Artist Statement: Color and light have always been magic to me. I collect kaleidoscopes and see them as color dancing with light. Seeing things through a kaleidoscope is ever changing and always fascinating. I try to look at nature with this in mind. I work in watercolor because it gives me the opportunity to watch the colors as they greet each other on the paper.
My present techniques are watercolor on paper, watercolor batik –which is using a resist on rice paper to get the effect I want, and ice crystal painting -which is done outside in the winter under 20 degrees. The texture observed is made from snowflakes and ice crystallizing on the paper.
Growing up in Colorado has given me a wonderful appreciation of nature. My grandfather’s paintings (which were a combination of Grandma Moses images and Mexican fiesta colors) always made me laugh. My father carved and was a silversmith as well as an oil painter. I got my love of painting from them both. I graduated from the University of Colorado with a BS degree and worked in the medical field. Now that my children are grown I am able to pick up my love of color again and start living my next life. I belong to the Colorado Watercolor Society and Pikes Peak Watercolor Society. I have studied at the Dallas Center for the Arts, Bemis Fine Arts Center. I have had the pleasure of painting with artists Jane E. Jones, Tom Owen, Cecy Turner , Steven Quiller, and John Salminen.
I have lived in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Iowa, and now reside in Woodland Park, Colorado with my very supportive husband. I am represented at Commonwheel Artists Coop in Manitou Springs, Colorado, and Pikes Peak Gallery in Woodland Park, Colorado as well as show in the Cuchara Hermosa Art Exhibit, Colorado Watercolor Society annual Show, Wyoming Watercolor Society Exhibit, Colorado Springs Airport, PPWS Member Show to name a few. Visit Mary's Website at : www.MaryZTaylor.com