Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Spellings
Hi Mary, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am blessed to live in a tiny rural community. I have 3 grown children, a beautiful daughter in law and 3 wonderful grand kids.Having grown up in the country, I have a love of the land, farms, animals, gardens and all that goes with it. So I take care of animals, flower gardens, and cook from scratch with home grown veggies. I think all that lends to my creative spirit. I am surrounded by inspiration. As far as my art goes, I love light and strong values in my work. I also love texture and color. I am always looking for a subject that excites me so I can share that “look” with others through my work.Traditionally , I work in expressive watercolors. However, I have been painting for 50 years, so I am always experimenting. I want to keep real with my work. I find that I will do a commission painting that is realistic, then get creative to do something more fun, usually abstract.I alternate the real and the more expressive. Consequently, lately I have been doing large acrylic pours.These works are very exciting because I cannot control everything. Through the years I have had periods of certain types of work. Each one facilitated growth and a yearning to take my work a little farther.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Well, I can honestly say that my life has been blessed and full. Of course there are always struggles. I guess the biggest struggle that I remember was several years ago. I had rented a nice studio on the Third floor of a building in the historic part of town. Several months after I was there , a tornado took the roofing off the building leaving paintings on the floor and lots of water damage.By the time I got there the weather was threatening another thunderstorm. My husband and I had to move all my studio including all artwork, down three flights of stairs in the dark.There was no electricity. This event really hurt my heart. I had lost my studio, lots of supplies and several works damaged. However, several people were not as fortunate as I. Several lost more than earthly possessions, They lost their homes and some their lives.I was touched by the response of others to the tragedy. One friend gave me watercolor paper and Joe Miller from Cheap Joes sent a card that if any artist had lost art supplies he would gladly send free of charge, whatever you lost in the tornado. Another struggle is just the regular marketing of my work. I live in an area that doesn’t support local artists very well. People just don’t seem to have a strong appreciation of original art.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have been making art for 50 years,so I have experienced variety in my work. I guess I am most known for painting local landmarks.I have painted lots of images that invite someone to remember days gone by. Sometimes that is a local hamburger joint or gathering place like an old church. I have also painted many portraits, my favorite being one that shows the character of the person. Lately , I have been tagged as the queen of rust because I love painting old abandoned vehicles. There is something very exciting to me about the way the weather changes metal surfaces. It causes some beautiful improvements.I am always experimenting and enjoying the process. Acrylic pours are another way that I keep excited in creating. I love the way it is not easily controlled and all the beautiful shapes and textures that I get.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Lots of things make me happy. I am a family person and spending time with family is at the top. Cooking , making art, my animals , doing things to help other people, traveling, and hiking all make me happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://marypspellings.com/
- Facebook: Mary Spellings
