Although Gary Marathon's career as an artist began with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Rhode Island School of Design, it was twentyfive years before he actually devoted himself to fine arts. In the interim, Gary worked as an illustrator and graphic artist for various federal and local government agencies. While working for military intelligence he created visual aids for briefings

One of his more challenging assignments during the Viet Nam war was to prepare the display of captured Vietnamese uniforms for the Army museum in Virginia. Unfortunately, the two mannequins he received were six foot tall Caucasians. Marathon had to shorten their bodies, arms and legs, and use fiberglass to reshape their features into a more Asian appearance before they could be dressed for display.

The FBI used his talents in a different way. FBI wanted posters could not include the identification number shown in most mug shots from previous arrests. Marathon's job was to remove the placard bearing the offender's number and fill in the pattern of the shirt behind it. Plaid shirts were particularly troublesome. Frequently, he was given a small headshot of one about to retire and asked to do a full portrait in fitting attire, against a background illustrating the retiree's interests and hobbies. This task became tiresome very quickly.

In Maryland Gary worked for a county library system with twentyone branch libraries. He was in charge of the printing facility, creating all promotional materials, the calendar of events, and whatever other print materials were needed.

Finally, in 1993 he made the decision to return to his fine art roots and paint full-time. Gary and his wife Kathie began traveling to art shows all over the East Coast, as well as many western and mid-western states. Now his original oils and limited edition reproductions are exhibited and sold in galleries in Arizona, Maryland, and South Carolina.

Although he is now primarily thought of as an oil painter, Marathon has worked successfully in watercolor, acrylic, pastel, and tempera. He also enjoys making pottery and furniture. Pastels became an interest four or five years ago, but he has none to exhibit. Every pastel he has completed has been sold. Subject matter has changed over the years from old trucks, seascapes, and Southwest landscapes to African animals and, most recently, florals. The series of African animal paintings was inspired by a 2001 three-week safari the couple took to Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. They preserved their memories on twenty-four rolls of film with twenty-four exposures on each roll, and a journal Kathie kept. The transition to florals has allowed Marathon to explore a whole new palette of gorgeous colors.

The MACK is honored to exhibit the work of such an accomplished artist. The show will hang in the gallery throughout the month of September. Treat yourself to a viewing.