about merry blaze sturgeon

Mary Blaise Turgeon (last name pronounced Təːʒɔːn;) was born in Cortland, NY, USA. She was raised amongst the rivers, streams, woods, and fields of Upper Lisle (located in Broome County of south-central New York).

She and her family relocated to Manhattan the summer before she started kindergarten. Despite frequent weekends and holidays that were spent in their old woodsy home, the Midtown apartment and Manhattan schools constituted a significant lifestyle change.

Fortunately, Mary was always able to place an emphasis on art throughout her public education in NYC. Upon the completion of elementary school, she was admitted to The Clinton School for Writers and Artists; she would go on to graduate from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (2010), earning an Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors and a Chancellor's Arts Endorsement.

Mary finally received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from The School of Art & Design at Alfred University (located in Allegany County in Western New York), graduating magna cum laude (2014).

Her time in Alfred, NY reintroduced her to the woodlands, and after graduating she chose to live in Ithaca for a few months before moving to Binghamton.

When Mary isn’t making art or exploring, she prioritizes work in the greenhouse and garden; she hopes that one day she will care for and be cared for by her very own enchanted forest. In the meantime, she slowly educates herself on permaculture practices and beekeeping.

Mary loves to read, especially about gardening, the occult and mythology, fantasy, science and science fiction, graphic novels and manga. She also loves to write, and dabbles in poetry and microfiction, occasionally combining her illustrations and writing into experimental comics or performing her poetry at local readings.

Punctuated with occasional road trips across the gorgeous landscapes and waters of North America, Mary Blaise currently resides in and around Binghamton, NY. Despite her affection for the coastal city where she grew up, she prefers the ability to hike and bicycle up into quiet hilly farmlands, throughout peaceful river valleys; while still enjoying the many social and cultural riches of Binghamton and the extended Finger Lakes region.