"Mara driving a Ferrari California" Painting

Mara Szyp is an artist whose work bridges fine art and natural materials. Specializing in West Coast seascapes and landscapes, she creates oil paintings that capture the shifting moods of the ocean and sky with a dreamlike, atmospheric quality—a romanticized version of reality that invites viewers to feel rather than simply observe. Her connection to the coast also extends into woodwork, where she creates pieces that blend fine art with the raw beauty of nature.

Sustainability is at the heart of her practice. She works exclusively with locally and ethically sourced driftwood and live-edge slabs, allowing the grain, textures, and natural contours of each piece to guide her process. Every wood artwork begins with the character of the material, and she builds intuitively from there, shaping the final composition around what the wood reveals. Finished pieces feel both rustic and refined, rooted in place yet elevated in craftsmanship, often incorporating clear resin, hand-painted details, marine twine, and subtle natural elements in recognition of the shoreline environments she seeks to protect.

Mara’s art is deeply tied to nature—its textures, colours, rhythms, and quiet strength. Her creative path mirrors her own journey of resilience; after surviving cancer three times, she dedicated herself fully to her craft. Through both painting and woodwork, she brings the outdoors into interior spaces in a way that feels grounded, timeless, and alive.

Her work can be found in galleries, art collectives, and shops across Vancouver Island, where she has made her home since 2005. Whether through oil on canvas or sculptural woodwork, her intention remains constant: to offer pieces that carry the spirit of the coast , invite a sensory experience, and create a sense of place wherever they are displayed.