The Art of Mary W. McClelland (1918-1980)

"There is only one true way to grow, and that is to see honestly."

Mary McClelland was an artist of the mid 20th century whose art focused on animals of all kinds and vision-based images that interwove her Quaker roots with eastern mystical themes.  Her paintings often showed animals from a unique perspective - with their bones and innards visible, as a metaphor for letting the Light that is within all beings shine through.  She did not shrink from insects, dead animals, or "beasties", but instead painted them with love, holding them in the Light.  This was her way of approaching God - appreciating His work for what it is, without hiding what might make us uncomfortable.

Over the course of Mary's life, she created over 70 paintings, made countless sketches, and produced a number of 8mm movies and multimedia slide shows.  She also taught art at Cambridge Friends School from 1961 to 1971. 

This web site is an attempt to put together as many images of Mary's art as possible so they can be enjoyed by all.  The collection is incomplete, but hopefully it will grow as time goes on.  Please send any digital images of Mary's paintings you might have so I can add them to the collection.

More about Mary's life... (a brief bio with pictures)
Journal excerpts... (a few excerpts from journals, tapes and scrapbooks)
Short audio clip: "The whole world is holy"
8 mm movie "Ethiopia", filmed in 1968

Compiled by Jabez McClelland
Updated 8/18/2019
Comments gratefully accepted by email