"My work is inspired by the grace, strength and beauty of the natural world. I search for a sense of balance and harmony that brings order to natural elements. I am interested in expressing an inner energy that leans toward symbolism and abstraction. 

"My process begins with a search for wood that has creative potential. I find it in many places, from the walls of a 200 year old farmhouse, to a boat builder's scrap pile. I have pulled burning logs out of a bonfire and turned them into art. Wood that has washed ashore that shows the passage of time and exposure to the elements can be inspiring. I begin a piece by studying it for awhile, sometimes days! I usually have to carve and manipulate the shape of the wood to enhance the form. I am attracted to rich color and achieve that through layers of wax oil crayon or acrylic paint. I often put a resin coating on the finished piece to protect the surface. The design process happens organically for me, and I usually don’t know exactly what the finished piece will look like. I just keep searching until I feel it has soul and presence. It often ends up being a combination of the natural forms in the wood and my own design insight."

Mary Jane is currently the Art Department Chairperson at Bay View Academy in Riverside Rhode Island, as well as a practicing artist. She received a Masters of Art degree in Teaching at Rhode Island School of Design and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rhode Island College. Her work has been exhibited in venues throughout New England and is in several corporate and private collections. Her work is currently on display at the ArtPov Gallery in Providence, RI, the Charlestown Gallery in Charltestown, RI, and Art3 in Manchester New Hampshire.

To view more of Mary Jane's work, visit mjandreozzi.com. If you are interested in purchasing her work, contact her at mjandreozzi@comcast.net.