Statement:

I really don't think of doing painting the way you think of drawing and painting, but more like the way you do sculpture.

Biography:

Mary Heilmann (b. 1940) is one of the preeminent artists of her generation and a pioneering painter whose work injects abstraction with elements from popular culture and craft traditions. Her straightforward, seemingly loose and casual approach belies a witty dialogue with art historical preconceptions. Mary studied literature at University of California at Santa Barbara, (B.A., 1959-1962). Majored in poetry and ceramics at San Francisco State University, 1963. Studied ceramics and sculpture at University of California at Berkeley, M.A., 1963-1967. She currently lives and works in New York. Mary Heilmann photograph by Joe Gaffney 2006.