Anita Marci's Painting "Fran's Ocean"

     This is actually a new work titled "Fran's Ocean."  It was an interesting design challenge to create a piece that worked with all of the fabrics Fran had chosen.  The couch fabric is shown on top of the two pillows here.  I initially wanted to play with the starfish motif,  but it ended up being too busy.  I felt the soft quiet monochromatic(single color) aqua approach was best. The final size is 30" x 40" which is fairly large-a medium size painting for me.  This was one of the smooth paintings. After I got past the starfish idea this just fell right out of me.  When Fran saw it she exclaimed,  "You nailed it!  It is perfect!"  I completed the final piece and went with Fran to select a frame. We both loved the silver wooden frame we selected. Then, we went in search of new lamps.  We were both very happy with the end result pictured here.  A brand new living room. What a fun project!!!

Anita Marci's "Backyard Beach" Painting

     "Backyard Beach" is one of my favorite paintings.  It is special to me because it truly is my very own backyard beach in West Maui.  I make it a point to sit down there every Sunday to enjoy the fabulous view and weather that is the best thing about my home.  Every day is different as the clouds dance over our neighbor islands.  I took this photo on a Sunday morning when the ocean had just washed the sand in and covered the reef so that I was able to capture the cast shadow of the palm tree on the wet sand. Usually this is exposed reef and the shadow is hard to see.  I am so glad I ran upstairs to get my camera to take the shot that became this painting.

Anita Marci's "Blue Over Blue" Acrylic on Canvas Painting

    "Blue Over Blue" is a 16" x 20" painting that was created for the Lahaina Poster Show Art Contest.  It was inspired by a friend's photo. I do not usually work from someone else's pictures but I really changed and simplified this one. I love the peacefulness and tranquility of this piece. It shows the boats of Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii's Harbor.  There were some surfers in the foreground but I painted them out. I felt that this painting needed to be about the boats, the ocean, the island,  and the sky.  More and more, in my art I am striving to capture the essence of the elements. Most artist's add detail to their work.  I work at deleting it.   I often ask myself, "How can I tell this story with less information?"  It is a challenge that captivates me.

Anita Marci's "Luscious Mangos" from the Cycle of Life Series

"Mango Blossom"  Kiln-Formed Glass Art

"Luscious Mangos" Acrylic on Canvas

"Fallen Mango"  Color Photograph

     "Luscious Mangoes" is a part of my five piece "Cycle of Life Series." The series is comprised of three different media for each piece and chronicles the cycle of life for fruits and flowers. The Emergence pieces are Kiln-Formed Glass Art. Glass is a new medium for me and I chose it for this reason. This  represents the birth or blossom of the fruit or flower.  The Culmination pieces are Acrylic on Canvas. I chose acrylic because painting is and always will be my favorite personal expression.   This is the peak or height of the fruit or flower in all of it's glory.  The Release pieces are color photographs. I chose photography because it is always the final stage for me in documenting my works of art.  It was very exciting for me to observe the organic transformation of these elements- to really be a part of the cycle of life which every living thing - including us- goes through here on our Planet Earth.  There is beauty in every one of these stages, we have only to observe it.

Anita Marci's "Five Sunsets"

     "Five Sunsets" is an unusual piece because it started out as a technical exploration.  I had just purchased some acrylic blending gel medium. It is very difficult to get a smooth blend with acrylic paint because it dries so quickly. So, I decided to explore this extender- which extends the open time of the paint.  I was quite delighted with the results. I had lots of my own Maui sunset photos so, I just kept on painting.  I ended up keeping one that was much softer - kind of pink, lavender and baby blue-for my own collection.  These five seemed to want to be together.  I especially enjoy them emerging out of the dark background, like a night sky.  Of course, they are also reminders of the way our Maui days end  so very beautifully here each evening.

Anita Marci's "Green Mango" Painting

     I could't resist sharing this brand new painting of mine titled "Green Mango" and the story that goes with it. It is mango season on Maui and I have been enjoying watching the beautiful mango blossoms slowly turn into fruit. The mango above, in the photo, caught my eye because of the cast shadows of the leaves on the fruit.  I waited for several days for the wind to calm down, but it never did. Finally, I got my camera out and practiced my patience, while waiting for a quiet moment to get the shot. I was rewarded with this photo which then became the above painting- 29" x 44" acrylic on canvas.  I love the serenity of this painting and of course I love those leaf shadows.  The palette is unusually muted for me but I enjoy the softness of it.  So glad I took the time to get this shot, because the next day the wind had taken the mango and this painting would never have been made if I had not seized the moment when the inspiration hit me.  Carpe Diem!

Anita Marci's "Palm Bark Plaid"

"Palm Bark Plaid" was a very fun piece to create!  I had never used palm bark before, but it is very plentiful here on Maui.  The under-painting is inspired by a Helen Frankenthaler painting.  The blue and brown were selected to match the colors in the fabrics.  It is difficult to see here but there is a plaid on the pillow shams.  After the acrylic painting was complete, I glued the bark on top with my favorite Tacky glue.  It was then stretched and installed.

Anita Marci's "Constant Earth and Changing Seas" Art

This is part of my "Constant Earth and Changing Seas Collection." Around the same time as I was doing "Wavelength" I decided to start using palm bark in the paintings- well, they really are Mixed Media Collages.  I cut palm bark off the tree in my backyard and then, I dampened the bark and pressed it flat with books. I sliced it into strips and glued them on to the canvas after I had painted and glued the sea elements.  I love the simplicity of these pieces. They are somewhat Mondrian-ish and I like the organization of this art.  The title  reflects my thoughts on the perception that the Earth is still while the Ocean is ever-changing.  Of course, we know the Earth is moving too, though it does not appear to be. I also enjoy the juxtaposition of the Earth and Sea elements on the canvas together- just like on our beautiful planet!

Anita Marci's "Wavelength Art"

In 2009, the "Wavelength Series" grew out of the "Sand and Shells" art. I wanted to explore the use of the sand and I had lots of shells left over, so I just needed to find inspiration for the shapes. I did that in NYC at the MOMA, where I saw a very contemporary furniture show called "No Discipline" by artist Ron Arad. I was able to take photos -which is very unusual in a museum- and I drew lots of sketches from them.  I then did the drawings on canvas and used the Tacky glue in the same process as before.  The last step was to paint the acrylic paint in the background and sides.  These paintings were shown in the Village Gallery for a time. They did not sell there though, and were returned to me.  Shortly afterwards, I sold nine pieces to a collector couple of mine. They purchased three of the "Wavelength",  three of "Wavelength Lavender", and three of the "Constant Earth and Changing Seas" art. They are hung in a nine piece grid  for which I designed the installation.  I was thrilled that these paintings got to hang in a grouping together just as I had envisioned them!

Anita Marci's "Sea Fan"

"Sea Fan" is an interesting piece that I have never shared before.  It was created to go in the same room with the "Sand and Shells" art.  I found this sea fan in a shop and, I bought it because I loved the color and delicacy of it. I had it for about a year, when I got the idea for this piece. The background was inspired by an old black and white Barnett Newman painting. I selected colors from the room's textiles and painted the colors over a cream base to match the walls.  This piece also has a custom plexi-glass case over it. The case is actually screwed into the wood stretcher bars on the top and bottom.  The case looks like it magically floats on top of the painting and, it looks great next to the drift wood sculpture that stands beside it.

Anita Marci's "Sand and Shells"

"Sand and Shells" is a painting that contains natural elements in addition to the canvas and acrylic paint.  The sand had to be sifted and cleaned extensively to make it free of debris.  I ordered the shells on line as it is very difficult to find shells here on Maui and I wanted them to be uniform.  It was tedious work to complete this piece.  I painted thinned "Tacky" glue with a paintbrush in small sections. Then, I placed the tiny shells on the glue and sprinkled the sand over the area.  When the canvas was dry, I held it vertically to dump the excess sand.  Finally, when all the elements were in place, I painted a very soft pink- like the inside of a shell- in the background.  Before I did this piece, I created a sample piece to make sure I could stretch the canvas without the shells popping off. Fortunately, it worked and the piece was a success.  This art has a custom plexi-glass case with wood molding around it.  The molding is painted to match the wall and the lights above it cast interesting shadows. This hangs in the grandchildren's room. There aren't any grandchildren yet, but their room is ready for them when they come!

