Mary Calengor
My journey as an artist has been winding with peaks and valleys. That has been life’s way of shaping me and my art, bringing me to where I am today. Born in Duluth, Minnesota, I grew up in a house filled with art. My father is a painter, and I developed a passion for this creative outlet under his tutelage. At a young age, I worked by his side in our studio, sketching and exploring various mediums.
I graduated from the University of Minnesota with degrees in graphic design and fine art, married shortly after that, and had the gift of raising four children. A career in marketing soon followed as my family moved on to their pursuits. During these years, my painting went on hold, and after twenty years, I began to question who I was as an artist.
In 2017, with my husband’s loving support, I decided to paint again as a full-time artist. I had no idea what my style or focus was going to be. I painted landscapes, still life, loose interpretations, and detailed work, and I felt lost. Then I went to Santa Fe to visit friends, and something happened that I cannot explain. The night we arrived, I woke to see in my mind who I was to be as an artist with such clarity. I knew exactly what subject matter was inside me and how to paint it. My identity as a painter was found.
