Meet Artist Marie Antuanelle

A multi-media artist who is renowned for her one-of-a-kind and unique artworks with natural minerals, gemstones and swarovski crystals, carves a beautiful story of spiritual connection with nature.

Marie has been living in Australia for the past eight years following a childhood dream to live close to the ocean.

One-of-a-kind and unique with Natural Minerals, Gemstones and Swarovski Crystals carves a beautiful story of spiritual connection with Nature. Connecting the beauty of Healing Crystals and Dazzle of Swarovski with almost sculptured 3d freeform shapes - artist Marie Antuanelle aims to create a centerpiece - a jewelry for your walls - that brings harmony and peace to the space and uplifts the mood of the owner. "Every piece starts with Meditation, It is custom made and tuned to a particular Chakra by colors and healing crystals combinations which adorn it." Says Marie.

Artwork from Marie Antuanelle 

Artist Marie Antuanelle says her artworks create jewellery for your walls.

 Stunning amethyst geode art that holds deep meaning, made with Chakra balancing Crystals and full of shimmering Pearlescent colors and changing chameleon pigments.  The intriguing shimmering tones on original artworks are amalgamated with gemstones, pearls, natural minerals and Swarovski crystals to depict an array of Agate Slices, Quartz and Amethyst Geodes. These accent 3 d decor collectibles not only Bold and Luxurious but also tend to create a sense of balance and peace. These further uplifts the energy of the home while fostering harmony and joy throughout the space. 

Sydney based multimedia artist Marie Antuanellle is not just restricted to the Crystal Gemstone Style but offers a wide range of art focused on the ocean, coastline and marine wildlife.

Artist Antuanelle devotes each artwork "to a certain beach in Australia or around the world, or a marine resort," Marie tells Insider Style.

A lot of your artwork has reference to the ocean…
Yes. It mesmerises me. Sometimes, it’s almost like it puts me in a trance. That constant movement of the waves…and flying above - like a bird or a lost soul. 

Watch this stunning video to get to know the artist behind the stunning artworks.

We’re guessing you didn’t see much of the ocean in your childhood?
Well, actually, my grandmother lived close to The Black Sea, in a small village. So every single summer, through my childhood, we travelled there for three months.

Do you live somewhere where you can see the ocean every day?
I live in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney (close to Bondi beach). We move around a bit, but I always make sure we have proximity to the ocean, because that’s where I get my inspiration. I go to the beach, and I meditate on the place, collect fallen objects, like seashells and stones, and then I use these for inspiration. I also use them as a guide through my meditation and in my painting. Most of my paintings are named, or somehow have some hint of, the place they are inspired by.  

Most of Marie's original works are circular, representing the sea portal or planet shape.

How lovely!
So each painting is devoted to a certain beach in Australia or around the world, or a marine resort - something like that.

How do you actually create the pieces? Are some taken from satellite images of the ocean?
They are all one hundred per cent handmade. I use aerial photography as inspiration. So I just look at the photos and guide my inspiration from there. After that, I work with mineral stones, crystals, seashells, pigments and I also use gemstones, to pay tribute to my heritage and to highlight how precious the beauty of untouched nature is for our future generations…

Marie uses ariel photography as inspiration for her artworks.

Tell us more about how it all comes together...
First of all, I go to the place and I meditate, to get the feeling, and understand which colour palate I have to paint in. Sometimes I use aerial photography of the place for the composition, or the perspective. Then I collect the fallen objects - like seashells or sand. I figure out what kinds of mineral stones or gemstones, pearls or Swarovski crystals I want to use. I like to find a nice combination in colour, but also with their meaning. Because each mineral has its own healing powers.

Marie's artworks use a technique of gemstones in combination with the modern, fluid technique of using Liquid Glass Epoxy.

And then you recreate it?
Not exactly, because I also add my emotions and feelings that are inspired by the place. For me, it’s about trying to capture the feeling of the place, not exactly copying something.  I intentionally erase the traces of human presence from them - somehow creating a portal to another version of our planet - without people - porthole to the untouched nature. Also, I add halo lighting behind the frame to make the artwork glow like a night light.

So your pieces are a little like a scrapbook?
Yeah. I’ve been to the place, so I like to include some things from the place. Most of my originals are round - I think this shape is the best representation of the Porthole or a Sea Portal somehow referring to the planet shape. 

They are beautiful. And they really give you a sense of being by the sea...
Maybe because there are actual physical objects taken from the place in the artwork? That might be one or two seashells or a bit of sand or stones.

A closeup of the intricate work by Marie using gemstones and crystals.

How long does it take you to do each piece?
If you count the collection of the fallen objects and getting the inspiration and gemstones - sometimes it takes a few months, just to figure out in my head how everything should be placed. I use several layers and each has to dry over a couple of days.

What are your favourite Australian beaches?
Definitely Byron Bay. We travel there quite often. But I have a big collection of seashells from everywhere. I have travelled through the world - Southeast Asia, The Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand. Even the United States. Actually, I lived in the US for a while, so some are dedicated to beaches there - like Laguna Beach.

Have you spent most of your adult life travelling and painting?
Pretty much. But I actually started in the corporate world, where I worked for seven years. But I figured out that creating something, that inspires others to take action in marine conservation is what inspires me.  This is what I am passionate about - it has more meaning than just making money.

Take a look at Antuanelle's stunning and huge range online HERE