A Versatile Artist Finds Success

July 30, 2015

Growing up in the Detroit suburb of Royal Oak, Mary Guntzviller’s teacher told her that she could never be an artist.

"In fifth grade, a nun told me I would never be an artist because my handwriting was so bad," recalled Guntzviller, who now paints, sculpts and draws in her spacious Antrim County studio. "I reacted by getting angry, withdrawing and making more art. I put myself through college, earning a fine arts degree at Wayne State by working nights. I had to choose between music and art, and I chose art. My handwriting is still bad. Nevertheless, I’m a pretty good artist, and a better teacher."

In 1982, Guntzviller headed north, settling in rural Antrim County, just east of Torch Lake. In a studio that her husband John built in their home’s garage, Guntzviller creates in a wide variety of media. Working from noon until dinner, her art includes watercolors, fabric creations, sculptures, acrylics and more. Many of her paintings are landscapes, capturing the beauty of Antrim County and other northern Michigan locations.

When she’s not creating art, she teaches and attends classes relating to all sorts of creative endeavors.

One project that was years in the making is a newly released children’s book that she illustrated. Written by Alden artist Priscilla Miller, "McGillicutty, a Very Special Bear" features 32 of Guntviller’s watercolor paintings.

HOW I GOT STARTED -

Ever since I could hold something, I’ve been drawing, sculpting and painting. I did ceramics, silks screening, fashion illustration, graphics, all types of creative things. I always wanted to be an artist.

THE STORY BEHIND MY ART, MY INSPIRATION

My husband, my daughter and my son-in-law are my inspiration. They encourage me to explore and make me feel safe. Until I met my husband, I had no support in my artistic life. I’ve always thought outside the box and, at the same time, struggled to conform. The attitude that surrounded me both at my childhood home and at school was that being artistic was not a worthwhile way to occupy your time in "˜real’ life.

WORK I’M MOST PROUD OF

The fiberglass fish that I entered in a competition were picked to be included in a Red Cross charity auction event at Bay Harbor. I was honored to contribute to an organization like the Red Cross, which does such important work. One of the 4-foot by 5-foot fish was a relief sculpture depiction of the upper Chain of Lakes near Petoskey, Burt Lake, etc. Between the lakes, the land was filled with three-dimensional flowers and animals, such as a fawn and a moose. There were three-dimensional lily pads and a turtle on the head. The tail and body of the fish were joined together by the Mackinac Bridge. The first auction of the event was for first pick of any of the 40-some fish. The couple who won the bid picked my three-dimensional one. That was special.

YOU WON’T BELIEVE

The variety of things I do. I have many styles of painting. I paint many subjects from landscapes to nightmares. My mediums vary from sculpture to watercolor, acrylic and fabric. Also, when I was just 24 years old, I was a union steward at United Parcel Service. That was interesting.

MY FAVORITE ARTIST

Vincent Van Gogh – for having the strength to go out at night and paint with candles in his hat, even though people treated him as an outcast for doing so, and for his ability to produce a massive amount of work when he was in a serene and safe environment. Locally, I admire the works of artists Lindy Bishop, Joanie Braun and Chuck Forman.

ADVICE FOR ASPIRING YOUNG ARTISTS

Don’t give up. Surround yourself with people who encourage you to explore and will support you along the way. Ignore the naysayers. Keep working and keep learning.

MY WORK CAN BE SEEN/PURCHASED

You can see my work at my web site www.guntzviller.com and at The Twisted Fish Gallery in Elk Rapids.