Mary Ellen is a watercolor artist living in St. Charles, IL. After many years of working in the corporate world as a training and organization consultant, she began to rekindle a lifelong interest in painting. She has studied with several local and international artists and is continually looking to find new ways to create graceful images in watercolor. Mary Ellen has degrees from Loyola and National-Louis Universities (neither of them in art). She has exhibited her work in juried and non-juried shows with:
- Illinois Watercolor Society
- Fine Line Creative Arts Center, St. Charles
- Art in Your Eye, Batavia
- Batavia, Elgin, Geneva, Poplar Creek, and St. Charles Public Libraries
- The Holmstad, Batavia
- GreenFields, Geneva
- Windsor Park, Carol Stream
- St. Charles Park District
- DuPage Art League, Wheaton
- Friends of Danada, Wheaton
Awards and Memberships
- Illinois Watercolor Society Signature member 2019
- Award of Excellence, Illinois Watercolor Society Member’s Show 2017
- Honorable Mention, Norris Gallery 2017
- Honorable Mention – Danada Nature Art and Photo Show 2018 and 2016
- Wayne Art League, Secretary and Past President
- Norris Gallery Committee member
Artist Statement – Painting (and Painter) in Process
From my first visits to the Art Institute as a child, I was drawn to the softness of the watercolor paintings as well as to the beauty and light of the Impressionists’ works. What I try to create are impressionistic watercolors – light, airy, soft. One of my instructors says that he approaches each painting as a problem to be solved, and I think it’s the same for me. How do I keep the light? How do I arrange the scene and the objects to create a pleasing composition? How do I convey the feeling with the least amount of detail? How do I get the “vision” that’s in my head onto the paper? I find satisfaction in the challenge. Many times, I will do a painting over numerous times until I get it “right,” until what’s on the paper matches the vision in my head! My fellow painters sometimes laugh at me for this; but to me, it’s all part of the process. With a degree in Adult & Continuing Education, lifelong learning is in my blood. As a result, I am always learning –always in process.
All of the work on this site is available for purchase. Please contact me if you are interested, 630-513-0236, maryesegraves@yahoo.com
Greeting cards with reproductions of any of my paintings are also available in 2 sizes: 4″x 6″ ($4.00) or 3″x 5″($3.00).