Mary Ellen Segraves used to call herself "The Accidental Painter." 

It’s not that her foray into art was unintentional; it’s more about the process. Watercolor is unpredictable by nature, and she's learned to work with it instead of against it. 

"The variables — amount of water, timing, type of paper, brand of paint, humidity or dryness of the air, etc. — can interact differently every time so sometimes there are surprises," she said.

That comfort with surprise wasn't always there. Segraves spent most of her career in HR and training, not exactly a field built for “happy accidents.” But a catalog from The Fine Line in St. Charles changed that, introducing her to a watercolor class that redirected her life. 

"It ended up sending my life on a new and wonderful trajectory," she said.

Segraves started painting about 15 years ago. She had long appreciated art and spent many hours wandering venues like the Art Institute of Chicago, where she especially enjoyed the impressionists and the watercolor artists.

The Fine Line watercolor class reignited that interest. Although her prior efforts were limited to stenciling and freehand drawing, curiosity drew her to watercolor.

As a perfectionist, Segraves was initially concerned about "getting it right" with realistic representations. She often painted something multiple times before she was happy with the result.

Her approach has since evolved to be more impressionistic, and even semi-abstract at times. She said focusing on creating a mood versus capturing an object or scene has given her far more freedom in her brushstrokes.

It has also pushed her to become a better observer and more imaginative about her painting choices. 

"I don't need to stick to the colors I see in front of me,” she said.

Although her process is intuitive, she generally follows a preliminary series of steps: choosing the topic, deciding on the composition, selecting the details to include and those to ignore or downplay.

She typically does a preliminary sketch, drawing on watercolor paper with a water-soluble pencil, wetting the paper to create softer edges. Then it's time to paint. 

Working in half-hour increments to allow for paint drying, she leaves white paper as placeholders for her lightest color values and lifts the paint in some areas if she finds it too dark. A day or two later, she'll revisit it to see what worked and what needs fine-tuning.

Segraves loves the immediacy of watercolor — and the happy accidents.

"I can quickly capture a moment or a scene,” she said.

A fan of all impressionists, Segraves is partial to Monet. 

"When I paint, his style is always somewhere in the back of my mind. I try to create a feeling of 'lightness' in my paintings," she said. 

The experience of viewing Monet's large panels at the Orangerie in Paris and visiting his gardens in Giverny had a lasting impact on her work. She’s drawn to flowers, landscapes, and natural settings, but she will experiment with other subjects.

In addition to the impressionists, Segraves credits all the painting instructors she's known over the years for their positive influence.

"Some taught me the basics and others have shown me how to 'let go' and be more expressive,” she said. “I am grateful to each of them for sharing their knowledge and guidance."

Her own background, including her master's degree in Adult and Continuing Education, has shaped her focus on lifelong learning. 

"If I wasn't painting, I would probably be exploring some other field in depth," she said.

Segraves aims for her work to bring a sense of peacefulness to viewers. She also hopes that her story will encourage others to explore new paths later in life. 

Segraves emphasized that there are ample chances to continue growing creatively, even later in life.

"There are so many opportunities to continue one's artistic growth now. Libraries, park districts, local art groups and schools, online instruction,” she said. “Some of it is even free! We are very fortunate in the Fox Valley because there are so many amazing artists in the area. Join a local art group and network. Every group is different. Find what works for you."

She also offered the following advice to fellow local artists: 

Segraves has won too many awards to list. What she does say on the topic: being juried into a show still feels like "the icing on the cake" — a nice surprise, not the point. 

Her real advice is more personal.

"While awards and sales are great, they are not a reflection on your work or your worth as an artist. Paint what makes you happy!" she said.

Her work is often included in exhibits at the St. Charles Arts Council and the Norris Gallery, and she exhibits with the Wayne Art League at various locations around the Fox Valley. 

You don't have to wait for a show; check out her work on Instagram.

This piece was written by Ellen Jo Ljung, a longtime Geneva resident, author, award-winning educator, and glass artist. Visit her website to learn more.

Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] with questions or comments.

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