Marissa Kayne Saurer
Gilbert, Minnesota
Marissa’s work is an exercise in expressionism with a fluid stylistic and whimsical view of nature’s beauty.
Message
Marissa is an adventurer and painter who draws inspiration from the rugged beauty of the northernmost regions of the world. With an immense passion for exploration and a deep connection to nature, Marissa travels to remote and untamed landscapes to capture the essence of the wild in her work.
Residing in the Northwoods of Minnesota, Marissa has always felt a deep kinship to the natural world. From a young age, she found solace and inspiration in the untouched beauty of the wilderness, and her love for the outdoors only grew more powerful as she embarked on expeditions to the far reaches of the globe.
From the icy tundras of the Arctic to the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies, Marissa immerses herself in the raw power and majesty of nature, using her keen eye and artistic talent to translate these experiences onto canvas. Her paintings are a reflection of her awe and wonder at the vast landscapes she encounters, capturing them with an expression of broad brushstrokes, swirls and curved horizons. Her artistic motivation stems from her desire to share nature’s beauty the way she experiences it.
Layered within these geographic muses, Marissa feels a deep connection to the northern indigenous cultures of the world. In addition to her own Nordic and Sámi heritage, she draws from the spiritual cultures of the Inuit, Tlingit, Ket, Ainu and of course the Anishinaabe, honoring the lands where she currently resides.
Marissa’s work has gained recognition for its ability to evoke a sense of both grandeur and intimacy, inviting viewers to connect with the natural world on a deeper level. Through her art, she hopes to inspire others to appreciate and protect the precious wilderness that surrounds us, reminding us of the importance of preserving these sacred spaces for future generations.
As an “Art-Venturer “Marissa of the North” continues to push the boundaries of creativity and exploration, seeking out new challenges and inspirations in the untamed corners of the earth. Her work serves as a testament to the beauty and resilience of the natural world, reminding us of the transformative power of art and nature combined.
Statement
Marissa has been a professional digital illustrator for decades. In early 2022 she transitioned primarily fine art through her works in oil painting, printmaking, and collage. She has continued her commercial work exclusively in the local music scene creating album and CD art. Her fine art practice, while a relatively new focus, has been there bubbling in the background throughout her career intermittently. With a new commitment, she now dedicates the majority of her energy to her fine art practice. Her work is inspired by the northern beauty that we here in the North Woods are blessed to experience every day. Her art is also representative of the strong women who embrace the northern lifestyle, not only here in North America, but throughout the world. Recent work includes work inspired by her trip to the Sápmi Lapland Region of Northern Sweden. With Sámi heritage herself, she was honored to spend time with the Sámi People to learn and experience her culture in depth and gain a greater understanding of Sámi ways, and of course find creative inspiration to fuel her current work.