Mary's interest in painting began at about ten years of age in the small town of Greenwich, New Jersey. Here she was fortunate to be tutored b a retired fine artist in the area. From this experience she learned the basics of form and color which she has carried with her ever since. In high school she majored in art and later studied advertising design at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.

Mary's career path then led away from the fine arts and into the corporate world for more than twenty years. When she and her husband, Alex Okinczye, retired to the Florida Keys in 1999, she once again had time to pursue her love of painting.

In the year 2000 Mary enrolled in art classes at Florida Keys Community College with longtime instructor, Malcolm Ross. Over the past few years she has also had the opportunity to take lessons with other renowned local artists.

Mary is a member of Lower Keys Artists' Network, Florida Keys Art Guild, Key West Art and Historical Society, and the Key West Art Center.

Her creativity is inspired by her love of nature, especially the ocean, and the beauty of the plants and animals in the Keys.

Many of the frames that complement the colorful paintings are hand crafted by Alex from driftwood and reclaimed lumber.