Marie Carney grew up on the beaches of Jacksonville Florida and has always had a strong passion for the ocean, marine life and sea birds.  She enjoys kayaking, fishing and scuba diving.

 

Marie began her career in art in 2002. She became fascinated with the vivid colors of the underwater world while diving in the pristine teal waters of Grand Cayman.  It was around this time that she decided to change her art medium to scratchboard art, a form of art unheard of by most. Art is created by the artist using sharp tools to hand etch the subject into white kaolin clay that is layered with black India ink. She then paints the clay with acrylic inks. She uses exaggerated colors to bring her subjects to a hyper state of life-likeness. This medium lends well to capturing the bright colors of marine life as well birds with precision and detail making a stark contrast against the black background.

 

Marie is friends with the Atlanta Aquarium and is involved with several local sea turtle protection organizations. She is working on becoming involved with other ocean conservation groups and wildlife groups throughout the United States as well.

 

She lives in Neptune Beach Florida, with her Blue Fronted Amazon parrot “Blossom” and her Macaw “Cha Cha”.