Mary’s Voice: Posthumously Speaking 25

Detail of “Visiting Birds,”
by Geneva Metzler

Geneva Metzler’s
“Visiting Birds”

By Mary Alice Condley
(1925-2007)

Editor’s Note: In the notes on “Autumn Hues,” Mary Alice’s daughter, Karen Abbey, told us that she has a painting by her mother’s painting teacher, Geneva Metzler. Karen bought it at a showing of Geneva’s, in Sanger, California. “When I saw the picture I knew I had to have it! I think it cost $75.”

Mary’s Voice: Posthumously Speaking 20

Detail from “Autumn Hues”

Autumn Hues

By Mary Alice Condley
(1925-2007)

Editor’s Note: Today we present the first of the two of Mary Alice’s still lifes that were recently brought out of storage by her niece Dawn Stella Burke.
    But first a few words about Mary’s approach to painting, or her technique. My wife remembered Mary’s telling her that she always painted by copying other paintings – or pictures of other paintings, usually in books she owned or borrowed. That is, Mary did not paint from direct observation of the things represented. Mary’s daughter, Karen Abbey, whom I asked about Mary’s barn painting that we presented on January 23, told me: