My name is Mary Rebecca, and I am 28 years old and completed my BFA in Painting and Drawing at The University of Southern Mississippi in May 2020. A lifelong resident of Gulfport, MS, I have been surrounded by art and creativity my entire life. I started painting with my grandmother at age three and spent most of my childhood practicing visual, musical, and performing arts. My family members are creative musicians, designers, writers, professors, and painters, each of them contributing to my love and appreciation for the arts. My work is heavily influenced by the diversity of fine art I have experienced visiting museums around the world. I currently live in Gulfport, MS, where I have a studio and continue my life journey through painting while studying other visual art forms.
Artist statement
I create my abstract expressions through a gestural approach, capturing the liveliness of the environment or subject matter. My style is loose, free, and deeply connected to the flow and frequencies of creation, ensuring a fluid design concept enriched by dynamic color.
Working on multiple canvases at once, I paint with swift, energetic marks that communicate as a collective or series. I lay down chaotic brushstrokes, then step away, allowing the paintings to breathe. This ebb and flow keep my work alive throughout the entire process. Incorporating mixed media expands my creative possibilities, introducing unexpected techniques and textures that add depth and intrigue.
When painting the figure, timed sessions with a live model allow me to capture the raw authenticity of the human soul in the present moment. I love the labor that comes with painting and find joy in building and stretching my own canvases. While I often collect canvases and supplies, there is a unique intimacy in creating my paintings entirely from scratch.
My work is compelling because, despite its abstract and chaotic nature, my background in classical ballet and piano brings a sense of rhythm and refinement. After laying down my initial vision, I instinctively refine the details, balancing spontaneity with precision.
I am constantly pushing myself as an artist, continually expanding my skills through painting workshops and ceramic classes. However, the time spent nurturing personal growth beyond painting is essential to my creative process. Outside of painting, my life and hobbies include pottery, sewing and fashion, sculpture, gardening, outdoor activities and exercise, live music, travel, time with family and friends, cooking, journaling, yoga and meditation, prayer, dance, piano, and more.
Inspirations include: Joan Mitchell, Willem De Kooning, Wassily Kandinsky, Jackson Pollock, Hilma Klint, Beatrice Milhaze, Joan Miro, Salvador Dali, Pissaro, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, Édouard Manet, Richard Diebenkorn, Picasso, & Rembrandt.