At The Gallery at First Parish – May 5, 2010 - June 4, 2010

Constellation

Mary Lord has won acclaim for her innovative color photography. Lord and her family lived in Weston for 25 years until a recent move to their summer home in New Hampshire. "I am pleased to be included in The Gallery at First Parish. We were members of the church all the time that our home was Weston. It is a great community, and we always enjoy the chance to return." Mary Lord works in the tradition of Boston Museum School artists. In recent years she has traded her brushes and pastels for the camera, although she still thinks of her photographs as paintings and drawings. Her palette now is composed of the flowers, leaves, and botanical elements of the natural environment - from her gardens, woodlands, and travels. Her work is in numerous private collections, and has been exhibited widely, including Copley Society; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Art in Bloom and Annual December Sale; Rhys Gallery; galleries in NH & VT; and the annual Dublin Art Colony Open Studios, NH. Lord comments, "Perhaps it is appropriate that the works are being hung at First Parish as spring flowers bloom. The photographs on exhibit are all about joy - about taking joy in life. Everyone loves flowers. There's an exuberance to Spring. It's full of new beginnings. There's a wonder to it all - the bilateral emergence of lilac leaves, the spiral unfurling of ferns. The geometry and design in Nature is fascinating."

Lord notes that many of her early works are akin to "Field Paintings" as a genre, with overall pattern and lack of central focal point. On the back of these works is written, "I invite you to walk into the field of these photographs. Let your eye wander. See where the journey takes you." Later photographs are larger in scale, sometimes 4' x 6' and larger, and are often concerned with themes. There are titles such as "Shakespeare's Lilies" and "China Blue." Most recently she has added hand coloring and collage to her pieces. Lord is often asked about the process of creating her work. "The pieces are photographed in natural light. Some were shot on beds of herbs at our house on Chestnut Street on hot hazy days; some in shady woodlands in late afternoon sun. Sunlight, shade, atmosphere, time of day - all have an affect on color possibilities. Almost all the flowers come from our gardens, fields and woodlands."

White Tulips

When asked what type of camera she uses, Lord pointed out that she uses several, some high end and some point and shoot. "Sometimes the highest megapixels are not necessary, or even preferable, for certain effects. Cameras are tools to complement and implement the artists vision." Asked about influences on her work Lord notes, "To tell you the truth, the beauty of the natural landscape in Weston and the joy of family life in the community was a huge influence. Art most often is a reflection of personal life. It's important that we appreciate the environments we care about - and contribute to their preservation." In addition, Lord mentioned her longtime connection with the Museum of Fine Arts. "From touring the galleries with grandparents looking at the Monet's, to years of study at the Museum School while at Tufts, and then to the years of volunteering as a Museum Associate, the MFA has always been an inspiration. My advice to any aspiring young artist is to get outside and enjoy the out of doors – the natural world – every day and get into our fine museums as often as possible."