Amateur Artist Mary Mc Auslin moved to Hickory Valley, TN from Oregon in 2005 after retiring from the US Postal Service. Here she found the time to pursue her childhood passion of drawing and painting animals:
“I was fortunate to join the Middleton Art League, Middleton, TN and have the opportunity to attend several workshops sponsored by them. I discovered that I could express myself best in ‘watercolor’ after taking a workshop in 2008 and studying with renown Watercolorist and past President of the Tennessee Watercolor Society, Mary Spellings of Mercer, TN.
“I’ve become a Bird Dog Enthusiast after volunteering the last several years in the Hospitality Tent and riding in the gallery during the National Championship at Ames Plantation. My painting ‘Afternoon Brace at Ames’ was inspired by a photograph taken by Vera Courtney of Cedar Fork Photography, Hickory Valley, TN. This painting shows the relationship between the handler and his dog during a brace. In 2009 this painting won Best of Show at the TN River Art Show in Savannah, TN; People’s Choice at the Southern Expressions Art Show in Bolivar, TN; and Honorable Mention at the FFF Art Show in Middleton, TN. This painting was purchased by the handler, Rich Robertson of Payette, ID, who has graciously sent consignment work my way, allowing me to paint what I love: dogs and horses for their owners and handlers.
“I have grown as an artist through various workshops and by trying different mediums. One of my favorite mediums is painting with instant coffee.
“My work is on display and is for sale at On the Square Gallery & Gifts in Bolivar, TN and also at the National Bird Dog Museum gift shop in Grand Junction, TN. Many of my original paintings are printed on watercolor 5X7 note cards and are also available for purchase at both of these locations.
“My wish as an artist is to continue to explore different mediums and to paint successfully that which speaks to me and touches my heart.”
“I was fortunate to join the Middleton Art League, Middleton, TN and have the opportunity to attend several workshops sponsored by them. I discovered that I could express myself best in ‘watercolor’ after taking a workshop in 2008 and studying with renown Watercolorist and past President of the Tennessee Watercolor Society, Mary Spellings of Mercer, TN.
“I’ve become a Bird Dog Enthusiast after volunteering the last several years in the Hospitality Tent and riding in the gallery during the National Championship at Ames Plantation. My painting ‘Afternoon Brace at Ames’ was inspired by a photograph taken by Vera Courtney of Cedar Fork Photography, Hickory Valley, TN. This painting shows the relationship between the handler and his dog during a brace. In 2009 this painting won Best of Show at the TN River Art Show in Savannah, TN; People’s Choice at the Southern Expressions Art Show in Bolivar, TN; and Honorable Mention at the FFF Art Show in Middleton, TN. This painting was purchased by the handler, Rich Robertson of Payette, ID, who has graciously sent consignment work my way, allowing me to paint what I love: dogs and horses for their owners and handlers.
“I have grown as an artist through various workshops and by trying different mediums. One of my favorite mediums is painting with instant coffee.
“My work is on display and is for sale at On the Square Gallery & Gifts in Bolivar, TN and also at the National Bird Dog Museum gift shop in Grand Junction, TN. Many of my original paintings are printed on watercolor 5X7 note cards and are also available for purchase at both of these locations.
“My wish as an artist is to continue to explore different mediums and to paint successfully that which speaks to me and touches my heart.”
