ARTIST
STATEMENT
I create my ceramic
sculptures out of raw clay. In order to achieve texture, depth, and focus I
tear, imprint, pierce or smooth the clay then adhere the pieces to each other
with clay slip. I use a variety of finishes: underglazes, glazes, paints,
rubber, and metal finishes, to name a few.
Sometimes I have a clear idea of what I am going to create, other times my art
seems to create itself. I draw my influences and passions from growing up in
Hawaii where vivid colors were a natural part of my life. Each color kindles
inside of me a special kind of joy and excitement for living. Orange reminds me
of picking guavas with my best friend early in the morning, blue recalls the
bliss of bodysurfing at Makapuu Beach, yellow is the hot Hawaiian sun warming
me, and so on.
My first connection with creating art to express myself was in 4th grade. My teacher was
displeased that I created a collage that included, but was not limited to, her
guidelines. I realized for the first time that thinking for myself was not always
rewarded.
However, I was not discouraged because soon after this experience I saw my
first Vincent Van Gogh painting, which my mother explained was created from his
personal point of view. I felt an instant connection to him and he has remained
a lifelong inspiration to my artwork. The art movement in the 60’s with Andy
Warhol, Peter Max, and Jackson Pollock, to name just a few, made me feel right
at home and confirmed for me that there was and is a place in this world for my
art.
ARTIST
BIOGRAPHY
MaryAnn Ferguson was born in Washington, D.C. the daughter of a career officer
in the US Army whose postings took the family to Japan, Virginia, and twice to
Hawaii, where the family retired when MaryAnn was 9 years old.
MaryAnn loved growing up in Hawaii. With her friends she acquired a passion for
hiking, bodysurfing, snorkeling, fluming, camping and exploring remote areas of
Hawaii. She attended Punahou School in Honolulu, where
she took her first course in ceramics and excelled at art, after school sports
and writing. It is these experiences and memories, the smells, the textures,
the fun, the passion that influence her colorful ceramic sculptures.
MaryAnn was a child of the times. She chose to pursue her Bachelor of Science
degree at four universities to reap the benefits of studying with different
professors. She majored in Art at University of Denver, Chaminade University,
University of Hawaii and graduated with a BS in Communications/Filmmaking
and a minor in Art from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts.
During her college years MaryAnn developed an interest in the culinary arts. She opened a small catering company that serviced the Arts (art openings, press conferences, private shows).
Following her graduation from Emerson College,
MaryAnn earned an Associate of Science Degree from the Culinary Institute of
America, Hyde Park, New York. She had a successful culinary career, first
working in hotels and judging national food competitions followed by the
reopening of her catering company which gave her the opportunity to teach and
produce culinary arts videos at a community college and work as the food
editor for a local magazine.
Catering gave MaryAnn the time to enroll in sculpture and ceramic classes at
the University of Hawaii. Her sculptures were well-received in two art shows at
the university. Her interest in catering waned yet it was through working as
the private chef for Alan Carr, Executive Producer for many top films, that her
interest in filmmaking returned.
MaryAnn returned to college to switch careers. She earned a MFA degree from
Northwestern University and received the honor of being the first graduate of their
filmwriting program. She distinguished herself by directing the feature
film, “Bad Dreams Come True". In Chicago MaryAnn worked as a meeting
planner, video producer, writer, director, editor and post-production
producer for top production companies, ad agencies, Fortune 500 corporations
and TV shows.
After struggling with her health for several years in Chicago, MaryAnn and her
husband, Norm Nusbaum, moved to Las Vegas in 1989 where MaryAnn’s health
returned. In 1990 they opened Goodwyn Production Group (https://www.goodwyn.com), an award-winning,
full-service film and video production company that creates corporate programs,
TV ads and shows, music videos and documentaries for clients from around the
world. Two of the documentaries she directed premiered on The History
Channel.
Due to a work-related injury in 2012 MaryAnn was unable to continue working on
location for film or video shoots. During her successful recovery she enrolled
in a nearby pottery studio, Pottery West, and rediscovered her love of ceramic
sculpture.
In 2014 MaryAnn's ceramic sculptures were accepted by Jana's RedRoom Art
Gallery in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her consistent sales earned her the status of
Elite Artist.
In 2016 MaryAnn created the Las Vegas International Juried Arts Competition
which she ran with a close friend. Over 350 entries from 12 countries were
entered into the competition which was judged by 9 judges from the USA and
France. Today this competition continues to be run by Jana’s RedRoom Art
Gallery.
In 2017 The Gallery of Music and Art in the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in
Las Vegas, Nevada, began showing MaryAnn's ceramic sculptures to their international audience.
MaryAnn’s ceramic sculptures have been seen in Nevada at:
2017 Clark County Library Gallery - One Woman Show
2016 Boulder City "Art in the Park" Juried Art Fair
2015 Celebration of Life Juried Show
2015 5th Avenue Gallery, City of Las Vegas
2015 Jana’s RedRoom Art Gallery
· Featured Artist
· Elite Artist
· Top Selling Artist
2015 Art2Festival
2015 Think Art Juried Show
2015 Decadence in the Desert Fair
2014 Think Art Juried Show
2014 Celebration of Life Juried Show
2014 Nevada Art Guild Show
2013 Nevada Art Guild Juried Show