Artist Biography & Art Statement
Märī is a narrative artist and the illustrator of two award-winning children’s books.
Born and raised in Alaska, Märī moved to Portland in 1994 to attend the Maine College of Art and has made Maine her home ever since. She now lives with her family on a quiet pond in Windham. Her work can be found online and in personal collections across the United States.
Märī's paintings are a form of visual storytelling and personal journaling. She creates flowing compositions using symbolic imagery and rich colors. Mining her memories and dissecting her dreams, she weaves her work with myth and metaphor. Märī's imbues her work with experiences hiking, camping, stargazing, and swimming beneath the full moon.
Artist CV
EDUCATION
Maine College of Art, Portland, ME. — BFA, 1997, Recipient of a half tuition Merit Scholarship
Barnstone Studios, Coplay, PA. — Attended, 1993-1994, Recipient of the Studio Scholarship, worked as a teaching assistant.
Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR. — Attended, 1990-1993
EXPERIENCE
Owner, Märī - Narrative Paintings and Illustration
Windham, ME. 2016 - current
Narrative Paintings, Prints, Cards, Commissions, and Book Illustration
Owner, Raven Roost Studio
Standish, ME. 2014 - 2017
Designed and taught Studio Workshops for Children and Adults
Illustrator, The Canoe Maker
Written by Jean Flahive & Donald Soctomah, Maine Authors Publishing, 2019
2020 Maine Literary Award Finalist
Illustrator, The Old Mainer and the Sea
Written by Jean Flahive, Islandport Press, 2017
2021 Winner of the Northern Lights Book Award, Best Illustrator Category
Arts & Crafts Director, Camp Nashoba North Raymond, ME. June - August 2017, Developed curriculum and taught five separate weekly art projects for residential summer camp. Supervised two assistant camp counselors.
Visiting Artist, The Canvas Community Studio Juneau, AK. July 2016, Developed curriculum and taught four weekly workshops for children in drawing and sculpture.
Art Teacher, Breakwater School Portland, ME. 2011 - 2014, Developed curriculum and taught PreK through 4th-grade students. Worked collaboratively with seven classroom teachers.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2023 Norway Music & Arts Festival
Norway, ME.
Gallery 302 Art in the Park
Bridgton, ME.
Common Ground Fair
Unity, ME.
2022 Group Exhibition, Spring Benefit for Ukraine,
Earth & Soul Studio Gallery, Hollis, ME.
2019 Book Launch, The Canoe Maker,
Abbe Museum, Bar Harbor, ME.
2017 Book Launch, The Old Mainer and the Sea,
Thomas Memorial Library, South Portland, ME.
2016 Featured Artist Exhibit, Home
Annie Kaills Gallery, 244 Front St. Juneau, Alaska
2014 Group Exhibition, MECA Collect,
Maine College of Art, Portland, ME.
Group Exhibition, Cry of the Loon Gallery,
Casco, ME.
2014 Group Exhibition, “After Hours" Maine Art Education Association,
Saco Museum, Saco, ME.
Solo Exhibition, The Narrative Paintings of Mari Dieumegard,
Tree of Life, Yarmouth, ME.
Main Street Sidewalk Art Festival,
Awarded Best in Show, Saco, ME.
Solo Exhibition, Excavating your Family Story,
Birth Roots, Portland, ME.
Solo Exhibition, From the Heart,
Coffee by Design, Portland, ME.
2013 Juried Group Exhibition, Yarmouth Fine Art Festival,
St. Bartholomew’s Church, Yarmouth, ME.
Group Exhibition, Local Talent,
Spire 29, Gorham, ME.
2012 Group Exhibition, Annual Studio Show,
Sawyer St. Studio, South Portland, ME.
Juried Group Exhibition, Yarmouth Fine Art Festival,
St. Bartholomew’s Church, Yarmouth, ME.
Group Exhibition, Six Artists,
Isaac Dyer Gallery, Gorham, ME.
2011 Juried Group Exhibition, Yarmouth Fine Art Festival,
St. Bartholomew’s Church, Yarmouth, ME.
2010 Juried Group Exhibition, Yarmouth Fine Art Festival,
St. Bartholomew’s Church, Yarmouth, ME.
SELECTED LINKS
WCSH Newscenter 6 Interview, “The Old Mainer and the Sea”
Portland Press Herald, "Q and A with Illustrator, Mari Dieumegard"
In the News: "The Canoe Maker" Spanish Edition
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
Library Ed-Tech, Windham-Raymond School District RSU14
2015 - current
Library Media Specialist for grades 5 - 8
Lead Teacher, Breakwater School Portland, ME.
2009 - 2011
Early Childhood lead teacher. Planned and implemented a developmentally appropriate curriculum for a class of 14 students.
Assistant Teacher, Breakwater School Portland, ME.
2007 - 2009
Assisted lead teacher in a Reggio-inspired, multi-age early childhood classroom.
Aftercare Director, Breakwater School Portland, ME.
1998 - 2007
Designed and implemented an after-school program serving elementary-aged students in greater Portland.
Drawing Instructor, MECA Saturday School, Portland, ME.
1999 - 2000
Designed and implemented the curriculum for a Drawing 1 class, middle school-aged students.