About the Artist
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Raised in Naples, Florida, Marti Koehler draws on formative experiences along the Gulf Coast for artistic inspiration. Her work is influenced by vivid memories of sun, sand, and water from her childhood, translated into layered compositions. Koehler’s art reflects her interest in emotional and psychological themes, often featuring symbolic imagery inspired by her experiences, travels, and career in art therapy, mural making, and teaching art. Her work explores both abstract and figurative themes, with a current focus on the figure swimming as a metaphor for various aspects of the human condition.
Koehler’s creative process begins with abstract memories and feelings, evolving through gestural exploration, sketches, small paintings and some larger collages. Influenced by both classical and contemporary artists, she blends diverse materials in her work including acrylics, oils, plaster, metallic leaf, embroidery threads, vintage papers, chalk and wax—on various surfaces, creating thoughtfully layered, textural pieces.
With a Master’s in Art Education and Art Therapy from Florida State University, Koehler has pursued advanced studies in New York City, Asheville and Chapel Hill, NC, Lucca, Italy, Montpelier and Comptoce sur Loire, France. She teaches art for healing workshops annually in her Naples studio in the spring and summer months.
Koehler's paintings are in private collections throughout Florida, the United States, and Europe. Artist Marti Koehler is based in Naples, Florida.
I love to combine mediums to create a layering and textural history to the work. Often, images of birds, swimmers or divers, and tropical plants or florals appear within the many layers of my paintings to convey my ideas.
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After earning a Master’s Degree in Art Education and Art Therapy at Florida State University, I continued my art education in painting and drawing in New York City, Asheville, NC, Paris, France, and Luccae, Italy. An investment in my growth as an artist compels me to attend several highly-rated workshops each year, where I explore new concepts in mixed media and fine-tune my talents as a working artist.
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I teach art for healing workshops during the year and am inspired by the people I am privileged to meet. My paintings are in many private collections throughout Florida, the United States and Europe. I live in Naples, Florida, with my husband, sculptor Ed Koehler, my son, 5 birds and 2 dogs, Kozi and Hazel.
