We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marie McKenzie. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marie below.
Marie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
Yes, thankfully. I have been so fortunate to be able to pursue my curiosities on a daily basis. It’s been a journey, a long and beautiful road to get here. Some of the milestones and bigger moments were really tied to believing in my own spirit and getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. I can’t iterate it enough, community is everything! I am here because of all the people who have supported and encouraged me, all throughout my life. Where things really changed was joining artist communities (Ojai Studio Artists and Art City), participating in markets, going into shops and talking to people. I was really nervous to put my work out there and how it was going to be thought of, but, the more I just showed up to these events and happenings, and the more I felt comfortable with it. Getting my work out from behind closed doors as well as making connections is so important. Also creatively making choices, thinking about the shop or market, who is going to see my work and how I present it, i.e. what would be a good fit. I tend to sign up for a lot and sometimes I feel overwhelmed by that. but I am working on taking it all one step at a time. Trusting as I leap and feeling supported in the net that is spirit, community and acceptance.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Ever since I was three years old, I have always loved drawing and creating. I am very fortunate as my parents were very encouraging, really pushing me to explore art and through enrolling me in art camps, supporting me by making me an easel or getting me art supplies. I owe a lot to them to be where I am today. Growing up in the midwest with lots of land around us to roam, I spent a lot of time sitting in nature, listening to the wind blow through the trees and noticing the micro ecosystems that exist. This has greatly influenced how I look at the world around me today.
I am currently creating walnut oil paintings and also sculptures that tether from floor to ceiling inspired by kelp. Many of my past works explore my dreamstate and the land or sea that comes through in the process. I offer limited edition prints, each are hand signed, hand numbered and come with a certificate of authenticity. New kelp-inspired oil paintings are coming soon.
I feel it is my spiritual call to explore kelp forests through various mediums and experiences. I had my first snorkeling experience recently and being from Kansas, I have not spent much time in the kelp forest leading up to this moment. When I snorkeled at the Channel Islands, I felt like the encounter was cosmically connected, that I was looking at the stars. Everything in my body and heart tells me this is right and that I must pursue. I am simply following the message to celebrate kelp forests. I see them as a superpower for our oceans and our planet. The more I learn about them the more I am mystified.
Encouraged by the work of SeaTrees, we believe the ocean has the power to reverse climate change. Now in partnership with the non-profit, purchasing a kelp-inspired limited-edition print or artwork benefits our oceans with 10% of proceeds donated to protect and restore blue carbon ecosystems.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My mission is to ignite hope, inspire wonder and bring the ocean to people. May we come together to protect and restore our blue carbon ecosystems.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
When I was in college the track became blurred.
I first started out in art education and decided I wanted to switch universities to pursue my art as my bigger focus in my career. I changed schools and in doing so I ended up not transferring into the school of fine art. Which was a huge drag! Through this difficult time I realized how much meaning art provides. I was not doing well emotionally during those years and ended up circling back through plant medicine. In this enlightening experience I realized my life was not how I wanted it to be and I wanted to pursue art. I went to the art school and found out I could audit a class without credit, because you could not take an art class if you were not in the school. So I went to this class and it was life drawing and I loved it. I stuck it out for the semester and at the end, in the final critique, I mentioned I was not admitted in the art school and I will never forget what happened next. My instructor grabbed my arm and took me to the Dean of the Art Department where she knocked on her office door and demanded the Dean take a look at my drawings. I was so uncomfortable, I sat in front of the Dean on the floor with all of my newsprint drawings surrounding me. She looked over my work then went to my file and stamped it, school of Fine Arts. These actions changed my life forever. I have had many jobs in the arts ever since but was always holding on to the dream of supporting myself entirely on my art. I have enjoyed my time working for other artists and am very thankful for all of the people that helped me get to where I am now. I am so grateful to get to pursue my art and curiosities as a full time artist everyday.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mariemckenzie.com
- Instagram: @mariemckenzieart
- Facebook: @mariemckenzieart