Mary Sterner Lawson: Portrait Studies
September 3 - December 3, 2022
Working in pen and ink, watercolor, acrylic, clay, and graphite, Mary Sterner Lawson is most known for her portrait sketches, in which the artist uses essential lines to reveal the inner life of her subjects. Lawson effortlessly conveys the nuances of fleeting cultural moments in her works using a pen, graphite, and watercolor, to create clear lines to provide viewers with the sense that they are peering into scenes filled with vitality and movement. She writes of her myriad influences, “my extensive travels, and sincere interest in people, nature, history, literature, archaeology, oral history, small towns, and city scenes has provided me with a wide-ranging foundation... how I observe, interpret, and render the nuances of features and expressions…”. This exhibition enables visitors to observe Lawson’s fresh interpretations of artists, musicians, writers, and events of our time. Image: Mary Sterner Lawson, Chubby Checkers at the Mike, 2011, ink on paper.
Art Talk Live! with Mary Sterner Lawson
Thursday, September 15, 1:00 pm on ZOOM
Join Gadsden Art’s curatorial and education staff as they get to know artist Mary Sterner Lawson. Most known for her portrait sketches, Lawson’s new exhibition of portrait studies, features fast-paced works using only essential lines to reveal the inner life of her subjects. These portraits effortlessly convey the nuances of fleeting cultural moments using a pen, graphite, and watercolor. Join the conversation!