Statement & Bio

Artist's Statement

 

My paintings are about form, color & light. My inspiration is the everyday world around me. 

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The subject of a large body of my work is landscapes, especially trees. Some of these are plein air work and the ones that aren’t done on-site are from sketches and photos from walks in woods and parks. I’ve always loved being outdoors exploring the natural world and my landscape paintings are about the sights, sounds and smells of that experience. I have found myself returning often to a familiar site where I know the “bones” of what I intend to paint which frees me to explore the changing that happens at different times of day, seasons and weathers. Lately it seems that one painting will suggest another as a way to further explore a theme of light, color or composition.

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My still life work is about visual seduction. I can think of no other way to describe it. I chose to paint objects that have a strong visual appeal, with colors and textures that interest me. I strongly prefer organic forms for my subjects—usually fruits and vegetables. I will also often use patterned fabric as a further source of visual interest in my still life paintings.

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I have recently added relief printmaking to my studio work. Different from my paintings the prints explore line, composition, structure and a very different approach to color. The prints are one color or multiple color. Some are hand colored or collaged (or both). Many are variable open editions reflecting my tendency to experiment/play when working in the studio.

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At some point in every successful work I start to look at the art more than my sources. This is when I make changes based on what I need to do to make the final painting work—what I need to visually pull the viewer into and around the picture.

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Ultimately my work is about the visual play of color and form and the mood and moment I am expressing.

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Bio

Mary Ann Trzyna graduated from the University of Illinois, Chicago with a degree in studio arts. She had a graphic design business for over 18 years while also pursuing her personal work in the fine arts. In 2024 she closed the design business to pursue studio work full time.

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A large body of Mary Ann’s work is landscape and still life paintings in pastel or oil. She is also in the process of re-introducing herself to relief printmaking a medium she has worked in before and now has more time to actively pursue. 

Mary Ann has also provided workshops and classroom instruction in pastel painting and drawing basics. She has also curated shows at Union Street gallery and serves on their exhibitions committee.

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Mary Ann feels that exploring new learning opportunities, whether workshops, books, or online instruction is important to continue to grow as an artist and explore her mediums. She is determined to continuously challenge herself to be an active productive artist, to improve her skills and support the arts community.

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Since 2016 Mary Ann has rented a studio at Union Street Gallery in Chicago Heights, a professional artists’ cooperative where she keeps regular studio hours and enjoys the frequent interaction with other artists that being part of the cooperative allows.

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