Collection: Mary Gaerlan Schmidt

Bio:
I am a mixed media collage artist. Found objects, many of organic origin intrigue me. From ancient stone, metal or paper discovered across the sea to rust wire and branches on the ground. I love to layer them in my art with other media like watercolor, liquid acrylics, or charcoal and crushed glass. The journey of what I see and what it becomes is a challenge I love.

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, my family is drenched in the arts. I've been self-taught from the time I was a child. Later I became a cosmetic artist at the renowned Gorton Center in Chicago for actors and playwrights. From there I became a Marketing Director representing national brand names like Kleenex. Now in my retirement, I have the joy of creating unique artworks full time.

My biggest influence was my father. He was raised in the mountains of Santiago, Chile. He shared his exclusive knowledge of all things from the sky to the waters. His wealth of a natural education was my good fortune and formed much of who I am today. It is what sparked my deep interest in texture, colors and behaviors of the world around me.