Retrospective (10×10 oil painting on panel)

Mamie Joe Rayburn

Being a first generation American Chinese, Mamie Joe was originally encouraged to be an artist by her grandfather, who was an artist himself. When she was very young, she would sit for hours and sketch, and her grandfather saw a budding artist. By the time she finished high school, she knew she was headed for a future in art. For Mamie, the very basic elements of line, space and color are essential components of her artwork. The way these elements interact with one another is her major focus in each piece. Her primary effort is directed toward studying the interrelationship of positive and negative spaces while giving more emphasis to overall composition. Mamie solidifies her artwork by using a high contrast between colors as well as various textures, while continuing to manifest sensitivity in her lighthearted pieces. She employs symbols that have special meanings which relate to her childhood. Her art has always reflected the cultural complexities of her family’s traditional Chinese background with her upbringing in the South. Other artists you may like: Martin Quen