About Mary A Livingston

A Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Award recipient and California Federation of Chaparral Poets honoree, Mary, grew up in the forested communities of Humboldt and Trinity Counties of northern California. She attended Shasta College, Humboldt State University, and Loyola University. She has worked in photography, education, publishing, and liturgical design.

Her career in children’s literature focuses on nature and environmental education. Mary’s outdoor life activities of wildlife photography, hunting, gardening, gold mining and rock hounding keep her close to nature. She and her husband, Tim, have two sons and three grandchildren

Mary A Livingston, MaryA Livingston Mary Livingston

For more on Mary A Livingston
Website: www.maryalivingston.com
Blog: www.sneakingbliss.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/maryaliving
Twitter: @MaryALiving
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/mary-a-livingston/87/22/265

78 thoughts on “About Mary A Livingston”

Ivy on August 21, 2012 at 1:04 am said:

Wonderful!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on October 13, 2012 at 3:44 pm said:
  
  Thanks
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Amy Blake on August 21, 2012 at 12:42 pm said:

I like your new blog! Now to set my own up – scary!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on October 13, 2012 at 3:43 pm said:
  
  Be sure to let me know when you set up your blog so I can follow.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Mike on October 11, 2012 at 9:21 pm said:

I am a big fan of bliss. I’ll be the shy kid kicking rocks behind you.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on October 13, 2012 at 3:33 pm said:
  
  Rocks are hidden bliss. I like the ones shaped for skipping, the ones to polish, and the shiny yellow ones that come with their own polish.
  So keep an I out for treasures while kicking those rocks.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Mike on October 13, 2012 at 6:02 pm said:
    
    I have a house full of rocks that I have polished as well as buckets full of one I just pick up because they are beautiful with energy of their own. Call me crazy.
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
    - The Backdoor Artist on October 14, 2012 at 4:00 am said:
      
      For our 25th anniversary, my husband and I gathered rocks (agate, jadeite and gold) for anniversary rings. We like rocks around here. We are coming up on 30, so time to gather more.
      
      LikeLike
      
      Reply ↓
      - Mike on October 14, 2012 at 4:02 am said:
        
        We are coming up on 42. Congrats to you both. Rock on.
        
        LikeLike
        
        Reply ↓
        
        The Backdoor Artist on October 14, 2012 at 4:05 am said:
        
        So wonderful to hear, well done, not something you hear a lot these days. Congrats!
        
        LikeLike
        
        Reply ↓
        
        Mike on October 14, 2012 at 4:06 am said:
        
        And I’m still hot for her!
        
        LikeLike
joyanneferrara on October 15, 2012 at 3:29 pm said:

So THRILLED to open my email and find fabulous YOU and your new blog awaiting! So wonderful to reconnect and be ignited with Mary Livingstone JOY! Look forward to following you and being blessed with smiles of amusing rarities………………(did I spell that right?)

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on October 15, 2012 at 3:55 pm said:
  
  Hi, Joyanne, lol almost. I am Livingston without the ‘e’ – Jack Benny’s wife, Mary Livingstone, has the ‘e’ – 🙂 I have so enjoyed checking in on your blog, thought it was time to start one up.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Jenny's Serendipity on October 15, 2012 at 3:39 pm said:

I am also a big fan of bliss and by the way, thank you for stopping by and most especially the following. Best, Jenny

LikeLike

Reply ↓
violetski on October 17, 2012 at 2:46 pm said:

Hi Mary,
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and following! I really appreciate ❤
What a wonderful blog you have! Beautiful artworks❤ I’m so glad to know the artists like you in WordPress world😃
Looking forward to see more your post😃

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on October 17, 2012 at 3:12 pm said:
  
  Thank you. I was pleased to find your blog, I hope others here will check it out as well. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
opreach on October 19, 2012 at 11:58 pm said:

Thank you for following, Mary. I like your work and look forward to reading and seeing more. Pat

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on October 20, 2012 at 12:14 am said:
  
  Thanks for stopping by and following. I look forward to your inspiring posts.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - opreach on October 20, 2012 at 11:28 am said:
    
    Thank you
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
foresterartist on October 20, 2012 at 1:39 pm said:

I have nominated your blog for Beautiful Blogger Award. If you want to accept the award check my blog, http://theforesterartist.com/2012/10/20/the-beautiful-blogger-award/

LikeLike

Reply ↓
readingwithrhythm on October 24, 2012 at 1:17 pm said:

Thank you for visiting my blog. And I’m so glad that you did! — Because it has led me to yours! I love your artwork and am looking forward to seeing more of it.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on October 24, 2012 at 1:54 pm said:
  
  Thank you! I am a big golden fan, our first golden came home 26 years ago.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - readingwithrhythm on October 24, 2012 at 3:58 pm said:
    
    I have quite a few Golden friends. Goldens are sure happy crazy dogs.
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
    - The Backdoor Artist on October 24, 2012 at 11:03 pm said:
      
      I think most retrieving friends are. We have 3 labs visiting, a yellow, black and a chocolate. They go nicely with our reds. Retrievers rock!
      
      LikeLike
      
      Reply ↓
babso2you on October 26, 2012 at 3:39 am said:

Lovely blog that you have here! You are lucky to have the years in your marriage that you do and that you are not only still together but happy! Hugs, and thank you for signing up to follow my blog! I hope that you will enjoy your time visiting my blog!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on October 26, 2012 at 4:05 am said:
  
  Well, thank you. I do count my blessings in life, my wonderful husband is at the top of the list.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
malvikajaswal on October 28, 2012 at 11:51 am said:

best of luck on this new journey… and thanks for sharing :))

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on October 29, 2012 at 4:17 am said:
  
  Thanks for stopping by.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Jeuron on November 4, 2012 at 7:44 pm said:

I appreciate you liking the post about my engagement. You have quite an interesting blog going on here yourself!!!!!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on November 4, 2012 at 7:58 pm said:
  
  Thank you. I found your post when I was looking up blogs related to marriage. Congratulations on your engagement. My husband and I will celebrate 30 years in June…May the two of you enjoy many wonderful years.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Jeuron on November 4, 2012 at 8:17 pm said:
    
    Thanks so much again foir the kind words. I think it’s awesome that you will be celebrating your 30th anniversary next year. That’s a huge accomplishment. I tip my hat off to you both!!!!!
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
Jofelyn M. Khapra on November 4, 2012 at 7:21 pm said:

You look like Annette Bening. So pretty. Love your works. 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on November 4, 2012 at 8:49 pm said:
  
  Oh, how sweet of you. Thank you and thanks for stopping by.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Stefano on November 9, 2012 at 9:23 am said:

Thank you very much for stopping by and following our blog and for liking my post: greatly appreciated!
Your blog is very neat and pleasant to read, and your golden are beautiful!
All the best

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Francesca on November 13, 2012 at 7:22 am said:

Good morning, Mary! I nominated you for a Liebster blog award. Check out my blog post if you’re interested! Have a wonderful day!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
robinghoward on November 17, 2012 at 8:02 am said:

And now I have found you too! Your art is amazing and I so enjoy watching each scene unfold. And you’re a newbie? That brush was very patiently waiting for you to unleash beauty through its fibers. Have a fabulous weekend.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on November 17, 2012 at 10:18 am said:
  
  lol…yep… that’s me, a little slow on the uptake. Sometimes it takes me a long time to say yes. The brushes have been calling and I am happy to enter the dance.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
msmouse7 on November 18, 2012 at 9:06 pm said:

Your watercolors are lovely. I am a turkey vulture fan and your picture makes me smile. And I love how the spawning salmon captured their demise, but only touched on their gruesome appearance.

Waiting for more!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on November 18, 2012 at 9:13 pm said:
  
  Awe, thanks, and thanks for stopping by. There is more to come of the vultures and salmon.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
gunslingerpoet on December 3, 2012 at 9:17 am said:

beautiful!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Mary on December 4, 2012 at 5:30 am said:

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and now following! You have a wonderful blog, I too love bliss. Your watercolors are wonderful. Looking forward to following your posts.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on December 9, 2012 at 5:40 pm said:
  
  Thanks.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
annisik51 on December 9, 2012 at 5:18 pm said:

Congrats on your upcoming 30th anniversary. We’re about to celebrate our 27th. I like the duckeling story. Ann

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on December 9, 2012 at 5:26 pm said:
  
  Thanks…your 30th will get here sooner than you think. Congrats to you as well. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
petspeopleandlife on December 12, 2012 at 10:19 am said:

I found you via The Forester Artist via his reblog of your doe and buck pictures. I like your blog a lot. Pretty and interesting.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on December 12, 2012 at 10:50 am said:
  
  Thanks. He is my best friend. Thanks for stopping by.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
petspeopleandlife on December 12, 2012 at 8:10 pm said:

Thank you Mary for taking a look and liking one of the posts. (Iron Horse/s) Much appreciated.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
gooseyanne on December 14, 2012 at 12:20 pm said:

Thank you for following my blog.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
ukgardenfiend on December 16, 2012 at 8:57 am said:

Thanks for liking my blog about the pigeons – they are really strange – but vermin too… they leave so much mess behind! They seriously need some contraceptives in their seeds. On the other hand, the beautiful doves that visit my garden are to be cherished….

