18 April, 2021

Meet Mary Jo Hoffman MN Artist-According to LiLu

MEET MARY JO HOFFMAN MN ARTIST

A few years ago, I did a gratitude art journal, which included photos of small moments of my day. The moments that made me feel grateful. It really helped me notice each moment. I slowed down and saw how many beautiful moments each day held, from a warm cup of coffee in the morning, to the sunshine on a walk, to a smile or mischievous glance or soft pillow to rest on at night. The experience helped me be still. It’s a hard habit to maintain. Which is one reason I admire today’s maker, Mary Jo Hoffman, MN artist, she maintains a creative habit as a part of life with ease.
Interested in learning more about artists who are creating meditative work?
Check out these posts
Meet the Artist: Adam Field
Ann Wood: Amazing Maker and Artist
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Mary Jo Hoffman Inspires

When I recently discovered the artwork of Mary Jo Hoffman, it held, for me, the same sense of awe and gratitude for daily wonders that my photo-taking did. I still recommend that each of us take a week a year to photograph the wee moments of our lives (even if we don’t think of ourselves as a photographer). If you need a fix the other 51 weeks of the year, follow Mary Jo’s blog Still or her Instagram.
Her work is simple and deep at the same time. Her art has a meditative vibe that I adore.
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An Intentional Artist

Mary Jo takes just one image a day. Her images are mainly of natural objects found around her home in the woods, near a lake in Minnesota.
In her previous career, she was an aerospace engineer. She worked in the field because she was good at it, not because she loved it. Her intention was to retire into a creative career. I also admire that she has followed through on that intention.
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Returning to Herself

Her nature photography brought her back to herself and her true passions in life. Running wild in nature and seeing it’s infinite beauty is a life long habit for Mary Jo. When she decided to do a one a day creative project and started looking around her home for what she loved, she realized she had always been a collector of rocks and feathers and bit of nature. Her photo a day project has turned into a life enhancing habit for her and for her audience as well. So Mary Jo Hoffman, MN artist was born
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An Every Day Practice

By practicing her creativity every day for just a hour or two she has perfected her craft and amassed a large portfolio of images. Her images have found a wide and appreciative following because of their calm meditative quality and how they allow the viewer to feel connected to nature.
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Creativity over Perfection

Mary Jo notes that this practice of attention and composition has led her to appreciate the imperfect examples of nature more than the perfect ones. She believes, as I do, that we are all creative beings and hopes to inspire others to spend a small amount of time each day in creative play.
All Images by Mary Jo Hoffman. For another favorite MN artist check out our blog on Charles Beck.  And afavorite glass artists Tom and Rebecca Maras. 
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Comments on Meet Mary Jo Hoffman MN Artist-According to LiLu
  1. Carla Aston says:

    Nice. I love finding new artists out on the internet this way. Thanks for sharing!

  2. Leslie Carothers says:

    Lisa: I really, really love this artist’s work and your idea of keeping a pictorial gratitude journal to capture the small moments of joy every day.
    Because of your post, I went out to look at her blog, and fell in love!
    Thank you for introducing me to a great artist!

  3. Sheri Bruneau says:

    Yes – thank you for sharing this artist!

  4. Deborah Main says:

    Loved this post!!! I’m an artist and always enjoy learning about other artists and what moves them to create. I had never heard of Mary Jo until now. Thank you for sharing her inspiring work! :)

  5. Janet Lorusso says:

    I love this – especially the idea of a gratitude journal in pictures. Beautiful images, thanks for another introduction to a wonderful artist!

  6. Samantha Regan says:

    I love discovering new artists and definitely will save her work! It’s beautiful

  7. Linda Merrill says:

    I love “Creativity over Perfection”. Thanks for the introduction to Mary Jo!

  8. Mary Ann Benoit says:

    Beautiful art!! And I really love creativity over perfection!

  9. Debi Newell says:

    Such unique art crafted by Mary Jo! Admire her use of the natural in her designs!!

  10. Debi Newell says:

    Beautiful unique art crafted by Mary Jo! Admire her use of the natural in her designs!!

  11. Kerry says:

    Very cool. TY for sharing :)

  12. Marianne says:

    Everything she does is perfect. I know cuz I’m her mom!

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