About the Artist
About the Artist
Born and raised on Detroit’s east side, Mary moved to Ann Arbor after graduating from University of Detroit Mercy. While working as a software designer, Mary began taking classes in photography, drawing, and painting. She began seriously studying art in 2001 and in 2019 began pursuing a Masters in Studio Art/Watercolor. Mary enjoys pencil/graphite drawing. But she absolutely loves watercolor’s translucency, softness, pure beauty and unpredictability. It is a medium rich with both challenges and surprises.
Mary’s artwork often focuses on the tranquility found in nature. She also likes to draw/paint the historic buildings in and around Ann Arbor. Her painting style is strongly influenced by the Impressionists and Post Impressionists, particularly Monet and Van Gogh. Currently, Mary is exploring abstract expressionism, influenced by artists Brian Rutenberg and Ruth Gilmore Langs.
Mary’s works are held in public and private collections. Her painting, Downtown Home and Garden, was selected by the Ann Arbor Sister City Program as a gift to the people of Hikone, Japan. Mary’s paintings have been included in numerous juried and open shows. Her vibrant watercolor, Rainy Road to Bryson City, awarded 2nd Place in the AAWA 2015 Summer Juried Exhibit. The painting, Les Cheneaux I, received the People’s Choice Award in the AAWA 2016 Spring Show. Mary helped create AAWA's collaborative public-art installations for Ann Arbor's 2015 and 2016 POP-X Festivals, co-chairing AAWA’s juried entry, Side by Side, in 2016. Mary also enjoys teaching watercolor workshops for children and adults. She is on the organizing committee and teaching staff of ArtBreak Studio, an art program for the homeless.
Professional Affiliations
National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Membership Committee of Huron River Artist Collective (formerly Ann Arbor Women Artists (AAWA)), Guild of Artists and Artisans, National Society of Leadership & Success
Mediums
Watercolor, acrylic, oil, pencil/graphite, pen & ink, photography
Artist Statement
Life is full of surprises and beauty. My watercolors attempt to capture moments that offer peace, a chance to reflect, or to just notice - whether it's a sunrise, a walk in the woods, a memory, or the sheer joy of colors mixing on the page. My hope is that my art causes the viewer to pause, take a breath and smile at the little miracles all around.
Contact Information
Website: marykmurphyart.com
Email: mary@marykmurphyart.com
Phone: 734.327.0630
Born and raised on Detroit’s east side, Mary moved to Ann Arbor after graduating from University of Detroit Mercy. While working as a software designer, Mary began taking classes in photography, drawing, and painting. She began seriously studying art in 2001 and in 2019 began pursuing a Masters in Studio Art/Watercolor. Mary enjoys pencil/graphite drawing. But she absolutely loves watercolor’s translucency, softness, pure beauty and unpredictability. It is a medium rich with both challenges and surprises.
Mary’s artwork often focuses on the tranquility found in nature. She also likes to draw/paint the historic buildings in and around Ann Arbor. Her painting style is strongly influenced by the Impressionists and Post Impressionists, particularly Monet and Van Gogh. Currently, Mary is exploring abstract expressionism, influenced by artists Brian Rutenberg and Ruth Gilmore Langs.
Mary’s works are held in public and private collections. Her painting, Downtown Home and Garden, was selected by the Ann Arbor Sister City Program as a gift to the people of Hikone, Japan. Mary’s paintings have been included in numerous juried and open shows. Her vibrant watercolor, Rainy Road to Bryson City, awarded 2nd Place in the AAWA 2015 Summer Juried Exhibit. The painting, Les Cheneaux I, received the People’s Choice Award in the AAWA 2016 Spring Show. Mary helped create AAWA's collaborative public-art installations for Ann Arbor's 2015 and 2016 POP-X Festivals, co-chairing AAWA’s juried entry, Side by Side, in 2016. Mary also enjoys teaching watercolor workshops for children and adults. She is on the organizing committee and teaching staff of ArtBreak Studio, an art program for the homeless.
Professional Affiliations
National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Membership Committee of Huron River Artist Collective (formerly Ann Arbor Women Artists (AAWA)), Guild of Artists and Artisans, National Society of Leadership & Success
Mediums
Watercolor, acrylic, oil, pencil/graphite, pen & ink, photography
Artist Statement
Life is full of surprises and beauty. My watercolors attempt to capture moments that offer peace, a chance to reflect, or to just notice - whether it's a sunrise, a walk in the woods, a memory, or the sheer joy of colors mixing on the page. My hope is that my art causes the viewer to pause, take a breath and smile at the little miracles all around.
Contact Information
Website: marykmurphyart.com
Email: mary@marykmurphyart.com
Phone: 734.327.0630