I was really fortunate to have grown up in an environment where creativity was both demonstrated and encouraged. As a kid, I was allowed to have this giant collage on my bedroom wall. I also remember my mother making pupets and flannel forms for her work as a teacher.

Still, I found I was always searching to discover my true artistic voice. Who knew that later I would be finding it at flea markets and in dumpsters.

At Park University, I majored in Sociology and had a minor in Art. Later, I taught 9th grade art classes and adult night classes, to people trying to expand their own artistic horizons. For a lot of years I experimented as a watercolorist and used a set of 100 colored pencils, to experiment with shade and form, trying to find life in two dimensions. I was somewhat successful in selling my works and yet wasn't totally passionate about what I was doing. It wasn't until I was playing with broken and cast off items that my spirit came alive.

First of all, the three dimensional aspect of the work was something I could get my hands on, which felt good to me. I also think I was responding to the fact that we throw too many things away in this world, including people. There is so much beauty in what we sometimes cast off. I wanted to rearrange the pieces I discovered in a way that would represent this idea, to enable the viewer to see the value in objects. I once went for 4 years without creating any art. Now I can't stop. It's just like free therapy for me.

Mary lives in Independence, Mo with her husband Larry. Besides being an artist, Mary works as an educator for a not-for-profit mental health organization, teaching classes on anxiety and stress management and helping those recovering from addictions. She also enjoys cooking, travel, music and growing herbs.

About her Classes:
Mary offers reglur classes on various forms of collage work and assemblage. These will be posted here on the Green Dog website and flyers that will be available at Changing Seasons Floral and Gift Gallery. I encourage you to come in and explore your own artistic voice, even if you think you can "draw stick figures". You may discover it will be the first step in having a more soulful, creative life experience.