Artist Statement
My photography flows from a respect for nature and love of flowers-a love I inherited from my mother who always found room in the vegetable garden for beautiful flowers. Each nature portrait is a hymn of praise for the beauty of creation. I love seeing the tiny details and intricacies of nature emerge through my enlargements. Each one is an inspiration. Marcel Proust said, “The real act of discovery is not in finding new lands but in seeing with new eyes.” I experienced this discovery during a photo workshop when I began seeing beyond a pretty flower to the grace, beauty and harmony of nature.
Seeing with new eyes
It happened to me one day
Now beauty abounds!
–Mary Ann Soerries
—–
Nature serves up a feast–
Beauty, Grace, Harmony.
Spirits nourished—“Soul Food!”
–Mary Ann Soerries
Exhibits:
–artCENTRAL, Carthage MO. -March 2009 (Featured Artist)
–The Cellar Art Gallery– Kansas City, MO-2006 (Featured Artist)
–Spiva Center for the Arts Regional Gallery-2006 (Featured Artist)
–Powell Gardens, K.C. Botanical Gardens Gallery-2001 (Featured Artist)
–Midwest Gathering of Artists
–Regional Art Centers’ annual Membership shows
Awards:
First Place:
–Arts Council of Barton County Competitive Art Show, 4/05, 3/07.
–Festival of the Four States 2002 & 2003
Merit:
–Spiva center for the Arts Membership Shows 2002, 2003, 2006.
Juried Shows:
–The Creamery Art Center, Springfield, MO 06-09
–Midwest Gathering of Artists, Carthage MO
–Photospiva,(National photographic competition–Multiple years)
–Ft. Smith, AR Art Center Photo Competition
–Parsons, KS and Pineville, MO Artwalks, Tulsa Garden Show
Print:
–Cover Photo, Raleigh URBAN HOME, Spring, 2008
–Cover Photo, Charlotte URBAN HOME, Spring 2007
–All promotions for Regional Heart Gala 2006.
–All materials in St. John’s ‘Smoke Free Campaign’ 2006 – Present
(Smoke Free Poster won a Gold Addy)
–Employee Prayer Photo- won Silver ADDY
–St. John’s 2003 Annual Cancer Report, exclusive.
–Photos used in Hallmark Candles
Décor:
My photos grace the walls of local hospitals, banks, offices and private homes from coast to coast.
Photographic Education:
Graduated from New York Institute of Photography; Rocky Mountain School of Photography: Field Workshops, Seminars
Medium:
Traditional film based photography. Film choice: FUJI Velvia 50