About Grace Marquez

Grace Marquez artist in the studio

Hi there and welcome!

I'm Grace, painter of the underwater world. I'm an avid technical diver, wreck diver and cave diver as well as a scuba instructor.

If you’re a water lover  who yearns for the magical escape that can be found just below the  surface, then you’ve come to the right place.

painting of two divers descending down a reef wall into the abyss
Creature of the Water

From a young age, I was drawn to the mysterious depths of the underwater world. The recurring dream of gliding through the cool, azure waters, surrounded by a shimmering school of silvery-blue jackfish, etched itself into my memory. These dreamlike encounters felt like a profound connection with something beyond myself. 

As I grew older, life took me on various journeys, and for a while, that dream faded into the recesses of my mind. It wasn't until I returned to the Philippines as an adult, standing on the deck of a boat in Palawan, that the memory resurfaced. There, beneath the gentle ripples, I witnessed a group of jackfish swirling in a dance that mirrored my childhood dreams.

It was during this trip that I took my very first scuba dive, guided by an intuition I couldn't ignore. The moment I submerged into the depths, I felt like I was returning to a place I'd always belonged. 

My journey into scuba diving wasn't without its challenges. I grappled with feelings of discomfort and fear, as many do when faced with the vastness of the underwater world. But I persevered, guided by exceptional mentors and a commitment to expanding my comfort zone.

Through these experiences, I've come to truly appreciate the beauty and wonder of underwater environments. It's not just about the art of diving; it's about the profound connection between nature and the human spirit, a connection I convey through my artwork.

Grace taking a selfie underwater while diving in Lake Huron in Tobermory

My Creative Process

My paintings often start while on a dive. While I'm underwater, I'm experiencing things and seeing sights I already want to  share in colours and compositions. My dives are the start of every painting I've ever made which capture the wonder and awe  of the light and darkness, movement and life in the water world.   Back in the studio, I place textures, strokes and layers of colour to paint the memory and impression of that moment.

 

The Powerful Transformative Power of Water

Water changes and absorbs light as it moves through it. It shapes rocks and geology as it passes over it and whole environments will change over time as water reclaims it.  

Join me as we dive deep into the canvas and explore the uncharted territories of art, creativity, and the awe-inspiring beauty of underwater realms.

 

My Bio 

I've exhibited in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and France. My work is found in private collections around the world. 

 

Features:

     

    Residencies:

    2022 - September at Studio Faire in Nérac France. 

     

    Shows and Awards:

    June 21- July 15, 2023
    Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, England.

     

    November 30 - December 4, 2022.
    Remote Gallery, 568B Richmond Street West, Toronto, Ontario.
    "Ripples" Solo Show

    September 13, 2021.
    La Taverne d'Henri,  10 Pl. du Général de Gaulle, 47600 Nérac, France
    "For the Love of Caves" Collaboration with cellist Emily Adele Williams and video presentation by Grace including her Lot cave paintings.

     

    April 29 - July 22, 2022.
    Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre, 247 Ricardo Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
    "A Celebration of Gardens" Group Show

     

    December 1, 2021.
    Certificate of Merit, Luxembourg Art Prize and Museum.
    Awarded for distinction from a qualitative perspective based on her work.

    May 2021.
    Conception Arts - Frieze Week Edition, Online Group Exhibit
    Awarded for distinction with Art Business Scholarship. 

     

    October 8 - 14, 2020.
    North Dakota Museum of Art, 261 Centennial Drive Stop 7305, Grand Forks North Dakota, USA.
    Two of her paintings from her "Look Up" series were included in the experimental exhibition called Art In Isolation.

     

    March 5 - 8, 2020.
    Remote Gallery, 568B Richmond Street West, Toronto, Ontario.
    “Waterlust” is an introduction to the reefs, wrecks and caves that inspire her work. Get a glimpse into these sacred places below the water line.

     

    December 2 - 8, 2019
    Eduardo Lira Art Gallery, Wynwood Walls District, Miami, Florida.
    As a participant in the ArtBox Project, Miami, Grace exhibited one of her soft pastel on paper drawings entitled “Coral Containment”.

     

    Education:

    1996 - Sheridan College, Computer Graphics

    1994 - Queen's University, B.F.A.

     

    Organizations:

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