Marlee Berry: Young artist paints for a good cause
POLSON — Marlee Berry is a young woman with a lot going for her. Currently a senior at Polson High School, Berry is talented at art and athletics, interested in travel and charitable work and has future plans that include the U.S. Army National Guard and college.
As part of an assignment for her English class at PHS, Berry was tasked with creating a project pertaining to Africa. She seized the opportunity to combine her love of art with her passion for helping others — the result is a series of vibrantly-colored acrylic paintings.
Berry is currently raffling off the paintings at her mom’s coffee shop, the Big Sky Bistro and Art Bar. She hopes to raise up to $400 which she will use to “adopt” a child in Africa.
While Berry is Montana born and raised, she hopes to see more of the world in the future. Her immediate plans include the army and college, but down the road, she says she’d like to join the Peace Corps. And maybe one day, she might even get the chance to visit the continent that she has worked hard to raise money for.
Berry’s paintings are currently on display at the bistro, and tickets for the raffle can be purchased at the front counter.
•••
The emerging artist answers some questions
about her craft and her future plans:
How long have you been practicing art?
I haven been practicing art since I was a little girl. All the way from finger painting to building sand castles, to now doing more in-detail art.
What is your medium?
Pencil, acrylics.
How would you describe your artwork?
I love all types of art. I would have to say a lot more of my paintings are abstract with meaning, and my pencil drawings are almost always realistic.
What inspires you?
People who have a love for art, like me, inspire me. This doesn’t mean you have to be good at it but just the love of performing it. I love museums — they inspire me! I could spend a whole day in one, especially the Miracle of America Museum.
What do you like to do besides making art?
I would love to be a criminal scene investigator! If not that, I would love to travel the world and join the Peace Corps. Helping children would be an ideal way of living life.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Five years from now, I see myself in the army until my contract is over, having done a million pieces of artwork, improving my abilities, and living in my own house somewhere away from my hometown. I also hope to have traveled and keep traveling with the opportunities of making a difference in this world. If I am able to make a change in even one young child’s life, I will be satisfied.