Rising Stars: Meet Mary McCoy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary McCoy. 

Hi Mary, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been a creator my whole life. I held finger painting gallery showings in my basement as a toddler! I have an amazing, supportive family who always helped me explore my creative path. I tried many different forms of creation but painting was always my love. I studied Visual Arts at the University of Kansas, as well as spent a semester studying at the Florence University of the Arts. I graduated in 2020 a few months after the pandemic began. It was a difficult time for me, as it was for millions of others. I threw myself into my work. I was painting all the time and started getting used to sharing everything I was doing on social media considering no one could see it in person. Being in Quarantine with nothing to do but paint jumpstarted my career. Now I have been a full-time artist for over a year and a half! 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have faced struggles and hardships. But through it all, I felt a lot of pride. On tough days I try to focus on that. I am proud of all my friends who don’t flinch at helping those who need it; they certainly didn’t flinch to help me in times of need. I am unbelievably proud of my family who faced adversity with strength and love during the toughest times. Hardship can really give some prospective on life. It teaches you things about yourself and the world around you. I try to be thankful for those lessons. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I create abstract oil paintings with a wide-ranged pallet, from bright colors to earthy tones. My work focuses on building up layer by layer while obtaining fluidity throughout the piece. My physical process is a practice of balancing between intention, restraint, and chance. I am interested in exploring stepping outside of my control and allowing the different types of medium to create effects in their own ways. Often, you can find reference to nature in my work. More specifically vines, flowers, and horizon lines.

I focus on an intuitive conceptual process. Each of my abstract works embody an energy that directs me as a work through its creation. I start a piece and lose myself as I embrace the flow of my gestures. This is my brain and my body working together to communicate something words cannot suffice.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Social media is changing this industry rapidly. It’s much easier for creators to share their work! I think this is bitter-sweet. Social media can be very dangerous, but without it, I would have a much harder time getting my work out there. I have made artist and art lover friends all over the world through Instagram. I think more creators have a chance to find success and make connections if they utilize it correctly. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.marymccoymakes.com
• Instagram: @marymccoymakes