I hope you can join me at my studio to see my largest, most immerive and challenging series to date, the ‘Ocean Garden’ collection.

I will also be showing ‘Innermission’, for the first time, consisting of new, in process, medium and large paintings.

Ocean Garden

Ocean Garden is my largest, most immersive, and most challenging series to date. It's potentially complete, and I'm excited to share it.

These are large arched paintings, each edge gilded in brass. I wanted them to feel like windows, or the doorways of a cathedral that happens to be underwater.

The idea came from two places I love. One is the beauty of French sacred architecture, with its arch shaped doorways and windows. The other is the kelp forest (Channel Islands, Catalina and Laguna), where I've spent so much time as a freediver. Kelp fronds became columns. Sunlight through the water became stained glass.

Abundance is the heart of it. The ocean gives so much, and I wanted these paintings to feel generous in return. 10% of proceeds from my kelp-inspired work supports kelp restoration and research through SeaTrees and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. 💙

Innermission

For the first time, I'll also be showing Innermission, my newest mini series. It's three medium to large oil paintings, closer in scale to my earlier work, and they're still in process.

I've been loving the view from the ocean floor, looking up at the light through the canopy. It's the opposite of where I began. Back when I was working on my Prism series, I was snorkeling at the surface, before I faced my fears and dove in.

Now I get to look up. You'll see these paintings while they're still becoming, and I love sharing that stage.

Many small paintings and limited editions will be available during the annual Ojai Studio Artists studio tour, the weekend of October 10th through 12th.

Can't wait to welcome you.

Warmly,

Marie
mariemckenzie.com