Distinctive watercolor portraits of the artist who “paints with her heart”: Mary White

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

It has long been the custom that if a pictorial portrait is oil, or at worst tempera, or, more modern, acrylic. But a decent professional portrait in watercolor is already something unusual. And yet, in our today's publication, we intend to surprise you with the magnificent gallery of portrait watercolor painting of the famous American artist Mary White … It seems that you will get an indelible impression, experience delight and forever change your opinion about the "capricious" watercolors. For in the hands of a real master, this paint works incredible miracles.

Over the years of her creative career, the artist Mary White has received national recognition as a watercolor painter. At the same time, both critics and the public have a special place in her unique portrait art, as evidenced by numerous responses at exhibitions and festivals of watercolor painting. Her watercolor paintings are so in demand that they are eagerly bought by the world's leading museums for permanent collections, and private collectors from all over the world for their collections.

Her works are amazing stories about ordinary people, about their daily affairs, their work and leisure. This is a rare genre painting today, especially in watercolor technique, the possibilities of which the artist was able to reveal in the best possible way.

Indeed, from each picture, original and at the same time incredibly beautiful ordinary people with their worries, everyday affairs and hobbies look at us. They literally catch and catch the eye with their spirituality and emotions, permeated with light, kindness and warmth. At the same time, the artistic expressiveness of these multi-layered watercolor portraits is amazingly colorful and picturesque. It is also surprising how subtly the emotions, characters and feelings of the portrayed are conveyed on them. And the viewer can only admire how Mary treats these people with incredible warmth and sincere kindness.

About the artist

American artist Mary Whyte was born in Ohio, USA in 1953. The gifted girl grew up in the countryside, which in the future will leave a bright imprint on her work. In 1976, Mary graduated from the Art School in Philadelphia, after which she received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a teaching certificate.

In 1991, Mary White and her husband moved to the coast of South Carolina. And it was here that Mary found her source of inspiration. Shortly after their arrival at Jones Island, the artist accidentally saw a group of African American retirees gathering weekly to sew quilts for the poor and donate them to the village church. They impressed Mary so much with their color and vitality that the artist became attached to them with all her heart.

As it turned out, the local residents of Jones Island, where Mary and her husband settled, are descendants of slaves from Africa. And communication with these simple women and their children changed both the life of the artist and her paintings. And Mary White told this heartfelt story in her touching watercolors and drawings.

Considering the portraits of Mary in psycho-emotional terms, it is worth noting that some of her heroines, looking at us from the plane of the picture, seem to see us no worse than we see them. They study our reaction with equal interest, trying to look into our souls. It is thanks to this amazing authenticity of carefully written images that a "two-way connection" with the viewer is created, in whose memory an amazing "aftertaste" from what he saw is deposited.

The truth is they say that a master is good who can do something perfectly himself, but he is doubly good who can teach others to create the same thing and in the same way. These words fully refer to the heroine of our publication Mary White, who for 20 years was a teacher, author and jury member of various art competitions, and also held annual painting seminars, gave master classes, wrote books and articles on the art of watercolor. By the way, textbooks for students, and there are already seven of them, are very popular among novice watercolor artists. Mary also illustrated a lot of children's books in her favorite technique, which earned the love of little readers.

Artist Mary White's Success Secrets

Mary generously shares her experience of successful creativity with all young artists on the pages of her publications. Her advice is very useful to those who are just looking for themselves and strive to move to a new round of creativity. So here are some tips for success from artist Mary White:

• Not a single technique. Although it is dominant in painting, every time you need to remember that it is only a means that helps to reveal the author's idea and tell a particular story.

• The techniques, methods and materials you use should never overshadow the content of the work itself.

• Remember that there is no ideal or universal technique - look for your own. But it will take time, experience and strength to find your unique style. Take your time to get discouraged and give up your way.

• Don't dwell on something that works out and you like it. Always experiment with combinations of different approaches and materials. Develop.

• Choose only those themes that are close to you, and do not chase after what is fashionable and everyone likes. Consider that other artists are already writing on this topic. And this is competition. Be unique.

• It often happens that an artist paints only what he has already acquired technical skills for. In this case, the works turn out to be technically good, but dry, devoid of feelings and … of the same type. Be versatile.

• If you doubt your ability to express yourself while painting, then the viewer will feel it. Be confident in yourself.

• And very important: Forget about thinking about how much money you can earn on what topic.

• Don't be discouraged and always remind yourself that all skill requires both perseverance and some sacrifice. It is important not to give up your favorite undertaking halfway.

• Do not be afraid of criticism. This is feedback. It may hurt you at first, but later you will learn to use the criticism of your work for your artistic growth. If you are serious about making a quantum leap in your creativity, then you must be prepared to experience setbacks.

• It is necessary to forbid oneself to become limp and to think decadently, to accumulate negative thoughts and fears. Think positively.

• Sometimes ordinary artistic ideas become powerful paintings only due to the emotions of the artist. Take the time to figure out what is most emotionally attractive to you in the world around you.

• Appreciate your emotions - they are a very powerful force in art. Observe and analyze your emotions, and most importantly, remember what you see around you, what surprises and inspires you to share them with the audience, transferring your feelings to the canvas.

• Work based on emotion will always be in demand and appreciated.

• Don't just copy a landscape, for example: instead, depict descriptively how you feel and experience it.

"In one word - draw with your heart" - advises all beginners Mary White.

About how masterfully tamed the watercolor by compatriot Mary, read in our publication: The charm of cityscapes in watercolors by the American artist John Salminen.