists Gallery, Quincy, CA, July2012
Abstract Visions, UCSF Faculty Alumni House, San Francisco, CA2009
Abstract Landscapes, Barton Gallery, Sacramento, CA
Color on the Wall,Nomad Rugs, San Francisco
2008
Blue=Water, Yellow=Light,San Mateo City Hall Gallery, San Mateo, CA2007
Recollections in Color, Minna Street Gallery, California Institute of Integral Studies,
San Francisco
Sixteen Abstract Paintings, San Francisco Perinatal Clinic, San Francisco
New Monotypes,The Body Gallery, San Francisco
2006
Landscape Abstractions,California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute
2004
Paintings from France, Matt’s at the Market Restaurant, Seattle, WA
2003
Abstract Anomalies, Zyt Gallery, Los Altos, CA
Twenty Paintings, Mt Zion/UCSF Women’s Health Research Center
2001
Abstract Paintings, Sharon Park Gallery, Menlo Park, CA
GROUP SHOWS
2020
"SNAP!" Pop-up Juried Show at Arc Gallery, San Francisco, January 18
BAC Member's Showcase, Berkeley Art Center, January 11 - 16
42nd Hayward Area Artist' Annual, juried by Diane Zuliani, Hayward, CA, January 25 - March 7
2019
Art in Neighborhoods, arranged by ArtSpan, 5 framed monotypes, CUMAICA, 4725 Mission Street,
San Francisco, December 15 - March 26, 2020
Season of Abundance, All Media Show, SF Women Artists Gallery, July 9 - August 3,
juried by Saxon Holt, Photography Program Director, SF Botanical Garden
Sanctuary, Group Art Exhibit at Arc Gallery, juried by Bryan Yedinak, San Francisco,
May 18 - June 22
New Currencies, JPG at the Bank, Lafayette, CA, March 23 - April 27, Curated by
Jennifer Perlmutter
Spring Exhibit at Adobe Art Gallery, honoring 75 years of the Hayward Area Recreational
District, March 30 - May 11, Juried by Leah Virsik, Director of Adobe Art Gallery
Nordic Light, Artwork by members of Nordic 5 Arts, Think Round Fine Arts,
2140 Bush Street, San Francisco, March 30 - May 14
2018
Tiny, Studio Gallery, 1641 Pacific Avenue, San Francico, group show of small works
(7" x 7" or smaller), December
The Color Red- Four artworks, Jingletown Art Studios, Oakland, March
Nordic Voyage: A Sense of Place, group show of artwork by the artists of Nordic 5 Arts,
Harrington Gallery, Pleasanton, CA. March
2017
Runes Revealed: Contemporary Artists Respond to an Ancient Alphabet,Adobe Art
Center, Castro Valley, CA. December 2017 - January 13, 2018
The Depth of Perception. Inaugural reception, Barba Contemporary Art, Palm Springs, CA
November-December
2016
House and Garden, paintings by Marc Ellen Hamel and Kit Cameron, Gallery Sanchez,
Noe Valley Ministry, San Franicsco
In the Abstract, Studio Gallery, San Francisco
Runes Revealed, Contemporary Artists Respond to an Ancient Alphabet, Scandinavian
Cultural Center, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma WA
2015
Presenting Marc Ellen Hamel and Norma Lewis,two-woman show at Main Street Artists
Gallery, Quincy, CA, September
Runes Revealed, A Mixed-Media Exhibition by Nordic 5 Arts, San Pablo Art Gallery,
June-July.
