Norene Mara
Informal Portraits

Paintings by Norene Mara characterize simple compositions that impart one clear idea. "I don't like to try to include too much, because I think it makes the painting look too busy," she maintains.

A pastel landscape of a white picket gate across a dirt road at first glance appears to be an uncomplicated subject. Despite the artist's intentions, however, interpretations are as varied as the viewer's personal experience. "I was working in the (Brown County Art) Gallery one day and this lady came in and she had just moved here," Mrs. Mara said. "When I introduced myself she said, `Oh, I love your painting with the fence,' and she took me over to it. She said, `It's my life,' and she gave me this whole interpretation of the painting. It almost made me want to go back and open the gate to repaint the scene."

Although her landscapes are well-received by Gallery visitors, Norene Mara is best known for her unposed portraits of friends and acquaintances. Many of these capture people during introspective moments, turned partially away from the viewer. The subject's character is communicated through body language rather than facial expression.

Throughout her early childhood and formative years in Indianapolis, Norene occupied her time painting and drawing. After graduating from high school she attended John Herron Art Institute and studied oil painting at Indiana University. She spent time in Japan, where she continued oil painting and began to learn Japanese ink brush painting.

In 1987, Norene was the recipient of a Kellogg Grant which enabled her to travel to the Soviet Union. There she exhibited twenty-one of her paintings in several Russian venues. "The highlight of my trip," she writes, "was meeting several Russian artists who shared their work with me in their studios."

Norene made Brown County her home in 1989. After living in Lexington, Kentucky, for twenty years and Colorado for two years, she had a yearning to return to her Hoosier state. Living on her own after her three children had grown, Norene fell in love with a newly built structure which featured cathedral ceilings and decks overlooking a small pond in the deep woods. She met the builder, Steve Mara, who later became her husband.

Despite the cramped space in her new studio, Mrs. Mara began to paint in earnest. Plans to expand the dark corner room to incorporate part of the front porch will eliminate dependence upon artificial lighting. The installation of skylights in addition to much needed space will ease some of the difficulties of studio painting.

Mrs. Mara's working routine includes all-day sessions three to four days per week. "If you don't paint just about every day, you just remain a beginner," she contends. "When I look back at stuff I did, I can't believe I thought it was good." Although she loves to hike and to look at nature, Mrs. Mara does not paint outdoors. "I can't stand the heat or bugs," she confessed.

"Something has to attract me to want to paint it. I add things to the painting sometimes (flowers and landscape scenery). I do an underpainting to get the values and shapes in. Sometimes I paint over another painting (if dissatisfied with a previous work)."

Norene Mara prefers to use noticeably bright and bold colors in the majority of her work. She mixes colors according to her own chart and keeps her palette organized so that warm and cool hues are in similar positions. Her landscape greens, especially challenging to any artist, are realistically attractive.

Always looking for ways to improve her painting, Mrs. Mara studies on her own using books and magazines. She plans to take a workshop at the Southside Art League in Greenwood with Ronald Mack beginning this fall. Her twin sister, also interested in the visual arts, will participate in the workshop with her.

In addition to original oils and pastels, Mrs. Mara has limited edition prints of her most popular pieces available. All work is matted and framed by Donna's Custom Framing in Nashville, and can be viewed there or in the Brown County Art Gallery.

Works by Norene Mara are included in the Gallery's 2000 Fall/Winter show. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Brown County Art Gallery hours are 10 to 5 Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 on Sunday.