Mary Avery Dinsmore Keatley
In studio, 1966
Horus
40 x 40 Oil on canvas.
8 x 10 Acrylic on canvas.
"Creeper"
52 x 49 Oil and Chalk on canvas.
Originally untitled. This piece resided with Mary's daughter, Avery, during her battle with dementia. Avery talked to the man, she called the creeper, in the window.
Birdman Brought A Briefcase
12 x 16 Acrylic on canvas.
Take The Mask Off
40 x 33 Oil on canvas.
12 x 12 Oil on canvas.
The Whirling Dervish
36 x 24 Oil on canvas.
Checkmate
9 x 9 Oil on canvas.
"To The Bone"
34 x 45 Oil on canvas.
10 x 14 Acrylic on canvas.
The Cowboy Brought The Yellow Dog To The Saloon
34 x 45 Oil on canvas.
Flight of Time
45 x 30 Oil on canvas.
"This painting shows the artist as a young illustrator and as an old painter. The doll-like iconic figure represents the artistic imperative which has led the artist through realistic painting to abstract and finally non-objective work and to experiments in all media.
"Gold Center"
24 x 36 Oil on canvas.
Kabuki Dance
24 x 36 Oil on canvas.
Two Faces
24 x 36 Oil on canvas.
12 x 16 Oil on canvas.
Untitled
7 x 5 Watercolor.
I call this "Conquistadors". It is the second smallest piece of the collection, and my second favorite, after Horus. To me, the two pieces express opposite conditions. Here, the conquistadors are not grasping for gold, but something far more valuable to them. Horus is a golden god, existing unto herself without value measured by desire. My grandmother painted Conquistadors early in her career, and Horus much later. The two pieces describe a journey of womanhood, from innate value to forged worth. -Kent Keatley Roller
Nile Codex
12 x 16 Oil on canvas.
The Stone Of The Fifth Sun
41 x 41 Oil and Chalk on canvas. This is the first piece I hung upon the 'Cosmic Brown' walls of my living room after recovering the first batch of my grandmother's art. I love the Mayan king riding his rocket between his subjects above him and the god below. It shows her sensitivity to the common man, and walking the fine line between daily doldrums and grandiose aspirations. -Kent Keatley Roller
Anch
12 x 16 Oil on canvas.
Mrs Culpeppa
8 x 6 Pencil on paper. Gold painted woof frame
Green Glow
10 x 8 Acrylic on canvas.
Untitled
10 x 8 Mixed media.
Strange Emerald Sky
10 x 8 Acrylic on canvas.
"Anubus"
10 x 16 Oil on canvas.
Untitled
10 x 8 Acrylic on canvas.
Everything That Rises Must Converge
30 x 36 Oil on canvas.
12 x 16 Oil on canvas.
The God "Hanuman"
36 x 14 Oil on canvas.
10 x 12 Acrylic on canvas.
16 x 10 Oil on canvas.
10 x 12 Acrylic on canvas.
Sister Hope
16 x 20 Watercolor
You're A Number
14 x 4 Watercolor
"I don't believe that Mary meant this piece to be negative, even though the bandaged and destitute figures would imply that. One of her frequent expressions was "That's a number." or "He's a real number." That phrase was a sardonic compliment, her way of acknowledging that people counted, her recognition of individuality. Numbers are prevalent in her work, and this piece is interesting because it is literally called a number." - Kent Keatley Roller
10 x 12 Oil on Canvas
16 x 12 Watercolor
"RED RIVER"
48 x 32 Oil on canvas
Purple Passage
8 x 10 Acrylic on canvas
18 x 24 Watercolor unframed
The Samurai
16 x 20 Oil on canvas
12 x 16 Acrylic on canvas
12 x 16 Acrylic on canvas
Moonshot
10 x 14 Oil on canvas
16 x 20 Watercolor
Orange Crush
12 x 16 Oil on canvas
18 x 12 Watercolor
Little Magic Squares
6 x 6 Acrylic on canvas
Torso
5 x 7 Pen on paper
10 x 12 Acrylic on canvas
"Monocle Bear"
14 x 18 Oil on canvas
In keeping with its provenance, this piece is displayed upside down. It accompanied Avery Dinsmore Keatley, Mary's daughter, during a five year bout with dementia. Avery called it the Monocle Bear, and no matter how many times her family righted the paiting, Avery rehung it upside down. Frequent handling resulted in minor damage. "My mom asked me once, over visiting lunch, 'How much did that cost?' 'A million', I said. To which she replied, 'Sell it and retire.' I was in a frank mood, so said 'It costs that much to take care of you.' She giggled in delight." -Kent Keatley Roller
12 x 12 Oil on canvas
12 x 14 Acrylic on canvas
12 x 14 Acrylic on canvas, unframed
Talking Heads
12 x 14 Acrylic on canvas, unframed
20 x 24 Oil on canvas
Twice In A Blue Moon
12 x 16 Acrylic on canvas, unframed
10 x 14 Acrylic on canvas
50 x 24 Oil on Canvas
20 x 41 Oil on Canvas
The backing paper that may have displayed the name of this piece is missing.
Judgment Of Parts
24 x 36 Oil on Canvas
One of two pieces depicting voluptious, female bodies paired with hard, Renaissance armor.
12 x 16 Oil on Canvas
The Patchwork King
12 x 19 Oil on Canvas
Green Panes
20 x 16 Oil on Canvas
Nude With Striped Background
16 x 20 Oil on Canvas
16 x 24 Watercolor
A place that doesn't exist, where coconuts, autumn leaves, and rhubarb, adorn the scene.
"Buzzards Over Broken Art"
24 x 16 Watercolor
UNTITLED
24 x 16 Watercolor
Window Echoes
20 x 16 Acrylic on canvas
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1966 - Hanging on the wall of her studio, above her eldest daughter Avery Keatley Roller, is this piece referred to as "Look up".
Missing
Tallahassee - 2003 - The highlighted paintings were displayed in her studio, and currently unnacounted for.
Mary Avery Dinsmore
Circa 1937