We are excited to spotlight Ezra Mara, a distinguished artist known for her innovative approach to mixed media art. For more on our social media post, click here.
Born and raised in Russia, Marina, who now works under the artist name Ezra Mara, developed a passion for drawing and painting from a young age. Her talent was evident early on, winning her first art award at six. Pursuing her passion, she attended art college and later earned a Master’s degree from the Stroganov Academy of Art and Industry in Moscow. Relocating to San Jose, California, in the late 1990s, she continues to create and inspire.
Artist Ezra Mara working on a new piece in her San Jose studio.
Celebrated for a distinctive style that involves stitching raw and painted canvases, Ezra Mara combines oil and acrylic paints with dyed and distressed fabrics, pencil, and oil pastels. Her work focuses on human subjects, drawing inspiration from the diverse faces, figures, and gestures encountered in everyday life.
“Polka Dot Dress” (2020)
Polka Dot Dress: An acrylic on stretched canvas, this piece combines figurative and abstract elements through sewn raw canvas pieces.
“Escape” (2024)
Escape: A small oil painting depicting a boy’s emotions in a critical situation of escape or hiding.
In San Jose, Ezra Mara’s studio is a creative sanctuary filled with natural light and eclectic decor. Ezra shares, “I have a little Christmas tree in my studio, decorated with a star and some shiny foil strips,” highlighting a unique source of joy and inspiration in her space. This playful detail perfectly mirrors the inventive spirit that defines her artistic process.
Ezra Mara is currently developing a series that examines the interaction between material and illustrative elements in art, focusing on human experiences and emotions. This series will be showcased in upcoming exhibitions across the United States and Europe.
In her own words, “A picture is not only the image that it portrays. A painting is simultaneously an illusion of the real world and a physical object in itself. By combining raw and distressed canvas with conventional painting fragments, I explore how material basis and illustrative content can cooperate to create an image that fluctuates between abstract and figurative concepts.”
Stay updated with Ezra Mara’s latest works and exhibitions by following her Artrepreneur profile. For a glimpse into her creative process and daily inspirations, check out her Instagram. Ezra Mara’s innovative approach and unique artistic vision continue to captivate and inspire, making her an artist to watch.
