Mary Whyte // “An Artist’s Life”

Considered one of the finest watercolor artists in the world, Mary Whyte has created impact well beyond the canvas, as her work centered around people not only captures the individual’s personality, but an uncanny portrayal of the broader human experience as well. As she unveils her eighth book, An Artist’s Life, join us along with Buxton Books for a special audience with this legendary master. From timestamped figures of Lowcountry residents to bucolic landscape scenes, this latest compendium in exclusive look at never-before-seen works and the life, passion and work that inspired them.

If you are unable to attend the event but would like to purchase one or more signed copies, please visit Buxton Books here.

Prior to the program, we invite our Fellows Members to enjoy Happy Hour from 5:00 – 6:00pm, downstairs in the Dr. Suzan D. Boyd Fellows Club Lounge.

About the Book

“Being an artist is a joyful way of moving through the world and transcribing our experience for others to see and feel. Knowing what is essential to one’s soul and finding one’s true artistic voice is the catalyst and gateway to producing one’s most meaningful works of art.” During her fifty years as an artist and teacher, Mary Whyte has discovered that tapping into our personal well of creativity and passion is the most important lesson— much more so than how to paint an eye, clouds, or steam. In An Artist’s Life, Whyte guides art makers and art lovers past stifling obstacles and self-doubts to see the world with fresh eyes and create their most original and expressive work. A touchstone for developing the habits we need to live our most creative, inspired, and meaningful life, artists of all kinds, as well as non-artists seeking a more creative and fulfilling life, will return to this transformative life-long art lesson again and again. Includes seventy-two color images of Whyte’s acclaimed portraits and new, never-before-seen works.

About the Author

Mary Whyte is an American figurative artist known internationally for her watercolors of contemporary people. Her works are in private, corporate, university and public collections nationwide, and have been featured in numerous media outlets including CBS Sunday Morning, PBS and NPR. Whyte is the author of seven books including We the People: Portraits of Veterans in America, along with work that has been featured in many international publications, including periodicals and books in China, Russia, France, Germany, Canada and Taiwan. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Portrait Society of America’s Gold Medal, the Carolinas Freedom Foundation’s Freedom Award, and the South Carolina Governor’s Award for the Arts, South Carolina’s highest honor in the arts. In 2019 Whyte founded the Patriot Art Foundation as a means to honor and inspire veterans through the arts. Whyte received the 2020 National DAR Medal of Honor and the 2020 NSDAR Women in the Arts Award. In 2021 Converse University in Spartanburg, South Carolina awarded her an honorary doctorate degree. In  September 2022 Whyte received the Annie Oakley Society Award for her role as a leader in the artistic community and inspirational work through the Patriot Art Foundation.