Arlie Marshall died in Eureka, California, on October 2, 1998. A lifetime artist and resident of Humboldt County since 1980, he was involved for over twenty years in the research and development of an art form he titled "Renaissance Time Capsules." This art form was dedicated in tribute to Leonardo da Vinci. Though deceased, there exists enough reference material on da Vinci for Arlie to have chosen him as his Mentor. The artist's method was to fantasize living in the 15th Century as Leonardo da Vinci's pupil, designing with that era's technology in mind and striving to satisfy the master's critical eye.
Arlie intentionally avoided any of da Vinci's original design concepts, thus requiring goodly amounts of research into the Italian Renaissance period, especially Leonardo's existing works.
Without assuming any comparison to Leonardo's genius, but with a general sense of a similarity in drawing styles and imagination, Arlie strived to emulate da Vinci with respect in each new Leonardo-styled drawing. The mirror image copy is composed from words and phrases that Arlie collected through the years. Each piece is executed in an effort to provide the viewer with the sensation of the discovery of a recently found 500-year-old manuscript page.
With over 30 pieces finished and more than 100 pieces in different stages of progress, Arlie continued to sketch concepts for new drawings until the time of his death. His intent was to publish the collection in book form and follow up with signed limited edition prints. Many of the drawings are mini adventures relating to as yet unheard of legends and myths, while others show serious inventions suitable to the 15th Century, and some detail such humorous ideas as "Horse-Powered Flight" and "Horse-Powered Submarines". Each piece involves hundreds of specific steps, executed in an exact order, to make the art form maintain the illusion of antiquity.
Arlie was invited to donate one of his "Renaissance Time Capsules" to College of the
Redwoods for its permanent art collection. The piece shows a "Horse-Powered Cross Cut Saw Mill" and was published in the "Style" section of the Times-Standard newspaper in Eureka. A large version of "Horse-Powered Flight" won 2nd place and the Hobart Gallery award in the 1995 Humboldt County Fair's judged show. As a member of the Redwood Art Association, Arlie was invited to show one of his "Time Capsules" at the opening of the new Eureka Public Library in 1995, and again three pieces in 1996. As a member of the Humboldt Arts Council, Arlie sold an oil painting in one of its previous art auctions. He won Best of Show in the 1996 Redwood Art Association's Fall exhibit with a large piece titled "Masterplan for the-Horse Powered Submarine." Later exhibits included a one-man show at Humboldt Bay Coffee company and a two-man show at the Professional Mortgage Group's new office in Eureka.
The "Renaissance Time Capsule" concept and artwork is copyrighted by Arlie Marshall, 1997, All rights reserved.
For more information on Arlie Marshall and his work, send email to gallery@hardiehouse.org.
