Mary Sims (1940-2004) was an American Postwar & Contemporary painter born in Jackson, Tennessee. She studied at the University of Iowa and Tulane University, where she received her BFA and MFA respectively. Sims made significant contributions to the art world through her extraordinary and stylized oil paintings, which encompassed real and imagined environments. Known for her keen eye for detail and whimsical elements, Sims blended a photographic approach with imaginative touches in her artwork. Her portraits often incorporated peculiar plants, unconventional clothing or uniforms, and occasionally even monkeys. She once expressed in an interview with The Commercial Appeal, "I paint because I love what things look like, and I love to explore them, down to the thread in the buttonhole." Sims gained recognition for her meticulous composition of flat forms, skillful incorporation of symbols, affinity for texture and detail, and impeccable execution. Her subjects ranged from intricate landscapes and captivating portraits to narrative scenes filled with storytelling elements. Drawing inspiration from classical history, mythology, and biblical stories, she often wove together memories, dreams, and the presence of friends and family to create her unique reinterpretations of history paintings.In Sims' meticulously constructed settings, she arranged and photographed costumed characters against backdrops abundant with flowers, fabrics, decorative objects, and ironic details. The eyes of her subjects held particular significance as they symbolized the gateway to their souls. Her works, characterized by astonishing scale and stunning use of color, captivate viewers and establish a mystical connection between the present and the past. Although primarily associated with Memphis, Mary Sims lived and worked in Eureka Springs, Arkansas for most of her life. While her exhibitions extended beyond the region, she maintained long-term relationships with art dealers in Houston, Tulsa, Los Angeles, and New York. Sims' artwork can be found in prominent private and public collections, including those of John Grisham, Mary Tyler Moore, Burt Reynolds, the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock, The Assisi Foundation in Memphis, First Tennessee Bank in Memphis, the Kemper Collection in Kansas City, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, NexAir in Memphis, Rhodes College in Memphis, and the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville, among others. Mary Sims' artistic legacy continues to inspire and intrigue art enthusiasts, as her innovative approach and wild spirit left an indelible mark on the art world.