Mary Lee Reineking

 I enjoyed a 34-year long career as a public-school speech and language pathologist, but always loved art and spent thousands of hours over many years at art exhibits, street fairs, and gallery visits with my artist husband.
 

So, in 2008 I made the decision to delve into art-making for myself. I had always been drawn to watercolors, so that was where I began. Since then I have taken many classes and workshops, watched DVDs, devoured books written by wonderful artists, and become generally enamored with my second career. My most recent efforts have been with mixed media and collage work, with subjects often inspired by the natural world. I love flowers, trees, birds, mountains, and the interplay of colors. I also really love cool old buildings.
 

My painting style reflects my love of color and negative painting, while my collages build on that with the addition of a variety of interesting textural elements. I usually choose representational subject matter, sometimes using my own photographic images and drawings in my collages. As my painting continues to evolve, you will find pieces touching on the fanciful as well as more abstracted work.