When I teach, I absolutely love seeing my students come into their own style of painting! Painting from still lifes enables artists to use interpretation and freshness to create a truly unique piece.
“There is a sensation in experiencing God’s creation that I infuse into my pieces by painting from life and also reinterpreting those pieces in my studio. Psalm 19:1-4 continues to be my inspiration. ‘The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.’ What an amazing reason to paint!”
Mary’s students learning fresh techniques for painting still lifes. Her focus is on emphasizing how fun it is to paint!
Mary Lehner Fine Art
Interpretive Realism
Inspired by such artists as Claude Monet, John Singer Sargent, Wayne Thiebaud and Vincent Van Gogh, Mary developed her own style of Interpretive Realism, through which she portrays a richness and depth of color in luminous Watercolors, Oils and Acrylics. In her work, Mary plays upon the magic of light and its manifestations as her pieces radiate passion through subtle prisms of color and contrast. Her land and seascapes exude the freshness of the Plein Air style, capturing the immediacy of the moment. Her still lifes interpret the elements before her in a fresh and energetic fashion.
Mary has won numerous awards in juried exhibitions and has exhibited her work in private and public shows, galleries, restaurants and wineries. Most recently she won awards in both the 2019 Willamette Valley Lavender Festival Paint Out and the Oregon Society Of Artists 2019 Plein Air Exhbit. In 2020 and 2021 all of her entered pieces in the Picture Hillsboro Exhibit were purchased into their private collection.
Enchanted 16x12” Award Winner at the 2019 Willamette Valley Lavender Festival and Paint Out. This piece is currently on exhibit at Durant Vineyards in Dundee, Oregon. @durant_oregon