Past, Current & Upcoming Events


The National Sumi-e Society Show in Washington DC – June 2023

UPDATE: The Sumi-e Society is pleased to announce that the 2023 Annual Exhibition is now available to be seen in its entirety on the Internet at www.sumieshow.org.

UPDATE: Frederica Marshall’s Asian Brush Painting, “Guardian King” painted in Tarashikomi technique won The Sarasota Chapter Award at The 2023 National Sumi-e Society of America Exhibit at The Chinese American Museum in Washington DC. Her calligraphy “Flowing Wind” in Grass Style Flying White cursive was also accepted. The show was held June 1-30 and is online for one year at sumieshow.org.

Guardian King was accepted by The National Sumi-e Society Show in Washington DC. The exhibit will be on display at The Chinese American Museum in DC June 1-30 and online at sumiesociety.org. It is painted in tarashi komi, size 20″x24″. The price is $1000 including frame. Shipping not included.

Guardian King painted in tarashi komi by Frederica Marshall.

Guardian King, painted in tarashi komi by Frederica Marshall, will be on display at The Chinese American Museum in DC.


Flowing Wind calligraphy by Frederica Marshall.

Flowing Wind, Frederica’s calligraphy, is done in fei bai – flying white dry brush technique.

My calligraphy Flowing Wind was also accepted for the National Sumi-e Exhibit. It is done in fei bai – flying white dry brush technique. It is 19″x21″ for $600 framed. Shipping not included.


Chi-ful painters at the Zenergy Workshop Dance with the Big Brush – July 22, 2023

Chi-ful painters at the Zenergy Workshop Dance with the Big Brush July 22, 2023

Chi-ful painters at the Zenergy Workshop Dance with the Big Brush July 22, 2023


Tarashikomi Workshop – Washington DC Sumi-e Chapter – October 2022

Frederica working on a new series of pumpkin paintings after teaching tarashikomi technique to the Washington DC Sumi-e Chapter on Zoom.

Frederica Marshall working a new series of pumpkin paintings

Frederica working on a new series of pumpkin paintings after teaching tarashikomi technique to the Washington DC Sumi-e Chapter on Zoom.


Sasha with her Waterlilies watercolor batik painting – 2022

Sasha Gross with her Waterlilies watercolor batik painting

Sasha Gross with her Waterlilies watercolor batik painting.

Sasha Gross with her beautiful Waterlilies watercolor batik painting. Sasha is studying painting with Frederica.


Sumi-e Dragon Painting Workshop for Teens – April 12, 2022

Blue Hill Anime Club painted dragons with Frederica.

The Blue Hill Anime Club painted dragons with Frederica on April 12th. They were colorful and amazing!

Sumi-e Painting for Teens

Tweens and teens ages 10 and up are invited to join local artist Frederica Marshall to learn the art of Japanese Sumi-e painting, a traditional ink-based painting style, at the Blue Hill Library. Participants will learn to prepare their ink and have the opportunity to create a practice painting while learning a few of the 270 different brush strokes that are unique to Sumi-e, before moving on to painting a dragon portrait. Everyone will learn to sign their paintings with their names translated into Japanese and use a traditional hanko seal.

BLUE HILL LIBRARY
5 Parker Point Road, Blue Hill, ME


The 2021 National Sumi-e Exhibit – Sept 2021

Frederica Marshall had two paintings accepted for the 2021 National Sumi-e Exhibit. This show is available online September 2021- September 30, 2022 at sumieshow.org. Frederica is known for her paintings of Maine in Asian Brush Painting. Her painting school and gallery are located at 81 N. Deer Isle Road in Deer Isle.

Red Birches by Frederica Marshall

Red Birches


Winter Silence by Frederica Marshall

Winter Silence


Summer 2021: Reopening of my school/studio for vaccinated adults and healthy children!

Summer 2021: Reopening of my school/studio for vaccinated adults and healthy children! Masks may be worn by children and me if necessary. Private classes to be scheduled when convenient.

I am offering classes in watercolor and sumi-e for children ages 6+ and adults. Fees are $50 per person per hour. All materials are provided. Cash or check please. Please wear painting clothing – ink does not wash out!

To register: Contact Frederica Marshall at 207-348-2782

Three dragon masters pose with their paintings.

Three dragon masters pose with their paintings.


Tea Dragon Painting on cover of Sumi-e Magazine – Summer 2020

Tea Dragon Painting on cover of Sumi-e Magazine

Tea Dragon Painting on cover of Sumi-e Magazine Summer 2020

Frederica’s Tea Dragon painting made the cover of Sumi-e Magazine Summer 2020 edition, the quarterly of the Sumi-e Society of America, Inc.


