Hello, and welcome 2024!

Fast approaching in February is the third art show and silent auction of visually impaired artists with the Glaucoma Research Foundation at the Weston St. Francis in San Francisco. The focus this month is on one of the incredible artists who has participated in this show since the beginning.

Mary Kolada Scott jumped in with both feet, and has been a supporter and contributor for the past three years. Her work is abstract, both open and freeing. I've gotten to know Mary and we have both remarked the we must have been sisters in a past life. Her story is below. You should get to know her too. Here is Mary in her own words.

Mary Kolada Scott

"Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen." - Leonardo da Vinci

As an artist and a writer, I'm attracted to images and language, and I found my voice first with poetry. Later, I turned to art and extended my repertoire to abstract paintings, which express a poetic language for emotions. I also create mixed media pieces and collages that blend images and words. Often words, phrases and lines from my poems appear in my work.

I've never been afraid of color. I love the texture of painted surfaces and impressions of brushstrokes and tools. Painting is a tactile experience as well as an emotional release. The brush or tool becomes an extension of my arm and hand and carries energy to the painting. 

I work on stretched canvas or deep cradled board. I start with layers of gesso, using GAC 100 first if painting on wood, and allowing all to dry. My paintings start with gestural marks that are charged with emotion. Sometimes I collage papers and images as the first layer. I use brushes, foam brushes, palette knives, scrapers and other tools.

As colors and organic forms emerge, I sense what the painting is revealing about my internal dialogue and what I need to convey that feeling.

At this point, I might write down intentions or title ideas that develop the composition. My titles frequently spring from song lyrics or expressions I've heard.

I like to use asemic writing (lines and symbols that look like words but have no meaning) to keep the eye moving around the compostion. I love texture and drips and splatters of paint. I often excavate through layers to uncover images or text by using a sander, sandpaper or a wet, rough sponge. At some point, I might add image transfers.

I want to engage viewers of my art and let them respond with their impressions. A painting becomes visual language that I articulate for observers. Many collectors have said my work is serene, poetic and sensual. I hope my art continues to evoke these

Biography:

Mary Kolada Scott retired after a 24-year career at the Ventura County Star newspaper and now devotes time to her art, primarily acrylic paintings, mixed media pieces and collages.

Her poems, essays, articles, photos and paintings have been published in numerous periodicals and literary anthologies, and Mary often incorporates her poetry in mixed media pieces.

She is a member of Santa Barbara Abstract Art Collective and Buenaventura Art Association. Mary also belongs to Collage Lab, a local group of artists.

Mary has exhibited work in the Faulkner Main Gallery, Santa Barbara; Voice Gallery, Santa Barbara; the Santa Paula Art Museum; the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, Thousand Oaks; Fox Fine Jewelry, Ventura; and in many other galleries and shows.

Her work is available at OVA Arts Gallery in Ojai and online at https://pegsplace.indiemade.com and on her website at https://www.MaryKoladaScott.com.

Truly, I am so grateful to Mary and all of the artists who contribute their time and their artwork. And I am especially grateful to the Glaucoma Research Foundation for supporting me in this endeavor. It never would've gotten off the ground without them.

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. Please be proactive and schedule your yearly comprehensive eye exam as soon as possible. You might just save your sight. For more information on glaucoma and how you can be a part of the cure please click on the link below. 
https://glaucoma.org/

Greetings!

As 2023 comes to a close, I'd like to say thank you for following me and keeping in touch. Connections are such a lifeline, and are so appreciated. It is interesting that some connections I've known for quite a few years while others I've never met! Yet knowing you are reading my newsletter and reaching out with a email or comment really means a lot to me.

2023 was a full year!

Starting with the Glaucoma Research Foundation's annual gala and Glaucoma 360 in February 2023, I was honored to again be the Chair for the art show and silent auction for visually impaired artists.

Sergio Gomez, gallery owner at 33 Contemporary in Chicago and now based in Miami, internationally known artist, founder of the Art NXT Level program, blogger, and podcast host invited me to chat on his podcast. He then donated a virtual gallery to be linked to the GRF website with all of the artwork in the 2024 show. How generous! I'm so grateful for this connection.

For the last few years I've been a guest lecturer via Zoom at Boston University for students in the Biochemical Engineering and Graduate Program in Neuroscience on the connection between the brain, vision loss and creating art. This year I did two such lectures. The student participation is just wonderful and they ask such great questions. This is another connection which I thoroughly enjoy.

Over the summer, an article I wrote was accepted into the publication "The Ophthalmologist" and will be published next year. I'm quite proud of this achievement. It is based on the art of visually impaired artists, like myself.

In 2023, I entered and was accepted into four juried shows, including Penn Collage in Penn State, the York Art Association and Creative York in York PA. Locally my work was displayed at the Hansom Cab, the York Art Association, Martin Foot & Ankle and Leg Up Farms in York PA, and The Red Raven Art Company in Lancaster PA.

Participating in The Glaucoma Foundation Art Challenge in New York City, my artwork helped to raise funds for research and education and to create awareness. The link is below.

https://glaucomafoundation.org/art-challenge-2023

Currently, I am part of the steering committee for the upcoming Glaucoma Research Foundation's Patient Summit in Philadelphia in June 2024, at the Lowe's Hotel. More on that to come.

A few weeks ago I wrapped up a PSA with the Glaucoma Research Foundation and Bosch and Lomb called "The Faces of Glaucoma" which will be a part of January's month long glaucoma awareness campaign. it will be prominent on social media and you'll be certain to get a link!

And finally, in February 2024 I will be headed back to the Westin St. Francis Hotel for Glaucoma 360, kicking off with the annual gala. I am honored to be presented with the President's Award from the Glaucoma Research Foundation. I can't quite wrap my head around this one but I've already got the dress!

Again, thank you for your kindness, and supporting me on this amazing journey. 2024 is shaping up to be another productive year. It would be a dream come true for me to see a cure for glaucoma and vision restoration in my lifetime. I will do whatever I can to create awareness through art and the connections I have cultivated with visually impaired artists worldwide. More art from the upcoming show in San Francisco will be posted here, along with the bios of the artists. It's going to be a great show.

https://glaucoma.org/events/annual-gala/