Anita Marci's "Matisse's Makai"

     This cut paper painting is titled "Matisse's Makai."  It was made for my collector's daughter's bedroom. Unbeknownst to me, a Matisse exhibit was their very first art experience as Mother and Daughter. I love when a wonderful synchronicity like that happens.  It makes the art so much more meaningful to the collectors. 

     I have always been a big fan of Henri Matisse. I adore his color and I am particularly excited by the cut-outs from his later years.  I did my research on these cut-outs, and found that the artist had assistants paint large sheets of colors that he had mixed.  He then, cut his shapes, for his art, with a scissors.  I love the child-like quality of his shapes, and it was my intention to capture that in my work.  

    This bedroom faces the Pacific Ocean in West Maui.  Makai is the Hawaiian word for Ocean.  This piece is inspired by Matisse's "La Piscine," which is french for swimming pool.  I transformed the swimming pool into an ocean by bringing  in sea elements such as sea weed, starfish and fish.  There is also a whale tale at the top. I enjoy the way the shadow trails off the tale, like a splash of light instead of water. 

     In much of my art,  I consciously add a male and female element in some form or other. I like the balance of the yin and yang.  So, notice the male figure on the left and the female figure on the right.  I then commissioned a custom plexi-glass case to protect the art, which is not shown here. I also enjoy the large denim pillows and their texture next to the painted paper.  A very fun piece, don't you think so!

Anita Marci's "New Born Day" Painting

     This painting is titled "New Born Day."  It was made to coordinate with my above cut paper piece titled "Matisse's Makai."  I will blog about that on another post as it has it's very own story.  I woke up very early one day and I looked out my window at the beautiful and inspiring West Maui Mountains.  Well, the sun was just starting to peak out from behind the mountains. I ran for my camera and captured the moment.  The photo became this painting.  I adjusted the golds to match the Matisse art. I was so pleased to see how well they look together.  I love the contrast of the soft clouds and the hard cut edges of the paper.  I also enjoy the concept of presenting the sea and sky together in different media.

Anita Marci's "Twenty-fifth Anniversary" Painting

     This painting is titled "25th Anniversary."  I created this symbolic painting as a gift for my very best and most enthusiastic collectors.  Katherine and Christopher Berman.  I wanted to make something that would commemorate their twenty-fifth Wedding Anniversary.  The painting is meant to be read from the upper right corner to the lower right corner (counterclockwise).  It begins with the sun and the moon. I chose these symbols to represent male (sun) energy and female (moon) energy, which is the very foundation of the union. Next, the overlapping hearts represent the love energy between the couple.  The interlocking golden rings stand for the commitment energy it takes to make a marriage endure.  Last of all, The actual achievement energy of the twenty-five years.  Their wedding date is written below the 25 in the lower right corner.  Their full names are written vertically and horizontally in the center channels and they intersect in the center. Katherine and Christopher were very surprised and happy to receive this gift from my heart.  Their thirtieth anniversary will be this year. I am already thinking of ideas for that painting!