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Mary, a graduate of Wayne State
University, established her business
and residence in Bellaire in 1982. Surrounded by the magnificence of northern Michigan,
she finds endless sources of inspiration for her paintings. Working
mainly in transparent watercolor, her subjects range from people, barns,
structures and machinery to the numerous lakes and wildlife of the
region.
Combining realism and design to create what she calls a
“composite painting,” Mary has been commissioned to paint these creations for the Grass River Natural Area and
the nearby towns of Alden and Bellaire. The original painting is then reproduced as prints to sell as
fundraisers for the organizations.
Two of Mary’s paintings were accepted for
the Michigan Watercolor Society’s annual show. "First
Poppies" traveled with their 50th anniversary show around the
state, and hung in many museums including the Detroit Institute of Arts
and the Dennos Museum in Traverse City. The other, "Sugar
Peaches," hung in the Michigan Watercolor Society’s exhibit in
Saginaw.
Through both teaching and demonstrations, Mary enthusiastically shares
her methods with others. Holding watercolor classes indoors
throughout the year, and on-site during the summer, Mary teaches
students composition, drawing skills and painting
techniques. Since 1993, she has welcomed adults and
children, beginners and more experienced painters.
Art Night at Traverse City’s Friday Night
Live Festival has sponsored Mary for the past ten years to demonstrate
her on-site techniques in painting portraits and the surrounding
festival through a variety of mediums such as graphite, watercolor, and
3’x 4’ canvases with acrylic. She has also demonstrated
at receptions for such groups as the Michigan Municipal League and the
Council of Michigan Foundations.
Mary has also been commissioned to paint many murals, both interior and exterior, on walls and also glass.
As new
stores were coming into the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme, Mary was
contracted to paint scenes on the store
windows to reflect the theme of the incoming store and to hide the renovation within.
With a grant awarded by the Commission on Aging, Mary worked with grandparents and their grandchildren to create a mural
on the exterior of a local restaurant. The Bellaire Library also hosts one of Mary’s
large murals in the children’s
section of the library, giving the room a feeling of fantasy and imagination.
Mary uses her love of art and the outdoors as her inspiration, and plans to continue using her creativity in
new and different ways as she strives to further her
artistic talents.
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