Biography
Sunyata Marlene Cresci returned to oil painting in 1998, after a 40-year moment of distraction and a career in psychology and medical education. She had found Big Sur in the 1980s, and began landscape painting en plein air with Ronna Rio, a quintessential Big Sur artist and art teacher.
Sunyatas paintings have been exhibited at Henry Miller Library, Esalen Institute, and the Pacific Grove Art Center. Galleries in Big Sur have included Ars and Del Campo. Currently her work is available at Loma Vista in Big Sur and online at sunyatagallery.com and bigsurartworks.com.
She and her husband live in the area and enjoy watching clouds together.
Artist's Statement
Painting is breathing for me, color is oxygen. In the same way that I can’t hold my breath, I can’t keep from painting.. Big Sur is a stretch and a push; it’s bigness inspires me and my palette. The paradox of constant motion and deep stillness captures me. The collision of earth, sea, sky and wind opens my eyes anew each time I paint.
Life here is a counterpoint to the modern world. On my first drive down Highway One, I felt a deep impulse to lie on a ridge and merge with everything I saw, uniting with my own native stillness. I wish for those who enjoy my paintings to have a similar experience of their own true nature.