From the time Marla could hold a crayon in her hand she knew she wanted to paint. Although she was born in Greenville, Mississippi, her Father's military career took them to many interesting places. It was at the early age of 10, while living in the Philippines, that her artistic abilities began to emerge. It was her good fortune to have a Chinese instructor that taught her painting techniques and she began to grow artistically. He worked with her showing her how to draw with charcoals and paint with oils on canvas. Returning to the States, she continued taking Art in high school and accepted an art scholarship to Mississippi University for Women. There she received a BFA in Interior Design. Her bold and bright color choices in her paintings, she attributes to working with fabric and color swatches through her design work. Marla's paintings include her love of flowers, landscapes, abstract, still life and animals. She paints with watercolors, acrylics and her favorite, oils. Always wanting to learn something new, Marla takes painting classes and enjoys painting with other artist friends. Having raised two sons, she is at a point in her life where she can focus on marketing her paintings. Her husband, John, is her best critic.