Marina Kuran Fine Art
About Marina
I’m primarily an abstract-representational landscape and seascape painter…..but I also love painting trees, animals (including the occasional human animal), birds, fish, reptiles and sometimes even insects. Over the course of my career, I’ve explored and incorporated a range of media including watercolor, acrylic, oil and ink. Each has its own delightful and unique properties. I also like to use a variety of substrates including paper, board, canvas, aluminum, wood and glass (Colori In Vetro). My Colori In Vetro pieces, I'm told, have the look and feel of stained glass....they're just more fluid.
I’m drawn to the magical, whimsical spirit of what I see and feel. I find the interplay of color, contrast and light fascinating. My process is a spontaneous one that evolves through the application of multiple successive layers to achieve texture, movement and a luminous visual depth. Fluidity and contrast are forefront in my mind, and oftentimes a vibrant palette dominates my work. Because I’m a firm believer in art’s ability to heal, it’s very important to me that my work contributes to what’s joyful and uplifting in this world. If my work moves and inspires the viewer, then I’ve done my job.
My work has been shown in Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Florida and New York with collectors in the U.S., Europe and Australia. I’ve taught drawing and painting to both children and adults.
Gallery and other Representation (1995-Present)
Ongoing Open Studio shows (on pandemic hold)
Hands-On Children’s Museum, Olympia, WA
Full Moon Gallery, Gig Harbor, WA
Brilliant Moon, Shelton, WA
Tony’s, Olympia, WA
Splash Gallery, Olympia, WA
Hirsch Center, Olympia, WA
Thomas Studio, Olympia, WA
State of the Arts Gallery, Olympia, WA
Fine Arts International at Keauhou, Kailua-Kona, HI
Hawaii Artists, Kealakekua, HI
Jackie's Plantation House, Na'alehu, HI
The Seven Muses Gallery, Tacoma, WA
Two Vaults Gallery, Tacoma, WA
Frame Central, Tacoma, WA
Handforth Gallery, Tacoma, WA
Freighthouse Square, Tacoma, WA
The Boathouse, Tacoma, WA
SYDA Foundation, South Fallsburg, NY
Venice Art Center, Venice, FL
L.A. Artists, Los Angeles, CA
International Contemporary Artists (invitational)
Exhibits/Awards
Washington State Fair Fine Art Show, Puyallup, WA, 2014 – juried show
Lakefair Show, Olympia, WA, 2014 – juried show
ArtsWalk Olympia, WA 2012-2016
"Who is God?", GDP Studios/Museum Contempo, Shelton, WA 2014 - juried show
Open Theme Exhibit, Light, Space and Time Gallery, 2013, Special Recognition Award
Peninsula Art Association Spring Show, Shelton, WA, 2013, Second Place Award
Featured Artist, Splash Gallery of Olympia, Olympia, WA November, 2012
"Seasons" Exhibit, Light, Space and Time Gallery, 2012, Honorable Mention Award
"City of SeaTac Fine Art Exhibit", SeaTac, WA, 2012
Featured Artist, Thomas Studio, Olympia, WA 2012
"Mixed Media" Exhibit, The State of the Arts Gallery, Olympia, WA 2012
"City of SeaTac Fine Art Exhibit", SeaTac, WA, 2010, Purchase Award
“The Night Tacoma Danced,” Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, WA 2004
"UP 4 Art" Exhibit and Auction, University Place, WA 2004
City of Covington, Juried Solo Show, Covington, WA 2004
Puyallup Art Fair, Puyallup, WA 2004
Pacific Gallery Artists Member Show, Friends Gallery, Lakewood, WA 2003 (invitational)
Art at Work, Open Studio Tours, Tacoma, WA, 2003 (invitational)
Canterbury Faire, Kent, WA, 2003
Street of Dreams, Panorama Heights, Bonney Lake, WA, 2003 (invitational)
Featured Artist of the Month, Frame Central, Tacoma, WA, 2003
“Different Worlds” Exhibit, Tacoma, WA, 2002
“Abide in Silence” Exhibit, SYDA Foundation, So. Fallsburg, NY, 2002 (invitational)
“Good Art Won’t Match Your Sofa”, A 4-woman Show, Tacoma, WA, 1996
NW Artists Exhibit, Sheridan, OR, 1989
Collections
Numerous private and business throughout the U.S.
