Mary Church was born in Chicago, Illinois, where her tiny feet were led by a boundless curiosity into the city’s incredible museums.

Once inside the Art Institute of Chicago, Mary was creatively infused and forever transformed—she began to see beauty and possibility even in a fractured world. The Vietnam War, civil rights protests, and the rise of the ERA defined the backdrop of her youth. Her mother embraced the winds of change and was determined to show Mary the choices that hadn’t been available to her generation.

Mary’s grade school years were shaped not by tradition but by Helen Reddy concerts, poetry readings, and transcendental meditation. Her grandmothers, deeply rooted in classical values, watched in shock and awe as Mary embraced a new and evolving world.

Mary, having grown up with Lake Michigan in the backdrop, drops by the changes of the seasons were inspired by nature. Nature’s beauty came no matter what….. weather rain, sleet, & snow! Changes of politics, protesting & conflict softened, and the world began a healing cycle.

Writing, painting, arts & crafts in the very cold, windy, long winters. Spring favorite, When lilac bushes began to bloom, her birthday was near. The aromas of spring brought people closer together & love was in the air!

Mary, an art major in high school, painting & ceramics. Inspired by Matisse, Picasso & Mary Cassatt.

Design & the arts continued with her BA from Ball State University. Mary’s married life after college shifted into business & the healing arts, herbalists, energy & massage therapy. The Healing Table had transformed into the lens of a camera gift on her 40th birthday. Capturing images of the seen and unseen world began to appear in the darkroom, black & white, along with Platinum/Palladium. More studies were needed & taking classes in the darkroom of Ansel Adams was in order.

Mary draws from a deep inspiration by Dorothea Lange, Imogen Cunningham & Man Ray. Additionally, inspired by the photography of Jim Marshall, 3 Leica film cameras around his neck, Coltrane, Monk & Davis are timeless & powerful images. Mary is a 3-time. Exhibitor at the Festival of Arts, in Laguna Beach, California. Mary’s narrative is inspired by the natural world, awaiting healing in our very broken current world. Mary’s images reflect a local & global view of the world, bringing Vitality, hope & love to a world where healing is wanting for the viewer.

Mary lives and works in Laguna Beach, California, and is inspired every day by beauty.