Follow Mary on instagram@maryjaneiceduke
About the artist:
"Mary Diefenbach Duke is a lifelong artist, raised on a farm in the Badger Pocket area. She thrives on the opportunity to work either in Studio here in the Kittitas Valley, or plein air painting, almost daily. Using a variety of surfaces and painting mediums -oil, acrylic, CWM and oil, or encaustic, she employs the use of color, shapes, and textures, and collage to bring her artistic visions to the painting surface. The challenge and thrill of finding a way to express her experience, then converting that sensation into a work of art that ultimately is pleasing to look at, is extremely gratifying to Mary’s spirit. A new day spent creating propels her forward in the journey to risk, learn, and explore how to employ new techniques. Each of her paintings has a story revolving around its original inspiration and development. She loves to share the resulting art with her viewers and hopes that they can find their own “story” represented in her work. Mary’s work has been shown in numerous galleries, institutions, and is part of many private collections. She is a regular contributor to Paint Ellensburg. It has been her pleasure to serve as an art educator and enthusiastic volunteer at schools and galleries."
"Mary Diefenbach Duke is a lifelong artist, raised on a farm in the Badger Pocket area. She thrives on the opportunity to work either in Studio here in the Kittitas Valley, or plein air painting, almost daily. Using a variety of surfaces and painting mediums -oil, acrylic, CWM and oil, or encaustic, she employs the use of color, shapes, and textures, and collage to bring her artistic visions to the painting surface. The challenge and thrill of finding a way to express her experience, then converting that sensation into a work of art that ultimately is pleasing to look at, is extremely gratifying to Mary’s spirit. A new day spent creating propels her forward in the journey to risk, learn, and explore how to employ new techniques. Each of her paintings has a story revolving around its original inspiration and development. She loves to share the resulting art with her viewers and hopes that they can find their own “story” represented in her work. Mary’s work has been shown in numerous galleries, institutions, and is part of many private collections. She is a regular contributor to Paint Ellensburg. It has been her pleasure to serve as an art educator and enthusiastic volunteer at schools and galleries."
Color and Expression: a reflection.
"This body of work reflects my artistic vision of an experience generated from a moment in time. These oil and acrylic paintings are inspired by the landscape of Kittitas County, Padilla Bay near Anacortes, WA., and Two Ocean Lake in Grand Teton National Park.
They include imagery of local Longhorn Bull, elk, cattle, beehives, Swauk, Teanaway Grange, and landscape scenery.
Prior to the brush stroking the canvas, there has been a moment of sudden, intense inspiration brought on by the scene before me. I become obsessed with it and if possible, will revisit the scene numerous times while working on the painting, It is a process that cant be planned; it is strictly spontaneous and extremely invigorating.
I believe that my viewers will always love to look at paintings with a “story” and hopefully my expressive colorful paintings capture their attention, stimulate their imagination, and they find their own story within.
This body of work also includes the use of applied copper leaf, which adds another dimension to the painting.
As an Artist, employing my hands, heart, and mind, I strive to create beautiful and colorful reflections of my experiences, while remaining loyal to my unique vision and methods of color and expression."
-Mary Diefenbach Duke
"This body of work reflects my artistic vision of an experience generated from a moment in time. These oil and acrylic paintings are inspired by the landscape of Kittitas County, Padilla Bay near Anacortes, WA., and Two Ocean Lake in Grand Teton National Park.
They include imagery of local Longhorn Bull, elk, cattle, beehives, Swauk, Teanaway Grange, and landscape scenery.
Prior to the brush stroking the canvas, there has been a moment of sudden, intense inspiration brought on by the scene before me. I become obsessed with it and if possible, will revisit the scene numerous times while working on the painting, It is a process that cant be planned; it is strictly spontaneous and extremely invigorating.
I believe that my viewers will always love to look at paintings with a “story” and hopefully my expressive colorful paintings capture their attention, stimulate their imagination, and they find their own story within.
This body of work also includes the use of applied copper leaf, which adds another dimension to the painting.
As an Artist, employing my hands, heart, and mind, I strive to create beautiful and colorful reflections of my experiences, while remaining loyal to my unique vision and methods of color and expression."
-Mary Diefenbach Duke