"We love our paintings and they are prominently displayed in our hallway!  They are gorgeous and i`m so glad she sent them in frames because we were able to put them up right away"

Sarah Goldman

"Mari Jae Benning`s "ServiceforNone" Series is an exposure of abandonment in the space of intense activity.  One gets the sense that there has been a hurricane of preparation for these embellished place settings, quick use of them as resource, and finally, the end.  Time is captured in each spacial relationship.  The paintings reflect the ephemeral nature of our days, which we perceive as being filled with important matters.  The paintings serve to remind us that the residue of our existence is present in our environment.  The cold, otherwordly color in these paintings hold this especially true, taking us to the back of our minds to experience the settling of the daily dust."

Marjorie Kaye

Director, Caladan Gallery and Gallery 181

"I pride myself on being an above average gift giver.  this self-proclaimed honor, which became noted by others this holiday season, is a result of a year of listening and searching.  You, too, can achieve ths title and be known among your circle of family and friends as the most thoughtful gift giver; earning accolades at family dinners, cocktail parties and social events

Don`t just take my advice, take my tools; in the form of Mari Jae.  Then take her advice and let her creativity meld with your ideas to form a piece of artwork that will earn rave reviews on its own.

Here`s the secret; listen to the recipients of your gifts.  Find out what they love, in what they find joy, the very thing that makes them smile.  For my parents, it was their home.  This beautiful, three level, brick and stucco Tudor sits on a hill at the end of a cul-de-sac in a quiet suburban neighborhood.  The shrubs are overgrown, some of the brick is chipping and the trim needs painting.  Mari Jae said that this is what gives the home character and character, we found, makes for a beautiful piece of art!

Let Mari Jae become enveloped in the setting, because the focal point of the piece needs to be influenced by its surroundings, not just the scene, but also the tone.  Have Mari Jae tour the home, as I did.  She`ll find the perfect area on the wall you never noticed before to house her creation.  Finally, trust Mari Jae`s instincts on the direction of the piece.  As a perfectionist, this was difficult for me, but she is the professional.  She knows what works and what doesn`t on canvas.  I envisioned a traditional house on a rectangular page; Mari saw the house I lived in for eight years from a new angle.  Literally, she created a view of the curving front steps, dimmed light post and storied front door that welcomed me home.  Most importantly, my parents fell in love all over again with the house they purchased years ago."

Nichole Freije