We recently connected with Mary Elizabeth Marvin and have shared our conversation below.

Mary Elizabeth, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My art questions how we experience nature in our increasingly technological lives. I’m trying to counter the passive intake of images that bombard us daily by enticing the viewer to engage in a moment with one of my painted assimilations of nature. Many collectors say my paintings reach them subconsciously or trigger a long-forgotten memory. One collector said my painting reminds an afternoon she spent with childhood friends rolling in the grass, collecting four-leaf clovers, and running through meadows. Anytime my painting moves someone to their happy place or temporarily shifts them to a happier frame of mind, I’m ecstatic!

Mary Elizabeth, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My painting comes out of a near-death experience. In 1997 I found out that I needed life-threatening surgery to fix a birth defect on an artery deep in my brain. With brain surgery, they save the life support form for the last minute before you go into the surgery room. There’s no time to think so you just have to trust in your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. I wrote: “If I can’t paint, pull the plug.” At the time, it had nothing to do with my day-to-day life! When I was able to work again after my surgery it came back to me and I started art school. I’m pretty sure my art career would have never happened if I hadn’t needed brain surgery.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I studied at The Corcoran College of Art + Design in Washington, DC. It was a European-style museum art school where the focus was on training you in the core principles and studio skills for a fine art career. It was a boot camp for artists. I consider it a gift to be able to paint like a master. After time though, I wanted to see what I could do beyond the traditional with my unique vocabulary of symbols. I found that I had to un-learn some of the old master skills or at the very least, reinterpret them. I wanted to see what might be inside of me. Plus, I was itching to use color and unusual materials in new ways. I might return to realism someday but for now, I am a decided abstract painter.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I naturally lean towards technology and even had the opportunity to work at NASA. I embraced the online gallery system early on and have continuously stayed updated with social media, AI, and other technological advancements throughout my career. Art has become more approachable and less daunting for the everyday person, thanks to these advancements, making it more accessible than ever before. This transformation is more thrilling than frightening in my opinion.

Regrettably, artist rights have not progressed at the same rate. Supporting artists through proper attribution and compensation is crucial. The frequency with which my work has been used without credit or outright stolen for reproduction is astonishing. It is imperative to credit the artist, especially in the age of AI, to acknowledge the human behind the art. Additionally, artists are often inadequately compensated for their creative work. Drawing from my experience in the home decor industry, everyone seems to benefit financially except the artist. Without an agent or lawyer to represent you, you may end up being shortchanged. It’s disheartening to admit that I receive a mere 1% from one licensing contract, whereas the industry average ranges between 6-7%. The art actually matters. It makes life better. So, please pay the artist!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maryelizabethart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryelizabeth_artist
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryelizabethartist
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-elizabeth-marvin-3b76072b1/

Image Credits

Abby Cole Photography