Mary-Lou McDonald




short work description:

Starling Network - I had badly broken my leg in December of 2004 and consequently had surgery on it which meant having hardware such as titanium plates and screws put in. This was to be the longest winter of my life since I was going to be housebound and off my leg for 5 months. I was not allowed to put any weight on it at all. Getting around on my own was impossible.
I have a lovely weeping flowering crab tree in my front yard which I always hang suet on for wintering birds. My cats and I would watch the birds for hours at a time as they chattered and pecked away at the food. They quickly became my constant companions and source of entertainment.
I began a very drippy painting not too long after finally being back on my feet again and it slowly began to evolve into this tribute to my buddies, the starlings, who kept me company for so much of my recovery time throughout that winter. It was a very exciting piece for me to work on and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It was one of those pieces of artwork that I just could not tear myself away from and that I always had on my mind. I would wake up in the middle of the night thinking about things I could do to the painting to make it progress towards being finished.
Finally, the piece being completed to my satisfaction, (and just in time) I decided this would be the one to enter into the La Cloche Art Show at Whitefish Falls in the summer of 2006. The piece, to my complete amazement and delight ended up winning First Place in the Mixed Media division, and Best in Show, which to me was the real honour.
I am most proud of this piece and the achievement it brought to me but at the same time, I really was sorry to see it go. It is like sending one of your children off into the big old world. I do however, have consolation in knowing it will be well taken care of!

E-mail: maryloumacdonald@hotmail.com

and Phone 705 949-8318

bio

Mary-Lou MacDonald, Sault Ste. Marie (ON)
Mary-Lou MacDonald is a multi-discipline Visual arts born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Mary-Lou attended the Sault College Visual Arts program where she majored in Fabrics and Fibres. A painter, photographer, quilter and stained glass artist, her recent works lean towards the abstract with a hint of realism. She received Best in Show and First Place in Mixed Media Division at the La Cloche Art Show in Little Current, Ontario. In addition to various shows throughout Sault Ste. Marie, some of her work can now be viewed at Berkana Studio in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.