DIAA Seventh Annual Member 12×12 Exhibit – July 28-Aug 9, 2020

Island Painting - sumi-e on rice paper

Island – sumi-e on rice paper

Frederica exhibits in the Deer Isle Artists Association seventh annual Member 12×12 Exhibition. Because of COVID 19, visitors to the gallery are able to view the works in the windows and, weather permitting, outside. Plus, you can view all the works online at www.deerisleartists.com. All work is priced at $144 for this special exhibit. Purchases can be made at the gallery, safely distanced, and online.

DEER ISLE ARTISTS ASSOCIATION
15 Main Street, Deer Isle, ME


Assembled Words Exhibit – Nov 1-30, 2019

Frederica curated a show by inviting writers/artists to explore 2 and 3 D art using words. Poetry on rocks and shells, haiku hanging from a ladder and more! Everyone is invited during library hours.

BLUE HILL LIBRARY
5 Parker Point Road, Blue Hill, ME


Advanced Sumi-e: New Book by Frederica Marshall – Spring 2019

Advanced Sumi-e Workbook by Frederica MarshallAdvanced Sumi-e, Frederica’s newest book in The Way Of The Brush Series, has covers in color to refer to the techniques inside. Ancient and modern painting methods include suminagashi, tarashikomi, gong bi, watercolor batik, mounting on foam core, wood and canvas.

This is an exciting workbook to explore experimental sumi-e art. Click to purchase Advanced Sumi-e.


Sumi-e Exhibit and Sale of Works – October 2018

Sumi-e Exhibit and Sale of works by Frederica, Mary Gray and Mike De Matteo at Blue Hill Library for the month of October. Everyone is invited!

BLUE HILL LIBRARY
5 Parker Point Road, Blue Hill, ME

Cloud Dragon by Frederica Marshall

Cloud Dragon


Winter Fox by Frederica Marshall

Winter Fox


Wave Woman by Frederica Marshall

Wave Woman


Wings, Waves, & Woods Sumie-e Demos – May 19, 2018

Sumi-e demos will be on going 1:00 – 4:00 at Frederica’s studio, May 19th, during the Wings, Waves, and Woods Festival in Deer Isle. Stop by and visit the gallery and the studio!


Wings, Waves, & Woods Exhibit – May 5-26, 2018

Frederica’s paintings will be displayed at The Wings, Waves, and Woods Exhibit
10:00 – 4:00 Mon – Sat May 5 – 26, 2018

The Island Heritage Trust Barn Gallery
240 Sunset Road, Deer Isle, Maine


Exhibit of Renga Linked Haiku Scrolls – May 1-30, 2018

Renga Scroll by Frederica MarshallThe Haiku Project Presents an Exhibit of Renga Linked Haiku Scrolls at Blue Hill Library
May 1 – 30, 2018
Reception 5:00 – 6:30 Friday May 18th

The Haiku Project is a group of local poets who write and meet about haiku poetry. We have linked our poems into Renga – longer length groups of haiku, and mounted them on to 14 painted scrolls.

There will also be a display of traditional Japanese clothing from Frederica’s collection at the library May – July.

Everyone is invited!

BLUE HILL LIBRARY
5 Parker Point Road, Blue Hill, ME

More info from Blue Hill Public Library Press Release:

Deer Isle artist Frederica Marshall will present two exhibits at the Blue Hill Public Library in May, an exhibition of Renga Scrolls in the Britton Gallery by herself and her students as part of the “Haiku Project,” and a display of traditional Japanese clothing in the Howard Room glass cases. The public is invited to a reception for the shows on Friday, May 18th from 5:00 to 6:30 PM.

Renga are groups of haiku written about one theme. Frederica and her Haiku Project students organized haikus they had all written into themes, and arranged them into longer poems that were then written onto scrolls with motifs painted in sumi ink by herself and her student Mike De Matteo. This exhibit will be in the Britton Gallery during the month of May.

The display of traditional Japanese clothing include an embroidered wedding kimono, shibori haori jackets, silk obi belts, brocade geta and hairpins, all items collected by Frederica when she lived in Japan. This display will be in the Howard Room cases for the months of May through July.

Frederica grew up in Japan, and lived there for 28 years. She studied brush painting, Ikebana flower arranging, calligraphy, Bingata textile dying, pottery and language. She has exhibited her work in Japan and the US in more than 100 group shows and 28 solo shows. She is an artist, teacher and researcher. She has a BFA in Painting from Miami University in Ohio and an MA in Art Education from Michigan State University.


Way of the Brush

Deer Isle artist keeps alive ancient art form
January 4, 2018 by Jennifer Osborn on Arts & Living, Lifestyle (Ellsworth American)

Way of the Brush with Frederica Marshall

In Japan, the fabrication of paintbrushes is an ancient craft steeped with tradition and history. PHOTO BY JENNIFER OSBORN

Frederica Marshall’s largest paintbrush, made of wood and four horsetails, stands at about 64 inches, taller than she is.

