In 1998, self-employed medical illustrator Mary Bryson came to a shocking realization: She hadn’t painted anything green — except bile — in nearly a decade. “Medical illustration doesn’t use any green unless one is painting the gallbladder,” says Bryson, who earned a BFA from Washington University before pursuing her Master of Associated Medical Science from the University of Illinois Chicago. Today, her detailed illustrations are featured in an array of peer-reviewed medical books as well as on noteworthy websites such as breastcancer.org. Despite these successes, Bryson was still determined to expand her palette beyond the bodily, so she began painting landscapes in oils and pastels, often en plein air. In 2008, she also studied the art of still-life painting with Pennsylvania artist Frank Arcuri. Today, she lives in Asheville, where she spends her time painting everything from ingrown hairs to golden-hued angel’s trumpets. For an upcoming group show at Re.Imagine Gallery in Fairview, the artist plans to debut some of her floral works with hopes that gallery-goers will “exhale and relax.” She says, “My work is a reminder that beauty is necessary to connect us with our sense of well-being.”
Heart & Soul: February 9-March 30; Opening Reception: Sunday, February 9, 2-5pm
Re.Imagine Gallery & Studios / 15 Spivey Lake Drive, Fairview / reimaginefairview.com