ARTIST STATEMENT

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As the events that touched my life changed, so did the focus of my work, family and friends, war, peace, politics, theater, women's rights, social justice, travels to Maine, Mexico and abroad.

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The formal elements of painting and drawing, line, pattern, color, space, have always been of primary concern to me. I would call myself a "drawer" who paints. I try to achieve my objective through conscious and subconscious process. It is difficult for me to find the words to clarify the "why" for much of this work. Some images are obvious; others have strayed from the initial intention and become an enigma, even to me.

BIOGRAPHY

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Mary Gaylord Loy was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia. She began her study of art at an early age, thanks primarily to her mother, who was instrumental in founding an art center in Clarksburg.

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She continued her art education at Wilson College in Pennsylvania, Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia and Washington University School of Fine Arts in St. Louis, Missouri. She was awarded a fellowship to Skowhegan, Maine summer art program after her graduation in 1954 but was unable to attend. She has worked as an artist for over fifty years and has taught drawing, painting and design. In 1991 she was awarded a residency at the Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris, France.

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She has been active in the Womens movement and other human rights issues since the early sixties, which is frequently reflected in her work. She was a member and officer in the local National Organization for Women and a founder of Uticas first alternative elementary school, the New School. She has served on the boards of the Kirkland Art Center and the Utica Public Library. She is currently on the Exhibition Committee of the Kirkland Art Center and is a Commissioner for the Clinton Historic Preservation Commission.

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Mary Gaylord Loy has lived in St. Louis, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Germany. She has also traveled extensively abroad. She currently lives in Clinton, New York with her husband, John Loy.