A native of Traverse City, Michigan, Mary E. Andersen has resided and maintained a fine art studio in Grand Rapids, Michigan since 1991. She is a graduate of Northwestern Michigan College (A.A. Liberal Arts, 1972), John Wesley College (B.A. Fine Art, 1979), and Lansing Community College (A.A. Design, Illustration, 1990).

Her deep interest in landscapes stems from spending many summers on her uncle's cherry farm on Old Mission Peninsula in northwestern Michigan and traveling across the U.S. on family camping trips. After many years in the graphic arts field, she spent several years employed in horticulture/landscaping which brought her once again in close contact with the land. This has provided rich inspiration for her recent work.

The artist is continually challenged by the endless possibilities for study in light, color, and design that landscapes and botanical images afford. "I would like to invite the viewer to revel in the unique and varied landscapes of Michigan as well as ponder the great beauty and majesty of God's creation all around us. I feel I have succeeded when the viewer has come away challenged to see beyond the literal and be uplifted in spirit."

The artist’s original paintings and drawings have been steadily acquired for private and public collections across the United States and abroad over the past 30 years. In October 2009, she was honored to be Guest Artist in Residence for the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center. An exhibition of oils as part of the Gifts of Art Program for the University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan followed in December 2009.