“I believe a painting should evoke an emotion of some kind, and I hope mine exude a sense of energy and beauty through the excitement and explosion of texture and color.”


Mary Worcester Newell grew up in Ohio and was classically trained at the Columbus College of Art & Design. Following graduation, Mary freelanced in illustration, balancing both family and career as she raised two children.

As her children grew, Mary expanded her career and eventually relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she started a successful business painting and illustrating for an impressive list of corporate and personal clients. Many of these clients asked Mary for portraits of themselves, wives and children. So as the illustration market digitized, Mary’s base of portrait business grew larger and larger.

Mary believes that one’s environment should nurture the soul just as a portrait should reveal the soul. She employs art and creativity in all aspects of her life whether it be designing and decorating her home and garden, the dining table or a simple get together for herself or others. She also enjoys kayaking, travel and the company of her two Havanese puppies.

Mary paints portraits from photographic reference (no need to “sit”).