
Sum up your work in a sentence:
"Making the Invisible Visible" is the tagline that I use to describe the focus of my work, bringing attention to the Glory that can be found in even the mundane.
When and how did you become an artist?
When I moved to England in 2000, I couldn't bring my piano with me, so, needing an alternative creative outlet, I went back to another love...painting. Mainly a self taught artist, I have taken advantage of online tutorials, instructional DVD's and artistic manuals from the likes of Jerry Ross, Rachel Rubin Wolf and many others. My love of color is manifest in all of my work as well as the interplay of light and shadow. I have exhibited with the Windsor Street Gallery in 2013, and recently had a month long exhibition at the Maidenhead Town Hall in the Rendezvous Cafe' in conjunction with Age Concern and the Maidenhead Art On The Street project. I have sold several pieces and have work in private collections here in the UK as well as the USA, and as far away as Australia. Painting is my passion and even tho my "studio" is only a corner of my kitchen, it has taken over my life. A day without painting is like a day without sunshine!
Who or what are your inspirations and why?
I am totally in awe of contemporary watercolourists, but am so out of my comfort zone with that medium. I love the delicacy of some of the work I see as well as the depth of emotion that is found in works by artists like Thomas Schaller. If I could paint like they do, I would consider myself in Artists Heaven! My deepest inspiration is the canvas itself. Blank and ready to be turned into something magical. As I sit at my easel, I often ask.."Ok, whats in there today? What do the paints want to reveal?" and sometimes when a particular section is being stubborn, I will say to the canvas..."Ok! I know you are in there somewhere! Come out, Come out wherever you are!" ... Crazy, I know. But then aren't all artists just a little bit?
If you could go for a drink with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Any of the female painters of the late 19th century. I would "pick their brains" so to speak to find out how they felt in a world dominated by male artists, I want to know: How did you choose those colors? Who taught you? Who were your inspirations, your mentors? Why did you choose that particular subject? How many paintings have you tossed out because you didn't think they were "good enough"? What other female artists do you associate with? Do the male counterparts of your era accept you as an equal? Do you have to fight for your recognition? Who makes up the bulk of your following? and on and on and on. One drink will definitely NOT be enough!
To Contact Mary:
Email: mary_kporter@yahoo.co.uk
Telephone: 01753 824365
"Making the Invisible Visible" is the tagline that I use to describe the focus of my work, bringing attention to the Glory that can be found in even the mundane.
When and how did you become an artist?
When I moved to England in 2000, I couldn't bring my piano with me, so, needing an alternative creative outlet, I went back to another love...painting. Mainly a self taught artist, I have taken advantage of online tutorials, instructional DVD's and artistic manuals from the likes of Jerry Ross, Rachel Rubin Wolf and many others. My love of color is manifest in all of my work as well as the interplay of light and shadow. I have exhibited with the Windsor Street Gallery in 2013, and recently had a month long exhibition at the Maidenhead Town Hall in the Rendezvous Cafe' in conjunction with Age Concern and the Maidenhead Art On The Street project. I have sold several pieces and have work in private collections here in the UK as well as the USA, and as far away as Australia. Painting is my passion and even tho my "studio" is only a corner of my kitchen, it has taken over my life. A day without painting is like a day without sunshine!
Who or what are your inspirations and why?
I am totally in awe of contemporary watercolourists, but am so out of my comfort zone with that medium. I love the delicacy of some of the work I see as well as the depth of emotion that is found in works by artists like Thomas Schaller. If I could paint like they do, I would consider myself in Artists Heaven! My deepest inspiration is the canvas itself. Blank and ready to be turned into something magical. As I sit at my easel, I often ask.."Ok, whats in there today? What do the paints want to reveal?" and sometimes when a particular section is being stubborn, I will say to the canvas..."Ok! I know you are in there somewhere! Come out, Come out wherever you are!" ... Crazy, I know. But then aren't all artists just a little bit?
If you could go for a drink with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Any of the female painters of the late 19th century. I would "pick their brains" so to speak to find out how they felt in a world dominated by male artists, I want to know: How did you choose those colors? Who taught you? Who were your inspirations, your mentors? Why did you choose that particular subject? How many paintings have you tossed out because you didn't think they were "good enough"? What other female artists do you associate with? Do the male counterparts of your era accept you as an equal? Do you have to fight for your recognition? Who makes up the bulk of your following? and on and on and on. One drink will definitely NOT be enough!
To Contact Mary:
Email: mary_kporter@yahoo.co.uk
Telephone: 01753 824365