Mariann Johansen-Ellis the Featured Artist for Pure Senses’ Inaugural Series of Charity Candles

Today when I opened the mailbox, I was delighted to find the agreement with Mariann signed and mailed back to us. Ms. Mariann Johansen-Ellis is a Danish artist based in Singapore. I first came across her work when I was making a delivery to Scandic Wonders at Tanglin Mall, one of our trade customers.

I saw this small, squarish painting on canvas of this happy elephant flying an airplane across a clear blue sky. It puts a smile on my face instantly. When we came up with the idea of Light up a heART, and we were talking about working with artists whose art expresses joy, happiness and celebration of life, that happy elephant came to my mind.

Through Scandic Wonders’ website, I managed to find Mariann’s website and when I clicked on About The Artist, the first paragraph is:

“Did I make you smile?
Did I make you look twice, discovering something new?
… as an artist, a goal as simple
as that, is what I strive for…

That was enough for me to pick up the phone and call her. When I introduced myself as a candle supplier, she thought I was trying to peddle scented candles to her. I think this is something we both will have a good laugh over in many years to come. We then had a few email exchanges before Wan Pin, Min Yi and I met up with her at her lovely studio, where the three of us behaved like kids in a candy store. It was in that meeting she agreed to be the featured artist for our inaugural series of charity candles.