I am absorbed by the richness of Marienne Yen Thomas’s unique style, and the versatility of the messages and insights crafted within her paintings. Busy with family matters for many years, Yen as she likes to be called, is once again turning her attention to the creative process.

“ROOTS was inspired by George Floyd’s death. This is the glory of the family! We are here! We belong here! The father is present and not going anywhere. The young baby demonstrates our continuation.” Viewer Kathy was mesmerized by this painting. “I find comfort and safety, story and family roots.”

“BLACK GIRLS WHITE DOLL is the story of my three- year- old self and that ah ha moment, a moment of realization that my doll, my dearest friend, had a different skin color and very different hair from mine. That was my first doll and I had rushed home from preschool to comb her hair, discovering that my sister had put rollers in her hair.”

“READY SET GO commemorates Juneteenth. Minority women can stand now in front of the flag, but we are always on the move. We can pause to celebrate success, but the race is never done!”

I had spoken before to Yen during the PHENOMENAL WOMEN’S ART SHOW as two of her pieces were featured there. I was immediately struck by her painting of a female angel – a ball and chain weighing down one leg, while she soared upward with multi-colored huge wings unfurled, an expression of sheer joy and spiritual connection on her face. Letting go of the past, anything tight that constricts and squeezes the life force, kicking away that which no longer serves the new you, the new me, is a must in order to climb to new heights. It’s rarely an easy process, because we live within the ponderous density and gravity of Earth school. But there is a treasure -just observe Yen’s angel- at the end of the rainbow, and that treasure is the full beauty and integrity of you!