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.

Anita Marci's "Celebration Integration" Painting

Happy Fourth of July to all!! This has always been a favorite holiday of mine as it marks the real kick off of the summer...so when I was asked by my friends/clients of mine to create a poster for the Lahaina Fireworks I was excited by the prospect.  This painting titled "Celebration Integration" is the result.

I had recently been back east to NYC to the Whitney Museum where I saw Jasper John's "Three Flags" painting. Here he stacks three rectangular canvases of the American Flag. I liked the idea of dimension so I did this with a painted drop shadow. Here in Hawaii we sometimes feel separate because we are not contiguous. My intention for this piece was to unify the two flags and show our state symbolically as a floating flag/island. I was very excited about the piece.

I proceeded with the poster design with the help of my very talented friend Rachel Mallon of Ironwood Design Studio, and we created a beautiful poster for the fireworks. However, when the Maui Chamber of Commerce saw it they became concerned about creating discord among the native Hawaiians here. There is a feeling of not wanting to be a part of the USA by some people. Well, my poster never saw the light of day, but most everyone who has seen the painting has had a favorable reaction.

So here is my controversial painting. It was not my intention to offend anyone. I must say though that I feel a good piece of art should evoke emotion of some kind. So I guess I did my job too well.....this painting is available for purchase in this our 50th anniversary year of statehood.