Mary Neville: Your questions answered!

BREATHWORK

Mixed Media on Canvas

8 X 8

One of the most rewarding parts of the tour was responding to your thoughtful questions. I wanted to share a few that came up most often, along with my reflections:

1. “Where do you start?”I begin without a fixed plan. Often I literally ask myself, “What do I feel like doing right now?” I usually have a sense of the larger theme or series I’m working within, but the process isn’t linear. I might begin at the end and work backwards, or start somewhere in the middle. Sometimes it begins with a scrap of paper, sometimes with brushstrokes or lines. The important part is simply to get the ball rolling, so the piece can gradually reveal what it needs.

2. “Why so much white?”White is mesmerizing to me. Mixing subtle shades of white is meditative; it creates a sense of quiet within the layers. It allows what lies beneath to breathe and softens the chaos of color and texture. For me, it represents both openness and shelter, a calm space that invites reflection.

3. “Where do you find the old paper?”I collect it from many places. Flea markets, estate sales, and even my own boxes of letters and keepsakes. Each piece carries its own history, a life before mine. Bringing it into a painting feels like giving it a new chapter, where memory and imagination can coexist.

4. “What inspires your titles?”Titles often arrive like whispers during the process. Sometimes from a phrase I read or hear, sometimes from wordplay or a metaphor that emerges in the work. I love when things aren’t exactly what they seem. A title, for me, is part of the storytelling: it offers the viewer a point of entry without being too obvious, leaving space for their own connection to unfold.

5. “How do you know when a piece is finished?”It’s less about stopping and more about listening. A painting feels complete when it holds its own presence, when it no longer asks me to add or change. That moment is subtle but unmistakable. Over the years I’ve learned to trust it. When you feel the urge to stop, you stop.

When in LA…

Please stop by Tim Clarke Design – The Shala in Santa Monica, where my Paperweight series is currently on view alongside the many treasures this elegant design studio has to offer.

 2630 Pico Blvd, Santa MonicaGallery Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 10 AM–5 PMAlso available by appointment during regular business hoursClosed Sunday.

Contact Ella Snyder to arrange a visit: (310) 452-8374.

If you’d like to keep the conversation going, share your thoughts, or inquire about available pieces, I’d love to hear from you. Private viewings are always welcome by appointment—just reach out.

With gratitude,Mary Neville

Remember…

The secret is trusting your instincts and trusting your preferences. Every so-called “mistake” is simply another opportunity to see what unfolds. The best compass you have in art, and in life, is asking, “What’s the very next thing I feel like doing?” and following that.