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IF YOU PAINT THEM, THEY WILL COME!
RIVERSIDE CALIFORNIA Photo: Merri Cassem
Born in Los Angeles to artist parents, Marian Semic spent much of her first years sitting in a high chair next to her mother as she painted beautiful seascapes in oil. The smell of turpentine permeated the house.
At some point later in her childhood Marian decided she could paint. She continued until early adulthood. But then decided it would be nice to eat.
In defiance to her father's threat that he'd break all of her fingers if she became a graphic artist (as he had done) and due to the severe brain damage caused by the turpentine, she secured a job as an advertising artist at the local newspaper.
After five years of loyal service, the mean, heartless corporation laid her off. To combat the degradation of living on the dole, she returned to what was in her blood. Painting.
Marian finds inspiration hanging around with other artists, weirdos, and perverts at the non-profit art gallery she helped create, "The People's Gallery".
She also makes a poor attempt at keeping food on the table and a roof over her head by working as a graphic artist for a local print shop.