Artsville Feature: Find Serenity Within Mary Farmer’s Encaustic Paintings

Internationally recognized encaustic painter Mary Farmer’s favorite source of inspiration is a long walk in the woods.

Mary is drawn to the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, which refreshes your spirit and soothes your soul. She harnesses this memorable feeling with her artwork, so you don’t actually have to make it to the forest to feel refreshed—all you have to do is look at her art. It’s a welcome escape from today’s overstimulating, high-stress environment. As Mary says, “Good grief, we need relief!” She continues, “This is my mission. Nurturing yourself into resilience is a sure path to wonder and joy.” Mary’s encaustics set the mood at Artsville Collective’s “A Walk in the Woods,” a group exhibition on display until October 30.

With a long history as an activist, passionately working for equality and reproductive freedom, Mary leans on encaustic painting for relaxation. The ability to find relief while painting and extend that feeling to others is enough to keep Mary creating time and time again. NOT REAL ART, a partner of Artsville Collective, writes of Mary: “Interestingly, her paintings serve as a counterbalance to her firebrand spirit. Tireless in her pursuit of liberty and equity, she has put herself in harm’s way during her lifelong fight for social justice and women’s rights.” Listen to her podcast episode with NOT REAL ART to learn more about her experience as an activist here.

“A Walk in the Woods” features the work of five outstanding guest artists as they offer their artistic take on the Carolina woodlands. The guest artists include Mary Farmer; encaustics, Jim McDowell; ceramic face jugs; Bronwen McCormick; watercolors, Jo Miller; basket illusion, and Ellen Golden; abstract photography. For more information, head to sandhillartists.com.

Mary Farmer
Email: maryfarmer828@gmail.com
Instagram: @i.am.mary.farmer
www.maryfarmer.com