"Joie de vivre" |
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My
latest watercolour work, "Joie de Vivre", was juried into the Annual
Exhibition of the Women's Art Association of Hamilton in
May of 2010.
The work is an experimental piece (always a bit of a wild card), using
a new textural technique which I have made my own, and I am pleased that
the four Jurors accepted it for this Exhibition,
on display at the Art Gallery of Hamilton in the The Jean and
Ross Fischer Gallery.
You can view this piece and other works on my website at:
guelpharts.ca: Mary Hougham
For AGH hours and other exhibitions check out their website at:
Welcome to the Art Gallery of Hamilton
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Born near
and Fine Art at the
Mary’s interest in art is lifelong.
Her degree in Cultural Anthropology at the
University
of Toronto
her to the decorative and ceremonial art of many cultures.
her to the decorative and ceremonial art of many cultures.
She developed her skills in visual art media, as well as in design,
weaving, pottery and silk painting,
through post-degree studies at the
University
of
Guelph
Georgian
College
Canadore
College
While Mary displays a strong style which highlights light, colour,
contrast and energy, she enjoys exploring new techniques, media
and texture,
incorporating pastel, acrylic, ink, rice paper collage
and Chinese brushwork into her work.
and Chinese brushwork into her work.
Mary has participated in CANSCAIP Children’s Illustration workshops
with illustrators
Barbara Reid,
Heather Collins, Veronika Martenova Charles, Nan Gregory and author Bill Slavin.
Heather Collins, Veronika Martenova Charles, Nan Gregory and author Bill Slavin.
In the 1980's, Mary established her own business as a designer and
hand weaver.
Professionally she has been a Career Counsellor, a teacher of Special
Education and a Librarian.
the MacDonald Stewart Art Centre in
in their Art Sales and Rental collections.
Artist's Statement
Art to me is about light, colour, observation, contrast, perspective, energy, exploration.
Painting to me is an act of completion, an adventure, a moment of creation in itself.
It is an act of celebration to recreate the freshness of dahlias
bursting with life like a Symphony of Fire,
or to express the magnificence of an Alaskan peak reflecting the rising sun,
then vanishing behind cloud, still present though unseen.
or to express the magnificence of an Alaskan peak reflecting the rising sun,
then vanishing behind cloud, still present though unseen.
It is an act of reverence to witness and record the private moment
of a fox,
pausing in acute concentration in a snow-swept clearing.
pausing in acute concentration in a snow-swept clearing.
My painting is a source of joy, a celebration of the flow of life.
To me, painting is poetry expressed through pigment,
while poetry is art painted through language.
Both are magical acts of participation in an ancient universal
process.
It is the natural world that connects me to the universe.
Here, I become whole and restored, part of the ever-changing rhythm of the earth,
of its continual cycle of death and rebirth - from the pregnant barrenness,
the clear beauty of winter, to the fresh, long-awaited stirring of spring,
to the fullness of summer and the ripeness of autumn.
Each season, a new pallette presents itself and beckons me
to capture a glimpse of its sacred beauty with my brush.
Here, I become whole and restored, part of the ever-changing rhythm of the earth,
of its continual cycle of death and rebirth - from the pregnant barrenness,
the clear beauty of winter, to the fresh, long-awaited stirring of spring,
to the fullness of summer and the ripeness of autumn.
Each season, a new pallette presents itself and beckons me
to capture a glimpse of its sacred beauty with my brush.
Mary is a member of the Guelph Arts Council and the Women's Art Association of Hamilton.
e mail:
maryhougham@guelpharts.ca
website:
http://guelpharts.ca/maryhougham/index.php