by Bella Erakko
Nature literally “captures” Alliance Gallery artist Mary Ann by Brinkley. Recently, her son took a photo of his wayward rose erupting in the middle of his mowed lawn. Mary Ann saw the arched branch of this untethered climbing rose, envisioning the songbird that might alight upon it, and took up her paintbrush.
Sometimes “nature” encroaches indoors. Fellow artist and woodworker Drew Sutor saves wood shavings for Mary Ann. This currently amounts to 16 boxes, bags of different color shavings, even a bucket of broken glass. Slowly these treasures find their way into her art. Using 12”x12” light wood backdrop, different compositions inspire her: sunbeams with a boat, a rainstorm, driftwood. Nothing is left unseen. Intrigued by the pampas grass just outside her garage, she has used the cut stalks to create images. As she explains, “I hate cutting them in the Spring. The stems can be so useful.” While she considers herself an amateur because she has no formal training, there may be a genetic inheritance. Her grandmother did wonderful oil paintings.
The pandemic fear often sent Mary Ann into her art studio. “The inspiration to paint saved my sanity,” she remarks. “It gave me hours at a time that I don’t even know are going by.” As the featured member she plans to create a tree series, focusing especially on her beloved birches and the stark beauty of sycamores. Anyone viewing Mary Ann Brinkley’s art immediately senses her oneness with nature. Truly, it forms her compositions, her palette, and her joy.
An opening reception will be held on Saturday, November 13, from 4 until 7:00 pm.
