I grew up around art of one sort or another. My great aunt, Louise Tessin, was a commercial artist and my mother studied art until my dad swept her off her feet and married her.

My sisters and I drew for hours at a time, using mom’s and Aunt Lou’s art books to guide us, and asking mom to show us how to draw things.

Many of my best drawings were of my sister, Cindy.

Life intervened for many years, and I earned my way through the world as a math teacher. I taught my math students art – geometry constructions, drawing 3-D figures, making tessellations.

There is so much art in mathematics. Or maybe it’s the other way around – there’s a lot of math in art. Since I retired,

I have time for art and have been fortunate to learn from many talented artists who give classes for Rocklin Fine Arts and other groups in the Placer County area.

My favorite media are watercolor, watercolor pencil, colored pencil, and ink.

I love combining these and sometimes add pastels and metallic inks. I have recently started to experiment with alcohol ink and want to explore incorporating collage and texture.

I mostly draw from my imagination and often start with curves and shapes that turn into interesting things.

When I attempt to create something that looks real and serious, I’ll refer to a photograph or model.

I was introduced to hands-on involvement in painting in 2013, shortly after retiring from 44 years of public service at federal, state, and municipal levels.

Soon after retiring, I realized that the self-actualization that was a derivative of my former work-a-day world had dissipated. I needed something in my life that would rekindle the sense of accomplishment and community that were part and parcel of the workplace.

Long story short - my wife, Jill, informed her exercise buddy, Jaci Muzamel, of my situation, and Jaci offered that membership in RFA might be illuminating and uplifting for me.

Jaci proved to be spot on! I had always had an appreciation for art but never had put brush to canvas. So I joined RFA and found the organization to be a one-stop-shop for all things art.

I was able to attend RFA-sponsored workshops under the tutelage of artists such as Rhonda Egan, Scott Mattlin, and Marilyn Rose.

And it so happened that at the time of my initial membership Gini Crepps was both RFA President and owner of IQ Design, which afforded the premises for extended workshops as well as a gallery for exhibiting completed works.

Thus, I found involvement with RFA sparked new growth and renewed overall vigor.

My mediums of choice are acrylic paint and pastel. I prefer acrylic paint (over oil) because of its drying time and the relative ease with which brushes can be cleaned.

My involvement with pastels came via a friend's referral to Auburn artist Reif Erickson. Reif was a master pastel artist I studied under concurrently with my early involvement with RFA.

I appreciated the vibrancy achievable via the pastel medium as well as the speed with which works could be completed.

Mary Chris Hines

Mary Chris Hines is a mixed media artist residing in Auburn, California.

Living in this gorgeous Sierra foothills area has been an inspiration.

She has followed many artists on YouTube who constantly provide new ideas for her art.

She has a unique style and by combing papers, tissues, string, acrylic paint .

and whatever else she happens upon to make something.

She hopes that a piece might transport you, if only for a second, to another place and time ... either in memory or imagination.

facebook.com/mary.c.hines.7

Mary Chris is a member of Rocklin Fine Arts

Mary Chris Hines