Mary Bullington

First of all, I am a self-taught artist. (Fancy people call this an autodidact.) My formal education is in literature, right down to a Ph.D. in medieval lit (Indiana University, 1993). I also have an MFA in Creative Writing (UNC at Greensboro, 1978). Writing poetry, I learned that I could trust that the process of sitting down and typing whatever words came into my head often led to a poem. Ditto in the studio—when I pick up a crayon or a paintbrush and make some marks on a sheet of paper, something will begin to happen. My job at this point is not to create a picture—it is simply to make the paper or canvas or other support more interesting than it was before I started.

I began working in collage in 1980, tearing sheets of paper commercially silk-screened in pure colors to build imaginary landscapes. Today, I typically mix mediums in most of my works.  These may include watercolor, acrylics, gesso, oil pastel, pastel sec, charcoal, inks and oils.  Expressive rather than naturalistic, my collages and paintings are informed by an eclectic eye and lots and lots of looking.

Among my favorite artists? Giselbertus (a 12th century sculptor), Picasso, Jean DuBuffet, and the American master of collage, Romare Bearden. I’m also greatly indebted to the American Abstract Expressionists and to the sculpture and textiles of sub-Saharan Africa. Key to my work is a physical, often percussive rhythm, fluid line, and a delight in unusual color combinations. I love visual saturation—I want to give my viewers so much to see in any one piece that they must take it in gradually, over a long period of time.

Contact Information
In my hometown, Roanoke, VA, I show at The Market Gallery (540/342-1177). If you want more information about a piece, or want to see a wider range of my work, I can be reached at home at 540/904-2828 or over the net at .

http://www.openstudiosofroanoke.com