about

Hi, thank you for looking at my work! I am Rena Ekmanis, a multi-media artist and illustrator living on the majestic Oregon Coast.

My art expresses my love and fascination with the natural wonders of our magnificent earth. A majority of my work is about the ocean and marine life, especially endangered species.

I also incorporate birds, plants and landscape elements into my work. I create art that seeks to bring awareness to the importance of protecting wildlife habitats and natural environments. Through creating nature art I deeply study and feel more connected to the subjects. Hopefully my work helps the viewer to feel a stronger connection and love of nature.

I am grateful to have lived on the Big Island of Hawaii for 17 years before moving to Oregon. There I spent as much time as possible swimming and scuba diving, marveling at the fantastic and wonderful marine life and coral reefs. I have the fondest memories of swimming with wild spinner dolphins often in the clear turquoise waters. Traveling to and exploring different countries has enriched my life and work.

I work in a variety of mediums including acrylics, watercolors, clay, wood and digital artwork combinations. A new art form I am very excited about is mosaics made with micro plastic marine debris.

I earned a BFA in Drawing from California College of the Arts and a graduate certificate in Science Illustration from California State University at Monterey Bay.