Is it creepy, is it art, or is it both?
July 20th, 2006
On the road to Holden Beach where we’re staying, there’s this strange colleciton of interconnected shacks on the left.
As we drove by, Sara’s mom told us the story of the creepy old lady who runs the place, and visions of the junk lady from the Labrynth came to our minds. Before we knew it, we were spinning yarns about the lady’s hump and her one snaggle tooth that grows in the shape of a tree.
Today we went on a photo-adventure and stopped at the place to see what it was all about. Unfortunately, Mary Paulsen, the lady who runs the place, was away for a wedding, but her stuff was certainly still there!
Mary collects other peoples trash and turns it into art, and then sells it with the proceeds going to charity.
The definition of art is all in the eyes of the beholder, so I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story. You can also check out Mary’s site and watch a documentary video at http://www.marysgonewild.com
Pictures are beneath the cut, or at the flickr feed
UPDATE: Please read the comments for more discussion of Mary’s art. The number of her fans and supporters that have chimed in is amazing!
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July 22nd, 2006 at 11:43 pm
Sorry that you missed Mary but she is out here in California meeting her new son-in-law (ME!) She is a terrific gal with a whole lot of personality and her art work is out of this world!
July 23rd, 2006 at 12:05 am
Hiya, Russ,
That’s what we’ve been gathering. Mary’s got something one-of-a-kind that merits debate, discussion, and storytelling. You can’t say that about many folk-artists, or even many artists in general!
July 27th, 2006 at 5:20 pm
[...] mary paulsen - creepy folk art [...]
July 28th, 2006 at 12:49 pm
art is art. no need to agrue that, in any form.
however, I personally am VERY freaked out by all the dolls. not a fan.
looks like a scary movie of sorts. when do they all jump out at you with knives?
August 28th, 2006 at 12:42 am
We just returned from Holden Beach tonight and the 2 young children with us loved Mary’s house we went by atleast 3 times, and everytime leaving with a new piece of art. She even made us some special ladybug tiles. I thought it was very interesting to show young girls that not all art has to be perfectly drawn. I also don’t think we are the only people that felt that way, every time we drove past her driveway was filled with cars.
September 7th, 2006 at 10:45 am
I went there with a friend. I do admire her talent.I think you have to actually go to get the whole experience!
September 11th, 2006 at 5:35 am
My 12 year old son and I stopped by last weekend and had a very nice visit with Mary. She sent us on a “tour” of the gardens and treehouse which was the highlight of my son’s visit, but he slipped and fell down the stairs. He doesn’t want to go back. But was really impressed to see that she paints “backward” on the windows and screens.
He liked the idea that “nothing is garbage”, she paints on literally everything.
Got to say, it is a place you should experience at least once.
October 29th, 2006 at 3:02 pm
I have been to Mary’s often and have purchased things from her. The pictures you have posted don’t show her art work per say… they show her doll village.
Her art work is terrific! (as terrific as Mary herself) Nothing freaky folks, she is smarter than most people and is doing us all alot of good by putting smiles on our faces and some much needed food in some bellies of very hungry children. What have you done today to help someone else?
February 14th, 2007 at 8:08 am
I came across this site by accident but I’m glad I did. I find Mary’s art unique, fascinating and beautiful. I cannot understand those who find it creepy, her art is an insight into a fascinating mind and when you look at the so called “professional art” that is in galleries around the world, this is far better and more on a level that everyday folk can appreciate and understand. I
April 12th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Why would anyone call someone creepy whom they have never met? Or depict the cacophony of Mary’s place as only dolls? Are the Salem witch trials alive and well? By posting such a blog who are you hurting or helping? Does it matter in “internet blog land”, or are we free to hurt in the name of freedom? Her art work is folk art it jumps from her feelings and creativeness. It is unhindered and delightful. I am sorry you did not get to meet her. You may want to go back and learn something. Not everyone need live in the same way…”Every difference of opinion is not a difference in principal.” - Jefferson
May 4th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
I have been there dozens of times and bought numerous paintings. The pictures you took were not of her art at all. She does collect junk and displays it, and for some reason you chose to only take pictures of that. Why you passed by hundreds of quality, reverse painted windows [very obviously on display for resale] to take these pictures is beyond me. In your search for the negative, you passed over the many positives. The loss is yours.
May 4th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Hi Bill - Mary’s art is an exercise in challenging people’s assumptions and initial reactions. The “legend” of Mary and her place is the stuff of local lore and attracts people to come and learn more.
Lots of the commenters here have pointed out that her doll village is not the point - that it’s her folk art and the good that she does with her art that is important.
I think the fact that so many people have commented on my little blog post to tell me how wonderful Mary and her art is speaks to the fact that she’s not only an artist, but also an effective marketer. Her village gets people in - it’s so weird that you have to stop by to see what’s up. Once she’s got you with the “grabber” she then tells the rest of the story, shows you her real art, and everyone leaves with the experience.
My post here is all about that journey - the only difference is that when I posted, all we had was the “legend” of Mary and the experience of seeing her attention-getter. Now that I’ve seen how many people Mary has moved to write on her behalf, my opinion is vastly different.
Hopefully my story here hasn’t hurt Mary, that’s definitely not my intention. That said, I’d be very surprised if she wasn’t keenly aware of people’s initial reactions to her streetfront spectacle and, in fact, trades on it’s legendary strangeness to get her real message out.
The comments here speak louder than my pictures or post above - Mary’s work is definitely art, and she’s well loved for it.
