Paper Sculptures by Bay Area Artist Mary Button Durell

Mary Button Durell is a San Francisco-based artist who has been in the art game for over 20 years. She creates paper art sculptures as well as abstract paintings and drawings (tempura on paper, acrylic on canvas, and oil on canvas). Her paper art is incredible! At first glance these paper sculptures look nothing like the material they were made from, appearing more like otherworldly creatures. By using paper and wheat paste, Durell creates organic patterns and shapes that she states, "reconfigure the complexity of the universe into simple materials." Her older works are mostly white/cream while her newest pieces incorporate color and transparency - the more you stare at them, the more engrossing they become. "The Piles" resembles a pile of colored pencil shavings - orange, white and cream-colored. "Glamour R Outline" differs by depicting a broken gemstone with an orange outline surrounding a white core, but this is only the beginning. "Pink Sixty" recalls the shape of a crystal chandelier with purple and white organic tendrils dangling and interconnecting. "Pattern 5 Black" looks like mad scribblings of pencil on paper, but it is in fact 3 dimensional - with protruding white paper spirals and a black painted background. After skimming through her various works of art you might find yourself looking through her Instagram. There you can find closeups of her works in progress as well as color schemes, friends, and inspirations. There are even a few short videos of a very adorable pet rabbit! It is clear that Durell's creativity doesn't stop in the studio. She embodies art and uses texture and color as a way to show us how she views the world. Let your eye fall in love with more of Mary Button Durell's work and keep up with all of IPaintMyMind's weekly content.