Anita Marci's "Seaside Sanctuary"

"Seaside Sanctuary" is a composite painting. I usually use only one photo for a piece but, this one required several.  I love the idea of creating a painted environment that is so peaceful and inviting.  The original design for this large 3' x 5' acrylic on canvas was composed of three panels. It was designed for Katherine and Chris Berman for their Maui home.  We had planned to place it in the upstairs hallway but the top railing cut off the bottom of the painting.  With some quick thinking, I suggested we convert it to a single horizontal panel to fit the space better.  That worked, but, Chris decided that he liked the painting so well he had it re-hung in his downstairs home office. It hangs above his desk and he can see it from the hot tub outside, where he enjoys looking at the painting while taking a nice relaxing spa.

Anita Marci's "Alexandra" Painting

"Alexandra" is a part of the "Orchid Fever Collection."  A group of twelve watercolor paintings of beautiful, vibrant, colorful orchids. They each have a name according to their personalities. There are males and females. Some, are named after people in my life who the orchids remind me of.  I happen to be fascinated by orchids. I grow them, photograph them, and paint them.  They are wonderful to watch as they grow from a tiny bead to a full and luscious flower.  "Alexandra" is the only one of the twelve paintings that is framed. She hangs in my bedroom and I wake up to her splendor ever day.  It is my dream to some day show this collection as a whole. Collectors have tried to purchase these paintings but, I can't seem to part with them. Perhaps after they are shown together, I will break up the collection. Perhaps, I will need to sell it as a whole body of work.  Until then, I will enjoy my "Alexandra" flower and her everlasting beauty.

Anita Marci's "Hibiscus" Painting

This large 3' x 5' watercolor titled "Hibiscus" is the very first piece of Custom Fine Art that I ever made.  The collector had looked every where for a piece of art to fit the space. After much frustration, she had given up on finding anything that would work.  She was showing me her beautiful new home and I asked why she did not have a painting on that wall and she told me she could not find anything. I said "How about I make something for you?"  That is how my Custom Fine Art concept was born.  I borrowed pillows and a paint swatch. Next,

I created a small study of a section of the painting showing all the color combinations and the center of the flower. She approved the study for the piece. The artwork was completed, framed, and installed.  She was thrilled.  Her wonderful new home was finally complete.

Anita Marci's "Rhubrims" Painting

"Rhubrims" is titled for the bright pink fragrant lilies that are the favorite flower of this collector. This custom, full sheet watercolor painting was created to balance a very large, heavy cabinet on the other side of the room.  If you look closely, you will see up-side-down dragonflies in the Tiffany lamp shade next to the couch.  I incorporated two dragonflies into the art in order to integrate it subtly into the room.  The owner of this piece said "I love my painting today and every day."

Anita Marci's "Pomegranates" Painting

"Pomegranates" is a mixed media piece that I also refer to as Partners. It is a Custom piece that was created for an older couple that has been together for many, many years. I bought the fruit and placed it in this position, kind of leaning on each other the way that married couples do, especially after so much time together. I always admire the way they care for each other and are there for each other all the time.  I feel that this art works on several levels.  It captures the balance of this couple's relationship. The composition is well balanced and it balances the color in the room as well.  The bright red colors in the carpet were making the room too heavy on one side so this painting brought the same colors to the other side of the room.  This mixed media art is a combination of a watercolor base and pastel layers on top.  As it turns out, the owners of this painting like it so well that they moved it upstairs to the family room where they spend most of their time.  As an artist, it is my greatest joy, when a collector chooses to live in constant presence of the art because they enjoy it so much.