Mary English was born and raised in Southern California where her passion for nature started as a young girl. Living in the then underdeveloped San Rafael foothills, she was allowed to wander in the desert landscape, being filled with an inquisitive nature herself and fascinated by the wild world around her.
Mary now works from her garden studio at her home situated next to the woods, which she finds to be a great organic source for her practice. Her recent work includes hand built clay sculptures inspired by the pots of ancient North American Indians. The second firing of these pieces, occurs in a 'pit fire', exposing the porous clay to the smoke given off by the natural organic materials used to fuel the fire. The excitement of creating this work is sealed by this method of firing; which is unpredictable and refuses to be controlled. The results are organic sculptures painted by nature herself.
"I have been inspired by nature and the natural spirit world for most of my life. I revere the strength as well as the forgiving life affirming forces of nature. My intention is to express these attributes reminiscent of the natural world in my work; using the varied forms and emotive states of mind which I discover during my walks and frequent journeys, as inspiration."