marymcdermottart.com
I am committed to sustainability and ecologically friendly practices in the creation of ART and DESIGN. Many of my art pieces are made from recycled and reclaimed materials, hand-made recycled papers, and when possible, eco-friendly inks and paints. My designs are limited editions. Send me an email if you are interested in purchasing any artwork you see on this page.
About Me
- Mary
- Corvallis, OR, United States
- I don't have much to say about myself except that I have been making art for decades. I've exhibited in lots of places and taught for many years since I have a bunch of degrees. BA-Anthropology MA- Humanities MA Ed- Education PhD-Fine Art/Painting. I am the mother of 4 and grandmother of 3. I live in Corvallis, Oregon.
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Sunday, February 6, 2022
Flight of Fancy: Intersecting Light and Dark
Flight of Fancy: Intersecting Light and Dark
Birds, a Book, and Notan
Corvallis Artists: Brenda Congdon, Joan Linse and Mary McDermott
Truckenbrod Gallery
517 SW 2nd Street, Corvallis Oregon
Every Friday and Saturday from 12-4 PM during February, 2022
And during The Corvallis Art Walk at 4 PM February 17th, 2022
I'm introducing my children's book illustrated by my friend Brenda Congdon.
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Monday, January 24, 2022
#ImagineTheFuture
I am excited to be part of an exhibit in the Benton County Museum.
#ImagineTheFuture
Jan. 28 – March 5, 2022
At https://imaginethefuture.global/ we are all “invited to paint a picture of the future we need – to really envision it – and delineate the critical steps necessary to get there”. Artists were encouraged to submit art relating to a vision of the future and any theme that feels right: environment, social justice, war and peace, location, community, family, or ___________.
Selected artists include Phil Coleman, Sabra Comins, Genece Cupp, Ramiro Diaz, Jan Dymond, Linda J. Edwards, Brian Egan, Leslie Green, Nancy Helmsworth, Vicki Idema, Karen Kreamer, Mary McDermott, Kate McGee, June Nissinen, Ralf Huber & Asante Riverwind, Judith Sander, Peggy Sharrow and JoAnne Walstad.
Sunday, December 19, 2021
On to New Horizons
Only a few more days to see this special event at The Arts Center. (Ends December 23rd)
On to New Horizons Click to see more about it.
It was an honor and a pleasure to be part of it.
Sunday, October 17, 2021
What Will Nature Do?
Environmental Arts and Humanities at Oregon State University had this to say about the exhibit:
OSU Envirnmental Arts and Humanites Blog
If you are in Corvallis, come see What Will Nature Do? at the Arts Center in the main gallery until November 13, 2021. Dr. Dominique Bachelet's vision for the show is inspired. I am honored to be part of this exhibit and accompanying book.
700 SW Madison Avenue, Corvallis Oregon.
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Circle Studio
Stop by Circle Studio and find out more about alcohol ink workshops and pet portraiture workshops. There are other workshops available and more being added all the time.
Sunday, July 25, 2021
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
No Woman No Cry and Other Portraits
Though this webpage is basically about my artistic journey, I had to take a moment to praise Julia Cameron and her contribution to that journey with her book The Artist's Way.
I was thrown into an artistic block on January 12, 2018 when my muse, lover, best friend, confidant, and protector died. The pandemic only exacerbated the entire sense of uselessness. I struggled to find artistic purpose and found it only while making small pieces of jewelry I gave away. This was satisfying, but I was unable to go further.
It was time to do something about this self-inflicted creative block (they all are, frankly). I went online and purchased a used copy of The Artist's Way published in 1992. I don't remember having an artistic block in '92, so I don't recall reading the book. However, I am familiar with similar processes to unleash the artist within. I gave workshops for years at my art studio in Asheville, North Carolina and before that in San Diego, California, that focused on this phenomenon. Guiding and allowing students to find their inner artist and facilitating that journey has always been central to my teaching philosophy. Now it was my problem and I couldn't help myself. I humbly sought guidance.
