Mary Sayas was born in Charleston, South Carolina, and grew up on James Island where she still lives. Her love of art began as a child, but she did not have an opportunity to pursue art full time until the children were raised and she retired from a career in government service.
Her studio is close to her house in a 1935 era building that used to be a tractor shed, a chicken house, and then a horse stall. “It was half demolished after hurricane Hugo, and we remodeled it as an art studio. It is a very meaningful place to me, and an inspirational place for me to work.”
Mary is primarily self-taught, working in both watercolor and oil in a realistic style. She believes in lifetime learning and has taken classes and workshops with several prominent local artists, as well as classes with nationally known artists at the Scottsdale Artists School. Probably the greatest influences in my artistic life were workshops and painting trips to the south of France.
“My inspiration comes primarily from the sunlight and shadow in nature, whether it is the beautiful lowcountry with moss draped live oaks, marshes, and water, or the lavender fields and ancient villages of Provence. I love travel, and I find landscapes that I want to paint wherever I go.”
Mary is represented by:
The Charleston Artist Guild Gallery
160 East Bay Street
Charleston, South Carolina 29401
(843) 722-2425