Meet Mary Rogers

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Rogers.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My husband, Roger Deatherage and I moved to Houston in 1975. He was teaching at the University of Houston doing commissioned custom furniture design, while I started setting up my studio and developing a jewelry line. I also started teaching jewelry making at both Bellaire High School and to adults at the Art League of Houston.

Currently, we both maintain our studios just outside the Houston Heights near Garden Oaks.

I began growing my business by doing national wholesale markets with the American Craft Council, primarily on the East Coast. I create works in combinations of 22K Gold, Fine Silver and Shibuichi (a Japanese copper/silver alloy). The Shibuichi patinas to the bronze/green surface providing a strong pattern and color contrast. My work is unique and extremely wearable and features a variety of gemstones. All of the patterning on my metal surfaces is unique, each created individually, layering metals, and creating surfaces with hand-stamping and rolling mill textures.

For the last several years I have been doing more extensive commission work, helping clients celebrate special occasions with one of a kind works.

Please tell us about your art.
My work has always focused on creating jewelry that is extremely personal within a wearable format. The challenge of creating unexpected but distinctive works has led me to develop a palette of unusual metal choices allowing for the exploration of pattern, color, and form. Although many jeweler’s strive to be cutting edge, I have consciously chosen to create jewelry that although very contemporary is classic and personal. Hopefully, it will be comfortably worn thirty years from now, giving no visual clue as to when it was created.

Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? 
In the past artists were embedded in their local communities, providing personal context and contact. The advent of the internet allows people to access incredible numbers of works. A single evening’s browsing can present hundreds of artworks, but the works are isolated from the maker, without a real sense of why or how they were created.

Formerly it was quite common for galleries to present “survey” shows, often with only a single artwork by a particular artist. I find that people are becoming more interested in seeing a range of works by an artist and learning about the actual process of developing ideas and technical processes.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
In Houston, my work is available at the Archway Gallery, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft Asher Gallery and directly through my studio. I am delighted to work with clients to create unique pieces for special occasions. (Studio by appointment only.)

Contact Info:

• Website: maryrogersjewelry.com
• Phone: 713-201-1756
• Email: maryrogers2817@gmail.com

Image Credit:
Mary Rogers

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