"The purpose of my work is to show the essence of things, the fundamental life energy I perceive in everything that surrounds us."
Fany Mares:
Her Art and Her Life Story, in Brief
By author Mike Weber Goodenow
Viewing a painting by artist Fany Mares can be a profound experience. We may sense that something essential is flowing through the subject. And we may find ourselves asking: Where is it flowing from? What is its source? Can we perceive its flow within?
Mares achieves a unique effect by embedding her subjects in light, intense color, rich texture, and flowing, moving lines. Reporters and independent observers note that much of Fany Mares’ art goes beyond detail, tangible matter, and the material level to the inner nature, deeper meaning, and essence of things. Her horses ripple with strength, grace, and freedom. Her female figures convey inner peace and calm self-esteem. And even her landscapes and trees reflect a numinous light and essence.
Mares admires Michelangelo, Van Gogh, and David Alfaro Siqueiros for their passion. She loves how Michelangelo gave his work “life essence,” how Van Gogh used intense color and movement and made everything flow and come together as a whole, and how Siqueiros worked with textures and gave his work movement. The influence of all three artists can be seen in Mares’ work.
In showing the relationship between her subject and the space that surrounds her subject — the connection between matter and essence — Mares has made use of the golden spiral. The golden spiral adds direction and depth to her paintings and helps hold the moving elements of each painting in a unity, wholeness, and harmony.
Fany Mares was born and raised in Mexico City. Mares began drawing and painting at a young age. She took several art courses during her early school years, and followed that trend during her high school years, while living in Houston, Texas. Fany attended Universidad de las Americas for a couple of years, and obtained her Bachelor's in Art and Design at Universidad Nuevo Mundo in Mexico City.
Since the 1990s, in addition to her painting, Mares has been a freelance designer. She has also been an Art teacher for several years. Mares has taught Elementary, Middle School and High School Art, specializing in IB Visual Arts and AP Art.
Mares has her studio in south Texas, where she is continuously creating and building up her collection. Mares has displayed her paintings in the United States, Europe and Mexico; and regularly continues to take part in group and solo exhibits.
In the future, Fany Mares intends to keep creating paintings that reflect her perception of the world. We can count on her to keep searching for that perfect state where the essence of the subject comes together with that deeper essence that surrounds us all.
Those interested in one of Fany Mares’ paintings — or in commissioning an original work of art from her — may contact her by email at:
fanymaresart@gmail.com
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work explores the relationship between matter and essence. The purpose of my art is to show the essence of things, the fundamental life energy I perceive in everything that surrounds us. My art aims to portray the essence of the subject matter in the form of energy patterns that resonate with each other, creating a harmonious whole.
To create my paintings, I use wavy lines that represent the flowing energy of each element in the composition. I also use the golden spiral as an aesthetic guide to create motion and depth. I work mainly with acrylics and texture paste to create volume; and my palette is composed of vibrant colors, which reflect my Mexican heritage.
My style is based on expressionism, as I’m more interested in portraying emotions rather than explicit reality. Searching for the essence within the subject matter, and being able to capture it in my art, is what keeps me inspired.