Mary Lou Romney

Mary Lou Romney (February 5, 1929 – April 1, 2003), born Mary Louisa Stone, was an American Painter who resided in Utah. Romney studied art at the University of Utah where she earned a BFA and then completed a Post Graduate Education Certification program. She continued her education at Utah State University where she earned an MFA with a minor in Education. She was a nationally recognized painter and illustrator. She taught briefly at Utah State University, then spent many years teaching at the University of Utah, and was involved in local and regional art organizations, exhibits, and contests.[1][2]

Mary Lou Romney
BornFebruary 5, 1929
St. Anthony, Idaho
DiedApril 1, 2003
Huntsville, Alabama
OccupationPainter and Illustrator
SpouseRichard Paul Romney
Parent(s)David Ray Stone and Sarah Nield Hibbert Stone

Biography

Mary Louisa Stone Romney, born in St Anthony, Idaho, 1929, was well-known and recognized among artists and fine art galleries throughout Utah as one of "three of Utah's most renown water colorists";[3] she received national recognition as an emerging artist through the latter part of the 20th century.[4] In her early college years, Mary Lou embraced creative techniques of master artists and studied under Utah artists LeConte Stewart, Alvin Gittins, and Avard Fairbanks at the University of Utah.[2]

Romney delayed formal studies to marry and raise children. While raising her family she completed a correspondence program in Commercial Art through the Famous Artists School in 1972, then returned to the University in the 1970s. She enrolled in a BFA program at the University of Utah where she studied under many professors who helped shape and refine her skills and interests, such as Alvin Gittins, Robert S. Olpin, Nate Winters, Ed Maryon, and Lennox Tierney. Interested in the interaction between Eastern and Western cultures in art, Mary Lou pursued a detailed study of Notan as her thesis for an MFA degree at Utah State University in the 1980s where she studied under Harrison Groutage, Gaell Lindstrom, Adrian Van Suchtelen, and Marion R. Hyde.[2]

After receiving her MFA from Utah State University, she taught art for the University of Utah.[5] She further developed her interest in Asian art forms after traveling to Taiwan and after becoming acquainted with Chinese artist Ning Yeh, author of The Art of Chinese Brush Painting.[6][7] As a result, she began to develop techniques using rice paper and watercolors and organized the Ching Hai Oriental Painting Society in Salt Lake City in 1986 [8][9] Mary Lou Romney collaborated with Hong Kong artist Carrie Koo-Mei in workshop and exhibit entitled "Unfolding Forces" at the Alvin Gittins Gallery at the University of Utah in 1988.[10] Mary Lou established herself "as a painter of floral subjects" [11] eventually teaching students in botanical illustration[12] and Oriental Ink Painting.[13][14] Romney gained notoriety for her expertise in specialized Oriental watercolor, botanical illustration, paper cutting, and was known as an authority on Oriental Art. Considered to be "one of Utah's top artists" she was selected as juror for the Southern Utah Arts Council Spring Show during the St George Art Festival in 1988, offering additional lectures and demonstrations for the Dixie College Art Department.[9]

Mary Lou explored various media in her work, but was particularly recognized for her watercolor paintings and drawings, receiving various awards and recognitions such as a cash award for "Bromeliads",[15] an award of Excellence from Juror Frank Sanguinetti, the director of the Utah Museum of Fine Arts,[16] and the "Juror's Choice of Excellence Award.".[17] Mary Lou Romney also explored and offered demonstrations of her techniques of Chinese Paper Cutting.[18] Mary Lou was Awarded Signature Status in the Utah Watercolor Society where she had served as president in 1989–90.[19]

Marriage and children

She married Richard Paul Romney (a first cousin of the politician and businessman George W. Romney) on March 31, 1948, in Salt Lake City, UT. They had five sons and two daughters.[20][1]

Published and prominent artistic works

Romney, Mary Lou. The Essence of Growing Things. Utah State University. Department of Art, 1987.[2]

"Begonia Fantasy" received Best of Show Award in Springville Art Museum's National April Salon Exhibit in 1986[21] and is now on permanent display in the Salt Lake County Government Center as part of the Salt Lake County Public Art Collection[22]

Mary Lou designed the Sego Lily Fountain and had 50 of her wildflower sketches etched into sandstone benches at the Red Butte Gardens Arboretum, Salt Lake City, Utah[23]

Mary Lou Romney was the first artist featured in the new Walter P. Cottam Visitor Center (Red Butte Garden, University of Utah Research Park at 300 Wakara Way) - "Frogs, Ferns and Fantasies," botanical paintings and illustrations by Mary Lou Romney through January.[24]

10 years after her death, Mary Lou Romney's artwork was presented at the Walter P. Cottam building as a Posthumous exhibit in 2013 in memorial of Romney's work in the garden's entrance.[25] Adele Flail wrote: "This botanical art exhibit is in honor of Mary Lou Romney, who spent 17 years assisting in the design, implementation, and promotion of Red Butte Garden. Her Sego Lily Fountain design is the most prominent feature as you enter." "In the plaza are carefully placed red sandstone benches which include her wildflower drawings etched into the stone."[26]

Mary Lou's painting "African Violet Tapestry" is purchased by Mary Clark Kimball Johnson then acquired by the Springville Art Museum's permanent collection.[27]

Mary Lou Romney's painting "Cape Primrose" receives regional and national First Place awards[28]

Honours, decorations, awards and distinctions

1988 chosen as one of six "emerging artists" by American Artist Magazine "a successful professional artist worthy of national attention"[29]

See also

Bibliography

Swanson, Vern G., et al. Utah Art. Peregrine Smith Books, 1991.

