D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
April 2010
Our Cover Artist
The bottom line, says Mary A. Gravelle, is, "Painting just makes me happy!" She began painting in 1992 as a vehicle for self-discovery and personal growth. After 10 years of painting from her "inner reserves" — a period she refers to as "wild woman" painting or painting "from the wild places within" — she pursued an associates degree in fine arts.
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In 2006, "needing a change of scenery from the claustrophobic Northeast," she moved from Connecticut to the Southwest, landing in Silver City in October.
"I have used house paint, acrylic, tempera, watercolors, chalk and oil pastel," Gravelle says. "I am currently inspired to paint landscapes of the Southwest in acrylic and oil" — such as this issue's cover, "Paradise" (48-by-36 inches, acrylic on wood).
In the past, she says, she drew inspiration mostly from Abstract Expressionist artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Joan Mir, Helen Frankenthaler, Jackson Pollock and Frank Stella, along with Expressionists including Marc Chagall and Franz Marc. "These were gutsy painters in that they threw out the old school of realism and rules to pursue the deeper realms of art — the inner life. Drawing upon the Oriental brush painting experience, no stroke is a mistake. It is simply the stroke of the moment — not good, not bad. It just is. I trust my intuition to inspire me. I am always surprised at the end result."
For her landscape series, Gravelle cites influences including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Paul Gauguin, Vincent Van Gogh, Gustav Klimt, Georgia O'Keefe and Claude Monet. "I like their loose structure, use of color and expressive brush strokes. I practice applying the Impressionists' (especially Georges Seurat) use of olor theory in hopes of enlivening my paintings."
Gravelle's work, including this month's cover painting can be seen at Tatiana Maria Gallery, 305 N. Bullard St. in Silver City, 388-4426. Or contact the artist at 956-7315, info@marysfineart.com, www.marysfineart.com