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Jun. 20, 2026
Featured Artist: Mary Proctor
For over 25 years, Missionary Mary L. Proctor has stood as one of America’s most powerful self-taught artists, transforming grief, memory, and faith into vibrant, truth-telling works of art. Her mixed-media paintings, collages, and assemblages – often composed on doors, windows, and found objects — have graced the walls of some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Visionary Art Museum, and the High Museum of Art.
Proctor’s work is often categorized as folk, vernacular, or outsider art, yet her artistic voice transcends labels. Known for her deeply personal, spiritually driven imagery, she crafts her pieces with buttons, glitter, costume jewels, Bounce detergent boxes, Liquid Nails canisters, and whatever else her imagination transforms into beauty. Her signature style features poignant portraits — especially of Black women — posed in gestures of prayer or praise, accompanied by hand-painted quotes and gospel-inspired wisdom.
Her journey as an artist began in 1994, following a devastating house fire that claimed the lives of her grandmother, aunt, and uncle. Proctor, who had been raised by her grandmother in Jefferson County, Florida during the 1960s, was paralyzed by grief. Amidst mourning and prayer, she received what she describes as a divine message: “Paint.”
So she did. First, she painted her grandmother’s portrait to preserve every detail she could remember. Then she began painting stories — the ones her grandmother used to tell her as a child — on discarded doors and windows from her flea market. “Within six months the yard was full of paintings,” she recalled. “It was healing me and I was able to release my hurt by creating.”
Lot #208281 – MARY L. PROCTOR “GRANDMA’S BUTTON” OIL ON DOOR
While she never considered herself an artist in the formal sense, others quickly recognized the power of her work. A New York gallery owner discovered her makeshift outdoor gallery of over 60 painted doors and offered to exhibit them. That moment launched Proctor into the national spotlight and changed her life.
In 2016, the Folk Art Society of America honored her with the Folk Art Society Award of Distinction, recognizing not only her artistry but the emotional and cultural resonance of her work.
Missionary Mary, as she calls herself, considers her art a spiritual mission — a form of visual ministry. “I’m going to get a message out to broken women’s, a message to help and glorify them,” she says. “My mission is just to paint it and get it out there. My art talks straight up. My messages are the truth.”
Indeed, her paintings do not shy away from tough truths — about poverty, gender, faith, or race. She speaks for and to the South, for people misrepresented or overlooked, and for those struggling to find hope and purpose. Her voice is raw, unapologetic, and rooted in love and survival.
One of her most notable commissions came during the 2004 U.S. presidential election, when The Coca-Cola Company commissioned her to create a series titled The Presidents. Each painted figure wore a suit crafted from recycled Coke cans, accompanied by a quote from the man represented. After the exhibit, Coca-Cola offered $25,000 to keep the series — but Proctor turned it down, knowing the worth of her message exceeded the offer.
Lot #208284 – MARY L. PROCTOR “ANGEL IN YOU” OIL ON BOARD STORY
Now in her third decade of making art, Mary Proctor continues to inspire others to see the beauty in what’s often discarded — be it materials, memories, or even people. She encourages others to make their environments vibrant, to “not throw away anything,” and to find creative purpose in the ordinary.
While she may not concern herself with legacy, others increasingly see her as a defining voice in contemporary Southern art — an artist of rare authenticity, resilience, and grace. As she puts it:
“If I change, people are going to know God didn’t tell me that… I started painting because of love and healing.”
And through her art, that mission continues.
Lot #208283 – MARY L. PROCTOR “BAPTISM OF MARY” OIL ON DOOR
Mary’s work will be for sale in our July 26th auction and in many future auctions to come!
Get the most for your collectibles with WORLD RECORD prices at Florida Estate Sales!
AVENGERS #4 SILVER AGE CAPTAIN AMERICA COMIC 8.0
Sold For: $12,313
INCREDIBLE HULK #1 CBCS 1.5 – 1ST APPEARANCE HULK
Sold For: $8,000
About Us
Grace Estate Buyers and Florida Estate Sales offers a wide range of services for buying and selling gold, silver, and other precious metals, as well as new and vintage jewelry, coins, watches, comics, sports collectibles, and more. We provide free appraisals, cash advances, and the option to sell items through our global auction resource or our storefront. With a customer-centric approach, Grace Estate Buyers strives to offer a personalized experience, ensuring that every customer is greeted with a seat, a handshake, and a smile.
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At Grace Estate Buyers we have established ourselves as a highly reputable and trustworthy buying operation, known for offering the best prices in the market. With a solid track record spanning over a decade and overwhelmingly positive reviews on Google, we have gained the trust and recognition of the community. When looking to sell any valuable item, Grace Estate Buyers should be your top choice.
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