We’ve all experienced the whimsical.
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, the childhood classic Where the Wild Things Are, and the candy-fueled journey of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory are iconic examples of how whimsy has entered our homes and imaginations.
These beloved works are deservedly among the most celebrated expressions of the whimsical. But did you know Cookeville has its very own master of whimsy in artist Marilee Hall?
Marilee began her nearly 40-year career in ceramics creating utilitarian pieces like bowls and casserole dishes. As her technical skills evolved, so did her desire for deeper creative expression. What followed was the development of an instantly recognizable and deeply personal artistic style.
Her work blends coiling, slab rolling, and hand-building techniques. Using primarily white earthenware clay, Marilee incorporates underglazes, glazes, and specialty finishes, giving each piece individuality through rich color, layered textures, and thoughtful detail.
This distinctive approach allows her to invent human, animal, and human-animal hybrid characters that are vibrant, playful, and uplifting—each one feeling as though it belongs to a larger story. From tiled wall installations to sculptural forms, Marilee’s work is narrative-driven, created to be enveloping, enchanting, and mesmerizing.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in the eyes of her characters. Exaggerated in the most beautiful way, these “portals to the soul” offer a glimpse into who they are—and who their creator is.
To know Marilee is to understand the philosophy she hopes both her art and her life convey:
“Be compassionate. Express yourself. Be open together; let’s drop judgment. Let’s hug, let’s laugh, let’s read poems. Let’s just be together.”
Like poetry, her pieces are meant to be experienced, felt, and reimagined by the viewer. They carry a signature look and feel, yet—like all great creative works—remain open to interpretation.
Drawing from folk tales and offering compassionate commentary on our collective psyche, Marilee Hall’s work is, at its core, profoundly human. Through an ancient medium, a masterful skillset, and an unmistakable sense of whimsy, her art connects us to our own stories, to one another’s journeys, and to the simple magic of being alive.
You can visit Marilee’s gallery at Spring Street Studios on Spring Street in Cookeville, TN.
Written by Andrew Buckner | Photos by Olivia Merritt
