“Spirit of Indian Wells” by Marna Schindler

2016 Indian Wells Arts Festival Commemorative Print Original 32”h x 24”w acrylic painting on canvas. This is a 6-color hexichrome print with outstanding reproduction. Print size 18” x 24” fits standard frame size A premier southern California artist, Marna Schindler’s award-winning art is found in galleries and private collections across the nation, including as a featured artist at the world-renowned San Diego Zoo, and now as the 2016 Indian Wells Arts Festival commemorative poster artist. Chosen for her distinct ability to create expressive and often times whimsical celebrations of nature, Marna’s compositions invite the viewer to settle in and feel the work, finding sensory experience in shape, line and color. "The desert is one of my most favorite environments," says Marna. "It's really lush; it seems dry but, there's really so much life thriving within it. That’s in part what inspired me to paint Spirit of Indian Wells." Enthused by the vibrant palette of early twentieth century artists, Marna paints in the style of Gauguin’s cloisonnism with bold colors and strong lines that draw subtle details from the background strikingly into the foreground. “I’m a big fan of a lot of the things that appear in the painting and commemorative poster,” she furthers. “I hope it brings people a sense of discovery, joy and pride in experiencing the wonders of the desert. Sprit of Indian Wells is meant to honor the natural beauty of the desert, and to incite a dialogue between the viewer and the art.” “Marna’s style is captivating to the viewer’s curiosity, balancing the sense of awe with amusement while providing a sense of exploration. Spirit of Indian Wells is a storybook without words, cheerfully personifying our desert’s flora, fauna, and lively inhabitants,” Indian Wells Arts Festival producer Dianne Funk says with much delight. “It’s a wonderful addition to our series of commemorative prints which provide an affordable keepsake of the Festival.”