Systems and methods are provided for obtaining a motion-compensated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image of a region of interest. An active marker, responsive to a preparation pulse, is placed within the region of interest. The preparation pulse is directed to the region of interest, and then a plurality of projection gradient pulses are provided to the region of interest. Respective signals produced in response to the plurality of projection gradient pulses are recorded, and a location of the active marker is determined from the recorded signals.