Mary Martin Galleries of Fine Art

"Marie was raised and inspired by an artist, her mother, Evelyn Redmond Redfearn, who was one of the top artists in South Carolina although she never offered her work to the public.  Marie was also President of the Women's Art Club in Cincinnati, the longest running art club in America running without interruption. I find her work very romantic and it inspires me to think of those things in life that always endure and most important. Her work is beautiful and we are very proud to represent this outstanding artist."  Mary Martin

Marie Redfearn Smith is the daughter of a recognized South Carolina artist, Evelyn Redmond Redfearn.  Having grown up with the beautiful paintings done by her mother, Marie was always facinated by visual arts.  While her mother created beautiful still life paintings in impressionistic and realistic styles, Marie was personally attracted to a more expressionistic style of painterly gestures.  Struggling to achieve the precision she thought to which she should aspire, she noticed that she enjoyed the first hours of a painting as she was laying down the first layers of work.  As long as her gestures flowed from inside, the paintings would completely satisfy her.  But, when she attempted to transform them into a more realistic style, the work started and the fun began fading.  One day Marie's aunt, Mary Martin, visited her studio and pulled out pieces that she felt would transform the viewer for her gallery, Marie found that the pieces pulled for the gallery were the ones she painted for herself and her enjoyment.  Upon the arrival of these paintings to the gallery, the works immediately attracted attention from both staff and patrons.  Mary Martin says, "Her paintings are deeply satisfying and beautiful."