After a long career representing other artists at galleries such as James Coleman Signature Gallery and Tripp Harrison Gallery and Studio in St Augustine, Atlantic Beach native and artist Marie Lyon Carney recently decided to open her own gallery/studio in Jacksonville Beach, located at 1171 Beach Blvd.
“I want to make sure everyone knows that what I am doing is different than any of the galleries I have ever worked with,” Carney said. “I want to be the gallery that gives back to the community that I grew up in. I want people to use my gallery to bring attention to their causes. We want to open up the studio for charity events at least once a month and hopefully more.”
Having grown up on the beach, Carney looked for the ideal location and was pleased to find that another beach native, Mitch Kaufmann, had space in the building he operates Atlantic Video out of between RP McMurphy’s and the old Jaxon Social.
“I love Marie’s art,” Kaufmann said. “She captures all the elements of what is so near and dear to the whole beach life mindset. I am super stoked to have her here and I encourage everyone to come see her gallery.”
Carney 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. Her art is created by 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.
Carney is known for her efforts bringing awareness to sea turtle preservation organizations. In addition to the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol, she is working on becoming involved with other ocean conservation groups and wildlife groups throughout the United States.
Visit www.marielyoncarney.com for more information.
