About Mary Shadbolt
Mary Elizabeth Kamphausen Shadbolt, MEKS, is an NJ-based Fine Art Illustrator, Photographer and Art Educator.
Inspired by the moods and mystery of nature, and whimsy of animals, these themes are often incorporated into her drawings and photography.
Photos show the quiet fog and varied tonal whites that nature provides, as well as vista beach scenes and the flora of our lush state. They give an anchor of realism while providing a prompt for internal storytelling with a sense of timelessness.
Her Fine Art Illustration work specializes in pen and ink and graphite, with splashes of color. Additional inspiration is taken from period dramas, humor, and woodland animals.
Since the time she was a child, Mary has been creating, captivated by textures, shadows, and lines. Experience through earning her BFA, followed by extensive coursework at art school polished Mary’s love of lines and whimsy landing her work in many publications and exhibits all along the East Coast and abroad.
Mary’s first public, non-school exhibit was at age 6, where her work was hung at Newark Airport in a Youth Gallery. That was when she knew she going to be an artist. Studying drawing, animals, figures, and photography throughout school and beyond she continues to push herself, freelance, and exhibit often.
Throughout Mary’s successful career as an artist, it was the final piece of becoming an art educator that made everything complete.
In 2001, she earned her K-12 Art Education certification through Philadelphia’s Moore College of Art & Design.
Throughout her teaching, Mary’s love of assisting her students, and sharing the highlights and strengths of the art program via her students’ work with the community, grew. Mary made quick work of becoming the Youth Art Month chair in Bergen County and grew the pinnacle event for 3 years. Bringing the community to the arts, and the arts to the community through the impressive celebration of 68 Bergen County schools and their art programs. This large scale Youth Art exhibit was a month-long celebration of Art Education and the accomplishments of the Visual Arts students. Her involvement was noted in several papers, the local news and became award-winning in her ability to host the exhibit (for 2 of the 3 years) at a commercial locale through her work with IKEA.
In 2004 she earned a grant with the Dodge Foundation and worked closely with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra to develop the curriculum for New Jersey focusing on Art and Music. Combining Art and Music is a wonderful theme that continues throughout Mary’s lessons.
Mary Guiding future artists on their artistic journey, and helping them “see” with their newly found artist eyes gives her great joy.
After many years of teaching grades K-12, Mary opened her art school in 2018, in Denville, NJ. There, a wonderful community of new artists age 6 through adults, continue to flourish and she hosts art shows for her students, cultivating pride and confidence as they grow.
Mary creates, captures, and exhibits, all while teaching. Showcasing to her students all that is possible with a career in the arts.
Mary’s work is a visual narrative of movement, whimsy, contrast, and emotion. Giving a voice to nature and animals through an illustrative take on fine art, she strives to express a story in each drawing and photo.
Mary Elizabeth Kamphausen Shadbolt, MEKS
Denville, NJ