About

  ....I had to know everything. He started with poker, “I must have had poker in my blood,” he began. “I got thrown out of three junior high schools and three high schools for playing poker. I did manage to complete my education but I didn’t stop playing poker. I started playing “real” poker in Gardena when I was 17. I played with relatives who played small stakes games. Those games were so tight and so tenacious; I called them ‘The ‘Rock Garden.’ I learned a lot in those games that often were as tough as any final table I have ever played. Years later, I finished second in the largest poker tournament ever held on the planet earth – at that time.” [In 1992, the 862 players who participated in the first event in the Winnin’ O’ the Green was a staggering number for a poker competition!] George continued, “I was riding home in a limousine, counting my winnings and thinking, I just won more money in one night playing poker than any of the principals who threw me out of school made in a year … what great vindication!”

     Marlowe was a successful professional poker player for a number of years. He then decided to re-join the “real” world of business. He explains, “Two rules of a professional poker player, at that time, were to live with no clock and no calendar. When I became a single parent, I knew my life had to change drastically. I started a business and became ‘Superdad.’ I knew there would be no more poker for me for a while but never doubted that one day I would get back to it.”

     Marlowe became involved in the world of arts and crafts with his emergence into that real world. He developed art and craft products for Mattel, Ceramichrome, Inc. and the craft division of General Mills, Inc. He eventually owned and operated his own company, “VideoPitch”, a very successful and highly specialized new business consultancy for advertising agencies. His ceramic creativity was born during his stint with Ceramichrome where he had the opportunity of working with some of the most highly regarded and talented ceramicists in the world. Another passion was unleashed within Marlowe.

     In 1989, he produced his first masques, which were featured at the D. Genero Galleries in Santa Monica and Venice, California. His early work included pieces such as 'Silly Dali', 'Picasso Clown' and a haunting series on aliens.

     Since then his work has been featured in the International Festival of Masques, and the Guild Sourcebook of Contemporary Craft Artists. His work has also been featured in a one-man show at Gallery Rodeo in Beverly Hills, and The Kracke Gallery in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. He specializes in masques he explains, because every face (human or ceramic) is individual and unique. As in his personality, his sense of humor is apparent in his masques. It has been called the trademark of his art.

     George continued playing poker on a more social level but made impressive scores along the way including a seventh place finish in the 1993 World Series of Poker, Limit Hold ‘Em event and a fifth place finish in 2003 in Omaha Hi-Lo Split. His love for poker prompted his first poker-related masques, which were two jokers. The Commerce Casino purchased the set on first viewing and put them on display in the ‘Top Section’ of the casino. Since then he has created a series, the whimsical King, Queen, Jack, Poker Joker and my favorite, ‘The Poker Mini-Wizard’. The Mini-Wizard proudly hangs in the entry focal point of my home. Each piece has it’s own personality. He continued his poker themed collection with the Queens series, the Kings series, and the Jacks, each and every piece is one of a kind and possesses the distinct Marlowe flair.

     Today, the masques and faces created by George Marlowe are on display in private homes internationally. Many professional and prominent poker players or poker industry executives are now Marlowe collectors. Tom McEvoy holds the title of owning the largest collection of Marlowe Art with 18 pieces.

     With Marlowe’s latest creations, wanna-be collectors can start small, so to speak. He has created a line of Card Cappers and poker themed jewelry in the shapes of the four suits, like his masques, all are different, hand made and one of a kind; dedicated to the purchaser and signed by the artist.

     On the explosion and popularity of poker Marlowe had this to say, “If they kicked kids out of school today for playing poker, the schools would be empty! These young players are watching final table play on TV and bringing that unrealistic knowledge and expectations into the early stages of a tournament and into live games. There is more dead money in poker today than live people. What’s next? I can see the headline, ‘A four-year old wins a major online tournament and wears the bracelet....as a belt.’”

     With his Superdad days behind him and now enjoying his retirement from the “real” world, Marlowe is back to engrossing himself in his two passions, poker and ceramics.

     “Interesting how things come full circle,” he recently said. “From playing poker and doing art … to playing poker and doing art. I am a lucky guy… I love my life!”