A native of South Carolina, Mary earned an M.S. Degree in medical art from the Medical College of Georgia and a B.F.A. Degree in studio art from Newcomb College Art School at Tulane University in New Orleans. After moving to Culpeper, Virginia thirty years ago with her husband and children, Mary opened the Carriage Lane Gallery in Culpeper, joined Gallery West in Old Town Alexandria and became an exhibiting artist at the Torpedo Factory. She is currently a member of the Potomac Valley Watercolorists, Virginia Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Torpedo Factory Art League, Middle Street Gallery in Washington, VA, River District Artists Galleries and Studios in Washington VA and Firnew Farm Artists’ Circle in Hood VA. She is also a member of the Artisan Trail of Virginia. Mary currently paints in Studio #8 at River District Artists in Washington, Virginia and at Side Porch Studio in Culpeper, Virginia.
“I have been an artist all of my life having grown up in a home surrounded by professional musicians, potters and painters! Every day was a creative day and I thrived on the energy it produced among all of us. I see compositions in all aspects of life from the chaos of dishes in my kitchen sink to the exquisite flower arrangements we create from our gardens. I take joy in shadows cast across the country roads and the sparkles on the cut crystal of the vase by the window! I paint with watercolor because I love the fresh, bright colors one can only capture with that medium. Having originally been an oil painter, I do love a deep, saturated hue and I strive to bring that richness to my watercolors. I also love the way my water paints run and blend in a way that oils can never do. The surprising results delight me as I develop my paintings of ordinary situations in still life and landscape. I paint everyday to try and capture yet one more piece of life this beautiful world has offered me! “ Mary Allen
maryballen1@gmail.com
http://www.maryballen.net
My Place
Firnew Farm Artist's Circle 