INTERVIEW BY H. CANDEE

UPDATE MARY DAVIDSON

Interview by Harryet Candee

My New Hat Series #59

One of my favorite art teachers along the way used to say, ‘It is only a piece of paper and/or canvas. No Rules. -Mary Davidson

Stamped Abstract Series #16

Harryet Candee: Mary, what’s new in your life? Mary Davidson: My last year that has just passed was not really that much different for me personally. I work two days a week , I am a nurse of 44 years, I paint three or four days. I keep up with the chores around my house, I love to walk, spend time with my husband and friends and family.

What are you presently working on in your art studio? I am currently working on my Stamped Abstract Series.

Where did the ideas come from that we see in your new body of work? I love design and that is the focus of my work at present. I have a lot of creative energy, so my ideas come from the painting I just finished. The process is evolving. I understand your husband is an artist, and often you work together. Can you explain how you work as an all-around team and artists-in-crime partnership? We share an art studio, and when we get stuck we can ask the other person to look at the painting we are working on for feedback, this is so amazingly helpful. Sometimes you get so lost in a painting you just lose perspective.

Mary, tell us about how you create your two-dimensional decorative work? Has it developed or changed over the past few years? I cannot really explain my process, I would really have to show it to another for a full understanding. I can tell you I start with an elaborated drawing, which is an abstract design at present, my favorite part, next I transfer it to canvas. I then apply acrylic paint, this I refer to as my underpainting. My next layer is stamping. Tell us the background behind your Hat series, please. It all started in a workshop, many years ago. The teacher wanted us to incorporate something from the room, into the design we were working on. I chose my shoe. After 100 shoe paintings, I switched to a fashion figure. This is when I also started to work in a series, moving right on to the next painting, not spending time trying to figure out what to paint next. This gave me a great focus. I also was developing my own unique style.

Did you enjoy your education in Fashion when you went to Newbury College in Boston? What was the focus? And, now when you work, does anything in particular come back to you that you consider important to use and work with that you were taught? I loved fashion design school, although that was many years ago now. Right out of High Continued on next page...

STAMPED ABSTRACT SERIES # 23

I love the intense complexity and ambiguity of space and dimension -Mary Davidson

Stamped Abstract Series #23

School, I became a nurse, and then later I went back to school for Fashion design. I have always been searching for a creative outlet, and have tried many things. Painting came into my life later. Since I was older, I could recognize my strengths and work with those, instead of tackling techniques I would never be good at. Since I love fashion, I was able to focus on the same subject matter for years. Practice, practice, practice. Just learning about color is a challenge.

What outside influences have affected your skillfulness in design, concept and color? What do you look at that helps generate new ideas? My ideas seem to come from inside me, much more than from outside, although I do believe they are the same.

What medium do you work, and why do you find this medium works best with what you are creating? Acrylic paint dries very fast and is very forgiving, in the sense that you can just paint over a mistake.

If you were to take on an artistic challenge, what would that be? Right now I am developing the art of stamping, for me that is challenging enough.

What art venue would you love to learn? Right now I am happy with what I am doing. What do you enjoy the most about your artwork? There’s concept to completion, so much to enjoy. I enjoy the drawing, the most creative part of the process. I also enjoy the outcome of the painting, which can be quite a surprise to me.

wwwdavidsondesigncompany.net

Thank you, Mary!

H

BERKSHIRE DIGITAL

Since opening in 2005, Berkshire Digital has done fine art printing for artists and photographers. Giclée prints can be made in many different sizes from 5”x7” to 42”x 80” on a variety of archival paper choices. Berkshire Digital was featured in last Summer’s issue of PDN magazine in an article about fine art printing. See the entire article on the BerkshireDigital.com website. Berkshire Digital does accurate hi-res photoreproductions of paintings and illustrations that can be used for Giclée prints, books, magazines, brochures, cards and websites. “Fred Collins couldn’t have been more professional or more enjoyable to work with. He came to my studio, set everything up, and did a beautiful job in photographing a ton of paintings carefully, efficiently, and so accurately. It’s such a great feeling to know I have these beautiful, useful files on hand anytime I need them. I wish I’d called Fred years ago.” ---- Ann Getsinger We also offer restoration and repair of damaged or faded photographs. A complete overview of services offered, along with pricing, can be seen on the web at BerkshireDigital.com Another service offered is portraits of artists in their studios, or wherever they would like, for use in magazines, as the author’s picture in a book, websites or cards. See samples of artist portraits on our website. The owner, Fred Collins, has been a commercial and fine art photographer for over 30 years having had studios in Boston, Stamford, and the Berkshires. He offers over 25 years of experience with Photoshop, enabling retouching, restoration and enhancement to prints and digital files. The studio is located in Mt Washington but drop-off and pick-up is available through Frames On Wheels, 84 Railroad Street in Great Barrington, MA (413) 528-0997 and Gilded Moon Framing, 17 John Street in Millerton, NY (518) 789-3428. Berkshire Digital - 413 644-9663, or go online to www.BerkshireDigital.com

SUMMER PARADISE SHARON GUY

CONNECTING WITH NATURE ART TO TREASURE

My purpose as an artist is to connect with the healing power of the natural world and to encourage others to do the same. Nature is alive and infused with spirit. I constantly seek to reconnect with this spirit of nature through creating art. While I quietly observe and study land, water, and skies, the ordinary world around me is transformed by light and shadow into the sublime. I enjoy painting birds, wildlife, and scenes from the Gulf Coast to New England. My work is in private collections in the United States and Canada. Sharon Guy - sharonguyart@gmail.com, https://www.sharonguyart.com, 941-321-1218

COUNTRY STORE WATERCOLOR

MARGUERITE BRIDE

WINTER IN WATERCOLOR Winter just may be my favorite season to capture in a watercolor. Snow seems to turn everything into a magical winter wonderland. That is not to say I don’t love painting the other seasons….I just love winter the most. Often winter house portraits turn into holiday cards….plus, with your painting you will receive a cd with the image so you can be quite creative with your cards. I always welcome your house and or business portraits, depicting any season. Be sure to visit “the Art of…” Gallery on Housatonic Street in Lenox to see a new selection of my original winter paintings. Please consider shopping local this holiday season. Why worry about your gifts being stuck outside a port somewhere when you can support your own local artists and artisans right here in the Berkshires. We all thank you. Marguerite Bride – Home Studio at 46 Glory Drive, Pittsfield, Massachusetts by appointment only. Call 413-841-1659 or 413-442-7718; margebride-paintings.com; margebride@aol.com; Facebook: Marguerite Bride Watercolors.

CAROLYN M. ABRAMS ART

Art is unquestionable one of the purest and highest elements in human happiness. It trains the mind through the eye, and the eye through the mind. As the sun colours flowers, so does art colour life. —John Lubbock

House by the Bridge Oils, cold wax medium 10 x 10”

www.carolynabrams.com | cabrams09@gmail.com 518. 928. 7401 Studio open by appointment