ABOUT

Marjorie Blume is an Asian American artist & designer living in Lake Oswego, Oregon. She grew up in the beautiful state of Alaska and it inspires her to no end. Marjorie creates paintings and illustrations based on her whimsical and sometimes abstract style. She enjoys many creative disciplines, including painting, illustration, printmaking, textile design and making jewelry.

Marjorie's mixed media acrylic paintings evoke a sense of nostalgia, pop culture and emotion, all with a freshness and warmth that is somehow relatable. She pulls from her collection of magazine clippings and photos she has cultivated since middle school to create these moving mixed collage/paintings that make you wonder-was this a dream? An emotion experienced in years past? An inexplicable feeling?

Much of her inspiration is drawn simply from wanting to make the world more vibrant and happy, and to express things that can only be felt by the viewer. She wants art to remain accessible to everyone, and it is part of her mission to contribute to the arts community in any way that she can. She is open to commissioned work and collaborations.

Marjorie opened Ridgeway Studios & Gallery in June 2023. The gallery currently features her original paintings, drawings, and jewelry, and will add artists as space allows. The gallery features local artists for First Thursdays on a regular basis. Visit Ridgeway Studios & Gallery to learn more.

FAQs

Why do you use Marjorie Blume and Marjorie Ridgeway?

Blume is Marjorie's maiden name and she uses it artistically. Ridgeway is her married name!

How long did you live in Alaska?

27 years! Born and raised. 

Why do you work with more than one type of art?

Everything Marjorie creates, no matter what form it is in, informs the other art forms. Vibrant paintings, born out of intensely remembered dreams and emotions, inspire the bold jewelry styles she creates, which informs the textile designs she creates, which inspires her whimsical drawings, and so on. She doesn't believe in "Jane of all trades, master of none." While that may pertain to some trades and crafts, the goal is to be in the "zone," or in "flow" and to trust where that leads you creatively. Marjorie might paint for months or years on end without drawing, then leans into drawing again. Discoveries are made, styles become even more developed, and the process continues.

What is your favorite medium?

Mixed media acrylic painting.

What do you advocate for with your art and being a business owner?

Art is for everyone! Making art accessible and approachable is so important in my practice and how I do business. 

As an artist, I have experienced so much growth, and much of that has come from experimentation while staying true to my artistic voice. Each of my main disciplines (painting, pattern design, illustration, and jewelry making) all inform the other. I couldn't possibly focus on one medium unless I felt it was right for my artistic practice. For some, that is the case, but for me, to be pigeonholed into a "one or the other" mindset stifles my creative process. 

SHIPPING & RETURNS

We believe in personal accountability. In placing your order, you assume responsibility and are purchasing the items you have picked out on your own. Due to the nature of the products and their uniqueness, we do not accept returns. However, if the items you ordered are damaged or lost in transit, please let us know within 3 days of receipt or expected delivery date and we will refund, replace, or offer a discount on the order based on the circumstances. Please email marjorie@marjorieblume.com with your order number and photos of damaged items, if applicable. 

There are multiple shipping options based on the type of product(s) ordered. For U.S. orders, you have the options of Economy ($5), Standard ($10) and Express ($25). Each are based on shipping time frames via USPS. For International orders, there is a $10 worldwide flat rate shipping fee, with the exception of paintings, which is $35. All orders ship within 3 days of placing the order.