A BELOVED Mildura artist is being remembered for her creative pastels, captivating landscape interpretations and tireless contributions to the Mildura Riverfront Art Gallery.
Mary Briggs (nee MacDonald) passed away at the age of 84 in the week before Christmas.
Considered the unofficial matriarch of the Riverfront Art Group, her long-held passion for painting blossomed when she received art materials, brushes and oil paints on her 50th birthday.
She then studied art techniques under the supervision of renowned Castlemaine artist Lance McNeill, who frequently visited the region.
Ever since, she had expertly honed her craft, and hosted community workshops to help others achieve their goals in art, in particular painting.
Mary's long-time friend Val Stamation, a committee member at the Riverfront Art Group, said Mary's contribution to Mildura's arts scene over more than 30 years was immeasurable.
"She was a mentor. She was always there for anyone who needed encouragement or advice," Ms Stamation said.
"Generous to a fault with her time and knowledge, she had so many skills across all genres of art.
"She was just a calming presence. A quick wit, a wicked sense of humour. She's just going to be missed by all of us."
Much of Mary's work focused on recreating the landscapes of idyllic campsites she would visit with her late husband Brian (Snowy) within northwest Victoria and southern NSW.
Her skills were often recognised through the "enormous amount" of awards she collected, including The Pastel Association of Victoria's Most Popular Pastel Award, in December 2023.
"What she could do was with pastels was just amazing," Ms Stamation said.
"She had a few collectors that would collect her work over the years and be in touch with her."
Mary's daughter, Kathryn Roney, said some of her mother's most inspired works came from trips away.
"Mum was invited to join the Painters of the Plains art group, and enjoyed getting together with these fellow artists at a shearing shed in Ivanhoe for painting sessions," Ms Roney said.
"She would often reminisce about the fellowship of these week-long trips, many of the women mum met through this group would become lifelong friends.
"She fulfilled a dream to travel to Italy to attend an artist's camp where she visited several beautiful villages around Florence.
"She came home from that trip with a renewed enthusiasm for her craft."
Mary taught oil painting at MADEC community college for several years.
More recently, she had endured crippling pain from a spinal injury, but continued to paint, and remained an active member of the Riverfront Art Group.
Mary is a nominee the 2023 Mildura Arts and Culture Advisory Committee's Elliott Award, which recognises contributions to arts and culture in the Mildura community.
