Meet Mary Behanm | Abstract Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Behanm and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
I made a habit of showing up in my studio every day and doing something creative. This is a great way to nurture your creativity and develop your skills as an artist. Here are some tips to help you establish and maintain this habit:

Set a specific time for your creative work: Choose a time of day when you are most alert and focused, and make it a priority to stick to this schedule. Treat your creative time as you would any other appointment or meeting, and avoid scheduling other activities during this time.

Create a dedicated workspace: Set up a dedicated workspace in your studio that is comfortable and conducive to creativity. Make sure you have all the supplies and tools you need at hand, and eliminate any distractions that might interfere with your work.

Set achievable goals: Set specific, achievable goals for your creative work each day. This will help you stay focused and motivated, and will give you a sense of accomplishment as you work towards your larger creative goals.

Stay open to experimentation: Don’t be afraid to try new techniques or approaches to your creative work. Stay open to experimentation and let your creative instincts guide you.

Give yourself permission to fail: Remember that not every creative endeavor will be a success, and that failure is a natural part of the creative process. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and learn from them, rather than getting discouraged or giving up.

Celebrate your successes: Take time to acknowledge and celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may be. This will help you stay motivated and positive as you continue to pursue your creative goals.

By establishing a regular creative practice, you can develop your skills and creativity over time, and cultivate a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in your creative work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
One of my biggest challenges is related to the art market and staying up with social media. It can be difficult to sell abstract work, especially if it’s not immediately accessible to a broad audience.

Another challenge is finding a balance between spontaneity and control. Abstract art often involves improvisation and experimentation, but it also requires careful consideration of composition, color, and other elements. I’ve learned to paint intuitively and to trust my instincts while also exercising discipline and precision.

Through these challenges I have learned lessons about perseverance, creativity, and self-expression. I’ve learned to embrace uncertainty and take risks, while also honing on my skills and techniques. I appreciate the power of abstract art to evoke emotion and inspire thought.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to the San Diego Museum of Modern Art in La Jolla. We would have lunch at the museum.
For dinner I would take them to Little Italy and explore that artsy area.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give a shoutout to Isa Adney for her encouragement and zest for life. She is a storyteller and her business is Creative Teacup. She has written a book The Little Book of Big Dreams and her life is devoted to inspiring creatives, artist and dreamers. She is awesome!

Website: www.marybehnam.com

Instagram: Mary.behnam.art

Image Credits
No image credit