Artist

Painting is an escape into my subconscious. I feel personally challenged, refreshed, calm and centered when I am making art. My life runs more smoothly when art is a part of it.

I want to paint, or pose, a question. A mystery. The subjects of stairs, chairs, interiors are often left with a question or choice for the viewer – and myself. Do I want to go there? Where do these stairs or rooms lead? Did someone just leave this chair or are they just arriving? Do I feel curious or cautious?

Although ambiguity may not be my goal at the beginning of a painting, my process of continuing to simplify often leads to abstraction which is where the mystery begins.

I have learned to give the inspiration for my work time to evolve, to work out the challenges it offers me, and to bring it to completion and my satisfaction.

Mary Lou McCollum

painting by Mary Lou McCollum

Gallery Representation:

  • Confluence Gallery & Art Center, Twisp WA
  • Winthrop Gallery, Winthrop, WA

Education:

  • Gage Academy of Fine Art (Seattle Academy of Fine Art), Seattle WA,
  • North Seattle Community College, Seattle WA, 1989-1995

Solo Exhibitions:

  • Methow Gallery, Twisp WA, 2016
  • Merc Playhouse, Twisp WA 2014
  • Ashford Gallery, Winthrop WA, 2008, 2009
  • Arosa Coffee, Seattle WA, 2009
  • Wing Point Golf & Country Club, Bainbridge Island WA 2006

Group Exhibitions:

  • Confluence Gallery & Art Center, Twisp WA 2002-Present
  • Gallery One, Ellensberg WA, 2017
  • Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival, 2014-2017
  • Shakespeare Theatre, Seattle WA 2006
  • Seattle Co-Arts Juried Shows, Seattle WA 1995-2011
  • Edmonds Art Festival, Edmonds WA 2002-2009

CD Covers:

  • Mystery in a Gray Room, Compositions for Piano, Lynette Westendorf
  • Lonesome as the Land, The Civil War through the diaries of boy soldiers
  • An oratorio by Lynette Westendorf

Awards:

  • Seattle Co-Arts Juried Show, Honorable Mention & People’s Choice
  • Seattle Co-Arts Juried Show, Second Prize, 2002
  • Seattle Co-Arts Juried Show, Second Place, 2001
  • Magnolia Arts Festival, Seattle WA, First Place, 2001

Professional Affiliations:

  • Seattle Co-Arts Member, 1995-Present
  •    President 2005-2006
  • Confluence Gallery, Twisp WA
  •    Board President 2013-2015
  •    Board Member, 2011-2016
  • Show Curator, 2012, 14, 15
  • Co-Motion Dance, Seattle WA 1989-1993

Artistic Development:

  • Professional Art Critique Group with Charles Emerson 2002-2009
  • Fine Art Study Tours, New York and San Francisco 2002-2003

Workshops:

  • Rod Weagant
  • Diana Sanford, 2015-16
  • Mitchell Albala, 2014
  • Tom Hoffman, 2014
  • Charles Emerson, 1999 – 2005
  • Barbara Fugate, 1999-2005
  • Boris Spivak, 2003
  • Geoffrey Lawrence, 2005
  • Steven Assael, 2005
  • Yu Ji, 2004
  • Carla O’Connor
  • Susan McKinnon
  • Sharon Tietjen-Pratt
  • Caroline Buchanan
  • Cathy Woo