About Mary Anne

i am primarily a writer who has a passionate relationship with color, design and form. i have a history of fascination with words, starting from a very young age. within my body of work there exists a host of consistent elements. my writing reflects philosophies inherent to my being. these include: a commitment to passionate, intentional living; valuing wellness; and embracing the moment. my lettering style is unique to me and i developed it specifically for my work. the broad use of white or unfilled space is important to the visual effects of my designs. i write exclusively in lower case letters.

growing up, my family had a vacation home on the north oregon coast. i spent most of my free time as a child wandering in the woods of the nehalem valley and the shoreline, where i encountered the dynamic of life in the forest along the beautiful nehalem river and pacific ocean. these times, spent primarily by myself, crafted an imaginative and unusual way of looking at things. even as a very young explorer, i would often record my observations in a diary which accompanied me on all excursions.

throughout the years, i gave my writings to friends. these gifts took the form of cards, collages or text written upon a background of my own original paintings. the recipients were delighted and supported my creative endeavors in myriad ways, including enthusiasm, new materials and tools...even scheduling my first gallery showing.

in over two decades of conducting business, i have enjoyed a great diversity of personal and community activities and challenges. i maintain a strong commitment to environmental responsibility. i consider it a privilege to be an artist and an entrepreneur. i value the fact that i am able to pursue the things which have value and meaning for me - and earn my living at it! i am honored that my words find their way into the hearts and hands of so many, through the cards, books, posters, journals and other gifts i create.

as a youngster i remember hearing a leader named ray stedman say that people have three different kinds of effects on others: some provoke no impact at all; some make others bitter and some make others better.

when i heard that as a teen-ager i KNEW i didn't want to fall into the first category...and hoped that in my life i would make more people better than bitter. i have come to recognize that being an agent of change is not always a role which is warmly embraced. having a commitment toward positive change has levied certain costs in my life. they are costs over which i hold no regret. regardless of the difficulty associated with many of the changes i have embraced: those changes have brought me to this fabulous place where i stand today. and i celebrate this place where i stand.

commitment to change, commitment to greater good, commitment toward growing comes with certain costs. i hope that these writings may help you mark the changes in your life: inspire you to greater reach and help you celebrate those places which you have achieved that which you set out to achieve.

and, in all instances, i would wish you to be a stronger and better person today than you were yesterday.