Mary Tustain (nee Collett) was born in Banstead, Surrey, and after leaving school went to Wimbledon School of Art and obtained the NDD in painting. The Principal, Gerald Cooper, recommended her for a position as assistant to JOHN ARMSTRONG RA for a commission for a painted ceiling in Bristol Council Chamber.

The work was carried out in Newlyn at the Passmore Edwards Art Gallery, beginning in June 1954, and was completed and installed in Bristol a year later.

She has subsequently lived and painted in North Yorkshire and Hertfordshire and has exhibited work at the RA Summer Exhibition and various other galleries in the UK.