Hi, I'm Mary Schigoda!
I live in Saukville, Wisconsin, with my husband, Dave. I have a wonderful, light-filled studio space in my home – it is definitely my happy place!
While I do not have a formal art background, I have had an interest in creating art for a long time. I've taken classes here and there - in glass, clay, mosaics, and paint. But like many, I grew up believing only a select group of people with special training could be artists and, lacking that, I could not be one of them. In recent years, though, something deep within me began to challenge that notion. And I started to explore what it really means to be creative and to express that creativity. Slowly, my understanding of creativity and what it means to be an artist changed dramatically. Today, I'm a member of the Cedarburg Artists Guild and I realize that we all are creative beings – each of us in our own unique way. And that creativity is what brings us a sense of joy and life. We are all artists!
What you see in my gallery is an expression of what brings me joy and life. And I hope, by sharing it, it brings you joy as well!
My Medium
I have worked with glass in the past – mostly fusing – and more recently, in mosaics. I love creating with glass, but it is not very accessible. I also dabbled with acrylic paints in the past, so I decided to start my artistic exploration in earnest here.
I love painting with acrylics because they are easy to use, they dry quickly, and they are so forgiving. I like how I can paint over any “mistakes” as well. I have begun to combine acrylics with other materials – primarily paper and ink – to add another dimension to my art.
My Inspiration
Other Artists
My Granddaughters
Other Artists
I admire artists who have an intuitive, expressionist style. I appreciate their use of bold colors, textures, and shapes in their work. I am particularly attracted to those who dare to break the rules, follow their passion, and find joy in the process.
Nature
My Granddaughters
Other Artists
I am drawn to the unparalleled beauty of the natural world. My paintings include flowers, gardens, landscapes, and birds – each with their own colors, textures, and shapes.
Intuition
My Granddaughters
My Granddaughters
To guide my process, I connect to my intuition through music, meditation, and yoga. When I nurture my soul, I find freedom to create and have fun! The process becomes expressive and healing when I allow myself to be open to the colors and images that want to emerge.
My Granddaughters
My Granddaughters
My Granddaughters
My granddaughters love to paint with me. Totally uninhibited, they don’t see “mistakes.” If they paint outside the lines or use an unconventional color or shape, they do not care. And neither does their Nana! Perhaps more than anything, that playful spontaneity is what inspires me.