References
  1. "Mary Lou Stone Romney Obituary (2003) the Salt Lake Tribune". Legacy.com.
  2. The Essence of Growing Things. Utah State University. Department of Art. 1987.
  3. Mary Phoenix and Clark Hafen, Dixie Diary, The Daily Spectrum, St George, Utah 01 Mar 1989 page 12 https://www.newspapers.com/image/285418601 Retrieved 21 January 2020
  4. "Meet the Masters Life's Richly Colored Palette” Prime of Life Magazine, Kelly Communications May/June 1991  pp 6-7
  5. Wimmer, Deanis Education Becomes Fun in U. Recreation Classes The Daily Utah Chronicle, 03 Feb 1988, Wed. pp 8-9 https://www.newspapers.com/image/430504182 Retrieved 9 Jan 2020 newspapers.com
  6. Workshops, West Valley View: The Green Sheet (SLC, Utah) 30 May 1985 Thursday page 20 https://www.newspapers.com/image/602298524  Retrieved 21 January 2020
  7. Chinese Floral Painting To be Taught in June, The Daily Herald, Provo, Utah 26 May 1985, Sun page 43 https://www.newspapers.com/image/470776156  Retrieved 21 January 2020
  8. "Art Groups Provide Belonging, Learning and Exposure Societies Promote the Best, Create a Bond Among Artists". 16 September 1990.
  9. Trueblood, L’Deane The Daily Spectrum, St George, Utah 18 March 1988 page 7 Art Talk Ink Painting workshop set https://www.newspapers.com/image/285335586 Retrieved 19 January 2020
  10. Sharon Deckert, Chronicle assistant feature editor, The Daily Utah Chronicle, Salt Lake City, Utah, 17 Aug 1988 Wed page 40 https://www.newspapers.com/image/430257215  Retrieved 21 January 2020
  11. George Dibble’s art scene, In Springville: Artist as he sees himself, Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah 30 Nov 1986 page 88 https://www.newspapers.com/image/613966746 Retrieved 21 January 2020
  12. Genevieve H Folsom, Garden Editor, Winter classes for the gardener, Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah 03 Jan 1989 Tuesday page 11 https://www.newspapers.com/image/613120880/ Retrieved 21 January 2020
  13. Spring Exhibit Planned, The Daily Spectrum, St George, Utah 29 March 1988 Tuesday page 44 https://www.newspapers.com/image/285336980  Retrieved 21 January 2020
  14. Artists Guild, The Daily Herald, Provo, Utah 02 Jan 1986 Mon page 6https://www.newspapers.com/image/469444355/  Retrieved 21 January 2020
  15. Dibble's Art Scene, Watercolor society opens Bountiful show, Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah 25 June 1989 Sun page 80 George https://www.newspapers.com/image/613317378  Retrieved 21 January 2020
  16. George Dibble's Art Scene, Utah, Watercolor Society members take painting seriously, Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah 18 May 1986 Sunday page 91 https://www.newspapers.com/image/614004464 Retrieved 21 January 2020
  17. Salt Lake Art Center Honors Tribune Critic George Dibble, Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah 11 May 1986 Sunday page 20 https://www.newspapers.com/image/613818362  Retrieved 21 January 2020
  18. Here's Utah Arts Festival schedule, Saturday, Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah 21 Jun 1987 Sunday page 87 https://www.newspapers.com/image/612884400  Retrieved 21 January 2020
  19. "UWS Signature Status". utahwatercolor.org. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  20. Brides Recite Vows in Recent Rites, The Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah, Sunday, 04 April 1948, Page 60, https://www.newspapers.com/image/598648966 retrieved 14 January 2020
  21. George Dibble, Art Scene, Utahns celebrate season with visit to Springville Museum, Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah, 27 April 1986 Sunday page 90 https://www.newspapers.com/image/613819938 Retrieved 21 January 2020
  22. “Begonia Fantasy” Salt Lake County Public Art  Mary Lou Romney, artist; Floral, genre; Salt Lake County Government Center, location; oil, medium https://slco.org/public-art/index.html
  23. Weekend Express: Utah’s events planning guide, Mary Lou Romney Botanical Exhibit, The Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2 March 2013 5:48 pm https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=55923264&itype=cmsid Retrieved 13 January 2020
  24. Dave Gagon, Deseret News, Salt Lake City, Utah 22 January 1995 Galleries https://www.deseret.com/1995/1/22/19155024/galleries Retrieved 18 January 2020
  25. Art Exhibits, Issue, Red Butte Garden Newsletter Spring 2013 page 14 https://issuu.com/redbuttegardens/docs/spring_2013_small  Retrieved 18 January 2020
  26. Adele Flail, March 2013 Arts Calendar, Catalyst Resources for Creative Living, 28 Feb 2013 https://catalystmagazine.net/130301_ra_ac_mar13/  Retrieved 21 January 2020
  27. "Springville Museum of Art - African Violet Tapestry". webkiosk.springville.org. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  28. LDS Artist Wins First Prize, Deseret News, Salt Lake City, Utah, 14 May 1988, https://www.deseret.com/1988/5/14/18766511/lds-artist-wins-first-prize Retrieved 18 January 2020
  29. "Emerging Artists" American Artist Magazine August 1988 pp 38, 39 Complete Article pp 35-47
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