SDCEA Equestrian Master and Artist: Building Connections through Creativity

Artist Mary Decker and her husband, Gary, moved to Ramona about 40 years ago. After securing a lot for $20,000, they fulfilled their dream of building their own home. “We had a blast planning out the house and building it the way we wanted.” But there was a different reason they originally came to Ramona. “For decades, I was a horse trainer. Gary and I moved here for the horses. Art came to me later in life.” Mary rode with Lusitano horses and learned quite a bit, eventually working her way into the Equestrian Center to teach and train others. “I had such a blast and did that for decades. Then I started picking up painting again, and I don’t know why. I just knew I liked painting horses.” Now, Mary paints all kinds of animals, including elephants, lions, eagles, wolves and, of course, horses. “It’s like bringing the outdoors indoors.” 

Mary receives endless support for her craft from her longtime neighbors, Linda and Dave Kelly, who were building their house at the same time as the Deckers. Mary often brings her art next door to them to get feedback. "They’ve been my neighbors but are family as far as I’m concerned.” Mary credits Linda as a driving force behind the exploding art scene in Ramona. “We’re blessed with the people we have here.”

Mary will be displaying her work at the Ramona Open Studio Tour and says she is most excited to share her art with all the people coming in and the connections that can be made to her pieces. While many think of art as having emotional influence, humor is often not a factor that comes to mind. But that’s exactly how Mary sold one of her bird paintings. “I had painted two smaller pictures of these birds. And one of them looked like it had its wings on its hips, with a real attitude. And I told a gentleman who was looking at it that when he shows this bird off, he can say, ‘I’ve just given you the bird.’ He started laughing so hard and said he had to buy it.” Mary says there are many aspects of art that can speak to someone, and you never know what it will be. Her advice is for artists to paint what's in their hearts. “Do what you love and keep working at it. You’ll become brilliant at it because that’s what you love.” 

The annual Ramona Open Studio Tour will take place this weekend, on April 13 and 14. This self-guided tour runs from 10 am to 4 pm and costs $15. Two of the 12 locations on the tour are in San Diego Country Estates. Mary Decker of Poderio Drive and Jennifer Crenshaw of Barona Mesa Road will open their homes to event attendees. To enjoy a variety of art including paintings, fused glass, jewelry, sculptures, ceramics and woodworking, secure your ticket by calling 760-789-1311 or clicking here.