DAILY RECORD, Friday, August 6, 2010
TGIF - Morris County's Weekly Entertainment Guide

THINGS ARE SHAPING UP IN MORRISTOWN
New exhibit at the Center for Spiritual Living
focuses on art of the square
by Bill Nutt

The message of the art exhibit on display at Morristown's Center for Spiritual Living is clear: It's hip to be square.

"Three Foot Square" is a display of a doze abstract works by artists... READ MORE

Advertisement appearing in PURE INSPIRATION magazine,
Fall and Winter 2009

Think New Thought Newsletter
Online - February 2009

See The Good
by Gail Mardfin

I have been a "seeker" and an artist my whole life. With an undergrad psych degree and a graduate art degree, I was a high school art teacher for 20 years while married to my then-husband, who I believed was "the artist in the family." We shared a good life and happily raised two creative children together, now young adults. When the marriage ended (very sadly, for me), I had the chance to recreate myself in every way, growing more passionate on my spiritual search, developing as an artist, and eventually exhibiting and selling my own art work publicly in places I had never dreamed about.

By the beginning of this century (fun to say that!), I was a member of Religious Science Morristown (now the Center for Spiritual Living Morristown, NJ).  It was wonderful to be surrounded by so many happy people, together learning about the power we have in our own lives when we open up to the Great Spirit of Love, using tools like Spiritual Mind Treatment. In 2003 I was introduced to the Law of Attraction as taught by Abraham-Hicks, a teaching that completely resonated with me in its overarching simplicity. I steadfastly put it into practice.

With unbelievable ease, I lined up a one-person show at a large, local public art space in the court administration building of Morris County, a venue that could accommodate about 60 pieces of my work.  The show was set for 18 months away, and I got busy!

I've always been partial to bold colors and strong linework, and I began painting stylized still lifes of things that attracted me -- plates of blueberry pancakes and sausages, bowls of pears and papayas, arrangements of tulips and day lilies. I choose to paint only things that make people smile and feel good.  The name of my exhibit was born: "See the Good." I remind people that in this vibrational world, when you feel good by focusing on what makes you happy, you will bring more higher-vibration circumstances into your life.  

In addition to my 20 or so paintings, I had made two dozen collages with uplifting quotes on them.  I fleshed out the show with a number of photographs that I applied inspirational text to (I've had my own graphic design business for the past 13 years and working with Adobe Photoshop was fun and easy for me). Over a rushing stream, for instance, were words from the very metaphysical poem, "Merrily, merrily, merrily... life is but a dream."  As Abraham would say, I was letting go of the oars of my boat so the Stream of Well Being could take me in its flow.

The show came together with amazing ease and it was a huge success.  I garnered wonderful press, sales, and offers for more shows.  I've developed my website, produced a calendar of my inspirational photos, had more than a dozen exhibits, and just this week sold two paintings (in this "bad economy...") This is all within two years of my first one-person show, "See the Good."  We can have and do and be whatever our hearts desire.

The Bernards-Ridge Connection
September, 2008
Cover: Harvest Apples
(Original acrylic painting 30x24)

Publishers Message: ...Our cover painting is an acrylic entitled "Harvest Apples" by local artist. Gail Mardfin. Its inspiration came from a visit to the Bernardsville farmers' market where Gail, looking at a basket of tomatoes, decided a basket of apples would make a delightful fall cover. A native of Connecticut, Gail studied and taught art for many years. She recently finished a show of her work at The Bernardsville Library and has a graphic design business as welll. Please read Gail's inspirational bio on page 6...

GAIL MARDFIN

Always drawing as a kid growing up in Connecticut, Gail Mardfin became an art teacher, for many years heading the art department at Purnell School in Pottersville. Gail attended Skidmore College, graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, and after moving to New Jersey in 1975, she earned a master’s in studio art from Montclair University. She was married to an artist for 25 years and together they raised two very creative, now young adult children. In 1996, Gail founded PLP Graphic Design Services, where she is the principal designer. She now divides her creative time between “pushing paint and pushing pixels.” 

Gail only recently began showing her own artwork publicly, but since her first large one-person exhibit in 2007, she has enjoyed a number of successful shows, most recently at the Bernardsville Public Library. Upcoming exhibits include Mama’s Grace Café (Chester) in September-October, the Madison Public Library in November, and Delbarton School in December. Some of her work currently hangs at The Station Pub & Grub in Bernardsville.

Through her stylized acrylic paintings and collages and photographs with uplifting text on them, Gail spreads her belief in the Law of Attraction, endeavoring to “See the Good” everywhere she looks. Her art website is www.PLPHomeSpirit.com.

Another nice article about Mama's Grace Café in Chester, citing the hand-painted affirmation chairs by Gail Mardfin, appeared in the MendhamChesterWashingtonTwp this week paper on April 2, 2008. Click to see restaurant photo and read the synopsis of my friends' family-friendly restaurant!