Logo and Business Card Design
Gail Janes Fine Art, Fircrest, WA, 2007
Sound Counseling, Puyallup, WA, 2003
Computer Novocaine, Tacoma, WA, 2002
Watercolors, etc., Auburn, WA, 2002
Northwest Assessment & Referral Center, Lakewood, WA, 1995
Spare Hand Cleaning & Errand Service, Tacoma, WA 1994
Aardvark Cleaning Service, Gig Harbor, WA 1988
Website Design and Internet Exposure
Light, Space & Time Gallery (http://www.lightspacetime.com/about-our-art-gallery/)
Fine Art America (http://fineartamerica.com/)
Artists Space Registry (http://artistsspace.org/)
No Bull Art (http://www.nobullart.com/)
DolphinArt (http://dolphinart.tripod.com), 1996 to Present (designed)
BatesRealEstates, 2005 (designed)
L.A. Artists (www.laartists.com), 2001 (featured artist)
IncrediMail, 2006
Fascination Stationary, 2000-2001 (featured artist)
Dolphin Portal (http://dolphinportal.com), 2001-Present (featured artist)
ArtCity, 1999-2001
Peter Fortune Art, 1999 (designed)
Reviews and Catalogs
Northwest Adventures, Featured Artist, October, 2012
Artist Visit News Release, Elma Timberland Library, Elma, WA, July 10, 2009
Paradise Post, Volume I, No. 6, February 2009, Hilo, HI
Nature’s Wisdom, Volume 4, Issue 1, The Pine Mountain Institute, Pine Mountain, CA, 2004
“Local artist displays work at Street of Dreams”, Tacoma Weekly, September 11, 2003
“ArtWalk kicks off an arty weekend”, Tacoma News Tribune, Tacoma, WA, November 21, 2002
Community Donations
Hands On Childrens Museum, Olympia, WA, 2015
Silent Auction for Odissi Classical Indian Dance, Olympia, WA, 2011
Seaflow Auction, Sausalito, CA, 2004
UP 4 Art Annual Auction, University Place, WA 2004
Scholarship Fund, Leadership Institute of Seattle, Kenmore, WA, 2003
Wah-Wah Auction, Siddha Yoga Meditation Center of Seattle, Seattle, WA, 1994
Teaching Experience
Ongoing Private Painting and Drawing Instruction/workshops
Ongoing Experimental Acrylic Painting
Experimental Acrylic Painting, City of Olympia, 2009
Painting, Society for Kona's Education and Art, Honaunau, HI, 2008
Experimental Acrylic Painting, Tioli Creative Center, Kailua-Kona, HI, 2007
Drawing and Painting, Bellarmine Preparatory, Tacoma, WA 2000-2004
Acrylic Painting, Two Vaults Gallery, Tacoma, WA 2003-2004
Painting for Children, Manitou Art Center, Metro. Parks of Tacoma, Tacoma, WA, 1995-2004
Drawing for Adults, Manitou Art Center, Metro. Parks of Tacoma, Tacoma, WA, 1996
Mural Project for At-risk Kids, Rogers Elem. School, Tacoma, WA, 1996
Oil Painting for the Beginner, Tacoma, WA, 1994
Arts Organizations
Society for Kona's Education and Arts (SKEA), Honaunau, HI
Pacific Gallery Artists, Tacoma, WA
L.A. Artists, Los Angeles, CA
Education
Courses in drawing and design, The University of California, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara; Santa Monica College
Workshops in drawing and painting in California and Washington
B.A., Psychology and Environmental Studies, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA
M.A., Applied Behavioral Science, Counseling, City University, Bellevue, WA
I’m drawn to the magical, whimsical spirit of what I see and feel. I find the interplay of color, contrast and light fascinating. My process is a spontaneous one that evolves through the application of multiple successive layers to achieve texture, movement and a luminous visual depth. Fluidity and contrast are forefront in my mind, and oftentimes a vibrant palette dominates my work. Because I’m a firm believer in art’s ability to heal, it’s very important to me that my work contributes to what’s joyful and uplifting in this world. If my work moves and inspires the viewer, then I’ve done my job.
My work has been shown in Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Florida and New York with collectors in the U.S., Europe and Australia. I’ve taught drawing and painting to both children and adults.
Gallery and other Representation (1995-Present)
Ongoing Open Studio shows (on pandemic hold)
Hands-On Children’s Museum, Olympia, WA
Full Moon Gallery, Gig Harbor, WA
Brilliant Moon, Shelton, WA
Tony’s, Olympia, WA
Splash Gallery, Olympia, WA
Hirsch Center, Olympia, WA
Thomas Studio, Olympia, WA
State of the Arts Gallery, Olympia, WA
Fine Arts International at Keauhou, Kailua-Kona, HI
Hawaii Artists, Kealakekua, HI
Jackie's Plantation House, Na'alehu, HI
The Seven Muses Gallery, Tacoma, WA
Two Vaults Gallery, Tacoma, WA
Frame Central, Tacoma, WA
Handforth Gallery, Tacoma, WA
Freighthouse Square, Tacoma, WA
The Boathouse, Tacoma, WA
SYDA Foundation, South Fallsburg, NY
Venice Art Center, Venice, FL
L.A. Artists, Los Angeles, CA
International Contemporary Artists (invitational)
Exhibits/Awards
Washington State Fair Fine Art Show, Puyallup, WA, 2014 – juried show
Lakefair Show, Olympia, WA, 2014 – juried show
ArtsWalk Olympia, WA 2012-2016
"Who is God?", GDP Studios/Museum Contempo, Shelton, WA 2014 - juried show
Open Theme Exhibit, Light, Space and Time Gallery, 2013, Special Recognition Award
Peninsula Art Association Spring Show, Shelton, WA, 2013, Second Place Award
Featured Artist, Splash Gallery of Olympia, Olympia, WA November, 2012
"Seasons" Exhibit, Light, Space and Time Gallery, 2012, Honorable Mention Award
"City of SeaTac Fine Art Exhibit", SeaTac, WA, 2012
Featured Artist, Thomas Studio, Olympia, WA 2012
"Mixed Media" Exhibit, The State of the Arts Gallery, Olympia, WA 2012
"City of SeaTac Fine Art Exhibit", SeaTac, WA, 2010, Purchase Award
“The Night Tacoma Danced,” Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, WA 2004
"UP 4 Art" Exhibit and Auction, University Place, WA 2004
City of Covington, Juried Solo Show, Covington, WA 2004
Puyallup Art Fair, Puyallup, WA 2004
Pacific Gallery Artists Member Show, Friends Gallery, Lakewood, WA 2003 (invitational)
Art at Work, Open Studio Tours, Tacoma, WA, 2003 (invitational)
Canterbury Faire, Kent, WA, 2003
Street of Dreams, Panorama Heights, Bonney Lake, WA, 2003 (invitational)
Featured Artist of the Month, Frame Central, Tacoma, WA, 2003
“Different Worlds” Exhibit, Tacoma, WA, 2002
“Abide in Silence” Exhibit, SYDA Foundation, So. Fallsburg, NY, 2002 (invitational)
“Good Art Won’t Match Your Sofa”, A 4-woman Show, Tacoma, WA, 1996
NW Artists Exhibit, Sheridan, OR, 1989
Collections
Numerous private and business throughout the U.S.
