Mari was born in Ankara into a military family. Soon afterward, they moved stateside living in Alaska, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Washington. During these years, she would spend summers with her grandparents who lived in Washington State. Her grandmother was a professional artist and would show her how to draw and paint. Mari always loved those times and tried to soak up not only the knowledge of painting techniques her grandmother shared with her, but also the emotions her grandmother would instill in her work.

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After three bouts of cancer, she and her husband retired early and moved to the Pacific Northwest that embodies everything great with nature. Surviving cancer has given her a deeper appreciation of the beauty of the world and the preciousness of the moment.

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Painting is her way of expressing herself and showing appreciation of this most special and unique spot on this planet we currently call home.