When you see a Marcie Ziv cow sculpture for the first time, it may seem familiar. Possibly it reminds you of the famous “Cows On Parade.” They were first seen in Zurich, Switzerland and then Chicago, USA. Marcie’s cows carry the same lively and humorous impact. It is fun to see the form of a cow covered with an “un-cow-like” vivid colored surface. Each Marcie Ziv cow has a unique design – that is, each Ziv cow is an individual and different cow. Again, much like the “Cows on Parade”. Yet, there is an error in that thought. Those “Cows On Parade” started with Marcie Ziv! Marcie created the style with other life size (and oversized) animals in the 1990’s. She did her first “cow” in 1994. It was well displayed and publicized in 1995 – one year before the Zurich cows project began in 1996. In 1998, “Cows On Parade” was launched in Zurich. This was three years after the first Marcie Ziv cow was bought and sent to Greece. In 1999, the Switzerland “cows” went on to parade in Chicago, both in 2000.

The influence of Marcie Ziv on painted sculpture has been great. Yet, this influence has been so in tune with our times, no one has looked for the source of that influence. Her art brings life to drawings, paintings, and sculpture. They speak with the vibrant colors of today. Each work is created using recognizable forms. Within these forms there are semi-abstract inner compositions. They are her artistic statements – personal, sometimes enigmatic, but always alive. Her works project a primitive energy that is captivating. There is humor, fun within the art. I have heard Marcie Ziv works described as a celebration of life. In an era of so much ‘sick’ or unrecognizable art, she brings a breath of fresh air.

PRESENT PERSONAL

Marcie’s life-like animal sculptures and paintings feature her unique style of color and pattern designs. The intensity, brightness, and saturation of color in her art create excitement and an aliveness that is compelling.

With her soulful love of wild animals, Marcie Ziv is drawn to bring them to life through her art. First, working in colors and tones that more closely represent these wild animals in their natural habitat: later experimenting with the bright colorful floral nature of their surroundings. The whimsical patterns and designs are from her inner creative sense of a beautiful and colorful world. Combining her passion for the wild and her love of color are the basis for her outstanding series of original paintings, limited edition hand embellished prints and sculptures.

Marcie Ziv wears three hats: artist, wife, and mother – not necessarily in that order. Her two sons J.J. (8 years) and A.J. (6 years) are as energetic and lively as their mother’s art. Marcie gives them the same detailed, loving care she puts into her artistic creations. (Oddly, the cherubs in her paintings resemble the boys even though she insists they were not the models). There is Jay, her real estate developer husband, family visits (there and here), and other life activities that keep Marcie in constant motion.

The gallery of Marcie’s art (also known as Gallery Z) is also the artist’s studio. There art creation, display, and business are combined. For space and ventilation reasons, sometimes a “work in progress” finds itself on the sidewalk to the surprise of passersby. (Recently a life-size horse was being prime painted outside!)

Besides her normal repertory, there are special projects for events and charities. Recently, she created a holiday card and then a T-shirt design for The Humane Society of Greater Miami. Also, an invitation card for Project Cradle, a University of Miami School of Medicine fund raiser. There are works for other galleries (Las Vegas, cruise ships, etc.). In a desire to make each work from Marcie Ziv unique, most of Marcie’s prints are hand finished so that no two are alike – Ziv prints.

BIOGRAPHICAL

Marcie Manion Ziv was born in Rhode Island and grew up in Massachusetts. Living in eastern Massachusetts’s rural areas, Marcie developed a strong sense and love of nature. As a young girl, pictures showing Marcie with smiles all have at least one animal in them. In pictures with no animals, the smile is missing. Her early and somewhat persistent childhood dream was to be a veterinarian and care for sick, exotic animals.

After graduating from Gloucester High School Marcie moved into the arena of being an art object herself. For about three years, she worked as a model in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and California. At some point Marcie decided that continuing her education was more important to her future than modeling and entered college. She graduated from Montserrat College of Art in 1986 and began a career in art.

As a wall cover designer in Pennsylvania, Marcie did not find the right outlet for the art within. Supporting herself by other means, she began developing her own style of artistic expression. In 1988, the Miami area became her chosen home. Here she opened a manufacturing business of custom designed T-shirts for the wholesale clothing trade. By 1991, Marcie was looking for a more universal way to bring her art to life. It was then that she became interested in the art of paper mache – a means of making large sculptures without great cost. By using modern materials the technique produced very durable objects. Perfecting her technique on smaller creatures, Marcie’s animals grew larger and larger until in 1994 she reached cow size! Along with this evolution in size came her use of asymmetrical design patterns on sculptures’ surfaces.

Marcie Manion and Jerome Ziv Jr. married in 1993. Their two sons, J.J. and A.J., are often in the gallery – drawing and testing larger animal’s rideability – sometimes against mother’s advice. When the gallery is open on special evenings, husband Jay helps with refreshments and sometimes the children play host to visitors until they tire.

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