Mary Ann Mengel
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am a Pennsylvania-based oil painter inspired by the connection between humans and their surroundings. My work is often figurative--directly, implied, or symbolic. I’m intrigued by the interplay of energy between people, their environment, and natural elements. My work reveals a visual narrative of otherwise unseen relationships. My color palette is grounded in nature, imaginative and leans toward abstraction. As evidence of my hand’s connection to the canvas, I create layered marks using brushes, palette knives and other tools, inviting an element of emotional depth and revealing the significance I feel for the subject.
Although you may find me painting en plein air, I work primarily in my studio, using my own reference photos of scenes I've recorded for further exploration. My painting process is not linear, but is guided by intuition and imagination. The familiar is entwined with a sensory overlay depicting the beauty, joy, discovery and intrigue I experience during the painting process.
Background
I've earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Communication Design and a Master's degree in Instructional Technology. Prior to devoting my creative energy to oil painting, my professional career spanned a variety of fields including graphic design, photography, web design, and education. I retired from a career as an instructional multimedia designer for a university.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am a Pennsylvania-based oil painter inspired by the connection between humans and their surroundings. My work is often figurative--directly, implied, or symbolic. I’m intrigued by the interplay of energy between people, their environment, and natural elements. My work reveals a visual narrative of otherwise unseen relationships. My color palette is grounded in nature, imaginative and leans toward abstraction. As evidence of my hand’s connection to the canvas, I create layered marks using brushes, palette knives and other tools, inviting an element of emotional depth and revealing the significance I feel for the subject.
Although you may find me painting en plein air, I work primarily in my studio, using my own reference photos of scenes I've recorded for further exploration. My painting process is not linear, but is guided by intuition and imagination. The familiar is entwined with a sensory overlay depicting the beauty, joy, discovery and intrigue I experience during the painting process.
Background
I've earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Communication Design and a Master's degree in Instructional Technology. Prior to devoting my creative energy to oil painting, my professional career spanned a variety of fields including graphic design, photography, web design, and education. I retired from a career as an instructional multimedia designer for a university.
