MARY KALABOKIS

When I stood on the famous bridge at Giverny as a college student studying art and fashion, little did I know that I would one day study under someone that actually worked there.

It was not until many years later when I took a class with Gale Bennett, founder/director of Artstudy Giverny, that I really learned about collage. Gale was an amazing instructor. He lived half the year in Paris, teaching at Giverny and half the year in Cape Coral, FL where I reside. He was warm, funny, firm, talented and encouraging. Most importantly he knew how to simplify art and teach it well.

My collages are like the rest of my art, energetic and colorful. They are inspired by my imagination and the the materials in front of me. They are meant to be a celebration of life and possibility.

Nothing makes me happier as an artist, than large, abstract art. The larger the better. I adore Gerhardt Richter and Jackson Pollock for breaking so many barriers in modern art.

If I wanted realism I would take a photo. But there is nothing like the feeling you get when you create something completely fresh and new. No two paintings can ever be alike. Thank you Gerhard Richter for all you have done for all of us.

While I love a large canvas to paint on, sometimes it is more convenient to “travel light”. Since I do alot of traveling, paper gives me the freedom to pack art into my carry on and capture my ideas, no matter where I am.

I get that not everyone has the space needed for large pieces of work. That is why I have dabbling with the idea of duets. 2 complimentary pieces that work together in a small space.

I have always enjoyed variety. Different people, different places, different foods, different mustic and even different art.

Outside of the box is my interpretation of play. When I create outside the box, I feel totally able to give up to the materials at hand and just see what happens.

I like coming up with things that I have not seen before.

More to come

Nikki is my beautiful daughter and an artist in her own right. She leaps in here and there to do collaborative work. I cherish those moments. This one might be our best.

Water has such a calming affect on us. Even though I am one of those people that cannot put my head underwater, I love being around water. I love looking at it, listening to it spill over a waterfall, stream or pool fountain. It can be almost hypnotic.