While the lithographic ink is still wet on the Plexiglass plate, she works to blend colors and abuses the ink with a palette knife, pencil, or Q-tip to extract and thus create lines and shapes. “I’ve learned that by making the ink a bit thicker in places, and by flipping my roller over that area instead of blending it smooth, I can achieve different textures as well. This process is can take a full day.” “When I feel good about what I’ve done, I put the paper on the plate and run it through the press which delivers about 1000 lbs. of pressure. I then have to wait for the ink to dry and that could take several days,” explains Sears. But she is still not done. The challenge becomes deciding what colors she should add to the lines she has made. “I use colored pencils for this detailed work, and possibly apply gold leaf to guild portions of it.” The results are prints that are highlighted with graceful, flowing contours, rich background hues, and
staccato accents of neon and jewel tones. “I hope my imagination is self-evident in my work. My desire is to create emotionally provocative pieces that reveal a dream-like visual world.”
muses. “I love working with paper, but maybe I can adhere it to canvas. I’d like to explore more collage elements too, perhaps cutting up older prints I have not used and incorporating them into new works.”
Mary Ann’s clients include a director of the Metropolitan Opera and her work has been featured all around the globe including the Fine Arts Museum in Basel, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. Although her work has been collected worldwide, Mary Ann modestly adds that she does not keep a running list of where her arts goes.
We look forward to the continuing evolution of not only Mary Ann’s work but all of the work from the eclectic mix of artists, craftspersons, writers and musicians that have made Jerome their home. Mary Ann and those like her will continue to amaze and delight the more than 1.5 million visitors that flock to the seemingly vertical streets of Jerome with the variety and quality of their original works.
Next Steps Like many working artists, Mary Ann has to balance delivering to the galleries that feature her work and experimentation thus running the risk of not having her work accepted. She addresses this challenge by working to improve on what she loves best right now. “I think I will explore different ways to present my work, so maybe not under glass,” she
Mary Ann Sears stands by one of her works in Raku Gallery. Her intent is to extend her personal vision to create emotionally, provocative pieces.
How to Reach Her In addition to Raku Gallery (www.rakugallery.com), Mary Ann’s work is on display at Van Gogh’s Ear Gallery (www.vgegallery.com) in Prescott. If you are interested in contacting Mary Ann, email her at art@rakugallery.com.
Mary Ann Sears: A Toast to Tickling. www.facethecurrent.com
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