LIFESTYLE: Local photographer mixes up her mediums

Coleen Marks is part of an exhibit that combines her passions of art and writing

By: Melissa Morgan
   Coleen Marks’ philosophy on being a great photographer reads like a metaphor for how she lives life.
   "I’m always looking for what’s around the corner," she said. "I won’t just sit there and wait for something to happen."
   A self-described go-getter, Ms. Marks’ talent has run the gamut in the art world. As a photographer, painter, poet and aspiring sculptor, some might say she has trouble sticking to one thing. But Ms. Marks said her endeavors fit her personality and satisfy her artistic nature.
   "If you love art, you just do it," she said. "Keeping the imagination going and being creative, that’s an end in itself."
   Ms. Marks, a Kendall Park resident, has the opportunity to combine two of her artistic passions — photography and poetry — in a special show at the Watchung Arts Center, 18 Sterling Road in Watchung. A special opening reception will take place Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. and the show will run until Feb. 28.
   Ms. Marks put together the show, which includes 14 other artists from across New Jersey. Calling themselves The Renaissance Group, the artists have combined mediums such as sculpture, painting, collage, photography and lithographs with poetry and text.
   "I got the idea because putting both disciplines together is very unusual," said Ms. Marks. "I thought it would be interesting to show both works."
   Taking the initiative to try something different is nothing new for Ms. Marks.
   She entered the art world during college, posing as a model for the sketches and paintings of her mentor, artist Alfred Konrad. Eventually, she switched roles, putting herself behind the easel and dabbling in painting. Though she majored in labor relations at Rutgers University, Ms. Marks said she used her free time to explore her painting and poetry.
   "I took all of my free electives in poetry, but majored in something else because I realized I needed a day job," she said.
   She currently works as the manager of human resources for The Johnson Atelier Technical Institute for Sculpture, a nonprofit fine art foundry in Hamilton Township. However, looking at her might leave one with the impression that she is all artist. Dressed all in black with dangling silver jewelry — she has a classy, yet eccentric look.
   The walls of Ms. Marks’ Kendall Park home are lined in artwork, both hers and that of her friends and family, and she uses an entire room to work on and store her photography. However, she didn’t always have such a large space to display and create her work.
   Ms. Marks moved to a small apartment in South Brunswick in the 1970s after she met her husband. Without the money or space to continue painting, she said she decided to take up photography, a less expensive hobby, to keep up her artistic eye.
   It was then that her love affair with photography began, and since 1997 — after she developed a large collection of work — she began going to galleries and putting her work into several shows.
   Ms. Marks describes herself as a street photographer, snapping pictures wherever she goes.
   "Photography allows me to work quickly," she said. "It’s a real moment in time."
   While traveling the world as much as possible, Ms. Marks said she’s always on the lookout for the perfect picture.
   "I’m usually looking for something out of the ordinary, from a different point of view," she said.
   Ms. Marks’ photographs have appeared in several group shows all over New Jersey. Locally, she’s had solo shows at the South Brunswick Library and the Wetherill Historic Site. She was recently invited to be a member of Gallery 14, a group of Central New Jersey photographers, and has won several awards.
   Though she’s had many successes, she’s not afraid of rejection.
   "Putting your work out there is hit or miss," she said. "A picture in one show will win Best of Show and in another, it won’t even be accepted."
   In the Renaissance Group’s current show in Watchung, Ms. Marks will display three photographs, including one she took of a homeless man in New York City, along with her poem "Rubbish."
   Ms. Marks said her photography usually comes before her poetry, and she writes about images that she says she can’t stop thinking about. She hopes to grab others with her work, but said the success of an art exhibit can’t be judged by the number of people who attend.
   "There is something about doing a show and putting it all together and seeing it on the walls," she said. "If someone comes, great, but if not, that’s OK too."
   For those who come to see the work of the Renaissance Group, Ms. Marks said she hopes to establish a dialogue between the artist and the observer.
   Though many artists live by the philosophy that a piece of art means something different to each person, Ms. Marks said she hopes the writing and poetry will deepen the experience of the visual work.
   "I like learning where the artist was going with a piece of work," she said. "With untitled pieces, I am often left somewhat cold and perplexed. As an artist, one always hopes you will connect and that they will get what you are trying to say."
   As a photographer, Ms. Marks has made connections and has several collectors of her work. She said one of the keys to being a successful photographer is finding and idea with an edge.
   "With anything today, you have to have an idea for something a little different and get passionate and go out and pursue that idea," she said. "There is so much media, so much noise, that it’s hard be heard. You have to get people to pause and reflect. Other things go by, but good photography makes you stop. It provokes thought and makes us ask questions."
   Ms. Marks’ next project is an American flag photography exhibit she hopes will make people think about freedom and expression in new ways. Her solo collection of flag photographs, titled "Red, White & Blue," will be at the Watchung Arts Center in May.
   Besides that, she plans to feed her creative side by trying even more new things. Ms. Marks said she would like to try her hand at sculpture or maybe focus more on her poetry.
   However, Ms. Marks said her love of photography will never be lost.
   "It’s a lot of fun looking back at the pictures I’ve taken," she said. "It’s a lifelong love that puts me in touch with humanity and makes me an observer who looks at the world."