To kick off our 2026 gallery season, we invited San Francisco-based artist Audrey Marzin of The Okay Okay Club as our first gallery artist. Read more about her process and her gallery show, On Wood, opening in the Rare Device gallery on Janaury 16th.

Rare Device: First, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your art training and practice? How did The Okay Okay Club come into existence?

Audrey: The Okay Okay Club began while I was living abroad in Singapore. At the time, it became a way for me to continue creating outside of my professional work (design) and to keep developing my skills. It’s a free space where I allow myself to experiment with different styles and mediums, without too many constraints.

Rare Device: Tell us a little about how On Wood came about. It seems like these pieces were inspired by both Japan and San Francisco. What was the connection between the two places that inspired pieces for this show?

Audrey: During a trip to Japan, I fell in love with a piece of art I couldn’t bring home—an illustration of a man painted directly on wood. The idea of creating wall objects out of wood really resonated.
Wood became the natural connection between Kyoto and San Francisco, where I now live. Both places share a strong appreciation for wood in their oldest homes and traditional architecture. This shared aesthetic became the foundation for On Wood.

Rare Device: Can you tell us a little bit more about the animals you chose for this show? Have you always incorporated them in your work? What do they represent to you?

Audrey: The animals I chose come from very different environments—some belong in the jungle, others in the forest, and some you might find at home. They don’t necessarily make sense together, and that contrast is exactly what I enjoy.
I wanted to create a space where both adults and children can observe these animals, connect them in their own way, and invent personal stories around them.

Rare Device: What is your approach when translating the concept you have into a painting? What elements are important for you to include? Are shapes and color essential in the planning?

Audrey: I usually start by choosing the animal I want to represent. From there, I sketch ideas in a small sketchbook, focusing on geometry, simple shapes, and overall harmony.
Once the idea feels right, I transfer it onto a wooden board at a larger scale. I cut the shape, sand it, and then move on to color. I work with a limited palette of seven bold colors, which helps all the pieces feel connected—like an eclectic family sharing a common visual language.

Rare Device: What would be your dream project to work on?

Audrey: I don’t really think in terms of a single dream project. What matters most to me is staying free with The Okay Okay Club and continuing to create in an organic and spontaneous way. I’m very grateful for spaces like Rare Device, which support creators and allow them to express themselves in San Francisco.

On Wood is in the Rare Device gallery from January 16th - March 9th.
Read more about the gallery here.
Shop the show here.