For artist Mary Ball, inspiration starts with the natural world—from florals and vines to the feeling of being fully immersed in a moment. Known for her richly layered, intuitive paintings, the Birmingham-based artist was recently tapped by Jon Bon Jovi and Jesse Bongiovi to bring that signature perspective to Hampton Water’s newest limited-edition Artist Series release.
Mary’s original work, “Red Roses,” is now a collectible piece that feels vibrant, expressive, and deeply personal. We caught up with Mary to talk about motherhood, creativity, the symbolism behind “Red Roses,” and why art feels even more meaningful when shared over a bottle of wine with friends.
From coastal influences to floral imagery, nature appears throughout your work in such an intentional way. Why do you think you’re continually drawn back to those themes?
These aspects of nature speak to something at my core. When I see them, they make me stop in awe. These are the things that call to be painted. They are stored in my subconscious and are readily available when I start to flow through a painting.
I often return to floral motifs as symbols of growth and femininity, which organically tie back to the way I felt inspired by the Hampton Water label. I loved the idea of being one with the flowers and being born from the vine the same way they were.
For this collaboration, the inspiration is “Red Roses.” How did you approach capturing that reference in your painting?
The theme of red roses just came naturally to me. I felt like roses carried symbolism that connects both the wine being a product of the fruit on a vine and the emotional complexity of art. It is also the symbol of rebirth and growth, which in this case blends my personal experiences. Currently diving into this new phase of my life of motherhood, with facets of the brand that stick out to me. So much of rebirth and growth is fully experiencing each little moment.
You mentioned wanting the label to feel “bright, light, and expressive.” What visual elements helped you capture that carefree energy?
I really tried to get into the feeling that sipping Hampton Water gives me in order to inspire what I painted, and I wanted those two elements to feel seamlessly connected. I kept thinking about the vines where Hampton Water’s grapes are grown and imagined the diver almost emerging from the vine itself. Bringing nature into the design was important to me, along with incorporating the tones and colors found within the wine. The red roses seemed to pop in areas and disappear in others, just like the notes and the wine are balanced and flavorful, popping sometimes, disappearing sometimes.
Do you think people experience art differently when it becomes part of an everyday ritual—like sharing a bottle of wine with friends?
I think art takes on a different kind of intimacy when it becomes part of an everyday ritual, especially something as communal as sharing a bottle of wine with friends. The artwork in those moments isn’t just being observed, it’s being lived with. It becomes part of the atmosphere, part of the conversation, part of the memory being created around the table.
A portion of the proceeds from the release supports The Conservation Fund. Why was environmental conservation important for you to incorporate into this collaboration?
Environmental conservation is deeply important to me because it protects the beauty that surrounds us. It is such an essential part of where I find joy and inspiration. Growing up on the coast and surrounded by lush trees in Alabama, I'm constantly seeking that out wherever I go. When I lived in New York City, and I needed to center myself, I would walk along the Hudson River or go to Central Park. Now, being back in Birmingham, Alabama, when I need to center myself as a mother of two, I find myself walking in the park and just looking at the trees and the wildflowers and things that pop up here naturally on earth and make us treasure these simple moments.
I deeply admire the work that the Conservation Fund does, both on a national scale and at a local level in Louisiana, New York, Alabama, and more. Nature is often at the center of my work, and TCF works tirelessly to preserve natural ecosystems and create green spaces in urban and rural communities.
What do you hope someone feels the first time they pick up this bottle or see your art on canvas?
I want them to feel a connection to something deeper. I hope it transports them to another place and time, makes them imagine a world outside of the one that they are in, and feel open to a new adventure.
