Mary Sumner 1957-2016 was a painter whose work captured the English countryside with fresh fluidity and intensely beautiful colours. Gardens, birds, farming, landscape and wildlife are all re-occurring themes. On her daily walks Mary photographed, made notes, collected interesting objects and sketched. Back in her studio these elements were brought together to form her compositions. She often re-visited a subject in her quest to capture the essence of a place, seeking to convey her feelings to the viewer.
'I illustrate encounters of my daily life, things I have seen during the day; for example, a particular building, a group of animals, the colours in a garden, anything that interests and amuses me.'
Mary Sumner (b.1957) studied at West Surrey College of Art & Design where she gained a BA Hons Fine Art Painting degree followed by a PGCE in Art at Bristol University. She worked with acrylics on canvas and board, and was also a printmaker. She was a member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen and was featured in a television production 'Crafted' a Carlton T.V series about craftspeople in the South West.
Publications
Devon Guild Handbook
T.V 'Crafted', Carlton T.V series on S.W. Craftspeople
Exhibitions
Rufford Art Gallery
Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracey
Hay Makers Gallery, Hay on Wye
John Leach Gallery, Mulchney, Somerset
Burton Museum & Art Gallery, Bideford
Bircham Gallery, Holt, Norfolk