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on December 16, 2012 at 6:04 pm said:
  
  They are sometimes consumed as food. I believe the culinary term is squab.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap on December 17, 2012 at 9:07 am said:

Well said! And, thanks for stopping by mine. 🙂 Paulette

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on December 17, 2012 at 10:27 am said:
  
  Thank you. I look forward to exploring yours some more.
  – Mary
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
cleaunz on December 17, 2012 at 2:28 pm said:

I had to look up naysayers – not a term we use here in Oz – not that I have heard anyway. I cannot say I am one! Weeds are fantastic recyclers of nutrients that leach deeper into the soil by bringing them up into their leaves and stems. If lopped and left on top of the soil just before flowering they rot away and put the nutrients back into the soil surface for it’s betterment. Bit like the mistakes we make – they can serve a purpose if we are smart and definately for our betterment!!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on December 17, 2012 at 2:48 pm said:
  
  Funny thing about weeds, one person’s weed, is a treasure to another.
  I am glad you are not a naysayer. So, what do you call a naysayer in Oz?
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
ajaytao2010 on January 2, 2013 at 7:11 am said:

Curious thing, some seeds I nurtured openly and others I kept tucked away. The time has come to water the ones that bear fruit and to pull the ones that are weeds.

Oh wonderful are you an artist or a musician, you must be one of them,

Thanks for visiting my blog. Be in touch. Browse through the category sections,
I feel you may find something of your interest.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on January 3, 2013 at 5:01 pm said:
  
  Looking forward to exploring your blog some more. Thanks for stopping by.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - ajaytao2010 on January 4, 2013 at 3:36 am said:
    
    I adore that expression of yours, your face & heart will reflect that.
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
Joan Y. Edwards on January 2, 2013 at 1:03 pm said:

Mary, on my blog you won a DVD that has how I wrote Flip Flap Floodle and has me reading it and giving a presentation at an elementary school. You can have a pitch and 2000 word manuscript critique instead, if you like. Please let me know your choice at joanyedwards @ earthlink.net

LikeLike

Reply ↓
tchistorygal on January 9, 2013 at 12:45 am said:

Hi Mary,
I want you to know that I like your blog. Please accept this award as my sincere compliment, and enjoy it for what it means to you. If you want to pass it to another versatile blogger, you can check out the rules that I received here http://wp.me/p2jC53-160. Thanks for being part of my blogging life. 🙂 Marsha Lee

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Mary on January 16, 2013 at 5:34 am said:

I love reading your blog, always leaving me in a good place with a smile on my face. I’ve nominated you for the Shine on Award. Congratulations, please see the details at http://oilpastelsbymary.com/2013/01/16/shine-on-award/

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Patricia Jordan on March 5, 2013 at 1:52 pm said:

Very nice blog. I look forward to returning often!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on March 5, 2013 at 2:13 pm said:
  
  Thanks for stopping by.
  I was very pleased to find your blog and the great post on Birds in Motion.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Virginia Rinkel on March 22, 2013 at 6:55 am said:

Very nice blog. Glad I stopped by.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Dina on April 2, 2013 at 9:09 am said:

You have a truly wonderful blog. And a gorgeous dog. I’m so glad I found you through the forester artist. Nnow I look forward to read and see a lot more of your fine work in the future. Me and my Golden are your new followers! 🙂
Best regards
Dina

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Pingback: Buddy The Wayward Wolverine | THE FORESTER ARTIST
Mary on May 5, 2013 at 10:59 am said:

Hi Mary, I’m notifying you that I’ve nominated you and Tim (I’ll be notifying him in just a bit) for this wonderful award. I immediately thought about you both and the magical world we are able to share through your blogs – from your family adventures to your creative art pieces. I’m excited to nominate you ~ congratulations! Please go to http://www.oilpastelsbymary.com for information. All my best ~ Mary

LikeLike

Reply ↓
petrel41 on May 24, 2013 at 2:04 am said:

Congratulations, Mary!

I have nominated your blog for the Best Moment Award.

More about this nomination is at

Best Moment Award, thanks Khalil and Barbara!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Tracy Campbell on June 1, 2013 at 5:30 pm said:

Hi Mary,
I’ve noticed your gravator in blogosphere. The artwork for it intrigued me, so I popped on over to say hello.
Love your art. 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Nuno on June 9, 2013 at 4:43 am said:

WordPress recommended me your blog and their recommendation system works this time. It seems several of my followers also follow your blog.

Thanks for sharing.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on June 9, 2013 at 5:45 am said:
  
  Thanks for stopping by, you have a lot of nice work over at http://vinyleraser.wordpress.com/
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Jennwith2ns on June 11, 2013 at 10:04 am said:

Thanks so much for following the Jenn stories–and congratulations on your anniversary!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- The Backdoor Artist on June 11, 2013 at 10:13 am said:
  
  Thanks! I am looking forward to exploring more. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Jennwith2ns on June 11, 2013 at 10:19 am said:
    
    Me, too!
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
mehrlich125 on October 21, 2013 at 7:16 pm said:

I enjoy your illustrations.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Pingback: Percy Learns to Fly | Reading With Rhythm
Harvesting Nature on February 17, 2015 at 6:46 am said:

Thanks for the follow and the support!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
iriselsewhere on February 3, 2016 at 11:21 am said:

What a glorious blog! The title alone makes me supremely happy, then the content… Thank you! 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- MaryALivingston on February 3, 2016 at 3:30 pm said:
  
  Awe, thank you!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