Mary Dolph Wood

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

“I have an intense love of painting. From the first canvas I painted in 1990, my enthusiasm hasn’t waned. Daily when I am at my studio, the first strokes of paint I place on the canvas draw me into this artistic pleasure. I like to paint “wet on wet” (alla prima) as I finish each area of the painting. Everything is fresh; fresh paint, fresh subject, fresh outlook. I love flowers, so buying a fresh bouquet starts the process for the next painting. At times I go outdoors and wander until I find the subject that captures my interest. Having a variety of subjects keeps me thinking and growing. I never want to stagnate. My love for color and texture draw me to paint and through my inspiration I hope others will be inspired by God’s handiwork.”

The magic of Mary Dolph Wood’s paintings lies in the depth of their shadows. Dusky and inviting, these backgrounds glow with possibility. The exuberant cascades of brush work magnify the warm, fragrant mystery of the forms beneath.

Mary’s paintings are in collections throughout the United States, including the permanent collection of the Taos Art Museum. The paintings are inspired by the colorful life around Mary’s home and studio in Taos, New Mexico, the fabled art colony where she has lived for many decades. Occasionally she travels and paints on location, capturing a picturesque seashore or a small fishing village in her signature style, but the everyday surroundings afford a lifetime of subject matter.

This artist comes from a family that values creative work. Among her ancestors is the noted painter George Catlin (1796-1872), who traveled the American West and made visual records of the Indian tribes and their cultures before they were changed by the arrival of the European traditions. Catlin’s quaint, formal portraits are from a time deep in history, yet there is the strong art spirit which connects these two distant relatives in their life’s work.

Mary is best known for her glorious still life paintings. Her subjects range from large bouquets of brilliant flowers to modest arrangements of pears and onions. She delights in the natural forms of the petals, leaves and fruit, and especially portrays the beauty and novelty of rich colorful compositions. Mary Dolph Wood is an artist who plunges into her work with gusto and passion. What emerges on her canvases is an image of a life of its own that speaks directly to the viewer’s senses and soul.