My art celebrates the rich and fragile diversity of natural Florida.
The muggy, viney, wabi-sabi environment of Florida is a constant source of wonder, from the prickly palmettos of the flatwoods, through the sumpy cypress swamplands, and to the bright, coastline thicketed with mangroves. Even the most seemingly ordinary elements of nature capture my attention, such as ropy philodendron vines, clusters of palm seeds, foraging ibis, a lichen-covered tree or a lacy thread of spanish moss swaying in the breeze.
Making art helps me see and value nature’s processes at work. Using a variety of non-toxic intaglio, relief and monotype printmaking methods, I create abstract and semi-representational pieces on paper. The work may also include multimedia treatments with textiles, original photographs, drawing or painting — whatever it decides it needs to grow to maturity.
Artist biography
When Mary-Helen Horne took a pottery class with her six-year old son, she discovered that making art was a welcome creative counterpoint to her career in IT and operations management. While her son moved on to other interests, she continued to develop her artistic avocation via self-directed practice and study.
After moving to Tampa, Florida for a new job, she took up surface design. A monotype class sparked Mary-Helen’s interest in further study of printmaking methods and design principles. Upon retirement from her business career, Mary-Helen has dedicated herself fully to making art.
Recognition
Tampa Regional Artists, Tampa FL: “Bay Area Art Show 16“, Honorable Mention (Juror: Amanda Cooper, Morean Art Center Chief Curator), 2023
Dunedin Fine Arts Center, Dunedin FL: #SMF, Third Place award (Juror: Caroline Mathers, Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum), 2022
Morean Arts Center group show, St Petersburg FL: “This is Me”, Honorable Mention (Juror: Katie Diets, Florida Craft Art), 2019
Shows and collections
2023
Brooker Creek Preserve, Tarpon Springs FL: “Nature Inspired: 24 Hands Print Collective” group show
Dunedin Fine Arts Center, Dunedin FL: #SMF
Tampa Regional Artists, Tampa FL: “Bay Area Art Show 16” juried
Tempus Projects, Tampa FL: “KARST Grounds: Quattro Sunistra”, juried
2022
Powerstories Theater, Tampa FL: “Steel Magnolias” Art wall
Pasco Fine Arts Council, New Port Richey FL: 24 Hands Printmaking Collective group show
Zea Mays Printmaking Sanford Gallery, Florence MA: “Crosscurrents“
Women’s Caucus for Art Florida: “Black and White”
Morean Arts Center group shows, St. Petersburg FL: “Bookish”
Orlando Museum of Art First Thursdays, Orlando FL: “Florida Grown”
Dunedin Fine Arts Center, Dunedin FL: #SMF
Zea Mays Printmaking “Canary in the Coal Mine” traveling exhibition
Online exhibition
Hosmer Gallery, Northampton MA
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary Gallery, Easthampton, MA
2021
Augusta Savage Gallery, University of Massachusetts: “Rising Waters/Blazing Earth”
Morean Arts Center group shows, St. Petersburg FL: “Orange!” and “Landmark”
2012-2020
Morean Arts Center group shows, St Petersburg FL: “Pelican Pride” and “20×20″, 2020
Morean Arts Center group show, St Petersburg FL: “This is Me”, 2019
Corporate collection, “Homosassa” and “Eye of the Crane” art quilts, Tampa FL, 2012
Education/Workshops
Instruction and mentorship with Marjorie Graff, Professor Emerita, St. Petersburg College, St. Petersburg FL
Monoprinting intensive with Susan Rostow, MassArt Art New England, Hamilton College NY
Instruction and mentorship with Lynn Peterfreund, Zea Mays Printmaking, Florence MA
Monotype with Joyce Silverstone, Zea Mays Printmaking, Florence MA
Color theory in printmaking with Amaryllis Siniosoglou, Zea Mays Printmaking, Florence MA
Artist voice in series with Meredith Broberg, Zea Mays Printmaking, Florence MA
Etching with Ali Norman, Labyrinth Studios, Tampa FL, and Holly Bird, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin FL
Monoprinting with Suzanne Benton, Morean Arts Center, St Petersburg FL
Collagraph printmaking with Barry Goodman, Morean Arts Center, St Petersburg FL
Interaction of Color with Laura Militzer Bryant, Morean Arts Center, St Petersburg FL
Intensive monotype printmaking with Ron Pokrasso, Remarque New Grounds Print Workshop, Albuquerque NM
Deconstructed screen printing with Kerr Grabowski, Beach Arts Center, Indian Rocks Beach FL