Mary E. Decker
After a career with the government, Mary retired to pursue her life-long dream of a career as an artist. A self-taught artist, she has been creating art her entire life.
Born and raised in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, Mary developed a love of Nature and a familiarity with plants that is reflected in her paintings. A Master Gardener and flower enthusiast, flowers are frequently subjects of her art. It is the beauty of the flower, its perfection--even in its imperfection--that she attempts to convey in her paintings.
Mary works in various mediums including oil, acrylic, pen & ink, felt tip marker, mixed media and most recently, watercolor. It wasn’t until the new millennium that Mary taught herself watercolor. Contrary to the more accepted method of working from light to dark, she intuitively lays down the darkest, most subtle undertones and applies layers of color working toward the brightest lights.
Mary also works with gourds creating artwork reminiscent of pottery, basketry, leather and natural objects, such as leaves, flowers and butterflies. She carves, paints, stains, and embellishes the gourds. They rise from their earthy beginnings to be elevated to the level of Fine Art.
Mary's work has been shown in numerous juried art shows including Art in the Park events in Westminster, Sykesville and Cromwell Valley; Art in the Barn in Cromwell Valley Park; and the Spring Opening Show at Studio 6001. Her art has been shown in numerous exhibits at the Carroll Arts Center in Westminster, MD, and the Carroll County Community College. She was a featured artist in the Small Wonders exhibit at the Arts Center. She displayed her work in the Carroll Arts Council Members Shows, the Carroll County Artists Guild Shows and "Southern Exposure", an exhibit that she organized which showcased the talents of the South Carroll Fine Arts League (which Mary has co-chaired since the League's inception). She was among a limited number of artists invited to create art for the Hashawa Wetlands Classroom; her work hangs there as part of a permanent display. In addition to being a skilled artist/artisan, Mary has judged art, including Senior Day at the Carroll County 4-H Fair. She has displayed her work at the Towson Framing Gallery, Circle D Farms, A LikelyStory bookstore, and Art Partner Framing & Art Gallery. Mary's art is also on display at Off Track Art, an artists' cooperative which she co-owns.
Contact Mary at eblucru@yahoo.com.
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