Mary K. Stahl

Artist's Statement

I paint scenes that I love to view and that spark an emotional reaction in me. My intention is to give viewers of my art a sense of place and time as I strive to create artworks of visual harmony and beauty. Edgar Degas is reputed to have said, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” I agree, and it is my hope that my art will uplift the spirit and impart a sense of joy to anyone viewing it.

Usually, I paint directly from life: from a model, a still life set-up, or the natural landscape. Painting outdoors, en plein air, is a unique and exhilarating experience that provides a wonderful vehicle for creating fresh, spontaneous paintings from an endless source of subject matter, so I work outdoors, from life as much as possible. Whether I work outdoors or in the studio, though, my attention is focused on creating paintings with strong compositions, a good range of values, and colors that ultimately serve to design an art work of poetic beauty and delight.

A Brief Bio

Mary K. Stahl is an award-winning artist who records her unique interpretation of the natural landscape and other subjects using soft pastels or oils. Mary usually employs alla prima techniques of painting to achieve her final result in one session. Her paintings display a certain nuance or gentleness.

Born and raised in West Virginia, Mary earned a B.A. in Art from West Liberty State College (now University), located in the West Virginia’s Northern panhandle. She now resides in Palo Alto, California.

In addition to her college art education, Mary has studied in the San Francisco Bay area with several well-known Bay area teachers and she has participated in many painting workshops. The California painters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries have greatly influenced her.

Mary has exhibited in many one-person and group shows and has been juried into a number of plein air painting competitions. Her paintings are in many private collections throughout the US and Europe.

Selected Exhibitions

• A Century of Landscapes. Selections from the California Art Club. California Historical Society. San Francisco, CA. Jul - Oct 2011.
• Carmel Art Festival. Plein air event. Carmel, CA. May 2011. Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine’s Emerging Artist Award.
• North Tahoe Plein Air. Truckee, CA. Sep 2010, Sep 2009.
• Santa Cruz Plein Air Affaire. Museum of Art and History. Santa Cruz, CA. Jul 2010, Jul 2009.
• IAPS Sixteenth Juried Exhibition. Butler Museum. Youngstown, OH. Jul-Aug 2010.
• Pastels USA 2010. Art Museum of Los Gatos. Los Gatos, CA. Jun-Jul 2010.
• Carmel Art Festival. Plein air event. Carmel, CA. May 2010.
• Pastels USA 2009. Triton Art Museum, Santa Clara, CA. Jul-Sep 2009.
• Seasons of Martis Plein Air Event. Truckee, CA. Oct 2008.
• Pastels USA 2008. Haggin Museum. Stockton, CA. May-Jun 2008.
• A Breath of Plein Air. History San JosÄ. San Jose, CA. May-Sep 2008.
• A Brush with Nature. Triton Art Museum. Santa Clara, CA. Jan-Mar 2008.
• Rivers & Harbors/Sources & Confluences. California Art Club. Pasadena, CA. Nov 2007-Jun 2008.
• Los Gatos Art Association Annual Member
  Juried Show. Oct-Nov 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006. Honorable Mention Award 2008.
• Paint the Parks. Placement in 2nd Mini50 Category. Aug 2007.
• Mother Lode Show. Placerville, CA. Aug 2007, 2006.
  Honorable Mention Award 2006.
• San Luis Obispo Plein Air Festival ‘05. San Luis Obispo, CA. Oct 2005.
• Los Gatos Art Fest. Los Gatos, CA. Oct 2004.

Professional Affiliations

Pastel Society of the West Coast, Signature Member
American Impressionist Society
Bay Area Contemporary Plein Air Circle
California Art Club, Associate Artist
Landscape Artists International
Los Gatos Art Associatio

Gallery Representation

Portola Art Gallery, Menlo Park, CA