I’m Marika, a linocut artist based in beautiful Ventura, California. With a Bachelor’s degree in art and art history, I’m experienced in a range of mediums, but block printing excites me the most. I love the element of mystery and surprise that happens when you ink up a new carving for the first time and press it, pulling back the paper to reveal your design. The entire process of a project, the journey from a seedling idea to a ‘finished’ piece, the uncovering and the discovery, is what pulls me in every time. Making something from nothing is the greatest thrill for me. Having grown up in California, Colorado and Switzerland, I’m inspired by nature, especially native plants and mountain landscapes. In my free time, I love to be outdoors with my husband and 1-year old son — hiking, rock climbing, camping or skiing. Having lived abroad in New Zealand and Europe, as well as in a van for a year, travelling all over the Western US, we love calling Ventura home.