Mary Spain Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
American, 1934-1983
Mary Spain was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1934. She studied art at Syracuse University and moved to Ohio in the 1960s to teach art at Chagrin Falls High School. She was a frequent exhibitor in the May Show at the Cleveland Museum of Art during the 1970s and early 1980s, where she won several Juror’s mentions for her paintings. Characteristic of her work is a flattened frontal gaze or a total profile view of her figures that recall Renaissance portraiture. Additionally, most of her characters are seen wearing odd or unusual hats. Spain believed that these hats identify the figures much like they do for professions such as chefs, clergy or law enforcement. The hats also act to contain the characters. While her figures often appear cute or innocent, Spain felt they were filled with mischief. Without their hats, she imagined that they might just explode. Spain’s interest in antique dolls and toys lends insight into the construction of her figures. Many figures have marionette-like qualities with blocky, out of proportion limbs, suggesting that perhaps they are not entirely in control of their actions. During her struggle with cancer, Spain used these figures to express her feelings of pain and sadness. While her deeply personal vocabulary and symbolism might be lost to the viewer, the narratives and embedded emotional substance remain.
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Artist: Mary Spain
untitled (Woman and Cat)
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Unsigned
Graphite on paper
Category
20th Century Surrealist Mary Spain Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Graphite
Two Boys (one standing, the other seated and drawing)
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Two Boys (one standing, the other seated and drawing)
Graphite and colored pencils on wove paper, 1975
Signed and dated lower left center (see photo)
Condition: Excellent
Slight waviness visible only on reverse
Image size: 11 1/2 x 13 3/4 inches
Sheet size: 14 x 17 3/4 inches
Provenance: Estate of the Artist
By descent
Mary Spain (Colie)
(1934-1983)
Mary Spain was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. She taught art in Chagrin Falls...
Category
1970s Contemporary Mary Spain Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Color Pencil
VI Rose Nose Cat
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
VI Rose Nose Cat
Colored chalks on black paper, 1977
Signed and dated lower right (see photo)
Titled lower left (see photo)
Part of a series entit...
Category
1970s American Modern Mary Spain Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Chalk
Flower Studies
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Unsigned
Graphite and colored pencils on laid paper
Category
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Materials
Graphite, Color Pencil
Quicksand (Small) #18
By Mary Spain
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Titled and described by the artist verso
Colored pencil on raw sienna laid rag paper
Category
1980s Surrealist Mary Spain Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Color Pencil
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Mary Spain drawings and watercolor paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Mary Spain drawings and watercolor paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Mary Spain in color pencil, pencil and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 1980s and is mostly associated with the Surrealist style. Not every interior allows for large Mary Spain drawings and watercolor paintings, so small editions measuring 10 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Federico Castellon, Jenny Toth, and Gary Hansmann. Mary Spain drawings and watercolor paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $200 and tops out at $950, while the average work can sell for $800.