ABOUT THE ARTIST/STATEMENT

Mary Pat (MP) Forrest’s artwork has been informed by a lifetime of travelling. Born in the cultural center of Edinburgh, Scotland, she has since lived in Belgium, South Africa, Italy and the USA. It is the places she has been, and the people she has met that largely influence MP’s paintings. Using acrylic, pastel, and mixed media, many of her past paintings include figures and still life, while her current work is mostly inspired by wanderlust and her passion of traveling.

In 2018 MP suffered a life changing stroke that affected her physically and mentally, most notably she was unable to use her right hand but with determination and perseverance she has continued painting. Adapting to painting left-handed, it is now her memories that serve as inspiration.  MP relies on visions of landscapes from her past and mixed with the emotions that arise as she is painting, MP’s recent creations are representations of places that hold special meaning – even if she can no longer articulate why.

While largely self-taught, MP has studied with many well-known American artists such as Ted Goerschner, Peggi Kroll Roberts and Sally Strand, to name a few.  Throughout her career MP belonged to many art associations and attended Mississippi art colony twice a year. Colony has always been revitalizing for MP, fostering a creative camaraderie working alongside her ‘arty farty’ friends, and introduced her to artists such as Robert Burridge and Joseph Lorusso encouraging MP to explore new styles.

MP’s artwork has been exhibited, commissioned and collected worldwide including Australia, Europe and the USA.