Enterprising Irish: Mary Little

Meet Mary Little, an Irish visual artist from County Down based in Los Angeles.

Mary makes sculptural forms from cloth. Working with unbleached canvas, she uses tailoring and upholstery techniques - cutting, sewing, shaping - to create quiet, curved reliefs that sit somewhere between painting, textile, and sculpture.

Learn more about Mary's artistic process and her journey to Los Angeles

"I’m an artist whose work is deeply influenced by the Irish landscape, and by the Aran sweaters my mother used to knit. She followed traditional patterns, creating raised relief in unbleached Aran wool.

Today, I sew contemporary abstract forms in relief, using unbleached cotton canvas. Side by side, the visual connection is clear. My mother’s work was practical—garments we children wore, and now her grandchildren do too. In contrast, my work hangs on walls across the U.S., bringing softness and calm to interiors.

I grew up in County Down—first on a farm on the Ards Peninsula, then in Belfast. I left many years ago to study and live in London, and over time, my appreciation for the gentle rolling hills of home has only deepened. I believe you can see it in the quiet, meditative forms I create.

I began my career in furniture design, creating one-of-a-kind upholstered pieces for collectors and galleries. But after moving to Los Angeles ten years ago, I paused. I was looking for a fresh perspective, a new direction. That turning point led to the creation of my current studio practice.

Today, I run a successful art studio working closely with interior designers to place my work in homes and interiors across the U.S. The American Craft Center in West Hollywood has been a key supporter since the beginning—making introductions before I even moved here, then offering me a solo exhibition in their museum in 2018.

A few years later, they filmed and interviewed me for their PBS series “Craft in America: Inspiration.” That episode continues to stream, and even now, I receive new inquiries from collectors—just this week, two came from the East Coast.

Through the Consulate General of Ireland in Los Angeles, I’ve also found friendly faces. One fantastic project happened when I was invited to open my studio to two other Irish American wom - violinist-composer Emer Kinsella, and dancer-choreographer Megan Lowe. Together, they created a performance among my artworks. The resulting film, Double: Body as Source, is shown on all Aer Lingus flights and remains available online.

If there’s one message I could share with Angelenos about Ireland, it would be: go. Visit Ireland. Give yourself ten days and travel the island - it’s remarkably diverse in landscape and culture. The roads are winding, the pace is slower, and that’s part of the magic.

And to any Irish entrepreneur thinking of starting a business in LA, I’d say: build your social network early. Los Angeles is a city of immigrants—first, second, third generation—people who are entrepreneurial and open.

You’ll find those who are curious, generous, and ready to help. You may fail in your plans and they likely will shift—Los Angeles is very different from how it’s perceived abroad. But that new network will sustain you while your business takes shape.

And one last tip—keep your accent. It’s a conversation starter that might get old for you, but in my experience, “everyone” loves an Irish accent."

- Mary Little

Instagram: @MaryLittleStudio
Website: marylittle.com