NCEC in the News!
The Davis Garage: From Cars to Canvas
Mary Davis
Researched and written by Karla Davis
Mary Davis never intended to turn her husband’s old car garage into her painting haven, but that is exactly what happened. Fifty-five years ago, her husband, James Davis, took out a loan, built a four-car brick building, and called it “The Davis Garage.” He intended on starting his own business as a car mechanic; he did just that. For fifty-four years, James was a happy, and successful mechanic, but eventually he decided that his work had been done. What would soon come of the garage would surprise James, Mary, and their entire community.
As a fifty-four year old retired English teacher, Mary found a growing interest in art. She started painting in her free time and soon realized that she had a natural ability to create masterpieces. Since then she has become a well-known and requested artist in Chesterfield. It wasn’t until 2003 that she got the idea to move her painting into her husband’s old car garage. In the past four years she has turned what was a rundown, dark, and unwelcoming building into a magnificent painting sanctuary. The reason that Mary has done so well with her business is because she encourages requests from the community. While simply painting makes Mary happy, painting to improve the lives of others makes her life worthwhile. Her painting business seemed to take off from her very first sale. “It was a painting of a little boy fishing; I got a twenty dollar donation for it; I was just going to give it away.” Mary laughs about the memory now, but that was the start of what has become quite a vibrant business. “I never thought I would be starting a business at sixty-two years old,” Mary said. That certainly goes to show that you never know what will happen in the future.
When asked about hardships throughout her painting career, Mary was reluctant to say anything. “You know, it’s tough to say that I have had any hardships; I just take everyday as a blessing.” It has certainly been a blessing for the people on the receiving end of Mary’s paintings. Don Hovis, a Chesterfield resident, now hangs his painting of his wife above the fireplace in his home. “That is my pride and joy; Mary painted that for me four years ago.” When asked about the painting for Hovis, Mary said that she remembered painting it like it was yesterday. “I can honestly remember all of the paintings I have done in the past eight years; all of them tell a wonderful story.”
The great things about Mary’s business are that she gets to do what she loves and gets to spend plenty of time with her family. “The location of the gallery (garage) is perfect because it is right next to my house.” In a society that values convenience, Mary certainly sees the benefits of closeness. When asked about the need for more resources, Mary said, “I have the space and the time; sometimes I just wish I had someone to teach me…I would love to learn more about my craft.”
One of Mary’s life goals from the time she was young was to make a difference is someone’s life. Though she probably changed the lives of hundreds of children while teaching, she believes that painting has given her the opportunity to make a truly remarkable impact. “I use art to give people hope; many times a person takes for granted the little wonders they’ve been given,” said Mary of her works. The painting that really left a lasting impact with Mary was a four-panel picture of a tree. The canvas was divided like a window, each of the four sections having a picture of the same tree in a different season. “I painted the tree for my best friend, Suzanne. She had just lost her husband, and she felt like her life was just falling apart.” That tree lived just outside of her best friend’s house, and as Mary painted it, she wanted the tree to symbolize a new chance at life. The tree sequentially moves from a small, weak tree, to a tall, strong, vibrant force. I had the privilege of speaking with Suzanne Edwards, who has that picture in her bedroom. “I just cried like a baby when Mary gave that picture to me,” said Edwards, “it symbolizes so many things for me, but mainly hope.” That was the goal of Mary Davis, to make an impact in someone’s life; I am sure Suzanne Edwards is one of many more.
Mary Davis became a teacher at twenty-two years of age, a mother at twenty-four, and an entrepreneur at fifty-six. The remnants of oil and old transmissions are no longer the inhabitants of a four car garage; now “The Davis Garage” is filled with hope, creativity, and quite a bit of paint. From the retirement of one teaching profession, came the birth of a brand new way to inspire the people around her. “If I had to give a piece of advice, it would be to take everything you’re given and run with it.”
In an old garage, surrounded by an incredible community, filled with people who care so much, there is an artist. Mary Davis never imagined she would become an artist; however, she simply made the most of an opportunity that was given to her. An entrepreneur is a persistent risk-taker; Mary Davis took a leap of faith with a paintbrush and a canvas, and made a lasting impact on an entire community. So, take a risk, make the most what you’re given, and use your abilities to make a difference.
This case study was conducted in November 2007 by Karla Davis, a News and Documentary major in the Media Studies Department. Her work was part of an undergraduate research assistantship funded by the Office of Undergraduate Research, under the directorship of Dr. Mary Crowe.
These case studies were compiled and archived as part of the former BELL (Building Entrepreneuruial Learning for Life) Program's Entrepreneurial Innovation in the Arts (EIA) initiative to provide a library of examples of how artists in many different fields have achieved success. The cases were researched and written by UNCG students.