Mary Irwin

“The Happy Artist”
I was born in 1958 and grew up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest state of Washington and have traveled all over the USA. A completely self-taught artist, I have painted since being a small child and it has continued to be my passion and love all of my life. I am drawn to paint in a more realistic style, but strive to keep a bit of the ‘painterly’ quality to my work as well. I am a huge lover of gardens, vintage architecture and travel. So naturally, my inspiration comes from my own gardens, and but also visiting nostalgic places to which I add a personal spark of romanticism. Scenes such as those flood my imagination so often that many times I wake up in the wee hours dreaming about them, only to jump out of bed and jot the idea down to paint later.

A very joyful and positive person by nature, I have become known for my ‘happy’ artwork. I usually find myself painting scenes with ‘feel good’ compositions ˗ my ‘happy places’. I want the viewer to connect with me, and share my joy through my artwork, to transcend them into these same ‘happy places’! Artist Henry Ward Beecher (c.1800) summed it up nicely when he said, “Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.”  If my work can evoke these inspired feelings of joy to the prospective viewer, a true measure of success has been achieved for me as an artist.  It’s what I can give back to the world!

Currently I work from my studio in my hometown of Raymond, Washington doing freelance art, private commissions and contracted artwork of watercolors and pastels. Married to a wonderful man with kids and grandkids, I enjoy life and its crazy ride every single day!