Coffey painted in all sizes but favored large scale. She sketched constantly during her travels bringing back many ideas for future work. Coffey enjoyed working on handmade paper, which added depth and texture to the painting surface. A prolific artist, she produced hundreds of paintings and prints. In her last ten years, Coffey’s art focused on her travels to the British Isles, South of France, Spain, Tuscany, Kenya and Tanzania and her home town, Milwaukee. Her fans were many, and the gallery shows sold out quickly. Marion Coffey’s paintings take us on a colorful journey capturing the essence of her subject, whether it is a vase of flowers, the brilliant patterns of African warrior robes, or the Milwaukee skyline. Working until the day she died, Coffey’s art embodies a spirit that remains forever young.
Marion Coffey’s paintings are in public and private collections across the country including the archives of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC, Quarles & Brady, Milwaukee, Foley Lardner, Milwaukee, the Medical College of Wisconsin, West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. in Wisconsin, the US Czech Embassy (2007-2009), and the White House in our nation's capital.
See MOWA archives.
