Photo by Lou Mora
In Motion: Marie McKenzie & Marlene Struss
On View Now Through October 12, 2025
In Motion: Marie McKenzie & Marlene Struss is a two-person exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) Satellite at The Riviera Beach House, bringing together the paintings of Marie McKenzie and Marlene Struss. Together, these works create a dialog between land and sea, real and surreal, stillness and motion—inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the ever-changing rhythms of nature and self-discovery.
McKenzie’s newest oil paintings envision the world of kelp through the lens of a tropical rainforest, exploring deep shadows and vibrant hues that blur the line between imagination and reality.
The Museum of Contemporary Art, Riviera Beach House, Marlene Struss, and Marie McKenzie warmly invite you to experience the artwork in person in Santa Barbara.
Top Photo (left to right): Maya Mallick Owner of Riviera Beach House, Marlene Struss, Marie McKenzie, Dalia Garcia, Executive Director MCASB, and Mishell Carcamo, Museum Associate.
Above: A viewer takes in 'Bridge to Kelp Jungle I.'
Photos by Ingrid Bostrom Photography.
Available Artwork
'Bridge to Kelp Jungle' Process
Walnut oil paint on earth-friendly canvas or linen
The 'Bridge to Kelp Jungle' collection is inspired by my vision of the jungle, infused with the vibrant energy of a tropical rainforest, set underwater. This series is about embracing the imagination, diving into deep shadows and discovering the lush colors of the tropics.
The series began with bold, transparent layers of color applied directly to the white canvas—glazes that would eventually give way to depth, light, and form. Forgoing an underpainting, I leaned into a process of trust, letting intuition guide the early, vibrant marks. As the piece evolved, each successive glaze softened the energy, allowing a luminous sense of depth to emerge organically.
