Marla Hansen

Art in the cafe...

Dottie and Josie Brand (Two Peas in a Pod)


"Summer Magic"


June 2026



We are self-taught artists who create work inspired by healing, nature, travel, and personal experiences. Growing up, art became a way for us to process emotions, express ourselves, and create spaces that felt meaningful and comforting. Our first “gallery” was our college apartment, which we transformed with our own artwork and nature-inspired design and the power of the feminine. Sharing our space and work with others encouraged us to continue creating and exploring art more seriously. Inspired by our Latin culture, color, emotion, and everyday moments, our work reflects themes of connection, growth,...
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Friday, December 22, 2006

Marla Hansen is a Madison native who currently lives in New York City. A classically trained violist who has branched out into popular music, she performs her own original songs accompanied by guitar-style viola. Her music is quiet and eclectic, with the mellow tone of the viola providing a refreshing new texture to the singer-songwriter format. Blending indie/folk style song writing with an alternately pure and wild voice, Marla's performances are intimate, vibrant and always surprising.

Marla is the violist for My Brightest Diamond(formerly AwRY,) and has collaborated with Sufjan Stevens, Oneida, Kanye West and many other wonderful people while living in New York.

Music