Mary was born on February 4, 1977 in Jefferson City, Missouri. Since she was a child she has shown artistic abilities. Painting and drawing from a very young age. She attended Nichols career center after receiving her GED in Graphic Design and art. Shortly afterward she started working for a local company called Signs By Tomorrow as a Designer. Turning 26 she decided it was time to go back to school full time. Attending the Kansas City Art Institute one of the oldest Art schools in the country. She pursued a degree in Design. However painting was her passion. Because of the degree structure at KCAI she was unable to take formal painting classes. After graduation she moved back to Jefferson City with her husband and resumed work at Signs By Tomorrow. With painting still in the back of her mind she decided to start on her own and just begin painting.
Even with no formal painting classes under her belt she realized that with the education in Design she had learned enough about color and different mediums to enable her to start experimenting with different techniques and color mixtures. Painting become a hobby of passion, painting when she needed a release, and trying to experiment with different styles and techniques. She soon found that she really enjoyed her time and would lose herself in her work.
Still being a bit self-conscious about her work she kept most of it to herself only showing close friends and family. While all were very supportive and excited about her work she still kept most of her work to herself. Through a couple of chance encounters with people in the local art scene combined with inspiration from one of her favorite artists Natasha Wescoat she slowly started showing some of her paintings to the outside world. During a vacation with her husband and family. She visited a couple of local Gallery’s. After speaking with the curators and showing them her work. One offered to buy several pieces to resell in her shop and another offered her a Show on the spot.(Yet to be announced) With a lot of positive feedback and encouragement from her friends and family, as well as other professionals she is finally showing her work to the world.
Mary considers herself a modern-contemporary artist with a flair toward the abstract. Her inspiration comes from daily life, and artists such as Natasha Wescoat, Gustav Klimt, Picasso, Chuck Close, Frans Marc, and Kandinsky.
Aside from Painting other hobby’s of Mary’s include collecting art, and her animals. Wherever she travels she makes an effort to visit local artistry shops and gallery’s. She never fails to bring something home with her. Such as the case with Vena a New Orleans artist. Mary and her husband have five dogs(two eight month old Golden Retrievers, one eight year old Boxer, and two Chihuahua’s six and five years old), two cats(one six years old and one six months old), two birds(a ten year old Cockatoo, and a six year old African Grey), and finally one Short Tailed Possum.