About MaryLou Shipman
MaryLou lives in the historic shore town of Ocean Grove, NJ. Her practice with watercolor started as a child and eventually led her to art school. In 1987, she received a BFA in illustration from Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia. Her love for the medium was nurtured through Moore’s teachings of Chinese watercolor and traditional realism. As an illustration major, MaryLou landed an internship with the Philadelphia Zoo Graphic Art Department. Since graduating from Moore, she has worked as a freelance illustrator while keeping full-time positions in advertising, graphic design, and technical publications. Not only has her work been published in Victoria and N.J. Monthly magazines, her illustrations have been seen on the labels of Sorrell Ridge Preserves as well as other name-brand products. She also had the pleasure of designing menus for TropWorld and Foxwoods Resort Casinos. MaryLou has exhibited and sold her work through the Goldie Paley Gallery in Philadelphia as well as several galleries throughout N.J. For over 17 years, her custom-designed artwork and murals were commissioned through Kidegories, a specialty children’s furniture and gift boutique in Shrewsbury, N.J. until the store’s closing in January of 2016. Presently, MaryLou is writing a book of short stories to go along with her series of Ocean Grove cat and dog paintings. She also continues to enjoy painting, exhibiting, and designing artwork on a freelance basis.
Artist Statement
My artistic style is realism. People often mistake my work for photographs although that is never my intention. I find the layering effect of watercolor to be fascinating, at the same time, I become so focused when I paint that I tend to get carried away with the details. The end result is very tight and realistic-looking. I am inspired by the historic, seaside town that I live in. I enjoy incorporating elements of Ocean Grove’s gardens, seashore, and Victorian architecture within the compositions of my paintings.”
New Brunswick Art Salon 2022 – Watercolor and Mixed Media “After the Charm: In the Name of Autumn “
Exhibition
- 2022 NJ Watercolor Society Annual Elected Member Virtual Exhibition
- 2021 Audubon Artists 79th Annual Exhibition, Salmungundi Club, New York, NY
- 2021 Elected Member Online Exhibition, NJ Watercolor Society, Middletown, NJ
- 2019 Petopia, Monmouth Museum, Lincroft, NJ
- 2019 Audubon Artists 77th Annual Exhibition, Salmungundi Club, New York, NY
- 2018 76th Annual Open Juried Exhibition, NJ Watercolor Society, Middletown, NJ
- 2017 75th Annual Open Juried Exhibition, NJ Watercolor Society, Middletown, NJ
- 2016 74th Annual Open Juried Exhibition, NJ Watercolor Society, Middletown, NJ
- 2016 Welcome Spring Exhibit, Community House, Spring Lake, NJ
- 2014 Canterbury Art Show Juried Gallery, St. George’s-by-the-River, Rumson, NJ
- 2007 3rd Annual Statewide Juried Art Show, Belmar Arts Council, Belmar, NJ
- 2000 NJ Chapter of American Artists Professional League, Guild of Creative Art, Shrewsbury, NJ
- 1999 29th Monmouth Festival of the Arts, Monmouth Reform Temple, Tinton Falls, NJ
- 1997 5th Annual Juried Open State Show, Guild of Creative Art, Shrewsbury, NJ
- 1996 NJ Watercolor Society 54th Annual Exhibition, Monmouth Museum, Lincroft, NJ
- 1994 Victorian Watercolors by MaryLou Shipman Guild of Creative Art, Solo Show
- 1993 Stars and Stripes Open Exhibition, Guild Of Creative Art, Shrewsbury, NJ
Awards
- 2021 Canterbury Art Show Juried Gallery, St. George’s-by-the-River, Rumson, NJ “Honorable Mention”
- 2018 Exhibiting & Associate Members Show, Guild of Creative Art, “Best in Show”
- 2017 Canterbury Art Show Juried Gallery, St. George’s-by-the-River, Rumson, NJ “Best in Show”
- 2016 Canterbury Art Show Juried Gallery, St. George’s-by-the-River, Rumson, NJ “Honorable Mention”
- 2012 NJWCS Open Show, NJ Watercolor Society, Middletown, NJ “The Ridgewood Art Institute Award”
- 2006 Jersey Shore Juried Art Show Belmar Arts Council, Belmar, NJ “Best In Show”
- 1987 Graphics 4 Exhibition, Goldie Paley Gallery, Philadelphia, PA “Honorable Mention”
Contact information: marylship@yahoo.com
Personal Website: https://maryloushipman.carbonmade.com