The horsehair brush looks like a witch’s broom, and while heavy, it moves easily.

In her 57 years as an artist and master Japanese sumi-e brush painter, Marshall has collected more than 500 brushes.

“My husband and I call ourselves tool gatherers and skill learners,” the Deer Isle artist said. “We’re really fortunate because we both understand the need to create. We have a rule that tools don’t count. Buy what you need.”

All those brushes, in Marshall’s skilled hands, have created countless works of art, which are included in private collections in Australia, Europe, Japan and the United States. Read more…


National Sumi-e Exhibit – July 7-29, 2017

Knot by Frederica MarshallKnot” by Frederica was chosen to be in the Calligraphy part of The National Sumi-e Exhibit in Tallahassee Florida by judge Nan Liu. The exhibit will be at Le Moyne Center in Tallahassee July 7-29 2017.

Moonlight” was chosen for the painting section of the exhibit.

Moonlight by Frederica Marshall


Frederica’s Sumi-e Owl Painting Tattoo

Sumi-e Owl Painting TattooStephanie M. asked for permission to have Frederica’s sumi-e owl painting tattooed on her shoulder!


Yin Fire Rooster – Painted for 2017

Yin Fire Rooster by Frederica Marshall


Peninsula Painters Exhibit – Sept 1-29, 2016

Dream Journey by Frederica MarshallSee Frederica’s painting “Dream Journey” at the The Peninsula painters Exhibit Sept 1-29, 2016.

BLUE HILL LIBRARY
5 Parker Point Road, Blue Hill, ME


Asian Pottery Show – June & July 2016

Frederica & Herman’s Asian Pottery collection is on display at Blue Hill Library for June and July 2016. Please come view it!

BLUE HILL LIBRARY
5 Parker Point Road, Blue Hill, ME

Asian Pottery Collection


2015 National Sumi-e Society Exhibit – Mobile Arts Council

The 2015 National Sumi-e Society Exhibit is open Tuesday – Saturday (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) October 9th – 23rd, 2015.

MOBILE ARTS COUNCIL
318 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama 36602


National Exhibition 2014 – Sumi-e Society of America

Incoming Tide by Frederica MarshallFrederica’s painting “Incoming Tide” has been selected for The 51st Annual Exhibition of The Sumi-e Society of America, which will be on display September 5 – September 26 at The Glenview Mansion in Rockville, MD. The opening reception will be Sunday, September 7 from 1:30 p.m. -3:30 p.m. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Open to the public.

THE GLENVIEW MANSION
603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, MD 20851


2014 National Sumi-e Exhibit – Portsmouth Arts & Cultural Center

Impermance by Frederica MarshallFrederica’s painting “Impermanence” has been selected for the 2014 Annual Juried Exhibition of the Sumi-e Society of America. The exhibit will be held Sep. 6 – Oct. 20, 2014.

PORTSMOUTH ARTS & CULTURAL CENTER
521 Middle Street, Portsmouth, Virginia

Impermance. The painting is 24″ x 16″ and is done in the tarashikomi technique of painting with water on sized paper then touching color and ink to the wet area. Small lines of dry paper allow the definition of the shapes in the painting. This was inspired by a sculpture I studied in The Brooklyn Museum of Fine Art in New York on a recent trip there.

Selected for the 2014 Sumi-e Exhibit at the Portsmouth Arts & Cultural Center in Portsmouth Virginia.


Solo Show – September 2014

Island Reflections, a solo show of recent paintings by Frederica Marshall, will be exhibited September 10 – October 1 at the Pearson Legacy Gallery (open daily 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.). The opening reception will be 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. on September 10. The new works reveal a greater fusion of Western and Asian painting techniques and compositions. Celebrating 10 years of living on Deer Isle, the artist feels she has developed a deeper understanding of the natural environment and energy of her beautiful surroundings.

At 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, Frederica will present The Evolution of American Watercolor Painting, a slide lecture on the history and changing use of watercolor painting from the 1800s to modern times.

PEARSON LEGACY GALLERY
13 Dow Road, Deer Isle, ME
Open daily 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.


Annual Juried Exhibition – Sumi-e Society of America

Dragon by Frederica MarshallFrederica’s painting “Dragon” has been selected for the 2011 Annual Juried Exhibition of the Sumi-e Society of America. The show was judged by Dr. Kan Kit-Keung, the best Asian brush painter in America.

The exhibit will be on view June 20, 2011 through January 30, 2012 at www.sumiesociety.org.


Tokyo Fine Art Museum

The invitational juried 2011 International Sumi-e Exhibition accepted “Long View,” a painting of birch trees and a canoe by Frederica Marshall. It will be mounted on a scroll and shown at the Tokyo Fine Art Museum in Japan. The exhibit will be shown 2011-2012 and will travel to Osaka and Taipei, Taiwan. The painting is done on washi paper with sumi ink in the classical style.