Story & Lesson Highlights with Mary Bruns of north Phoenix

Mary Bruns shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Mary, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
There were times when I completely put the painting away. Don’t be afraid to do it. You don’t lose the technique, especially when you are my age. At 75 I have trudged through many disappointments and somehow came out a better person.
I study daily. I read constantly and that is what gets me going again. Just because you can’t hammer away at something every day, doesn’t mean that you are in retirement. I paint more now than in my 30’s. Time is a complex thing, wrap it up any way that suits you. There are no rules.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a painter and have been since I was eight. I couldn’t believe how the colors melded together without even mixing them up. I have been using a style of realism with split imagery. One side of the painting is described by the other side, a sort of a bridge.
I have used this manner of painting for 35 years. I find it more interesting that just a static image on a canvas. Life and life’s thoughts are never static. We see this throughout art history.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
This is done in painting form from a person that I happened upon in Los Angeles. I lived there for around 15 years, went to grad school there and did a couple of shows before leaving.
I roamed downtown LA often, photographing & talking to people. I ran onto a Oaxacan woman who had bags of corn in a shopping cart and was grilling them over a small bucket with coals. She was selling them to the locals. This is tenacity. I was so amazed at how she just grouped everything together and created her own living. Commerce. Necessity is the mother of invention and she will forever hang in my home. If she can make this happen so can I. Persevere.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
To not take yourself so seriously.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Sure. There is no reason to be any other way.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing? 
Traveling more would be on my agenda.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marybrunsfineart.com
• Instagram: oilpaint70

Image Credits
my photography only