Whimsical Meanderings & More
by Mary Lowe and the Hamiota Art Club
Mary Lowe Biography
Mary grew up in Regina Saskatchewan, with three passions, art, ballet, and horses. She moved to Winnipeg on a dance scholarship and later graduated from the University of Manitoba with a BFA degree, majoring in sculpture, this became a new passion. Mary and her husband, Eric Lowe now live on a farm in rural Manitoba. Eric was also an artist and potter so Mary was able to resume her love for clay sculpture. She became a member of the Hamiota Art Club where she discovered an affinity for watercolour painting. Mary received a Manitoba Arts Council grant and completed a MAWA, mentorship under Ann Fallis. Her clay sculptures and watercolour paintings have been shown in solo and group shows in galleries in rural Manitoba, Winnipeg, Ontario, and at the Calgary Stampede. Mary has also participated in many juried art shows in Manitoba. Mary and her daughter Erica have painted 15 large outdoor murals in many towns in southwestern Manitoba.
Artist Statement
My paintings are created by dropping pigment into water and moving it about using line and value as a guide. When I paint, I am in an observant state, time slows down and I just watch what is happening. Many of my paintings have salt added to develop interesting patterns, these suggest images to me. The process is an exercise in following the paint’s lead, it is a lot like finding images in the clouds or wood grains.
Some paintings have a stronger design element which is sort of like Zen Doodling. I love the movement of brush strokes they can be graceful and evocative.
Each painting has a lot going on, I can spend hours finding little suggestions in the paint. Because I have worked so hard to find these images, I want you to find them too. This is why I ask you to find an image in most of my paintings so that you will find other images while you search. I hope you have fun finding them!
Biography of Eric Lowe 2023
I am art educator with 29 years of experience in teaching art in the Brandon area. I have taught high school art for 16 years and 13 years as a sessional lecturer at Brandon University. I love experimenting with traditional art media and techniques. Teaching of Aboriginal art and visual design has provided me with interest in creating my own statements on art. I have been a coordinator for art projects, wherein artists and educators developed art-integrated lessons. I have organized workshops and professional development for art education in-services. I have a B.Ed. with a fine arts major and three M.Ed. degrees from BU. My main interest in pottery and steel sculpture, receiving a Canada Council grant for my sculpture