Meet MaryAnn Lucas | mixed media artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with MaryAnn Lucas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi MaryAnn, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Perseverance and discipline – and I live by the motto “the only failure is NOT to try”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It’s been a long journey from the first spark of a desire to become an artist. I had no great interest in art as a child (although I did spend a lot of time seeing things in the clouds and observing my surrounding ) and had no formal training as such, but became interested as a young adult. I dabbled (meaning I didn’t have any strong skills or knowledge) in art early in my marriage juggling a job, then motherhood with a yearning for more. It wasn’t until my youngest child went to school full time that I decided it was time for me to immerse myself in learning the basic skills and disciplines of drawing and painting. I enrolled in all the art classes at the local college for several years, taking one or two courses each semester. Along with the classes I worked independently which I attribute to my rapid progression. My attitude of not discarding work that had “mistakes” led me to become a mixed media artist – learning to “fix” by painting/covering up using other mediums and if need be tearing up to create something new lead me to becoming a better artist – by looking at things from another perspective. I did suffer a painful artistic block when I became bored with realism as my subject matter. During that time I turned to ceramics/pottery as a creative outlet – I took to it like a duck takes to water and attribute my success to the fact that I approached it as an artist and not a potter. Working in 3-D with my hands allowed me to tap into my creativity on a different plane. After a period of time I was able to make the transition from realism to abstract, non representational in my artwork at which time I slowly wined myself off of pottery (only because I just didn’t have the time to do both). People often comment that they can see elements of my artwork in my pottery and vise versa. I’ve also become somewhat of an upcycle artist in that I incorporate recycle and throw away items into my artwork. My journey has been a long one and although frustrating at times has been for the most part pleasant. My work is still evolving and excites me with the possibilities that lie ahead.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Museum of Fine Art Houston, Kinder Building, Niko Niko Greek for lunch or dinner Houston Museum of Natural Science, Baby Barnaby’s (dog portraits line the walls)
Contemporary Craft Museum Houston, Carriage House Restaurant (built in the late 1800’s with antiques and memorabilia on display)
Creighton Theatre, Conroe, texas 40’s retro, Red Brick Tavern, Conroe
Rosenburg Railroad Museum, Bull Creek Cafe and Grill, Rosenburg, Texas
Old Town Spring shops, Texas – Wunchie Brothers Cafe or Puffabelly’s Cafe in Old town spring

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
my friend, Ramona Castoria

Website: www.malucasart.com

Instagram: maryannlucas1944

Facebook: maryann lucas art

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trk0_fCt6zQ