Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Hoffman.
Hi Mary, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey begins with my parents each of whom has that natural “gift” of drawing and painting. It would seem that the Artistic “Gift” is genetic and they passed it along to me.
My parents were always emersed in the Arts one way or another and when my they discovered my “bent” toward drawing at the age of 3 they encouraged my development. I was about 6 years old when my Father gave me his old college oil paints and set me up to paint and that was all I needed, I was hooked!
Private art lessons continued from there where I worked in Oil Painting, Pastel, Water Color, Charcoal and sculpted in Clay. High School challenged me with advanced Art Classes and one of my Art Instructors saw my potential and organized options to visit and apply to Fine Art Colleges and Institutions with strong Fine Art Departments.
I chose The Cleveland Institute of Art because of their 2-year Foundational years exposing each student to all facets of Art – Applied Arts as well as Fine Art. Then the final 5th year graduating students work on their BFA project culminating in a Public Review of Peers and Instructors prior to graduating. I found that intensive study quite advantageous and preparatory for life as an Artist.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’d be lying if I said the road has been smooth. Anything worthwhile has its own set of challenges regardless of the vocation.
Each sideline or detour has led me to where I am today and I am thrilled about that. Making the conscious decision to follow your dream is the first and hardest step, but once it’s made everything falls in line.
I am reminded of a time when I was faced with the desire to pursue an opportunity but there were obstacles in my way, some might call those obstacles “excuses” to not move forward. An Artist friend/Mentor of mine told me to simply “Make up your mind to do it and everything else will get out of your way,” and she was right! It is as if your decisions make room for your reality.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve gone the Graphic Design and Illustration route where I’ve designed logos and illustrations for companies. I’ve painted large murals in homes and in businesses and theaters. But I love painting. Even more, I love painting in oil. I’ve used other mediums of which I enjoy but in the last 10 to 20 years it would seem that painting in oil is my first love.
I paint most often Plein Air Landscapes. Getting outside in nature and capturing the beautiful landscape is so fulfilling.
I really love painting the Portrait. I love People and their features fascinate me. I think Portraiture in some way sets me apart from other artists. I enjoy painting still life objects as well. Getting to teach what I know about painting these subjects is also very rewarding. It all comes together nicely.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Tenacity and a “never give up” spirit is most important. Also, developing “deafness” to nay-sayers is a good quality. All of this is predicated on belief in one’s dreams, goals, desires, abilities. . . you’ve got to know that this is what you want and to not take “no” for an answer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maryhoffmanfineart.com
- Instagram: MaryHoffmanFineArt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mary.Hoffman.Fine.Art
