Mairyann Wrentmore, Mixed Media

The stories, myths and legends of ancient gods and goddesses are a major influence on my art along with the bright colors and black outlining of Tiffany’s stain glass in the Art Nouveau style. Primitive style is revisited in a post Klee, Chagall, and Dubuffet world.

My artwork is mixed media done on rice paper that is adhered to wood. I paint using acrylics and pastels, then draw with pens and add beads for texture. Every piece has a terracotta clay edge. The whole process takes over 100 hours plus time in between for glazes and glue to dry. Drawing is what I love the most and that is what brings out the true character of the piece.

I started my art career over 30 years ago as an Art/Interior Design major at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

After graduating from college I became an instructor of Interior Design at Eastern Iowa Community College. While there I taught classes in color theory, design concept, drawing, and art history. Now my artwork shows a great influence of this time by including many design elements.

After watching the Bill Moyer interviews with Joseph Campbell in the 1980s I was inspired to base my art work on mythologies from around the world. The last several years I have been researching myths and legends to discover the essence of each god or goddess so that I can incorporate it into my work. The story of each deity is included with the piece. I am also a storyteller and have been a member of a storytelling group for over 5 years. With each story my artwork becomes an entryway into a mysterious realm.

I am a full time artist and have been active in group and solo shows since 1992. I have had several feature articles about myself and my art in Sarasota and Ft Myers FL and in Athens OH newspapers and have given talks about mythology as it concerns my artwork.

I am presently living in Athens, OH, and am a member of the National Association of Women Artists. I am represented by galleries and businesses in Columbus and Athens OH. A current listing of exhibitions of my artwork can be seen on the Web at www.mairyannsart.com