Meet Mary Benson | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Benson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary, what inspires you?
I have always loved being outside, whether I was swimming in the ocean or hiking up a mountain, I find myself drawn to the freedom and connection felt through spending time outdoors. My hope is that my art can bring the joy and peace of being surrounded by God’s creation into people’s homes through my art.

My unique artistic style gained inspiration from post-impressionism and fauvism. The shapes reflect stained glass-inspired imagery. I achieve this by layering textured oil paint over a wash of acrylic, allowing the underpainting to peek through. I then use bold lines and dynamic movements throughout each piece, piecing together a mosaic of color that unifies the composition. By sharing my love of nature through these paintings, I hope to inspire others to appreciate the beauty of the world around them and find their own moments of solace amidst the chaos of modern life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Growing up, I didn’t see myself as an artistic person. My sister was the more artsy one, and I was the sporty girl. This changed in high school when I had a great teacher who saw potential in me and encouraged me in my artistic pursuits. This encouragement sparked a passion that has helped guide me throughout my life.

When I went to college, I was told that being an artist wasn’t a realistic career (I obviously know now that’s not true!). So, I pursued graphic design and minored in art at Clemson University. While there, I worked as a graphic designer and photographer for Clemson’s athletic department, where I had the opportunity to work under Jeff Kallin. I learned so much from him and the amazing people I worked with during those years.

After graduating, I got a job in graphic design in Charlotte. A year later, COVID hit, and I was laid off along with the entire marketing department at my company.

Looking back, this was definitely a blessing in disguise. I saw it as the perfect opportunity to give art a real shot. During that time, I built my website and created my first collection of paintings. I listed them for sale—and they all sold! That was the moment my art business really started.

Three weeks after losing my job, one of my old bosses at Clemson reached out and said, “Hey Mary, I don’t want to pull you away from your current position, but I have an opportunity for you if you’re interested.” I replied, “Well, there is no current position—tell me the opportunity!” That conversation led to me becoming the Art Director at the Tebow Group, where I worked for three years. I loved that job, and during that time, I continued to grow my art business on the side.

As things with my art started to take off, I began to see a clear path to making it my full-time career. There was a period when my art business was gaining momentum, but I was still working full-time, which meant making sacrifices—whether that was time with friends or other hobbies. I knew I needed to put my head down and reach a point where I felt comfortable making the leap.

In 2023, I finally quit my job. I worked part-time for another artist for six months, then took my art full-time! It has been a journey, but I’m incredibly thankful for every step. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of my favorite things about Charlotte is the old houses and big trees. I love going for walks with our lab, Gus, and admiring them along the way. Walking and biking around the city is my favorite way to explore, and thankfully, we live close to some great spots. Some of our favorites nearby are Rosemont, The Crunkleton, Menya, and El Malo Tacos. When the weather is nice, my husband and I love strolling up to one of these places for food or drinks.

Another fun spot in our neighborhood is the Visulite Theatre. We love finding live music around the city, and going to a concert is one of our favorite things to do at night.

We also love being outside, and North Carolina is an amazing state for outdoor adventures. My dad and stepmom live in Boone, which is one of our favorite places to visit. We love hiking, fly fishing, and mountain biking in the western part of the state—there’s just something so refreshing about being outdoors in a beautiful place.

My husband is obsessed with fishing, so he’s always out on the water somewhere. When the weather is nice, we like to go to Mountain Island Lake, bring our dog, float in the water, and just relax.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
-My teacher from high school, Mr. Spangler for encouraging me early in my art career and seeing potential in me.
-My professor Jeff Kallin in college who became my boss. He helped select me for a trip for my major in college that was an awesome opportunity to go to Adobe Max where I was very inspired creatively. He also was my creative mentor in college and taught me so much about graphic design, photography, animation, and how to work in a professional environment. He really pushed me and wasn’t always easy on me. This has helped me so much in my career and I don’t know where I would be without those years of learning! He also was one of my first clients who ever bought a painting from me!

Website: https://marybensonart.com

Instagram: marybensonart

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063883699937

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaryBensonArt

Image Credits
Mary Benson