Mary Chandler, a watercolorist based in New England, was born in Eugene, Oregon. Mary attended Paier College of Art in New Haven to study illustration and fine art with a focus on traditional realism. Her biggest influences are, Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, John Singer Sargent, and Edward Hopper.
Inspired by Nantucket’s beautiful light and historic architecture, Mary pursued a career in painting. From 1989 to 2002, she was represented by Sun Gallery, Main Street Gallery, and Robert Wilson Gallery.
In 2000 Mary was commissioned by Island Resorts to create an watercolor rendering of the soon to be renovated White Elephant hotel. Working from architectural and landscape design plans, Mary created a painting depicting a view of the new hotel as it would look from the harbor.
In 2022 Mary’s earlier painting of the hotel was recognized by the owners of the White Elephant and their art consultant whose plans were to establish an artist residency program in conjunction with the renovation of the hotel interior. Mary was selected as one of the artists and commissioned to create a series of 9 watercolors along with limited print editions of the work to be displayed in the rooms and available for collectors.
Along with the Artist Association of Nantucket, Mary is an award winning member of the New England Watercolor Society and American Artist Professional League, as well as a juried member of the Copley Society of Boston and Rockport Artist Association & Museum.
I find inspiration in the atmospheric scenes created by the proximity to the sea and the beautiful light of Nantucket. As a painter I’m drawn to the harmony between the light and shadow, cast by the mature trees, against the structural edges of the historic architecture. There is poetry in the rambling wild textures and colors of the surrounding moors and marshes
leading to the ocean.
Working mostly in watercolor, I am a traditional realistic painter, with a specific point of view. I aspire to create a sense of timelessness or calm and reflection in my work. My strong sense color is useful in creating the feeling of light and atmosphere when I paint. I have fascination with the lines of architecture and perspective. To bring depth into the scene I create my compositions through pathways or roads leading to a suggestion of small structures in the distance. Over my years of experience as a painter I continue to experiment. My eyes are always searching for potential compositions where I hope to engage the viewer into the painting. Coastal New England is rich with these vistas, especially Nantucket.
