ABOUT THE ARTIST
For almost 40 years, artist Marty Ayo has experimented with many different mediums—oil, pastel, clay, watercolor, acrylic and colored pencil. In 1969 she began oil painting and sculpture lessons with Pat Hoffpauir of Louisiana. In the mid-1970s, Marty studied pastel and oil portraiture with Ruth Crawford of New Mexico, oil portraiture with Merle Doose of New Mexico, and oil landscapes with Lawanda Calton of New Mexico. In the late 1970s she studied watercolor with Larry Casso of Louisiana. In the early 1980s she was involved in pastel workshops with Dotty Billiu of Louisiana, and took oil painting lessons from Henry Hensche of Provincetown, Massachusetts, conducted in Ms. Billiu’s studio.
However, when Marty discovered the fine art of china painting under the direction of Mable Armer of Louisiana, she became enchanted with this art form and her interest has never waned. A passion for porcelain painting since 1984 finally led this New Orleans-born artist to leave her career as a lawyer in 1996 and begin a new life at age 50 to devote her time and talents exclusively to art. Since that time Marty has taken advantage of many opportunities to study and paint with contemporary porcelain art teachers, including Camille Muller of Canada, Dianne Des Ormeaux of Louisiana, Mary Nokes of Oklahoma, Mary Ashcroft of Michigan, San Do of Florida, Stephen Hayes of Florida, Grace Moss of North Carolina, Birgit Porter of Georgia, Suzie Thompson Zimbelman of Missouri, Norma Gulick of North Carolina, Kari-Unn Paye of California, Celee Evans of California, Andrew Orr of Georgia, Celeste McCall of Texas, Brenda Morgan Moore of California, Michael Turner of Texas and Jane Marcks of Texas. In May 2000, Marty traveled to Germany to study porcelain painting at the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory with the master artists there.
Since 1996, Marty has exhibited her handpainted porcelain at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve in Thibodaux, Louisiana; the Ellender Memorial Library on the Nicholls State University Campus in Thibodaux, Louisiana; several times at the Edward Douglass White Historic Site in Thibodaux, Louisiana; the Amigas Club St. Patrick’s Day fund-raising luncheon in Thibodaux, Louisiana; the Assumption Parish Library in Napoleonville, Louisiana; the Studio One-Henry Hensche Gallery in Gray, Louisiana; St. Mary Custom Frames and Gallery in Morgan City, Louisiana; and Bluebonnet Library in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As part of the 'Arts Alive Downtown' project, Marty has exhibited her artwork at Bright Ideas...by Kacy, Fremin's Restaurant, and The Lorio Foundation in Thibodaux, Louisiana.
Marty has conducted demonstrations of china and glass painting several times at the E. D. White Historic Site in Thibodaux, Louisiana, and also demonstrated at the Baton Rouge Porcelain Art Guild. In September 1999 and June 2001, Marty presented a three-day seminar in Alexandria, Louisiana, for the Louisiana Porcelain Artists and Teachers Association. In July, 2002, she conducted a two-day workshop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for the Auxiliary Group of the Baton Rouge Porcelain Art Guild. In August, 2006, Marty conducted a three-day workshop for the Shreveport Porcelain Art Guild in Shreveport, Louisiana. Marty is a past member of the Baton Rouge Porcelain Art Guild and the Louisiana Porcelain Artists and Teachers Association. She served in official capacities in both organizations. Marty also taught china painting in the past to adults, teenagers, and children.
Marty and her husband, Mel Baudoin, recently converted a portion of their home into a showroom for Marty's porcelain art. They call it "Bay Oaks Gallery," named for Marty's Father and the location's stunning live oak trees that he loved so much. Marty's handpainted porcelain, as well as work in other mediums, are on display here and available for sale.
At present, Marty's interest is in portraiture, especially miniature portraits on plates, tiles, and boxes. However, she always has numerous ongoing projects of different subject matter and techniques. Marty's constant refrain is "So many ideas, so little time."