2014
Runes Revealed, A Mixed-Media Exhibition by Nordic 5 Arts, The Sanchez Art Center,
Pacifica, CA, July-August
2013
Architecture of the Soul, The Barber Lounge, 854 Folsom St, San Francisco, March-April
2012
All-Member Exhibit, Main Street Artists Gallery, Quincy, CA, September and December
Sin and Redemption,SFMOMA Artists Gallery, San Francisco
2011
Retrospective 4,Inclusions Gallery, San Francisco, December-January
Three Monotype Printmakers, Pierson 20thCentury Design, San Mateo, CA
Voyages of Discovery: Contemporary Work by Nordic 5 Arts,Scandinavian Cultural
Center, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA, April – November
One Off, Monotype Prints by 4 Bay Area Artists, ARC Gallery, San Francisco, July
2010
Voyages of Discovery; Artwork byNordic 5 Arts, Inclusions Gallery, San Francisco
Bay Area Women Artists,juried by Donna Seager, O’Hanlon Center for the
Arts, Mill Valley, CA,
THREE: 9 Painters, 3 Paintings Each,Gallery 94124, San Francisco, CA
Angular and Architectural, 901 Market Street Atrium Gallery, San Francisco
2009
Working Artist, Artist Working, Video Installation and Exhibit(an SFAC Commission
“Art in Storefronts”Project), located 4114 3rdStreet, San Francisco
Crossroads, A Group Exhibit of Hunters Point ShipyardArtists, Gallery 94124,
San Francisco
2007
Summer Fling,Mad River Post, 451 Jackson Street, San Francisco
The Subject is ColorThe Art Foundry, Sacramento, CA
Eight Paintings,Mad River Post, 451 Jackson Street, San Francisco
2006
The Steel Event at Fort Mason,Conference Center, Fort Mason, San Francisco
Is Dada Dead?The O'Hanlon Center for the Arts, Mill Valley, CA
Paint Tube Collages,Forbeadin’ Gallery, San Francisco
Primavera,Steel Gallery, San Francisco
2005 Define: Book,Art Books Press, Seattle, WA
2004 Rouge,Steel Gallery, San Francisco
2002 Berkeley Art Center 19thAnnual National Juried Competition, Berkeley, CA
2003 The Holiday Show, Steel Gallery Inaugural Group Show, Steel Gallery, San Francisco
AWARD
1999 Best of Show Award, Gallery Route One Annual Competition, Pt Reyes, CA;
Juror: Philip Linhares
RESIDENCY
2006 Ballard Art Works, Seattle, WA; one-week monotype residency
MEMBERSHIPS
2017-present Northern California Women's Caucus for Art (NCWCA)
2012-present Member and Publicist, Main Street Artists Gallery, Quincy, CA,
www.mainstreetartists.net
2008-present Member, Nordic 5 Arts, www.Nordic5arts.com
2008-2012 Board Member, Shipyard Trust for the Arts (STAR) nonprofit organization
2009-2012 President of the Board, STAR as above (www.shipyardtrust.org)
2008-2011 Founding Member, Art 94124, a grassroots organization promoting arts
in the Bayview District of San Francisco
PUBLICATIONS
Editor, "Runes Revealed" show catalog for Nordic 5 Arts Exhibitions
Editor, Newsbrief, Bi-Annual Newsletter for Nordic 5 Arts
TEACHING & VOLUNTEER WORK
2017 - present Editor, Newsbrief, the newsletter for Nordic 5 Arts, an arts organization
2010-2012 Teaching Artist, Malcolm X Academy Afterschool Program
2008 Summer Teaching Artist, Think Round Inc Family Art Program, Bayview
Opera House, San Francisco
2007-2009 Teacher, ArtSeed, An Arts Program for Youth, After School Program at
Leola Havard Child Development Center, San Francisco
2000 Volunteer Teacher, Children’s Summer Art Program, SF Museum of Modern Art
1996-2000 Art Group Facilitator, DrawBridge, An Arts Program for Homeless Children,
San Francisco
1999 Teaching Artist, Children’s Mural Project, Bayview/Hunters Point, San Francisco
COLLECTIONS
My artwork is represented in private and public collections in the Bay Area, nationally, and in France,
Germany, Switzerland, Sweden.
Corporate Collections:
California Institute of Integral Studies (San Francisco)
Kaiser Foundation (Oakland)
Neiman Marcus (Walnut Creek)
Women’s Health Clinical Research Center of UCSF/Mt. Zion (San Francis
BORN: Seattle, Washington
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
University of Washington, Seattle, English Literature and Studio Art
University of California, Berkeley; BS, English, 1976
MICA, the New Art School, Painting Critique Group with Michael Dee Cookinham, 1981-1994
Monotype Workshop, Aurobora Press, 2004
Monotype/Carborundum Workshop, Kala Institute, Berkeley, CA 2005
One-week Monotype Residency, Ballard Art Works, Seattle, WA 2006
Monotype/Encaustic Workshop, SF Center for the Book, 2011
Monotype Workshop with Kathryn Kain, Smith-Andersen Press, Palo Alto, 2014
Etching I Workshop with Kazuko Watanabe, Kala Institute, Berkeley, CA, 2018
Contact Information:
Telephone: 415-202-4315
Home: 4112 Park Blvd, Oakland, CA 94602
Email: marcellenhamel@gmail.com
Website: www.marcellenhamel.com
Studio: Building 101, #2507
Hunters Point Shipyard, San Francisco