May 15th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
I have several works by Mary. She is a delight. Her works are just like her personality. She is bubbly to be around and if anyone has ever heard her laugh…You know what I am talking about. One thing I would love to mention about this kind lady is her dedeication to feeding hungry children. For those who read this reply, if you ever stop by her place. Read the letters from Feed the Children she has posted. She has feed a number of young children. Mary Paulsen is an amazing artist in her own right…
May 20th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
I have been there in 2006 and 2007 She is one of a kind. Her art puts a smile on your face. You need to open your eyes to her art not the dolls.GO VISIT HER! Your love her. HAVE FUN!
June 26th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
you missed the point.too bad. mary is the furthest thing from creepy. the complete polar opposite. It is ashame that you so quickly label people you havent met or just simply dont understand in such a negative way. she has a heart as big as all outdoors and a smile that would melt even your heart.relax and give in to the unconventional.open your minds and expand your heart. THANK YOU MARY!! GOD BLESSW
July 10th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
I have been watching Mary’s art and mission evolve over the last 20 years. I spend only one week a year on Holden beach but I make sure to stop by Mary’s at least once each year. It is a magical, mystical place and I feel that there is far more than meets the eye but you have to open your mind and your heart. Please open your wallet too because wonderful things will happen with the money you spend there.
July 15th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
I LOVE Mary’s work. I have three of her pieces. One is a large sunflower window hung in my kitchen. The light shining through brightens the whole room! I just bought two more a couple of weeks ago. They’re significantly smaller pieces, but wonderful nontheless. One is a coffee pot, which I had to have because it was painted on my birthday (She signs and dates each piece); the other is an 8 x 10 pansy flower, which I plan on sandwiching between two pieces of plexiglas and using as a small side table top.
July 21st, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Well, I just came from Holden Beach and I, as many of you, was just driving along and out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimps of her place. Around I turned and was absolutely delighted by what I found! I walked around for awhile and looking for someone stirring about. Thru her “antique shop” I walked. No one around….But I heard a TV in thru a room which had a curtain drawn. I was tempted to knock or call out. Then i walked around the front and seen a knock for service sign on Mary’s front door. Well, I was hesitant as I didnt want to disturb anyone and I was quite afraid of what may greet me! So on i walked and before I knew it someone approached me and what a delightful smile it was! I expressed my interest in her stuff and told her I was touched by her work somehow. Well, Mary explained to me that she was gifted by God and she likes to share her gift with all. Believe me she is truly a delight and I would not bat an eyelash at stopping by again, her gallery is overwhelming and what beautiful colors she uses. If you are in her neighborhood please stop by and meet Mary, she’s a kind, warm generous soul! and loves showing off her work!!
God bless you Mary!
July 31st, 2007 at 1:06 pm
I went to Mary’s place with my sister and my friend Rebekah last Friday. Her art is beautiful with a wonderful child-like innocence to it and a vividness that is inspiring. I wish I had had the money to buy something but most of the window pieces were about $150. The “Lighthouse Gallery” is the most amazing thing you have ever seen. Nothing is left unpainted, the cieling, the floor, the woodworking, etc.
But for me things turned sour when we walked around the antique shop then the treehouse and all around it. I have seen OCD and hoarding in my own family but nothing like this and it made me feel sick to my stomach. My sister started to have a panic attack in there.
I know from talking to Mary and reading all her articles that are posted around her place that she is a very kind, generous and sweet person and not creepy per se but she does have an illness. I’m glad for her and for Feed the Children that she has put it to good use and brought brightness to so many people’s lives.
You really will see into her mind when you walk around and look at everything. It sort of reminded me of the movie The Mosquito Coast. Maybe you’ll see an unstoppable madwoman or maybe just an eccentric artist, it’s up to your eyes and heart. I just wish Mary would use some of the money on herself to clean up her place some.
I would definitely stop by again and see her and her art but I’m staying away from the treehouse and the antique shop. I’ll offer some good advice to everyone, spray yourself down with bug repellant before you go or you’ll be eaten alive!
October 11th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
I personally think Mary came from a modest, humble background and hates to waste or throw away anything that might someday be of use to her. If that is an illness, I suspect a lot of people have it. Her new display room was constructed of hand-me-down windows and recycled lumber. It is a wonderful addition to her property. Thank goodness she did not throw those materials away. “Regulars” like me pass by the dollhouses and the early rooms and go directly to see the art, since that is the real focus of most people’s attention. I suspect the dollhouses, chapel and such predated the reverse-painted art. She appears to have spent a massive amount of time, energy and care on those structures, but in recent years they have sat unchanged and somewhat neglected while the art flourishes and only gets better. Her focus and energy now is well-directed to her art, and I recommend the same approach for visitors.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
I love Mary and her art work. Each time I am in the area, I go by to see what is new. I love the hanging mermaids with jewels and my latest find was some dogs in a microwave! Her paintings make me very happy and certainly evoke interest from everyone who sees them. I bring friends and tell everybody I know to go by. Her studio is a visual delight. Every surface is painted. Thanks to Mary for such affordable art from a living working folk artist with such great stories to tell and always time to talk to you.
July 20th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
We just vacationed in Holden Beach and our rented beachhouse had several interesting art pieces painted on old windows. I was so intrigued by it that I googled the artist’s name upon returning home and was amazed by what I read. Her personal story and resulting contributions to Feed The Children were very touching. I only regret that we didn’t know about her beforehand so that we could have visited her studio during our trip. It’s on our list for next year!