Hello! I'm Mary Kozmor, a digital and acrylic artist based in Hancock, MI, with a deep love for storytelling. I believe stories are the threads that bind together traditions, cultures, and people. My art celebrates fantastical mythology, the occult, multicultural folklore, and iconic literature brought to life. I am especially drawn to the quiet, spell-like moments within these tales, the small flickers of wonder, intention, and hidden meaning that feel a little like magik.
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In many of my pieces, I incorporate an I Spy–style approach, filling my paintings with hidden details, symbolic objects, and tiny narrative clues that carry deeper meaning. I love creating artwork that rewards curiosity and invites viewers to look closer, discover new details, and get lost in the story behind the imagery. More than anything, I aim to evoke a sense of wonder and adventure, encouraging viewers to get lost in my work.
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When I'm not immersed in art, my free time becomes a canvas of its own. Originally from Downriver, MI, I have spent the past decade living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where I am endlessly inspired by the beauty of Lake Superior and the surrounding wilderness. My studio, where my husband Kevin often serves as a reference model, is also home to our two cats, Bolin and Knives, who add their own creative chaos by knocking over paint brushes and rearranging supplies. In the evenings, we unwind with the Twilight Saga and go down YouTube rabbit holes, finding inspiration even in those unexpected moments.
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A Note on My Process and AI:
Because I work across digital and traditional mediums, I care about being transparent about my tools and my process. None of my artwork is created by AI. Every piece is hand-painted or digitally drawn by me.
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I know AI comes with real ethical and environmental issues, but ignoring it will not make it disappear; artists need to be involved in guiding it toward more responsible and creative possibilities. And while people are fighting back against harmful uses of AI with tools like Nightshade or Glaze, it is just as important for artists to stay engaged and help shape how these technologies are used, because artists have always pushed boundaries, experimented with new tools, and adapted. At its core, the evolution of art has always been driven by the tools artists choose to embrace and reinvent.
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I use AI in my process only as a helper to organize my thoughts, explore research references, or get feedback that strengthens my work. That is all. The art itself is always fully mine. For me, AI is not a replacement for art; it is a modern tool that gives me more time to focus on the parts I love most about my creative process.
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If you would like to see how my pieces come to life, I share timelapses, process pictures, and videos on my Instagram and other social media platforms.
