Mary Ray Elias was a woman of many talents – a visual artist, a singer, a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, flute, saxophone, keyboard) a singer/songwriter, and an award-winning gymnast (she won first place: “best all-around” at the national senior Olympics at age 52), and a teacher. She excelled in many endeavors, but the dual passions of creating music and visual arts were the driving force in her life.

She held a deep passion for the origins of Jazz, Blues and Rock music. Something in this raw, roots sound drew her and provided inspiration to not only play and sing but also to paint. Much of her original music described human hardship, and knowing what it was like to be down and out – she was no stranger to adversity. But she was also an optimist, always finding a ray of hope and expressing that hope out in the world. She gravitated towards and had a deep love for other musicians who authentically expressed these feelings.

Mary chose to paint many of our dearly beloved musical icons in their element, while they were performing. She said of herself – “I love people and I love faces”, and her heart and humanity still shine through every portrait. She had an astounding gift of expressing a person's visual essence. Her series of musicians is a testament to both their contribution to our collective musical heritage and to her talent in capturing their souls on canvas.