Gardening by the Lake, Curvey Path was carved summer 2017 and painted winter 2018. I am a gardener and love getting my hands in the dirt.  The video below shows how I tried to do something different with this piece. I added two side wings when I ran out of space. It was one of those lucky mistakes that help me keep growing. After I completed carving the main part of the art, I realized I wanted to add a walkway but I had run out of room. So that's why I added the wings, for additional carving surface. The curvey path adds more depth and interest. Without it where would the wheelbarrow go ..read more

I don't usually show pictures of my commissioned pieces online because I want the person who has ordered the piece to have the special experience of being the first one to see it. And then, after the person gets the piece and is happy with it, I am on to new projects.   Fall of 2016 I got an email where a wife directed me as follows: "I would like to commission a piece from you for [my husband's] upcoming birthday. Don’t panic — I know you would not be able to finish the piece by then, but I am hoping we could at least have a sketch by then. I could then present him with the sketch (or a ..read more

Over the years I have carved many images that use a wind swirl to create movement. In recent months I find these swirls just keep coming out when I put my pen to paper. In Crow and Guy Energy, the wind swirl shows energy. I wonder, is the guy being pushed away or pulled by the wind?   I used a button and pieces of abalone in making this piece. Crows love shiny things.   Another close up picture, this one featuring the guy.   Crow and Guy Energy, under all the paint there is a wood carving.   ..read more

I had fun making this piece. The woman is off balance, surprised, thrown by a quick gust of wind. But the word "YES" says she can do it.   Carving Stage: a close up of her face, this is new for me, to make such expressions of surprise   Carving Stage: this view is from a little further out, You can see how I intentionally tore the background wood by carving cross grain with a tool angle that increased shredding. I like to do this textural type of effect because it makes things more interesting, plus after the carving is painted you can see I'm working with wood.   Painting St ..read more

Guy in a Funny Hat Holding up Leaning Trees.   This painted woodcarving is likely done. As I continue to look at it over the next weeks and months, there is always the possibility I will add a few tweaks. Your comments and shares of my work are always welcome. I have many ideas for new work that are inspired by my concern about the natural world being off balance. Who knows, maybe this will even become a new series. Looking back at the photos in my camera, I realize I started carving this one a full two years ago, then set it aside for long periods of time while making other pieces. Som ..read more

Sometimes I keep making changes to a piece until I feel that it works.  For the past two years people coming by my booth at the market persisted in seeing Waitress Icon #12, originally completed in 2015, as a nurse. Maybe it was her cap, or her white shoes.   So this summer I decided enough is enough. I did a bunch of repainting, changed the background, and carved off her cap to make her look more like a waitress. What do YOU think, did the changes I made make her look more like a waitress?     Below is a picture of her head after the cap was carved off... and a pictur ..read more

Please drop by my studio December 9 and 16, 2017 between 11 AM and 3 PM. Or make an appointment to come at another time. No pressure to buy, just come see the studio where I make my art. Please look at the video below. folkartmary ..read more

This carved and painted piece - "Dancing Cow and Frolicking Farmer" - sold last weekend. A thank you to David and Denise in Allentown, Pa! I know not everyone can buy, but a purchase is the ultimate in applause for an artist. On a purely practical level, it pays the bills and buys me more time in my studio. Detail shots below:       ..read more

Please visit me at the Bedminster Traditional Artisan Show this weekend, in Doylestown, Pa. Below is a cut and paste of my latest email to my email list. HERE is a link to my latest email  in case you want to cut copy and paste a copy of this email to anyone you know. Thanks, Mary   Folk Art Mary - Carved and Painted Folk Pictures Email update sent September 13, 2017 It's here, it's now, it's this weekend! Come see me this weekend at the Bedminster Traditional Artisan Show. The show takes place on Saturday 9/16/17 (10 am to 5 pm) and Sunday 9/17/17 (10 am to 4 pm). Friends and suppo ..read more

Adam and Eve close up details. The garden as metaphor for living in innocence or ignorance. Once thrown out you can never go back.     ..read more