Cameron's program is simple:
- Write 3 pages every morning about anything (don't look at the pages, just write)
- Go on artist dates with your artist at least once a week (difficult during a global pandemic, but doable)
- Restock the idea bank from the artist dates (allow yourself to make art from these ideas)
I returned from an artist date, went straight to the studio and produced the painting below. I barely remember painting it. It simply emerged. This is what we as artists seek; that experience when YOU get out of the way and the artist, the creative within emerges. It is not the best painting I've ever done nor my favorite, but it does represent a watershed moment for me as an artist. I am appreciative of Julia's book and it is never too late to start from scratch. I do it every single day.
I was listening to Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers on the way home from my artist's date that day. What else could I call it?
My new mantra: It is easier to paint than not to paint.
I also like: Don't give up.
No Woman No Cry
10" x 20"
Acrylic on canvas
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Mysticism in Time of Covid
The isolation we’ve experienced through the months of the pandemic often made our encounters with other living beings more meaningful and precious. It is not just in contemplative practice, in the presence of great natural beauty, or in the ‘zone’ of extreme physical exertion, danger or creativity that enlightenment and awareness can occur. It is the connections we make as living beings on this planet that can facilitate bliss and allow us to experience the peace, love and joy of life during this unprecedented time of plague for our generation.
Bliss in Time of Plague is an expression of such an encounter during the first summer of Covid. The accompanying lavender jade pendant represents cleansing the mind of cluttered thoughts, confusion, and negativity. The Tree of Life wire-wrapped around the stone symbolizes the interconnectedness of all things.
Peace, joy, and love to you.
Thursday, March 12, 2020
I took a ceramics class and I'm hooked!
The instructors are fantastic and the volunteer staff is phenomenal!
Sunday, January 26, 2020
The Ancient Ones
Number 3 in the series: The Ancient Ones
Wild Women 2020
Sunday, October 6, 2019
Monday, September 30, 2019
Monday, August 26, 2019
Artist residency
Come to the Corvallis Library on October 28, 2019 at 6:30 PM for a presentation and how to apply for an
Artist Residency
in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
with the
Bureau of Land Management
Friday, August 16, 2019
The Fall
The transience of both autumn and 'white male privilege' is expressed in the image and chosen medium in this artwork.
Sunday, December 2, 2018
New adventures await in Oregon
The Urban Art Retreat and Studio is closed (pictured).
It has been magical!
The people who came for workshops at the studio were so wonderful and talented. I feel fortunate to have met them all and had the opportunity to work with them to explore their talent and find their inner artist.
I miss you, Don.
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Monday, May 15, 2017
Winter Trees and Summer Breeze
$750
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Friday, March 31, 2017
15 minute painting
Monday, March 13, 2017
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
The Birth of Ideas
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Guitar Heaven
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Truth is the Daughter of Time
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Monday, March 7, 2016
Mind Boxes and Painting Series
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Release your Inner Artist
Making art is so often about experimenting! There is no right or wrong way to make art. We are all artists!
Get out there and make some art. Nature is the premier inspiration and there is no better time to be inspired than in the Fall with brilliant warm colors everywhere you look.
This piece is made from what I believe is a rusted license plate (I found it on the ground)! Encaustic colors are heat fused to it in layers. I am inspired by walking around Asheville, North Carolina as the season changes. Check The Urban Art Retreat and Studio for encaustic workshops or en plein air gatherings. I offer them quite frequently.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
En Plein Air
En plein air acrylic painting from the Asheville Botanical Gardens. Frame constructed from re-purposed wood. En plein air painting can be a way to meditate!
J. Krishnamurti says it best:
"Meditation is one of the greatest arts in life, perhaps the greatest, and one cannot possibly learn it from anybody. That is the beauty of it. It has no technique and therefore no authority. When you learn about yourself, watch yourself, watch the way you walk, how you eat, what you say, the gossip, the hate, the jealousy, if you are aware of all that in yourself, without any choice, that is part of meditation.
So meditation can take place when you are sitting in a bus or walking in the woods full of light and shadows, or listening to the singing of the birds . . .
The meditator is the meditation."
J. Krishnamurti
The free en plein air gatherings at the Asheville Botanical Gardens are 2 hours long and are held once a month when weather permits. Go to The Urban Art Retreat and Studio to reserve a spot at the next gathering. There will be two more this year.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Color Journaling
Monday, May 25, 2015
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Brooklyn Snow Day
Friday, April 10, 2015
Helm of Awe
Mini Installation
Mixed Media