A selection of prints by Mary May are available in the shop.
This July, we are dedicating our member’s spotlight to one of our most recent members, Mary May. Prior to getting involved at Edinburgh Printmakers at the start of this year, Mary has an extensive creative background. From jazz singing to oil painting, her experience in Fine Art and Textiles clearly translates over to her funky printmaking style. Working alongside to jazz and flamenco music, Mary elaborated that printmaking for her, is alike to music in filling in the gaps of empty space. This Autumn, Mary has been awarded an exciting art residency over in the mountains of New York State. Until then, she intends to build further upon her screen-printing skills.
“I wanted to learn to print on paper. I had screen-printed on textiles at the Scottish College of Textiles years ago, but did not ever work on paper. I have been a member for over a year and did a couple of weekend courses but could not manage to come down much till February this year. Since then, I try to come in at least twice a week.
I could never imagine not being able to make art. It's what I have always done. While I was working and bringing up my son, I did not have much time, but then I worked as a singer and also did a lot of writing. So I guess any creative pursuit is good. For me, it's a way of expressing the joy of being alive.
Screen-printing is the only one I know. When I see people use other processes, I always think that I want to try them too, but then I realise I am nearly 65 and I want to learn more about screen-printing, so don't have that much time.
At the moment it is a case of trying things out as I haven't found a personal direction. So, the work is a bit incoherent as a collection. But I don't want to saddle myself with any particular style before I feel like I have found my feet. I love colour though, and I think my prints are heavily informed by my paintings which are bright and abstract. I prefer to use card to design the work as I like to use a lot of colours and layers and it just seems to work for me in that it seems easier to keep control of registering multiple layers. I have been using 8 or 9 layers and I personally wouldn't be able to do that manually.”
For more information, you can follow Mary May here:
Website: https://marymayart.weebly.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marymayart/
30 Jun 2023
