Blue inspires Maio exhibit

When the waves of unexpected challenges keep knocking you down, it might be best to find a strategy to help keep one’s “head above water.” For Mary Maio, her “life preserver” was her art, sagacity, and the science of “blue.”

Recently, Maio discovered the biologist and best-selling author, Wallace J. Nichols, who presented in his book, “Blue Mind”, current technological research that significantly identified a state of calm and happiness that can be inspired by water, the elements associated with water, and the color blue.

So in March, starting with Lake Pend Oreille at Garfield Bay, Maio studied the patterns of light on water with graphite pencils and soft pastels. After many days on the cold beach with the moving water, soft wind, and natural sounds, she started to be still, breathe, and draw. Later, in her studio, with the intent to tap into the calming power of blue, Maio painted “Resting Egret.”

“Resting Egret” was inspired by her husband, John Maio, who took a photograph of a lonely egret standing in the waters of the Elkhorn Slough, a 7-mile-long tidal estuary on Monterey Bay in Monterey County, California. Maio remembered the busy highway that was behind her and her husband when this image was captured. This photo of the egret reminded Maio of a Chinese saying “In the midst of hustling activity steal moments of quietness.” With these words of wisdom as her theme, along with the many hues of blue oils flowing around the egret’s form on the canvas, Maio’s sense of tranquility slowly returned.

Maio’s next oil painting, “Flower of Light,” was based on words similar to Daisaku Ikeda’s insight. “Just as the pure white lotus flower blooms unsoiled in muddy water, our lives, which are supremely noble, can continue to shine even amid life’s harshest realities.” Maio’s inflamed water lily painted above the murky phthalo blue waters of Gamlin Lake in Sagle, Idaho, promised her hope.

Maio’s most recent painting, “Liquid Motion” moved her to recreate the chaotic turbulence of Lake Pend Oreille’s myriad of waveforms and textures in mid spring. She became the words of Bruce Lee, “If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Moving, be like water.” This panoramic oil waterscape depicted the eastern view of Lake Pend Oreille from outside Garfield Bay, with the Green Monarchs, Clark Fork, and Scotchman Peak in the distance.

Of the visual light spectrum, neurosurgeon Amir Vokshoor identified that “the color blue is known to exert a calming, relaxing, yet energizing effect” and consequently stimulates a “positive emotional response.” Maio hopes that all who contemplate on her blue water-themed paintings will too find a positive effect on them.

The exhibition of Maio’s paintings titled Blue Wisdom will also showcase fashionable printed blue silk scarves and tops from Maio’s 2017 exhibition Exotic Travels in South East Asia.

As part of the Pend Oreille Arts Council’s 42nd annual ArtWalk, the opening reception of Mary Maio’s exhibition of Blue Wisdom is today, June 21 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. within the Grace & Joy clothing store, located at 212 N. First Ave., Sandpoint.

A second reception will be held on Friday, July 26, also from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The exhibition will be up until August 23. Contact Maio at mary@marymaio.com or 208-263-1592.

Grace & Joy will be open 7 days a week Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday.