Marian Fortunati

I consider myself "one lucky artist" because art has enabled me to experience more of the beauty in our world.
(.....And because my name, Fortunati, means "lucky" in Italian.)

A contemporary California impressionist who enjoys painting outdoors, Fortunati uses oil paints to create interesting experiments with texture and color using her outdoor sketches as references for larger studio work. Fortunati believes that her name, which means "lucky" in Italian, also projects her feelings about the rhythms, patterns, colors and shapes of the places and subjects which she interprets to the viewers through her work. It is her aim to engage and entertain viewers of her artwork with interesting forms and playful paint.

A California native, Marian Fortunati grew up and worked in Southern California. She had a long career as a teacher and a principal in Los Angeles. She has been painting and studying art for many years and now paints full-time. Her wide mixture of learning opportunities has established a strong foundation in the Impressionist tradition of seeing and painting shapes of light and color. She has been inspired by numerous historic artists, most notably Joaquin Sorolla, John Singer Sargent and William Waugh. She has taken workshops from a wide range of artists including Ray Roberts, Frank Gardner, and Daniel Pinkham. Marian has studied extensively for the last seven years with Master landscape and undersea artist, David C. Gallup. These influences have allowed her to establish her artistic style and unique way of seeing. An award-winning artist, Fortunati's work is found in collections throughout the United States, as well as in Europe, China and Australia. Marian is an Artist Member of the California Art Club and is affiliated with the American Impressionist Society, Oil Painters of America and various other art organizations. She is a founding member of PAC6 Painters; a group dedicated to painting the beauty and grandeur of the American landscape.