Meet Marion Yarema

Marion Yarema

Last January, Marion posted a question asking if there would be any interest from artists in our group in a challenge of sorts. That idea then blossomed into a brilliant idea of exploring a creative way to celebrate Louise Penny’s newest release, “The Grey Wolf”.

The Three Pines Art Gallery is the result of Marion’s wonderful idea. Members are invited to contribute artwork, written works or any creative form inspired by Three Pines and the new Inspector Gamache novel, “The Grey Wolf”. All entries will remain hidden until the day of the book launch on October 29, 2024.

The Three Pines Art Gallery is located here, where entries can be submitted at any time from now until Oct. 29. After the 29th, all submissions will be published and viewable to the public.

The initial call for entries mentioned art and craft projects, but please note that poetry and any other type of art or means of celebration is welcomed.

We loved Marion’s idea and wanted to learn more about Marion, her art and how Three Pines has inspired her. So, we asked her if she would mind being interviewed and she kindly accepted!

MY: Occasionally on the site, I would see photos posted that depicted scenes that “could be” from Three Pines…A quaint town scene, three large pines, a duck, a place mat….and seeing these made me wonder what people who create art might do with using one (or all) of the books as inspiration. With as many readers and lovers of fiction on the site, there must also be a great many artists or craftspeople. Let’s share another side of ourselves!

MY: I like the discussion of various aspects of the books…though it makes me realize how much I have forgotten…and I have started reading them again for the second time. There is so much more to enjoy on the second read through.

MY: Louise Penny writes so beautifully…her wonderful descriptions create mental visuals that beg to be interpreted in art.

MY: I have not. This is the first attempt! No other books have provided the same sort of inspiration!

MY: Of course I love Armand Gamache – his strength and depth of character, morality and kindness are every woman’s dream in a man! And I love Ruth’s quirky character. You know that beneath her rough exterior, there beats a sensitive and loving heart. She is a complex and interesting character. She never holds back…always says what she thinks. No filters. I like that honesty! I wish I could be more like her!

MY: I don’t have a favourite. Maybe on the second read through, a favourite will reveal itself.

MY: I’ve always been a crafter and have explored various mediums. The most enduring has been quilting, and I have been a quilter for 30+ years. My “Sewlarium” is my happy place!

MY: Most recently I have taken up needle felting. I’m enjoying creating landscapes using wool. It’s somewhat therapeutic – stabbing a needle through fibre and fabric!

MY: I have a wall quilt I made for our winter home In California…it is Three Palms! I made it during the year I was reading the Three Pines books.

Another favourite is an appliquéd quilt I call “Chicken Soup with Matzoh balls.”

MY: Primarily fabric and fibre! I have a set of “Inktense” pencils ready to use, but so far they are still in the box! I’m waiting for that moment of inspiration before trying them out! Perhaps I have a fear of failure!

MY: It seems to be whatever book I am reading at the time that is keeping me engaged. At the moment it’s Lessons in Chemistry.

I have loved every Three Pines novel. Rarely do I reread a series, but these are so worth it! There is much to be gained …I missed so much racing through the series the first time! I’m slowing down and savouring the prose this second time through!

MY: In addition to Louise Penny, I have enjoyed all the books by Sue Grafton, Kathy Reichs, Gail Bowen, Tess Gerritsen, Patricia Cornwell – to name a few! I like series of books with recurring characters. I guess it’s a throwback to my Nancy Drew days as a kid!

MY: Any of the authors listed above. (I was sad when Sue Grafton passed away.)

A Small Sample of Marion’s Art