Mary McLorn Valle’s graphic and vibrant oil paintings explore the themes of unfolding energy and renewal. Tightly cropped blossoms and branches inspire her and serve as contemplation points for spontaneous, free-flowing works on canvas. Her dynamic use of colour and perspective when painting flowers provides a modern take on this usually traditional subject. She further explores colour in two other series using resin on panel. Colours are mixed systematically in gridded studies resulting in pixelated patterns and she experiments with colour combinations in large and small free-hand brushstroke studies.
Mary grew up in rural Ontario with parents that were both visual artists and currently resides in Toronto with her family. Her work can be found in many private and corporate collections in Canada and the US. She received undergraduate degrees from Western and Queens and holds a Masters in Fine Arts from the University of Regina.
Mary shows her work primarily from her studio, at local galleries and every year at The Artist Project in Toronto.
EXHIBITIONS:
Solo
Yorkminster Park Gallery, Flourish, May 2019
Gallery 1313, Toronto, Colour Crush, Fall 2017
Olive Tea Design, Toronto, Fall 2007 - Spring 2008
Gladstone Hotel, Toronto, Outward Movements, 2006
Roomy Home, Toronto, Spring 2006
Kabat Wrobel, Toronto, Ontario, Containment, March 2005
Gallery 1313, Toronto, The Not So Still Life, 2004
Downtown Jam Charity event, 25 Recent Works, 2003
MFA Graduation Exhibition, University of Regina,
Mackenzie Art Gallery, Regarding Herself, 1994
Gallery Building, University of Regina, Enlightenment.
A Projection Installation, 1993
Lighthouse Festival Theatre, Port Dover, Recent Works, 1989
Practicum Exhibition, University of Western Ontario,
Hillary Gallery, Double Entry, 1989
Group
The Artist Project, Toronto, 2011 - 2024
KLUC Art Show and Sale, Toronto 2006 - 2024
Summer and Grace Gallery, Oakville, May 2022
Arta Gallery, The Distillery District, Toronto, Modern Women, Spring 2022
Artist Project Online Exhibition Series, New Beginnings, April 29 - May 5, 2021
Children's Aid Foundation, Teddy Bear Affair Fundraiser, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
New Leaf Foundation Fundraiser, 2017
UCC Festive Marketplace, 2016
Hamilton Art Gallery Sales and Art Rental Program. 2015-current
The Advocates Society Fundraiser, 2015
Paula White Diamond Gallery, Waterloo, ON., Square Foot and Big Ideas Show, Nov 2015
Avenue Arts, Montreal, Quebec, Annual Spring Fling, 2012
Art Gallery of Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Spring Art Sale, 2012
art 101, Up Country Furniture, Toronto, 2007
One of a Kind Show and Sale, 2005
Queens Graduation Exhibition, The Empty Studio, 1989
Western Graduation Exhibition, McIntosh Gallery, 1988
Visual Arts Department, Group Exhibition, 1988
Cleveland State University, Cleveland Photo Exchange, 1988
Fourth Year Drawing, University of Western Ontario, Hillary Gallery,1987
Third Year Photography, University of Western Ontario, Hillary Gallery,1987
University of Windsor, Windsor Photo Exchange, 1987
Painting Exhibition, 3 people X 3 Pieces , University of Western Ontario, Hillary Gallery,1987
Third Year Drawing, University of Western Ontario, Hillary Gallery, 1987