Hope Marshall is a full-time ‘self-taught’ Digital Artist in Northern New York as well as the Membership Coordinator, Exhibit Coordinator and Gallery Manager of the North Country Arts Council.
By Kimberly Ward
The North Country Arts Council (NCAC) ‘Arts on the Square’ gallery is a place for cultural education, performances, gallery space, sales, workshops, and more. Originally founded in 1949 the North Country Artists’ Guild served the North Country by providing promotional opportunities to fine artists. In 2009 their mission was expanded and the name changed to The North Country Arts Council to reflect their hope of encompassing all arts. The North Country Arts Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and promoting the arts in northern New York. NCAC represents all areas of the arts – music, theatre, dance, literary arts, visual arts, and crafts. They provide a clearing house of opportunities for artists.
Hope was born in Arnprior Ontario, Canada about 35 minutes west of Ottawa and moved to Northern New York in 2001 after marrying her husband. She and her husband Joseph have two daughters, Miranda and Kendra. They attend school in the Indian River School District. She has been involved with NCAC since 2008 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2010. Hope feels that her ‘eye’ for art was influenced by growing up with a mother who is a journalist and photographer, although, Hope admits that they have a different perspective and viewpoint.
While in High School, the artist within began to develop and Hope went on to enroll in a Fine Arts College. This pursuit never manifested as Hope was a ‘late bloomer’ and her shyness kept her from going away to College. Hope shared with me that attending this school was not in the cards for her as it was too far away from home. Hope subsequently studied Advertising and Publications but did not work in this field. She does however utilize these skills in the work that she does with NCAC. Hope tells me that those who know her now would say that the shyness does not show and I would agree. While interviewing Hope I found her to be confident, grounded and in complete alignment with the work that she does.
After graduating Hope began working with photography and later creating digital art with the use of composite photography and computer generated lines and color. Hope said that she always noticed that the fire leaned towards the Northeast and that it was the direction to which it pointed that was relevant. The Remington Art Museum was in this direction relative to where she was. She began meditating on fire and her digital work has now been featured five times in the Remington Art Museum since her first photography submission that was denied with this prestigious organization. Hope says learning digital media was necessary to not be ‘left behind.’
As a child, Hope never wanted to see Ghosts with her naked eye; she says that she was just “too scared.” Today, images of spirit’s show up and manifest in her photographs and digital work and this validates her beliefs that they exist.
I asked Hope about her spiritual beliefs and she shared that she is “so far on the side of believing that she is aware that doors exist and she continues to walk through them.” She feels her art is spiritually driven and has a gift for seeing the images appear as soon as she takes a photograph. However, she said that sometimes what she envisions is not the end result. This is when she feels spirit intervenes.
Being a self-taught artist, Hope believes that all people are creative artists and assists in bringing them “out of their shell” by charging crystals for them. Jo Reid who is a friend of Hope’s says that “Hope uses her camera to capture a moment. Her vision then connects with the spirituality of what she has recorded. She is then able to form an artistic expression where others can also experience an enhanced perception. Hope’s art has let me see more than just an image.”
Hope is an Intercessor, and Mother Mary, St. Brigid and St. Kateri Tekakwitha all sit on her shoulder; she also feels that she is an empath. An Evangelical Christian once told her “if prayers are said in your presence they will be heard.” Hope takes this very serious and when she hears others’ declaring negative providence, she stops and warns them.
Hope shared with me that it was not until a year ago that she finally learned to tell the difference between ancestors and Spirits at Large. Hope has been bitten about 15 times by individual spiders. She says that through this she has been tested to evolve and further develop her healing abilities. One bite in particular had her out of commission for a week with swollen eyes, face and neck. Hope used Jade and Meditation Homeopathically to assist her body to heal after this bite. Each time she suffers a bite she says that she heals faster. In her words, “Spider medicine is one of my strongest qualities as a connector of people. Whenever bitten I know I am due for a transformational experience.” She says she is always bitten in the same place on her right shoulder except once. This specific bite occurred at the base of her skull and caused extreme swelling. The bald patch in her hair that was left has since grown back.
Hope communicates with her guides while creating art and also when setting up galleries. She says that “art pieces are very intuitive, and different venues for showing art can prompt a different name for a piece.”
Last summer Hope began doing sculpture with Soapstone and Wonderstone. She would write down her intention and become one with the stone. She has moved outside of her digital realm and stepping out of the comfort zone has changed her life. Whenever a piece of the Wonderstone would fall away and make contact with her, the place it touched would tingle. She is currently working on a 13 month project based around the Mayan Calendar and the 13 moons of the Turtle Calendar. She felt strongly that she was turtle clan and while in a consignment shop picked up a necklace to discover it was a turtle. Upon trying the necklace on it tingled and continues to surge with energy at various times when donning the necklace. This 13 month project has significance as she feels it honors her ancestry and culture that she did not grow up with, but instinctively knows.
Hope also mentioned the two moons in May in the Mayan Calendar and our current Full Moon Lunar Eclipse, Super Moon and Solar Flares. She feels there is a strong connection and effect on our daily lives.
Hope does commissioned pieces, freelance photography and energy healing work and can be reached by phone or email.
Contact info:
Perception Photography hope@perceptionphotography.biz
North Country Arts Council hmarshall@nnyart.org
(315)286-2065
(315)629-4131
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Perception-Photography/276158334588
www.nnyart.org
About the Author:
Kimberly Ward is a Certified Psychic, Medium, Shamanic Practitioner, Healer, and Ordained Spiritualist. Kimberly has been an empath her entire life, just “knowing” things on a deep an profound level. She uses cards in her readings as well as clairvoyance to tap into what is happening in your life. Through mediumship and Shamanic work she can identify passed loved ones and spirit guides around you. Find out more at her website, www.newbeginningsholisticwellness.com.