Logo and Business Card Design
Gail Janes Fine Art, Fircrest, WA, 2007
Sound Counseling, Puyallup, WA, 2003
Computer Novocaine, Tacoma, WA, 2002
Watercolors, etc., Auburn, WA, 2002
Northwest Assessment & Referral Center, Lakewood, WA, 1995
Spare Hand Cleaning & Errand Service, Tacoma, WA 1994
Aardvark Cleaning Service, Gig Harbor, WA 1988
Website Design and Internet Exposure
Light, Space & Time Gallery (http://www.lightspacetime.com/about-our-art-gallery/)
Fine Art America (http://fineartamerica.com/)
Artists Space Registry (http://artistsspace.org/)
No Bull Art (http://www.nobullart.com/)
DolphinArt (http://dolphinart.tripod.com), 1996 to Present (designed)
BatesRealEstates, 2005 (designed)
L.A. Artists (www.laartists.com), 2001 (featured artist)
IncrediMail, 2006
Fascination Stationary, 2000-2001 (featured artist)
Dolphin Portal (http://dolphinportal.com), 2001-Present (featured artist)
ArtCity, 1999-2001
Peter Fortune Art, 1999 (designed)
Reviews and Catalogs
Northwest Adventures, Featured Artist, October, 2012
Artist Visit News Release, Elma Timberland Library, Elma, WA, July 10, 2009
Paradise Post, Volume I, No. 6, February 2009, Hilo, HI
Nature’s Wisdom, Volume 4, Issue 1, The Pine Mountain Institute, Pine Mountain, CA, 2004
“Local artist displays work at Street of Dreams”, Tacoma Weekly, September 11, 2003
“ArtWalk kicks off an arty weekend”, Tacoma News Tribune, Tacoma, WA, November 21, 2002
Community Donations
Hands On Childrens Museum, Olympia, WA, 2015
Silent Auction for Odissi Classical Indian Dance, Olympia, WA, 2011
Seaflow Auction, Sausalito, CA, 2004
UP 4 Art Annual Auction, University Place, WA 2004
Scholarship Fund, Leadership Institute of Seattle, Kenmore, WA, 2003
Wah-Wah Auction, Siddha Yoga Meditation Center of Seattle, Seattle, WA, 1994
Teaching Experience
Ongoing Private Painting and Drawing Instruction/workshops
Ongoing Experimental Acrylic Painting
Experimental Acrylic Painting, City of Olympia, 2009
Painting, Society for Kona's Education and Art, Honaunau, HI, 2008
Experimental Acrylic Painting, Tioli Creative Center, Kailua-Kona, HI, 2007
Drawing and Painting, Bellarmine Preparatory, Tacoma, WA 2000-2004
Acrylic Painting, Two Vaults Gallery, Tacoma, WA 2003-2004
Painting for Children, Manitou Art Center, Metro. Parks of Tacoma, Tacoma, WA, 1995-2004
Drawing for Adults, Manitou Art Center, Metro. Parks of Tacoma, Tacoma, WA, 1996
Mural Project for At-risk Kids, Rogers Elem. School, Tacoma, WA, 1996
Oil Painting for the Beginner, Tacoma, WA, 1994
Arts Organizations
Society for Kona's Education and Arts (SKEA), Honaunau, HI
Pacific Gallery Artists, Tacoma, WA
L.A. Artists, Los Angeles, CA
Education
Courses in drawing and design, The University of California, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara; Santa Monica College
Workshops in drawing and painting in California and Washington
B.A., Psychology and Environmental Studies, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA
M.A., Applied Behavioral Science, Counseling, City University, Bellevue, WA