Weaving Memories - the Art of Mary-Jeanne Reid Martz

Artist Mary-Jeanne Reid Martz

"I believe that painting is creating a spell—a mood—not recreating a scene or object," says artist Mary-Jeanne Reid Martz, who is known for her vibrant oil paintings, as well as watercolors. Many of these paintings are landscapes based on her extensive travels.

"I filter scenes or compositions through my experiences and emotions," she continues. "A finished painting is meant to be evocative, not necessarily narrative, of something I am seeing, and/or have seen or experienced.  The play of light, value, contrast, and perspective are critical, but remain mine to manipulate and capture within my own vision.  My objective is to make every work a piece of myself."

Fall on Lake Como, oil by Mary-Jeanne Reid Martz

Having been brought up in Florida, Martz was struck by the different light she found when first visiting the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. Different types of light provided distinct moods and emotions, and she loved to watch the changes in light and clouds moving in the sky. "Increasingly, I have added more sky and clouds to my landscape paintings," she says.

Afterglow, oil by Mary-Jeanne Reid Martz

Since her early 20’s, Martz has traveled extensively, first to New Zealand, then around the world by ship, and later to adventures in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. 

"Certain scenes have provided me with a directory of light, mood, and atmosphere.  The challenge has been to weave memories of all those places with the present." 

Pacific Waves, oil by Mary-Jeanne Reid Martz

"Thomas Jefferson said he could not live without books," says Martz. "I cannot live without painting."

Martz's work can be found every month at Gallery Underground, as well as in various shows mounted by the Arts Club of Washington, the Art League of Alexandria, and the McLean Art Society. 

--Sandi Parker, Gallery Underground Co-Director