Born and raised in Montana’s beautiful Bitterroot Valley, I am now a resident of Polson, where I live with 3 cats, 2 dogs, and 10 chickens. I am 68 years old, and have been painting seriously for 6 years. When young, I was always going to paint with vigor someday soon, when "this" was done, and "that" was finished. Suddenly I was over 60 and knew I better get with the program.

I am mainly self-taught, but have taken several art courses at the U of M and adult education through out the years. My first experience with painting was a workshop I attended with Robert Atwood, when I was in my 20s. From this workshop came the idea that someday I would paint. Drawing courses under Susan Barnes and Mary Ann Bonjorni and workshops with Robert Moore, Jim Lamb, Camille Przewodek, and Bob Phinney have come since I have been painting seriously. In 2006 I participated in the Escalante Canyon Art Festival Plein Air Competition in Escalante, Utah. My work may be seen at the Sandpiper Gallery, where I am currently the Gallery Co-director, at the Red Poppy in Ronan, Mt., and the All Around Art in Missoula, Mt.

Mother Nature has always inspired me to paint. The subtle and striking contrasts between light and dark, warm and cool colors, the patterns and shapes of light and shadow are intriguing. I try to capture on canvas these things. If they can be frozen for later remembrance of the time and place, this would be success for me. This is why plein aire painting thrills me so, surrounded by the beauty, absorbing with all the senses the wind, the rain, the hot sun, the cool breeze, the bite of the frosty morning. What better way is there to spend my senior years?

Visit Mary's Website                                                                  Email:  mkelley@centurytel.net