I’m in love with textures and the abstract expression of art. Textures consume me— they are rich, varied, and found in nature.  When I first started art, I didn’t “get” abstract art. Now, I love that it’s open for interpretation by the viewer and that the message is somewhat obscured [and] requires rumination.

I took some workshops with Anne Bradley (a fellow-gallery member) and loved it! I’ve also taken a few online courses, learned repousse (a metal technique), and continue to study composition and the work of other artists.

Stop making sense! (I borrowed this from the band Talking Heads). I had to stop making “sense” of everything in order to do abstract art. Pay attention to composition, colors, and values, and work with textures and mediums that you have fun with. This journey is all about fun!

In my studio. It’s hard to bring all that stuff anywhere else to paint.

Where can your art be found?

Auburn Old Town Gallery, Art League of Lincoln, Blue Line Arts, and on my website.

The unknown of it. One has to experiment to find out what works. For example, I learned that you can put oils over acrylic paints but not acrylic paints over oils. And there are failures if the additions are not permanent. Another example, watercolors over acrylics do not work. The paints move around and are too fugitive.

Years of classes, workshops, and experimentation. And painting every day.

Try everything! Be willing to fail. Have fun!

My teeny, tiny home studio.

My website and Auburn Old Town Gallery.

marychris-hines.pixels.com

I like the idea of being able to use anything in an art piece. The objective is communicating something with the artwork—and using anything that will assist in that communication. Using imagination is a large factor just because it’s fun!

I made a collage by taping magazine pieces to the recessed panel of a door in my apartment. At the time, I’d never heard the term “collage” and didn’t know what it was. I just wanted to brighten up my apartment and do something fun. I’ve also done hundreds of hours of individual study which still continues today. With YouTube, you can learn all sorts of interesting techniques which you can make your own.

Hold nothing back. Every piece might not end up being exactly what you were hoping for, but every piece teaches you something that you can carry forward in future art works. Use anything and everything that inspires or moves you.

In my little studio which I set up in a bedroom.

On my website.

The freedom to create with no boundaries—there is no right or wrong. It’s all about improvisation and figuring out how each media interacts with the other to create the finished product.

Trial and error. I am self-taught and come from a very talented family. We were always involved in DIY projects—from creating sceneries, props, and costumes for theatrical productions to artwork for our home. My parents always reused and recycled. One of my favorite childhood memories is a birthday party where my mom made circus animals out of cardboard boxes for each attendee. We all spent hours sitting in our boxes.

Be bold. Let your creativity be your guide. If someone tells you “that will never work” or “that can’t be done,” experiment anyway.

In my studio. I’m surrounded with things that inspire me and I have the freedom to be messy and experiment.

All over the country. Locally, my work can be seen on a SacRT train, covering the walls of the MRI suites at the UCD Children’s Hospital, and wrapping utility boxes in Sacramento, Davis, and soon to be in Natomas.