As the daughter of a successful single working mother, Marion Coffey began drawing at an early age.  Her passion led her to follow her dreams and study at the American Academy of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Foutainbleau School of Fine Art, France before creating illustrations at Steven Gross – a commercial advertising firm recognized for its commercial success with Coca-Cola, Coppertone Sunscreen, and RCA (Recording Company of America).  Marion became one of the first female commercial artists working throughout the country during the mid-1940's.  After her marriage to John Coffey and the birth of Peter and me, Marion left the commercial world for fine art.  Her life was her journey to show others with her eyes and soul a world thriving in bold color.  Her art was not confined to her studio, but rather every waking moment of her life.  Whether drawing on random scraps of paper, tablets on a beach, or benches throughout the world, Marion was most content with a pen or paintbrush in her hand.  She said, "I drew before I did much else and have spent a lifetime in this magical world of color and shapes.  I feel so lucky to be able to spend endless hours and countless days in total absorption of line, colors and form."

My mother once said, "I want to show things not exactly how they may look, but as I see them.  I want to share my vision of the world with my art."  In the spirit of these words, I’ve embarked on this adventure to continue sharing my mother’s artwork and offer a glimpse into the world through her eyes.  I am Lisa Coffey Robbins, Marion’s daughter and best friend.  Her art studio was at our house and we often collaborated throughout her decades of painting.  I was the photographer and critic, she was the creative genius.  In our hours together, her ideas progressed from photographs to line drawings and, eventually, completed works of art – many of which reside in private residences, corporations, and museums nationally.  Sharing Marion’s life’s work is a true pleasure, and I hope you will enjoy it as much as those who have known and collected it for years!