Born in Kirkwall, Orkney, Marie studied in Aberdeen under the renowned Scottish painter, William Burns. She now lives in East Lothian, close to the sea, both of which have a great influence on her work. “Painting to me is an emotional reaction to what I see around me. It is hoped that through colour, texture and form, the feelings I have about the work are conveyed to the viewer.” Marie has shown extensively in goup shows including the RGI at the Maclellan Gallery, Glasgow; the SSA (in which she won the Wren & Bell purchase prize 1998, and the Firth Gallery Prize, 1999), and the RSA in Edinburgh.