‘Stopping was never an option’ for Franklin artist who had to adapt to new methods for painting
By Jodi Rall • Staff Writer Williamson Herald
Photo by Jodi Rall
Sep 21, 2022 Updated Sep 21, 2022
For 84-year-old Franklin resident Marilynn Derwenskus, art and teaching have been her life.
However, when she had an accident in 2019, her world greatly changed. She fell, breaking her arm, wrist and hip and can no longer hold a paint brush in the way she used to. Determined to not give up, Marilynn learned a new way to paint.
“Stopping was never an option; art is a life force,” Derwenskus said.
The abstract expressionist will host an artist’s talk at he Gordon Jewish Community Center Thursday at 12:45 p.m., and her work will be featured there through Dec. 15. Both the exhibit and the talk are free and open to the public.
Derwenskus spent two years developing experimental painting methods that don’t require the use of a paintbrush — techniques such as pouring, masking and stenciling.
“I truly loved teaching and still love to teach,” she said. “Since I couldn’t hold a brush after the accident, I had an obstacle. I had to find new way to do old things.”
At age 10, Derwenskus wrote in her diary that she wanted to be a teacher. One year later, she said that was crossed out and in its place she wrote artist.
“Teaching and painting can be combined,” she said.
Derwenskus’ career spans nearly 260 national and international exhibitions, 15 residences, 23 grants and honors, and hundreds of awards. Her large abstract works are influenced by post-modernism. Derwenskus’ exhibit, “Art is Life: Life is Art,” includes work from 1987 to present. Many of the pieces on display came from her children. Only three of the paintings will be for sale.
Derwenskus’ accident in 2019 was not the first time that a health issue reenergized her art career. At age 47 she needed a heart surgery, and she was not expected to live. But she did, so she went on to get her MFA, at age 50.
“I decided I’d been given a new lease on life, so I applied to the University of Chicago, Derwenskus said.”
With three degrees in art, Derwenskus taught at Ball State University for 20 years prior to moving to Franklin. She was awarded on June 4 a lifetime achievement award by the Michigan Watercolor Society for her accomplishments.
Derwenskus moved to Tennessee to be closer to two of her three children and has eight grandchildren.
The Gordon Jewish Community Center is located at 801 Percy Warner Blvd. in Nashville.
