Mary Button Durell

Several months ago, we visited the studio of our friend Mary Button Durell. Mary, a San Francisco based artist, creates translucent and abstract sculptures using only a single material which is handmade by layering sheets of tracing paper and wheat paste. Her delicate and complex sculptures are reminiscent of cocoons, bee hives, and underwater organisms. Honestly mind blowing and inspiring. Thank you for the day of fun, Mary Button!

(images by Honestly…WTF)

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31 Comments

  1. Mary’s sculptures are hauntingly beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing her unique art!

    8.4.11
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  2. lauren wrote:

    BEAUTIFUL!!!

    i love how the light shines through them!

    L
    http://www.thesphinxandthemilkyway.com

    8.4.11
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  3. These are incredible. I was just going to say they remind me of coral.

    Fashionable Collections

    8.4.11
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  4. The fabrics and the pattern are pretty amazing and seem to erate out of the pure nature. Love Mary’s sculptures!
    Great inspiration.

    schoepfergeist.blogspot.com/

    8.4.11
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  5. Katie wrote:

    Such amazing lines!

    8.4.11
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  6. Sara wrote:

    What a cool idea! I love the colored ones too! She should try putting lights behind/or in some of them, I think it would look really pretty.

    8.4.11
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  7. Sara wrote:

    What a cool idea! I love the colored ones too! She should try putting lights behind/or in some of them, I think it would look really pretty.

    thearttype.blogspot.com

    8.4.11
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  8. oh my god soooo cool! have never seen ANYTHING like this before!

    http://www.dragonnfruit.com

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  9. So amazing! The last sculpture is beautiful! You have very talented friends!
    http://www.noaslibellule.blogspot.com

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  10. blondehaus wrote:

    These look so amazing! They look so fragile and organic. It’s incredible.

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  11. krinka wrote:

    just wow 🙂

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  12. I absolutely love her work. I love the light colors and how her art looks almost mineral…

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  13. Hyde wrote:

    Really reminds me of this artist Tara Donovan, very cool organic shapes from different materials.
    http://hydeordie.com/tagged/Tara_Donovan

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  14. Grace wrote:

    Wow, so delicate and lovely!
    I would be delighted to have one of these sculptures in my living room, thanks for the inspiration!

    xx Grace
    Dream-Boating

    8.4.11
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  15. Jacqueline wrote:

    Absolutely gorgeous. I’m nin love with the two pieces with the fuschia centers. They look like they are glowing from light from within.

    8.4.11
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  16. these are wonderful, delicate and ancient looking. They reference so many things, yet still seem so elusive. I think some of the feel like pencil shavings.

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  17. diana wrote:

    oh these are so beautiful, to be so talented 🙂

    8.4.11
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  18. I love the real objects. The photos do a superb job.

    8.6.11
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  19. leila wrote:

    thank you so much for showing her amazing work. i am from brasil and would not know if was not your blog. love it.

    8.6.11
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  20. Nicole wrote:

    Ethereal and magical.

    8.6.11
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  21. Alice Tarkeshi wrote:

    happy so many more people can see the beautiful magical world of Mary….

    8.6.11
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  22. Nomadic D wrote:

    wild! they look like deep sea creatures!

    http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/

    8.6.11
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  23. michelle wrote:

    amazing work!! love neutral color with the splash of color. The 7th picture reminds me of a louise bourgeois sculpture.

    8.7.11
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  24. Tina wrote:

    Wow! I am incredibly amazed!

    8.8.11
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  25. mary button wrote:

    Thank you everyone for all your wonderful comments about my work!!! I’m honored and inspired. Mary Button

    8.8.11
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  26. Anne Christie wrote:

    Wow, absolutely remarkable!!! Had no idea I knew such a talented person. Thanks for sharing, I loved viewing each and every one!!! Anne

    8.11.11
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  27. Stevie Schumacher wrote:

    Double WOW !!
    Will love to see them in your Studio!
    KEEP creating-Keep trucking
    Stevie

    8.22.11
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    There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content.
    Please let me know. Cheers

    8.25.14
    Reply
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    8.29.14
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