"The lean times, in retrospect, were tough, but out of that struggle, ideas were born through progressive thought and problem-solving."

Artist Mary Pratt blends impressionistic techniques with a modern flair to capture the world with jovial poise. Her paintings offer a fresh perspective on familiar subjects through her gestural brushstrokes and nuanced style. Pivotal moments, including overcoming breast cancer, have profoundly shaped her artistic journey. She paints in her sunlit home studio, with music filling the space. In her free time, Mary hangs out with friends, plays with her grandchildren, and volunteers in her community.

We spoke with Mary to get a look into her creative process and everyday life.

What’s your home life like? What are your special interests?

My home sits at the bottom of a hill, and the deck faces a vegetable and flower garden, which is currently sprouting new life. My home is my studio. I can roll out of bed and head to the coffee pot, the easel, or both. Friends describe my home as bohemian. Paintings (not just mine) lean and hang on walls and perch on easels. When my children gradually left home, I downsized my living space "stuff." My favorite shopping destination is the art store. I would rather buy a tube of "Courbet Green" than purchase a new dress. Craving new experiences, my focus centers around exploration, travel, and gatherings. I love attending painting groups featuring the figure in various poses to stay current with technique. 

What are you most proud of—whether in art or another part of your life?

There are two areas of my life review where I am most proud: my children and my tenaciousness to persevere and thrive as a working artist. The lean times, in retrospect, were tough, but out of that struggle, ideas were born through progressive thought and problem-solving. My kids and grandkids feed my soul. They are anchors and remain a constant.

Do you have any studio rituals that help you get into a creative flow?

Coffee is a studio ritual. Gotta have it, drink it all day, and I like it cold with cream.

How do you structure your day?

I have learned to paint consistently daily. I try not to apply the word “structure” to anything except deadlines.

Where do you find inspiration for your art?

Inspirations are everywhere. They are on a crowded street, in the grocery store, in cloud formations, and on the road when driving.

Tell us about the moment you knew you wanted to be an artist.

As a teenager cycling through the Johns Hopkins neighborhood, I came upon a Tudor-style home flanked by totem poles at the entryway. A small woman stood between the carved sculpture. I didn’t notice her until she asked if I wanted to see more art. I followed Ms. Turnbull, who also carved the poles, into her unusual home. The living room featured an atrium that graced the walls as a second floor. Paintings hung along the atrium wall, signed by F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. Ms. Turnball relayed that Zelda was her niece, and the couple spent summers with her. The synchronistic events of that day helped me to see that it is possible to channel creativity into a viable career.

How do you decide when an artwork is finished?

The artwork tells me when it is finished. I refer to that as “magic."

What is the most interesting observation someone has made about your work?

People more frequently question why I paint women. I paint the feminine as an archetype. I feel a kinship with women. I was the only girl in a sea of brothers. 

Is there an artwork from another artist that has had a significant impact on you?

I admire Gustav Klimt’s paintings. All of them. Klimt’s use of gold leaf in intricately woven patterns encapsulates the predominately feminine figures and never ceases to amaze me with their grandeur!

What’s your favorite museum?

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City spans more than five thousand years of human history and hosts over two million works of art. Time for the viewer doesn’t exist at “The Met.” I’ve spent days there and could barely see everything.

Is there anything else you’d like to share to help viewers better understand your work?

There is a deep pressure driving me to keep transforming through the creative process. Ambition and spirituality help me to continually evolve. It is my intention to promote joy, using vibrant colors, whimsical subjects, and the celebration of life themes. During these heady times, art captures aesthetic beauty but can also reflect the complexities of the human experience and societal changes.