Artist biography

Capturing the dappled sunlight on the blooming peony patiently sitting in the tarnished silver vase as I photograph evokes an indescribable emotion deep within my soul.

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Bringing art into the homes and offices of people who share my appreciation for beauty nourishes my purpose.

It all began when I was just a child. Forever picking violets or any wildflower I could get my hands on, and giving my mother the bouquet was as jubilant to me as seeing how high I could get while on a swing. My wonderful mother had an amazing aesthetic, which she displayed throughout our home as I grew up. There were always pretty ironed sheets and milk bottle vases filled with flowers. Artist books lay about amongst her abstract paintings. Together we dreamed of having a store filled with beautiful objects. She made samplers, quilts, lavender wreaths and baked the most beautiful blueberry nut muffins on the morning of my wedding day. She was her own entity and my hero. My dad was a mathematician who fostered my hard work and responsibility ethics. I was so fortunate to get both the creative & logical minds wrapped up in one…me. While my mother and I never did get to open that store together, a close friend, another visual soul, was kind enough to share his strengths and together we held hands and masterminded a beautiful home furnishings boutique I named HouseWear and opened in Hoboken, NJ. (I always wondered if my mother saw it from above.)

Later, having two children, two gifts, catapulted me out of the work force and into the realm of full-time motherhood leaving my much-loved store behind. Years had passed and I became a mother with children in school full time. I needed to do something that would give me the freedom to be home when they were home and to earn money where and when I could. With the loving support of my husband and time-spent learning editing software, my business, Studio Colette, was born. I often think of my art business as the daughter I never had. (Call me crazy…it’s okay). I choose to create art because I LOVE BEAUTIFUL THINGS. I LOVE FLOWERS. I LOVE ARRANGING THINGS. I LOVE ANTIQUES. I LOVE SUNLIGHT. I LOVE CAPTURING BEAUTY WITH MY CAMERA. I LOVE CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE. Based on my successful store experience, I knew people truly appreciated my aesthetic. I felt that I had finally identified my personal gift and part of my ongoing purpose.

Seven years later I am still creating and selling my art because of YOU who have purchased my work…YOU who are also inspired by beauty, peacefulness and quiet joy.

So THANK YOU to YOU for taking the time to get to know me and to come back to my site and/or show to let me know how much you are enjoying your art purchase.

Peace & Joy to all of you.

Gratefully, Mary

2013