Mary Hurst

Artist Statement 

I am compelled by perceptions of an unseen spirit around and within us, both mysterious and beautiful.  At the root of my approach as an oil painter is an ability to detect unexpected moments of beauty that provide initial inspiration for the act of painting.  My painting process, when most effective, is dominated by a quiet mind and intuitive problem solving.  Continual adjustments of lines, forms, and colors are made until the flow of a composition is unblocked, its energy liberated. I build up many translucent layers of paint creating rich, bold colors.  My subject matter varies from plant forms and forest scenes, to abstractions of the human figure and animals. My style combines decorative elements with naturalism, and employs small, playful shapes suggestive of symbols.  This minute detail is intended to invite the viewer in for closer inspection. Just as the process begins with a pause to appreciate a moment of wonder in nature, the goal of the end result is a new interpretation of this moment, and a parallel pause for a deeper look into our world.   

Artist Bio

Born 1984 in West Virginia
Currently living and working in southern West Virginia 

Education    2009    BFA, Studio Painting - West Virginia University, minor in Art History

Selected Exhibitions

Jan. 27 - Mar.15          Places and Spaces, David L. Dickirson Gallery

May 2012                Group show, Annex Gallery, Charleston, WV

Dec '11 - Mar '12      Solo show, Vandalian, Fayetteville, WV

Nov '11 - Jan '12      Holiday Bazaar group show, Annex Gallery, Charleston, WV

Oct 2011                 Trunk show, Colony Gallery at The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, WV

Sept - Nov 2011       Solo show, Pies & Pints, Charleston, WV 

July 2011                "Laugh Out Loud" group show, Bunny Gunner Gallery, Pomona, CA

Feb 2011                 "All U Can Eat" group show, Bunny Gunner Gallery, Pomona, CA

Dec '10 - Feb '11      "Life of Winter" solo show, Vandalian, Fayetteville, WV

July - Aug 2010        Special Guests Exhibit, Cynthia Bickey Gallery, Beckley, WV

May 2010                Solo show, MountainMade Gallery, Thomas, WV

Apr - June 2010       Landscapes Show, David L. Dickirson Gallery, Beckley, WV

Feb - Apr 2010         Emerging Artists Show, David L. Dickirson Gallery, Beckley, WV  

Spring 2009             BFA Show,  Paul Mesaros Gallery, Morgantown, WV

Other Experience

Oct 2011                Painting demonstration at The Greenbrier Resort, White Sulphur Springs, WV
Aug '10 - Aug '11     VP of production and finish artist, A19 Inc.  Ontario, CA
Winter 2009-10        Juried into Tamarack Foundation, Beckley, WV
                              Juried into MountainMade Foundation, Thomas, WV
Summer 2009    Mural Painting as Americorps VISTA volunteer at Convention & Visitors Bureau, Fayetteville, WV
Summer 2004          Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteer in Moshi, Tanzania
Spring 2001             Service learning semester at Court Street Gallery, Fayetteville, WV
Summer 2000          WV Governor’s School for the Arts, Huntington, WV