Artist Mary Ellen Neff

Mary Ellen Neff - Artist Statement

For at least twenty years Nature’s Laboratory, particularly wetlands and waterways, has been an inspiration for my art. I painted many stylized natural scenes using traditional oil painting techniques. As my work progressed, more depth was required and I began to experiment with encaustics. This medium stimulated my creativity as I worked the layers in a geometric, abstract style. By 2002 organic shapes evolved back into the work and certain reoccurring elements appeared. In my current work I employ these elements to suggest nature’s life forces. Encaustic is an exciting process and a challenging quest. It is perfectly suited to the way I explore with a palette knife. Encaustic paintings have a very special energy and expand the limits of imagination.

Postscript

Waterways is an ongoing series of 9’’ X 9’’ encaustic paintings that I started in 2004. Each painting began without preconception, other than color compatibility. They hang alone, in pairs or in groups. Last year 16 hung briefly as a grid.

Resume

Education

1965 BFA, Webster University- Webster Groves, MO

1990s Workshops and advanced studies in various disciplines with respected regional artists in Maryland & Virginia.

1986-87 Torpedo Factory- Alexandria, VA, Lithograph & Monotype classes.

Exhibitions

Solo and Duo:

2005 Article Gallery, Charlotte NC

2004 Circle Gallery, Annapolis, MD,

2002 Cardinal Gallery, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis, MD,

2001 Wright Now Gallery, Charlotte, NC

1997 African Eye Collection, Washington DC

1999/96 Main Street Gallery, Annapolis, MD

1995 Annapolitan Gallery, Annapolis, MD

2005 Redsky Gallery, Charlotte, NC

2005 Coastal Gallery, Rehoboth Beach, DE

2005 St. John’s College, Annapolis, MD

2005/04 City Gallery, Baltimore, MD (and 2002)

2004 Chaney Gallery, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis, MD - Curator: Christina Manucy.

2004/01 Annamarie Sculpture Garden, Solomons Island, MD (and 1998)

2002 Stage Gallery, Merritt, NY

1999 Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons Island, MD - Curator: Mimi Locouture.

1999-96 Washington Design Center, Washington DC

1998 Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis, MD
Curator: Marie Linnekin.

1995 Philadelphia Art Show, Philadelphia, PA

1993 St. Mary’s College, St. Mary’s City, MD

Phoenix Corporation, Montreal, Canada

Selby Bay Sailing Center, Edgewater, MD

Dr. and Mrs. Drewyer, Annapolis, MD

2005 Kennedy Publications “Best of...NC” Juried Competition, Honorable Mention

2004 Juror’s Choice, Miniature Show, Circle Gallery, Annapolis, MD

2003/01 Equal Merit, Circle Gallery, Annapolis, MD

2006 “Best Artists & Artisans of NC,” coming spring

2002 “Home and Design Magazine”, DC, MD, VA edition,

2001 Charlotte Observer Newspaper, E&T magazine,

1997 Annapolis Capital Newspaper, Artist Profile,

Redsky Gallery,Charlotte, NC

Professional Experience

1990- present Studio Painter. Specialties: abstract painting, encaustic, oils, acrylic.

1983- 1993 Freelance Graphic Designer. Specialties: architectural rendering, presentation art.



	Mary Ellen Neff - Artist Statement For at least twenty years Nature’s Laboratory, particularly wetlands and waterways, has been an inspiration for my art. I painted many stylized natural scenes using traditional oil painting techniques. As my work progressed, more depth was required and I began to experiment with encaustics. This medium stimulated my creativity as I worked the layers in a geometric, abstract style. By 2002 organic shapes evolved back into the work and certain reoccurring elements appeared. In my current work I employ these elements to suggest nature’s life forces. Encaustic is an exciting process and a challenging quest. It is perfectly suited to the way I explore with a palette knife. Encaustic paintings have a very special energy and expand the limits of imagination. Postscript Waterways is an ongoing series of 9’’ X 9’’ encaustic paintings that I started in 2004. Each painting began without preconception, other than color compatibility. They hang alone, in pairs or in groups. Last year 16 hung briefly as a grid. Resume Education 1965 BFA, Webster University- Webster Groves, MO 1990s Workshops and advanced studies in various disciplines with respected regional artists in Maryland & Virginia. 1986-87 Torpedo Factory- Alexandria, VA, Lithograph & Monotype classes. Exhibitions Solo and Duo: 2005 Article Gallery, Charlotte NC 2004 Circle Gallery, Annapolis, MD, 2002 Cardinal Gallery, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis, MD, 2001 Wright Now Gallery, Charlotte, NC 1997 African Eye Collection, Washington DC 1999/96 Main Street Gallery, Annapolis, MD 1995 Annapolitan Gallery, Annapolis, MD Group: 2005 Redsky Gallery, Charlotte, NC 2005 Coastal Gallery, Rehoboth Beach, DE 2005 St. John’s College, Annapolis, MD 2005/04 City Gallery, Baltimore, MD (and 2002) 2004 Chaney Gallery, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis, MD - Curator: Christina Manucy. 2004/01 Annamarie Sculpture Garden, Solomons Island, MD (and 1998) 2002 Stage Gallery, Merritt, NY 1999 Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons Island, MD - Curator: Mimi Locouture. 1999-96 Washington Design Center, Washington DC 1998 Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis, MD Curator: Marie Linnekin. 1995 Philadelphia Art Show, Philadelphia, PA 1993 St. Mary’s College, St. Mary’s City, MD Collections Phoenix Corporation, Montreal, Canada Selby Bay Sailing Center, Edgewater, MD Dr. and Mrs. Drewyer, Annapolis, MD Awards 2005 Kennedy Publications “Best of...NC” Juried Competition, Honorable Mention 2004 Juror’s Choice, Miniature Show, Circle Gallery, Annapolis, MD 2003/01 Equal Merit, Circle Gallery, Annapolis, MD Publications 2006 “Best Artists & Artisans of NC,” coming spring 2002 “Home and Design Magazine”, DC, MD, VA edition, 2001 Charlotte Observer Newspaper, E&T magazine, 1997 Annapolis Capital Newspaper, Artist Profile, Representation Redsky Gallery,Charlotte, NC Professional Experience 1990- present Studio Painter. Specialties: abstract painting, encaustic, oils, acrylic. 1983- 1993 Freelance Graphic Designer. Specialties: architectural rendering, presentation art.





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