Mary Witkop Coffield began her foray into abstract paintings by translating shapes and patterns viewed under the microscope during her career as a scientist onto a canvas. Her work progressed to encompass imagery steeped in nature, replete with biomorphic forms. For her, the boundary between figurative and abstract is not strictly defined, a boundary over which she may stray.
Paint is applied generously to her canvas, using a multitude of tools. Paint is dripped with a pipette, splashed with a brush, slathered with a palette knife, or poured from a jar. She might use her finger or palms to achieve the desired effect. Experimentation introduces an element of randomness which she then manipulates to achieve a degree of intentionality. This process allows her to share her own unique vision.
