The Selma Art Guild Gallery selected Burnt Corn resident Mary McPherson as its October Artist of the Month.

From Birmingham, McPherson creates watercolor paintings, graphite work and specializes in animal portraits. Her work art will available to view and purchase at the Selma Art Guild Gallery Sunday, Oct. 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. and every following Friday and Saturday, expect Oct. 31, from noon to 4 p.m.

“It’s always nice to know you’ve been recognized by your peers,” McPherson said in response to winning the monthly honor. “It brings another element of satisfaction to art.”

McPherson said she has been creating art for as long as she can remember. Her parents exposed her to the art world early on, when they took her to the Birmingham Museum of Art as a child.

After completing some commercial art classes in college, McPherson eventually dove into a career that allowed her to explore her creative side. She spent 14 years designing for home accessories items, such as furniture, under the business name Hand-painted Mary Ellen.

Although the process of selecting and creating pieces for the October sessions at the Selma Art Guild Gallery has been stressful, McPherson has managed to find some pieces perfect for the show.

“I’ve always loved horses, the outdoors and dogs, so they’re my primary subjects,” McPherson said. “I will also be showing some landscapes, watercolors and graphite art.”

McPherson said she has high hopes that all those involved will benefit from the October sessions.

“I hope it’s profitable for the [Selma Art Guild Gallery] and myself,” she said. “I hope I get good exposure to people in Selma who have not seen my work yet.”

Selma Art Guild President Jo Pate said McPherson captures the various styles that several others might not be familiar with but should learn more about.

“Its rare that you run into anybody who can really reproduce what an animal, or a person for that matter, really looks like,” Pate said. “And her water colors are delightful.”

With the October viewings of McPherson’s quickly approaching, Pate said she’s excited about what yet another Artist of the Month event will mean to the area.

“It’s about educating the public as it is about allowing the artist to have a show,” Pate said. “Most artists, especially in an area like this, haven’t had an opportunity to have a show before.”

For more information about the viewings, contact Pate at 875-1055.