On View October 2, 2024 – October 28, 2024
Wilson’s watercolors capture the sweetness of the colorful moments in life, be it in a neon sign or the blooming of a rose.
Artist Statement
“My intention is to bring more beauty and joy into the world through my art. While nature and flowers often inspire me, I also delight in finding beauty in less expected circumstances. The setting sun shining through a dead leaf, making it glow; sunlight sparkling on the edge of a river, illuminating hidden colors in the river rocks; or even the bright colors of plastic toys bathed in sunlight—all of these moments captivate me. I find inspiration in peeling paint on a faded old sign or remnants of American kitsch, echoes of a time before the country became homogeneous.
Creating a painting begins with a discovery—something that catches my interest. I focus on uncovering details easily overlooked, striving to understand my subject deeply and enhance its unique qualities. My goal is to share these experiences and spark a sense of wonder in others.
Recently, I’ve been motivated to paint butterflies, particularly monarchs, not only to draw attention to their delicate beauty but also out of concern for their dwindling numbers. As an artist, I often ask myself, ‘What can I do to make the world a better place?’ Through my work, primarily in watercolors, I hope to answer that question by celebrating the fleeting, colorful moments that make life extraordinary, whether they come from nature or the overlooked corners of our everyday lives.”
About the Artist
A native Californian, Mary Kay Wilson experienced a nomadic childhood, living in Colorado, Texas, Connecticut, and England before graduating from Hampshire College in Massachusetts with a BA in Fine Art. Wilson has worked extensively in watercolors since college and is a signature member of Watercolor West. Her award-winning paintings have been widely exhibited in both regional and national shows, including the National Watercolor Society Annual Exhibit, Watercolor USA, Watercolor West Annual Juried Exhibition, and Pasadena Museum of History’s Contemporary Masters, Artistic Eden IV exhibit.
Wilson’s public art contributions include painting one of the life-sized angels for Los Angeles’ Community of Angels project and being a member of the mural team in Judy Chicago’s Envisioning the Future, where she worked on a 140′ x 42′ mural. Her interpretation of the San Fernando Mission was featured in Metro’s Through the Eyes of Artists poster series, traveling around Los Angeles on buses and trains. In addition to creating her own artwork, Wilson has shared her passion for watercolor painting with at-risk youth in Los Angeles each summer for over a decade. Notably, her first exhibit was at the American Embassy in London when she was in high school.