Mary Jane Martin

" To begin is the thing, begin anywhere, anyhow," Henry Miller

For me, as an artist, the most difficult obstacle in pursuing my art is the beginning... taking that first brushstroke and then the second.  The momentum builds and the painting begins to take shape.  Painting what I feel about my subject matter is important to me.  It is a journey that I anticipate, the blank canvas to finished painting,  one that reflects my innermost feelings. 

Mary Jane Martin grew up in Indiana and had an interest in art from a very young age.  She attended Purdue University and recieved a degree in Fine Art/Art Education.  She married and moved to South Carolina where she worked as an art educator while raising four children.  A move to the coast, inspired her to retire from teaching and pursue her personal art goals.  She has experimented in clay, oils, acrylics, watercolors and printmaking.  Her desire is to express emotions and feelings about her surroundings.  Working in series provides her an opportunity to explore a subject until she has nothing more to say about it on her canvas or paper.  Many of her works are mixed media, starting with watercolor she layers acrylic, gouache, inks and pencils to create many layers that make a whole. 

She has won awards in juried shows, regionally and statewide.  She is a signature member of the International Society of Experimental Artists.  Currently, her work can be seen at Art and Soul Gallery (843-379-9710) in Beaufort, SC and Portfolio Gallery (803-256-2434) in Columbia, SC.