When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I had one response for many years- an artist. With a pilot for a dad and a corporate manager for a mom, it might not seem like the most obvious response, but I was surrounded by artists from a young age. Two of my aunts are full-time artists and seeing their art consciously, and sub-consciously, inspired me in my childhood. Mary Solberg is one of those aunts- the other being the incredibly talented Bonnie Folkerts.

Mary’s art is deeply inspired by religious iconography and imagery. I attended her gallery, presented in partnership with The Art Girls, at The Meridian Chambers in downtown Minneapolis.

Mary’s art is emotional and raw. Whether because of the bold texture, dark shadows, or expressive faces of her subjects, her art speaks to you. If a Dolce & Gabbana creation transformed into a canvas piece, Mary’s art would be pretty close to it. Both play homage to their Catholic upbringings and roots- Mary likes to refer to herself as a recovering Catholic- by bringing religious iconography to life through different mediums using gilded surfaces and ornate textures.

It may not come as a surprise to you, but I’m not a professional artist. Hell, I’m no where near being a semi-professional artist. My childhood dream evolved over the years. While I still paint with watercolors for fun, my creative energy has been focused on a new medium- fashion. I truly don’t feel complete or like myself without getting dressed in great clothes to leave the house. Sure, I can wear jeans and a t-shirt or even leggings, but I don’t feel like I’m accurately projecting who I am to the world around me. Sometimes, slipping on a ridiculously fluffy faux fur coat and white leather over-the-knee boots makes me feel more like me.