Meet Mary Gavan | Artist & Photographer

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

Hi Mary, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Being creative has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was working a day job that provided steady work hours and a paycheck but lacked the ability to nurture my creative side. So I quit my job. I felt determined to spend the rest of my life doing what I love and making a living at it.
College seemed a little out of reach financially, but without a job, it was an opportune time, so I enrolled in art school and worked part-time. School confirmed that leaving my job was the right thing to do. The knowledge and confidence I gained at school helped me succeed in the arts. I loved working with textiles, so I went after a career in the fiber arts.

I designed a line of wall art that I exhibited at art shows and galleries. That’s when photography entered my life. Film slides were an essential component for submitting applications to shows, and was a necessity for marketing.

When I began my art journey forty years ago, home computers and the internet didn’t exist. In order to learn about photographing my work, I acquired a 35mm Canon and got to work. With only a paper manual and a few accessories in tow, I learned the ins and outs of using the equipment to its fullest potential, creating a thriving art business I continued for years.

My love of travel and the outdoors provided another element for my photography skills. A camera became my constant companion.

I never thought landscape photography was where I’d end up. My sole purpose was to record the scenery, and experiences of my adventures. Now I enjoy capturing beautiful landscapes and the wild inhabitants that live on this amazing planet to share with others the wonders of this incredible world through a lens.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Working for myself has had its challenging moments in both my personal and financial life. It hasn’t been easy. The hours are long, there is no steady income, and sales can fluctuate greatly from month to month, year to year – there is never a certainty.
I learned that creating a studio schedule helped immensely in balancing my work and personal life. This also alleviated the feeling of being overwhelmed and overworked, while providing time for myself and for family and friends. Specifically, I learned to budget for savings, instead of spending all of my income and running out due to fluctuations. This provided a financial backup for the slow periods, and I didn’t have to sweat paying expenses.

I admit there have been times when I wanted to quit, but I didn’t. I’m so glad I kept going with what I love to do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A meal at one of Tucson’s many family-run Sonoran-style Mexican restaurants, and a seasonal brew at one of the local breweries.

DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum, a 10-acre historic site with an adobe chapel, museum, artist home, and resting place, is named after the artist who built it – Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia.

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, nestled in the Catalina Mountains. It is a great place to hike or take a tram ride through the canyon. Best for cooler days when guests would like to be outdoors.

Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum, a botanical garden, natural history museum, and zoo, all in one spot. Guests can enjoy lunch at one of several restaurants and shop at the gift stores.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There have been a number of people who have supported my efforts over the years, but three stand out the most.

My college art teacher (JRT) taught me to express myself in my work and provided positive feedback and encouragement for areas I needed improvement in. I never felt as if I was doing something wrong. I felt inspired.

A college classmate, Linda, arranged a meeting with a full-time artist friend who filled me in on all the basics of doing art shows.

At one of my first art exhibitions, a well-known, successful artist (JC) stopped at my booth and clued me in on how to display my work to stand out at shows and attract potential buyers.

I will forever be grateful for these gifts of knowledge, encouragement, and the ins and outs of becoming a successful artist.

Website: www.marygavan.com

Instagram: @marygavanphotography

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryGavanPhotography/

Image Credits
The photos are the property of Mary Gavan with the exception of one. Credit for the image, Mary2-Tubac-Oct22.jpg goes to Melanie Campbell-Carter.