Mary Ann Vessey
My love affair with the land began as a child exploring the fields and streams on my grandparents' farm in central Georgia. After finishing school in 1976, my husband and I left the city and moved to Virginia's Shenandoah Valley just south of Staunton. We chose the Valley because of its penetrating beauty. How can you not be moved by the rolling pastures and blue mountains, the wild flowers and wild animals, the cows and sheep and horses that pepper our valley - just stunning. My love affair with the land resumed.
Then the children came. My memories of their antics, their interests, their games and their friends, and all the pets and chickens and geese and guineas now provide a seemingly endless source of ideas. I treasure them. They infuse and inform the art I create today.
I work from three sources. I do some painting on site. My camera goes with me everywhere and I sometimes work from the photographs. Most of the time, however, I rely on my recollections of places and people and events and feelings and sift them through my own "creative mentality" to paint my landscapes and to tell my stories. My paintings are often very personal.
I am self taught. I began painting in the early 1980's while I was at home caring for our children. I painted with acrylics in the beginning, but now use oils most of the time.
I am most thankful to be able to pain for my living. If you want to look some more, you can got to my website. You'll find my paintings, prints, show schedule and contact information there.
Mary Ann Vessey
803 Stingy Hollow
Road
Staunton, VA 24401
540.885.1891
mavessey.com
