What others are saying:

"Marina is an extraordinary artist.  Her work enlivens the viewer, capturing the inner glow of life in a way that allows it to shine in a split second through from the canvas into our souls and reminding us of the magical quality to be found everywhere if we will but see."  -Sarah Edwards, LCSW, Ph.D., Pine Mountain, CA (owner of "From the Light of Different Worlds")

"We have three original paintings plus a print and a digital piece by Marina in our home.  Often visitors comment on at least one, admiring the themes, colors and skill.  Over time I notice that I have not tired of her work, and the beauty and feeling of the art seems to increase with time.  Her productions are varied in style, and all add great spirit and unique depth.  We feel very blessed to have a representative variety of her art and feel our home would be much less attractive without it.  -Iris Fudell, Tacoma, WA

"I have Marina's painting, 'From the Light of Different Worlds'.  What I most enjoy about it is the way it draws the eye to the houses, lit from within, families and their lives hidden from us; yet the sense of the magnificence of the universe is as much part of the painting as the sense of the changing seasons and the lives of the families changing with them." 
     -
Bronwyn Richards, Seattle, WA

"I am SO happy and honored to own "Rainbow Lilly Wishes."  I look at it each and every morning hanging in my bedroom 
and it inspires me.  I would love to have  the  talent for capturing more than the just the physical look
of the subject but the aura of it as well.  I really love that painting!"  -Sarah Woodworth, Keaau, HI
"I purchased Marina's artwork, 'Leaping' in 2005. I immediately fell in love with it, not only because of the colors but also 
because of the spirit and playfulness that is expressed by two dolphins leaping out of the ocean.  As the artwork is in a 
location I pass by every day, it makes me not only feel free, but also peaceful and brings joy every time."
   -Gitta Westra, Los Altos, CA

"Marina's teaching helped me to both rekindle my involvement with art and to explore new techniques.  What was most important to me was that the techniques turned out to be more than outer ways of  moving paint - they are also inner ways of moving intuition, inspiration and resistance.  You can't ask more of a teacher than to  move you, and she certainly did.  Moreover, her own art demonstrates how these techniques come out to the world." 
-
Drew Ross, M.D., Captain Cook, HI

"I highly encourage anyone thinking about taking one of Marina's workshops.   I entered two of the pieces that I created 
in her workshop in an art show, and they both sold in addition to two other pieces that I created using the
tools that I learned from the workshop itself.  Her workshop helped to re-inspire me after not painting for several years."
    -Jennifer Lancaster, Kailua-Kona, HI  

Marina's novel,
Under the 'Ulu Tree,
is now available!  

A work of multi-cultural fiction, it journeys through
Hawaii (past and present), the Middle East
India, Oceania and Washington State and
deals with social, environmental, spiritual,
and relationship issues.  Most of all it is
about healing. 

To watch my video on You Tube
click on the palm:
  

For further information or to order, click here:

Marina's collection of poems, 
Thirsty Moon
is also available.

For further information or to order, click here:

Please visit my DolphinArt website
which contains updates on the
Hawaiian spinner dolphins:

About Marina

Marina Kuran was enrolled in her first formal drawing class at the age of 8.  An accomplished and versatile painter in oil, watercolor and acrylic, Marina also has a passion for creating digital images.  A gypsy-blooded nature enthusiast at heart, she has traveled extensively, including the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Mexico, Guatemala and Brasil.  Marina’s love of travel and her experiences outdoors are profound sources of inspiration and creativity.  “It is important to me that my work be a part of what is joyful and uplifting in this world.  Whether my inspiration comes from within or from my surroundings, I am drawn to express the magical, whimsical spirit of what I see and feel.  I use bright, bold colors, rounded shapes (there are no boxes, rectangles or hard, straight edges in nature - those are all man-made shapes) and often unusual light.  The highest praise comes when one of my paintings speaks to a child or the child within us all.”

Marina’s work has been shown in the Pacific Northwest, California, Florida, New York and Hawaii and hangs in the homes and offices of numerous collectors around the country.  Marina has taught painting and drawing for over 20 years.  A firm believer in art's ability to heal, she facilitated a children’s mural project for at-risk 3rd and 4th graders in Tacoma, WA.  Contact her to arrange a show or commission.

Gallery and other Representation  

Hawaii Artists, an on-line gallery (www.hawaiiart.com), Kealakekua, HI, 2006-Present

Jackie's Plantation House, Na'alehu, HI, 2005

The Seven Muses Gallery, Tacoma, WA, 2004-2005

Two Vaults Gallery, Tacoma, WA 2003-2004

Street of Dreams, Pierce County, WA, 2003  

Frame Central, Tacoma, WA, 2003

Handforth Gallery, Tacoma, WA, 2002-2003

SYDA Foundation, South Fallsburg, NY, 2002

Venice Art Center, Venice, FL, 2000-2001

L.A. Artists, Los Angeles, CA, 2001

Fine Arts International at Keauhou, Kailua-Kona, HI, 1998

Freighthouse Square, Tacoma, WA, 1996

The Boathouse Restaurant, Tacoma, WA, 1996 

Exhibits

“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 office collections 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

DolphinArt (http://members.tripod.com/DolphinArt), 1996 to Present (designed)

BatesRealEstates (www.batesrealestates.com), 2005 (designed)

L.A. Artists (www.laartists.com), 2001 (featured artist)  

IncrediMail (www.incredimail.com), 2006

Fascination Stationary (http://café.rapidus.net), 2000-2001 (featured artist)

Dolphin Portal (http://dolphinportal.com), 2001-Present (featured artist)

ArtCity (www.@rtcity.com), 1999-2001

Peter Fortune (www.peterfortune.com), 1999-present (designed)  

Marina designed this website too!

Community Donations

American Cancer Society, 2005

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 at my studio

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)

Pacific Gallery Artists

L.A. Artists  

 

Contact me