studio photo taken in 2023 by Margie Murray
Mary-Gail King Camarillo, CA Age 63
What keeps you excited in the studio? I’m not always excited in the studio. When I lose my “juice” Igo on a road trip, paint outdoors, and reconnect with my students and collectors.
Looking back at your trajectory as an artist, how would you say your work has developed? I believe in living an artist’s life. I keep paint with me wherever I go and have found journaling and doing small works, where I started twenty plus years ago keeps me going between larger projects. I do a lot of collaboration with other artists and in education. Few things get me more excited than feeling like a pied piper with my art.
What role do you think the artist has in today’s society? We take the time to observe things closely and are not, hopefully, afraid of sharing those visions using our own voices.
What’s the most important advice you could give to an aspiring artist? Never stop creating.
Does age matter in art? Why or why not? Yes, we are automatically a part of whatever age we are born into. It affects what we see and how we see it. And every era of life has different demands. To acknowledge that and deal with it creatively is our work.
What can we look forward to from you next? I’m currently working on a series of children’s books and will do some more “serious” large scale work once the books are done.
Is there anything else you would like to share about being an artist later in life? I have the perspective of knowing that everything passes. It makes challenges easier and successes sweeter.
Www.marygailking.com @Mary-GailKing
Octopus, 10”x8”, 2024 goauche and ink on Arches