Artist Statement
Painting is Mary’s passion, she tends to create without too much of a plan, only a colour suggestion. What emerges is a bold, vibrant contemporary abstract filled with energy, emotion, and strength. She is inspired to express herself with the use of line, colour, and freedom. She likes to take chances. Her style has grown and developed, and her paintings have been described as very bold and powerful.... Mary is enthralled by such artists as Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell, Rose Masterpol and Helen Frankenthaler.
Mary was born and raised in Toronto. Like many artists she showed an interest in art early on, but her education did not go in that direction, and she became a kindergarten teacher. As she taught the children art, she became fascinated by their interpretations of art and impressions. She soon realized that through their innocence and uncluttered minds they could paint wonderfully through their mind’s eye. Such beauty and passion! It was 50 years later that she recalled all she saw and learned from those little people and began her quest to unlearn all the disciplines of Realism and Impressionism and to freestyle in the world of abstraction, just like the minds and vision of those wonderfully uncomplicated children. It has been a full circle voyage, but here she is.
For the last 30 years she has lived in Waterloo and throughout those years she has taken painting classes. It wasn't until she started going to Sarasota Florida in the winter months that she discovered abstract art. She enrolled in classes at The Sarasota Art Center and has taken classes there for the last 10 years.
Most of her art is acrylic on canvas or board. She also works with oil stick, collage, crayon, and charcoal. Mary has sold and displayed in many shows in Florida and has won several awards.
As Guest Curator at Minds Eye Studio Art Gallery and Yoga Studio, I am pleased to present Colour Outside the Lines, a solo exhibition of Mary’s work at the gallery from July 30th to August 27th. Private viewings are available, and the artist reception will be on August 25th from 7:30-10 pm. Event info is here.
“I am forever changing and evolving. My worst nightmare would be having to paint the same basic painting over and over again.”
You were introduced to abstract art in Florida. Do you recall the first piece of abstract art you saw that resonated with you, or was the introduction through a class?
I had been admiring abstract for a while. We had bought a condo in Florida, and I wanted to have a very modern decor. I went online to order some abstract prints not knowing much about the artists. I had heard about Sarasota Art Center, so I signed up for an abstract class.
What did unlearning the disciplines of Realism and Impressionism entail for you? Was it difficult?
Unlearning some of the disciplines of Realism was very hard. I was used to having a photo in front of me that I could copy. With abstract it just comes together out of your head. You would have learn to balance the painting so your eye could travel around. The secret was using big brushes and often using your left hand. Initially the hardest part was knowing when it was finished. Then developing your own personal style.
When you started creating abstract work, what was the reaction like from people who were used to seeing you paint in a different style?
Initially most people I knew struggled with my new art, everyone had to see something that they recognized. They forever asked me “Is that a cow?” or say, “I see a face”, etc. which drove me nuts. Some others just said “What fun”…However my instructors at the Art Center were very encouraging and felt that I had talent. I eventually entered some of my art in the art shows.
Why is this exhibition called Colour Outside the Lines?
I felt the title Colour Outside the Lines describes my feelings when I paint, I try to get back to the simplicity of a child’s painting. My best paintings happen very quickly, the ones I struggle with don’t work out as well. Also, when I was a kindergarten teacher it was discouraged to give a child a colouring book that they had to colour inside a drawn picture. It was better to hand them a blank piece of paper and crayons.
A lot of the work in this exhibition is large scale. What excites you about painting at that size?
I prefer large scale paintings. I like to be able to move my arm around in big strokes.
When you are creating do you work on multiple pieces at once, or do you wait until one piece is complete before moving on to the next?
I often do two paintings at the same time. I usually start them on the floor, using big brushes and black paint. I like to use an assortment of brushes and mediums to create interesting lines and shapes, I often connect them to create a diptych, sometimes a figure of some sort will pop out at this stage. This is when I start choosing colours and adding texture.
Are there any other styles you’d like to explore?
I would like to try my hand at plein air abstract landscapes, there are a few Australian artists that I admire. Or get into more abstract figures and faces. I am forever changing and evolving. My worst nightmare would be having to paint the same basic painting over and over again.
What differences have you found between the art scene in Florida vs here in Ontario?
Floridians are art lovers, you can see it in their buildings, houses, the way they plan their parks and waterfronts. Sarasota has many beautiful galleries; you could spend days visiting them. They have many art schools and colleges. I think Ontario is catching up particularly in Toronto, but I still find many people not willing to like abstract. They prefer a traditional look.
What do you want people to take away from your exhibition?
I hope people like my exhibition and consider trying something different for their homes. I love colour, I love simplicity, I love that my paintings would add that pop to any room.
Follow Mary on Instagram
Interview by Glodeane Brown
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