Artist Statement

I build off of objects or patterns that inspire me, a gesture, an expression… I ultimately want to reach a difficult emotion in my paintings and that requires an honesty in the setting; creating transparency to focus on a deeper depth.

The vintage palette found throughout my paintings is rooted in my love of antique malls and thrift stores combined with the warmth found in the old masters’ portraits. I paint in many layers to achieve a fine detail while leaving other areas loose with plenty of movement. I want people to feel a sense of atmosphere in my paintings and enjoy candor in the setting of the work.

In “ Pink Shrimp in Aspic ” the model sat in her own home, surrounded by her things. I made the unsettling Jello for the painting but chose the setting of her home sight unseen, to be candid, to find her in it. As you keep looking, you can’t help but feel like you walked in on some kind of ritual, as though it alludes to a higher meaning. In this painting and others like “Miriam”, the model in my work is a celebration of people who inspire me, the movers and shakers of our community, most being local to Austin. In the painting “Miriam” I focused on rich colors and texture found in the cafe where Miriam enjoys to work. I wanted to create a painting that spoke strength with stillness. I found stillness in their hands, met with moments of intensity between the thumb and index finger, intensity in quiet thought and loud chatter in the surrounding lights. 

I grew up in a small town in the hill country outside of San Antonio Texas. Surrounded by scrub cedar trees, my sister and I turned an old greenhouse into our first art studio, painting black and white checkers on the floor. Early on I had a private mentor who taught me the basics of oil painting and I sold my first oil painting in an art show at age 14. I moved to Austin Texas in 2012 to continue my artistic career.   

Selected Exhibitions

2022 Solo Exhibition: Pillow Fort, Dougherty Arts Center, Austin, TX

2020    Flora Art Show, Super Rad Collective, Austin, TX

2019 Celebration, Art for the People Gallery, Austin, TX

2018 Winner of Best in Show at Georgetown Art Hop Juried exhibition , Georgetown, TX

2018      Women Painting Women, Georgetown Art Center, Georgetown, TX

2018      Solo Exhibition, Creatures Boutique, Austin, TX

2018      Bling Group Show, Art .Work, Austin, TX

2017      Solo Exhibition, Zilker Brewing Company, Austin, TX

2017      Due West, Dougherty Arts Center, Austin, TX

2016      Dinosauria, Art.Science.Gallery, Austin, TX

2010      Solo Exhibition, Porcelain and Mishaps, The Keller-Rihn Studio, San Antonio, TX

2009     Western Art Academy, The Museum of Western Art, Kerrville, TX

Feel free to email Mary for inquiries about her work, commissions, and upcoming shows