Artist Statement:
"The physical domain of the country had its counterpart in me.
The trails I made led outward into the hills and swamps, but they led inward also.
And from the study of things underfoot . . . came a kind of exploration, myself and the land.
In time the two became one in my mind." – John Haines
All of my art is inspired by nature: specifically, landscapes and geology. My love of landscape is revealed in mixed media paintings layered with maps and scientific illustrations. I study physical geology and the interconnectedness between surface and subterranean landscapes: exploring the relationships between developments underground and the evolution of the landscape that takes place on the surface – borrowing images from geological diagrams of land formations to incorporate into my paintings. I am captivated by the idea that geological shifts and transformations seem to parallel both individuals and their relationships: continually changing, varying, shifting and developing, too.
In 2007, I spent time living and painting in the southwest, examining desert landscapes, where the combination of aridity and erosion exposed the earth’s composition, structure, and layers, the relationships between them, and the deep time they represent. After visiting extinct volcanoes in New Mexico, I longed to see active volcanoes. As a result, I embarked on a residency at Red Cinder Creativity Center in 2008, located between the active and accessible volcanoes Kilauea and Mauna Loa, on the Big Island of Hawaii. Immersed in twelve of the world’s thirteen climate zones, I experienced and studied the various landscapes and dynamic geology of the island. I had the unique opportunities of watching landscape being created and standing on the newest land on earth: landscape created by lava hardening into rock, which, in time, will transform into soil where plants will sprout and grow. Consequently, the dramatic volcanic landscapes continue to inform and influence my work.
The trails I made led outward into the hills and swamps, but they led inward also.
And from the study of things underfoot . . . came a kind of exploration, myself and the land.
In time the two became one in my mind." – John Haines
All of my art is inspired by nature: specifically, landscapes and geology. My love of landscape is revealed in mixed media paintings layered with maps and scientific illustrations. I study physical geology and the interconnectedness between surface and subterranean landscapes: exploring the relationships between developments underground and the evolution of the landscape that takes place on the surface – borrowing images from geological diagrams of land formations to incorporate into my paintings. I am captivated by the idea that geological shifts and transformations seem to parallel both individuals and their relationships: continually changing, varying, shifting and developing, too.
In 2007, I spent time living and painting in the southwest, examining desert landscapes, where the combination of aridity and erosion exposed the earth’s composition, structure, and layers, the relationships between them, and the deep time they represent. After visiting extinct volcanoes in New Mexico, I longed to see active volcanoes. As a result, I embarked on a residency at Red Cinder Creativity Center in 2008, located between the active and accessible volcanoes Kilauea and Mauna Loa, on the Big Island of Hawaii. Immersed in twelve of the world’s thirteen climate zones, I experienced and studied the various landscapes and dynamic geology of the island. I had the unique opportunities of watching landscape being created and standing on the newest land on earth: landscape created by lava hardening into rock, which, in time, will transform into soil where plants will sprout and grow. Consequently, the dramatic volcanic landscapes continue to inform and influence my work.
About the Artist:
Mary at Kilauea Volcano
Mary C. Nasser earned her Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art: Painting from Michigan State University. During her graduate studies, Mary also studied Medieval Art History abroad in London, England, and attended a monotype workshop in Mexico City. In 1996 she was a visiting artist and guest lecturer in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, where she lectured at Academia de Arte Vizuale “IOAN ANDREESCU” (Academy of Visual Arts) and exhibited her work in "Deschideti U.S.A." (Open the Door) at the Casa Matei.
Mary has had more than 20 solo shows in the past 10 years and has been awarded numerous residency opportunities. She was Artist-in-Residence in 2007 at Prairie Center of the Arts in Illinois, Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, and Rockmirth in New Mexico.Her latest residency was at Red Cinder Creativity Center in Hawaii, where Mary lived near active volcanoes that continually recreate the landscape.
In 2010, a jury selected Mary's sculpture proposal for Wings in the City – a project to raise funds for the Jennifer and Jim Koman Expressive Therapy Program at Wings, a BJC pediatric hospice and palliative care program. Mary's 5-foot by 4-foot fiberglass butterfly sculpture is entitled Journey and is sponsored by Plaza Mercedes Benz.It is embellished with metallic acrylics and maps, much like her recent paintings. The butterflies were auctioned off May 21, 2011, at Wings in the City's Art Takes Flight auction. The public art project raised $1.3 million dollars for BJC's pediatric hospice program Wings.
Throughout the year, Mary leads Garden Art (Art Therapy) activities at St. Louis Children's Hospital and Healing Through the Arts art therapy workshops for both children and adults at St. John's Mercy Medical Center.
Mary is represented locally by Wood Icing Studio/Gallery.
Mary has had more than 20 solo shows in the past 10 years and has been awarded numerous residency opportunities. She was Artist-in-Residence in 2007 at Prairie Center of the Arts in Illinois, Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, and Rockmirth in New Mexico.Her latest residency was at Red Cinder Creativity Center in Hawaii, where Mary lived near active volcanoes that continually recreate the landscape.
In 2010, a jury selected Mary's sculpture proposal for Wings in the City – a project to raise funds for the Jennifer and Jim Koman Expressive Therapy Program at Wings, a BJC pediatric hospice and palliative care program. Mary's 5-foot by 4-foot fiberglass butterfly sculpture is entitled Journey and is sponsored by Plaza Mercedes Benz.It is embellished with metallic acrylics and maps, much like her recent paintings. The butterflies were auctioned off May 21, 2011, at Wings in the City's Art Takes Flight auction. The public art project raised $1.3 million dollars for BJC's pediatric hospice program Wings.
Throughout the year, Mary leads Garden Art (Art Therapy) activities at St. Louis Children's Hospital and Healing Through the Arts art therapy workshops for both children and adults at St. John's Mercy Medical Center.
Mary is represented locally by Wood Icing Studio/Gallery.
Interested in purchasing my art?
You will always see my most recent paintings on my blog.
If you are ever interested in a piece, feel free to contact me.
You can also find my work at Wood Icing, The Little Gallery at Art Saint Louis, Artlandish Gallery and Etsy!
You will always see my most recent paintings on my blog.
If you are ever interested in a piece, feel free to contact me.
You can also find my work at Wood Icing, The Little Gallery at Art Saint Louis, Artlandish Gallery and Etsy!
