About
There are two aspects to how I approach my art; first, the inspiration but also the medium itself; I view it as a joint journey. I begin with an idea, but then as the medium and process unfold, it develops different aspects that drive the image and sentiment in different ways, often uncovering memories and feelings buried deep within my conscience. As an artist, I realize more and more I am working in partnership with the medium itself.
The primary influence of my work comes from the landscapes and coastal regions of Ireland and Maine, but especially Ireland. There is a raw beauty to the Irish landscape that never fails to touch me at a deep level, and it is almost a mystical or spiritual experience.
Each piece starts from a combination of images from sketches, drawings, and photographs. These are starting points as I am not trying to capture the physical image precisely but trying to express the mystical experience and the essence of a landscape or the mesmerizing quality of the sea.
In many ways, though, the creative process is becoming increasingly more important in my work. Depending on what mood or image I am trying to convey, that influences the materials, medium, and colors I use to reflect the inspiration. Recently I have begun working more and more with watercolor, not in a traditional realistic style but in a very fluid and experimental way, which I find to be a very freeing and different creative process. I also use many non-traditional tools, as this forces me to relinquish control and let the medium itself flow naturally. Watercolor is a beautiful and incredibly unique medium; it almost has a mind of its own; the less you try to control it, the greater the impact or image.
Lately, I have also begun experimenting using different mediums combined with watercolor. This way of working has been very liberating and exciting, where the process of painting itself is becoming as important as the idea. It is a combination of spontaneity and control.
My art has become a lot more abstract, often combining elements of abstraction with realism. Because my new work is so recent, I am still exploring and striving towards the final direction. I desire to create simple beauty where the medium itself becomes both the focus and co-creator of my art.
Mary Burke
Resume
Education
Mary Burke graduated with honors from Crawford College of Art and Design in Cork, Ireland, with a degree in Fine Art, majoring in printmaking and course work in the M. S. degree program in art education at Rhode Island College. She has also taken classes at Rhode Island School of Design, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, Warehouse Studios, Yocum Institute, and Goggleworks Center for the Arts in Reading, PA.
As an artist, she has continued developing her work by taking workshops led by award-winning artists such as Linda Benton McCloskey, Bruce Becker, Dan Lee, and online classes taught by Nicholas Wilton and Louise Fletcher.
Style
Mary works primarily in watercolors in a fluid and experimental style, using non-traditional tools and combining different mediums with watercolor. This way of working has been very liberating and exciting, where the process of painting itself is becoming as important as the idea. It is a combination of spontaneity and control.
Her art has become a lot more abstract, often combining elements of abstraction with realism. At times Mary will work in cold wax oil, using it as a secondary medium. Her process is as fluid as the materials she is using. She often focuses on an image or mood she wishes to project, and from there, selects the medium and color palette that reflects her inspiration.
Family
Mary lives in Berks County, Pennsylvania, with her husband Matthew, they have three children. Mary is a member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, Oil Painters of America, Art Plus Gallery, Lancaster County Art Association, and Studio B. She also taught middle and high school art and developed an art program for youth in Cobh, Ireland. In the U.S., she has worked in several volunteer art programs through organizations like the Salvation Army.
Galleries
Art Plus Gallery Reading, PA
Studio B Gallery Boyertown, PA
Exhibitions
2021
The Art Room
Lancaster County Art Alliance
Studio B
National Audubon Society
Lebanon Arts Council Solo Show
2019
Light Space Time, 9th Seascape Art Exhibition, Honorable Mention
Say Cheese West Reading PA Featured Artist
Chef Alan's Restaurant West Reading PA Featured Artist
Reading Hospital Featured Artist
2018
Warehouse Studio Group Show
Tri-County Art Show Group Show
Weichert Realtors Featured Artist
Alt-Easel Art Plus Gallery Group Show
Jazz Show Art Plus Gallery Group Show
2017
Tri-County Art Show Group Show
Weichert Realtors Group Show
Berks Art Alliance Group Show
2016
Tri-County Art Show
Featured Artist
YR Club Reading PA Featured Artist
Berks Art Alliance Juried Show
Warehouse Studio Group Show
2015
Warehouse Studio Group Show
Tri-County Art Show Group show
Say Cheese West Reading PA Featured Artist
The Art of Jazz Juried Show
YR Club Reading Pa Group Show
1st place the Hamburg Area Art Alliance Juried Show
2014
Goggleworks Reading PA Group show
The Art of Jazz Juried show
Goggleworks Reading PA Group show 2013.
Goggleworks Reading PA Group show 2012.
Goggleworks Reading PA Group Show 2011.
Articles:
Avenues Magazine 2022
Avenues Magazine Summer 2015
Tri-County Record April 2016
Private Collectors
Nate Stoltzfus, Melrose, MA (3 Pieces)
Sue Reuker, Providence RI
Crystal Hung, California.
Kami Fecho, Wyomissing Pennsylvania (6 Pieces)
Diane Schenk, Morgantown Pa
Marg Wolf, Auburn, PA.
Nancy O Leary, Shillington, PA
Ann Bohara, Birdsboro, PA (2 Pieces)
Lynne Burkholder, Elverson, PA (2 Pieces)
Saylor House, LLC, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania
Dr. and Mrs. C. McCarthy, Pottstown, PA
Jill Moyer, Morgantown PA
Ann Law, Elverson PA (2 Pieces)
Waynebrook Inn, Honeybrook, PA
Jill Waters, Morgantown, PA
Paul Smith, Lansdown PA
Sharon Sacks Lancaster PA
Member of the Rotary Club Morgantown, PA
Nicole Carr, Wyomissing, PA
Tracy Salas, Royersford, PA 19468 (2 Pieces)
Victoria Troutman, Womelsdorf, PA
Colby Beiler, Reading, PA ( 2 Pieces)
Dr. Scott Wallace, Elverson, PA
Misty Bastian, Reading PA
Barbara McGuirk, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, Ireland
Mr. Brendan Burke, Cork, Ireland
Mrs. B. Ryan, Limerick, Ireland
Private Collection, Rotary Club, Morgantown, PA
Private Collection, Ohio, PA
Private Collection, Wyomissing PA
Private Collection, Hamburg, PA
Private Collection, Reading PA (2 Pieces)
Private Collection, Reading, PA
Private Collection, Dublin, Ireland
contact me
I would love to hear from you! —Mary Burke