Portfolio of Works

Waiting. A small crowd forms, a queue begins from who came first, who came second, I am after you, I am after you. One at a time. Alone together. Waiting to cross a border, waiting for a diagnosis, a child to return home, a restroom. No two feeling or expecting the same. Patience? Maybe. Anger, bits of humor, comradery? Maybe. Hope? Always, or the line dissolves.

The entities are called Tottiks. They possess no gender, ethnic nor species. Each Tottik is made from wood, hand-painted with acrylic, signed and varnished. No two of the over 2000 made are alike.

Tottiks Waiting was introduced as part of the Chicago Women's Caucus for the Arts show at Air Gallery in Glencoe, IL, October 25 - November 9, 2024.

Dimension adds perspective to collage. Elements include repurposed sections of my paintings, objects of nature I've found on hikes, items I've recycled, and  figures I found or made. 

Please consider my collages deconstructed plein air art creating something new and magical. They bring insight and understanding to what we see when we view a scene. The preparation does not include an underdrawing, but rather, shapes of colors to create the elements. The shapes of colors are cut and repurposed from my own sketch books where I'd previously practiced creating colors and effects. These are in effect organically grown, building from the back to front.  Fixitives and lapping and overlapping provide dimension and texture for the viewer to scan and enjoy the multifaceted view. 

I've come to believe, if you can't smell the air, chat with the inhabitants, see what color is truly under a tree or feel the heat or humidity or bone chill, and most importantly, observe the changing light and shadows, you really can't paint an authentic scene. Tree trunks aren't brown and the sky is rarely sky-blue. You know it when you paint plein air. Creating art outdoors is the crux of my art. Painting plein air - taking in, making sense of, breaking down a scene and creating my impression of it is a challenge and complete joy for me. And, plein air painting is my teacher for all my other art.

Produce is a collection of (mostly) 6x6 paintings done somewhat like a still life, but there is nothing still about them.  Each is a story, a confessional of their challenges to grow healthy and nourish. The hexagon backdrop is a nod to bee hives and a reminder that our food is the result of the efforts of pollinators or migrant workers who spend hours in sun and rain picking, sorting, packaging.

Pollinators are critical to the health and well being of our food security. Mary Longe uses her art to bring awareness to bees and the people who care, work with and nurture them. This is not just about honey bees, but all pollinators and the industry that keeps them healthy and where they are needed to protect our food sources.