July 2019 Featured Artist
Internationally-Recognized Pastel Artist
Marlene Wiedenbaum
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Marlene at Work
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Marlene Wiedenbaum, PSA-MP, is an award-winning pastel artist from New York. She considers herself “a passionate realist, working with a palette of soft pastels, sanded paper, and a kneaded eraser.”
Her award-winning paintings have been exhibited internationally, including the International Pastel Artists Invitational in Taipei, Taiwan and the Xian Art Museum in China. As a result, her work is among six International Master Pastelists featured in two text books commissioned by the Taiwanese government. Marlene is an International Honorable Member of the Beijing Pastel Research Academy. In April 2017, Marlene’s work was accepted into the International Association of Pastel Societies 30th Exhibit Convention in New Mexico. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Fine Art Connoisseur’s newsletter, “Fine Art Today” (2015), ART TIMES Journal (2010 featured artist, 2016 artist profile), and American Artist Magazine (2009). Her painting, “Downriver from Potown,” was also selected by American Artist Magazine for their 2011 calendar. |
In 2010, Marlene was awarded a residency at Platte Clove through the The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, and, in 2012, Marlene was selected out of 1500 artists as one of 10 semi-finalists for the prestigious Basil H. Alkazzi Excellence in Painting Awards.
As an Award-Winning Signature Member and MASTER Pastelist of the Pastel Society of America (PSA), Marlene is also an elected board member of the PSA Board of Governors, and she is an elected member of the Audubon Artists Org. Marlene is also an active member of the following prestigious arts organizations: Woodstock Artists Association & Museum, NAPPAP, NYPAP and LongReachArts.
A graduate of Queens College and SUNY New Paltz, Marlene also attended the Art Students League of New York. Her work is in private and public collections throughout the country and is represented in the Tri-State Area. She teaches pastel classes & plein-air workshops in the Hudson Valley region of New York.
As an Award-Winning Signature Member and MASTER Pastelist of the Pastel Society of America (PSA), Marlene is also an elected board member of the PSA Board of Governors, and she is an elected member of the Audubon Artists Org. Marlene is also an active member of the following prestigious arts organizations: Woodstock Artists Association & Museum, NAPPAP, NYPAP and LongReachArts.
A graduate of Queens College and SUNY New Paltz, Marlene also attended the Art Students League of New York. Her work is in private and public collections throughout the country and is represented in the Tri-State Area. She teaches pastel classes & plein-air workshops in the Hudson Valley region of New York.
Rock Hill Daybreak
Pastel Paper Mounted on Board © Marlene Wiedenbaum |
Rock Hill Morning, Path to Pond II
Pastel Paper Mounted on Board © Marlene Wiedenbaum |
Rosendale Rail Trail Path
Pastel Paper Mounted on Board © Marlene Wiedenbaum |
Rock Hill Tree in Mist
Pastel Paper Mounted on Board © Marlene Wiedenbaum |
John Burroughs Entrance
Pastel Paper Mounted on Board © Marlene Wiedenbaum |
Spring Farm at Dusk
Pastel Paper Mounted on Board © Marlene Wiedenbaum |
Partial Artist's Statement...
"My early years of working in the abstract helped me refine my handling of the medium and sharpen my understanding of shape and form as it manifests in the natural world. I feel obligated as an artist to reflect the world I live in, to look keenly at my environment, and to present it to the viewer in an engaging way."
Marlene talks about her “Sacred Ground” series...
"This series explores a more generalized struggle with loss, that of the American Landscape. I’ve spent much of the last 20 years exploring preserves, state parks and conservation areas of the Hudson Valley. In a collaboration with several organizations, including the Minnewaska State Park Preserve, the Mohonk Preserve, The Nature Conservancy and Scenic Hudson, “Sacred Ground” pays tribute to and supports land preservation and planned development and, hopefully, increases the public's understanding of preservation."
"My early years of working in the abstract helped me refine my handling of the medium and sharpen my understanding of shape and form as it manifests in the natural world. I feel obligated as an artist to reflect the world I live in, to look keenly at my environment, and to present it to the viewer in an engaging way."
Marlene talks about her “Sacred Ground” series...
"This series explores a more generalized struggle with loss, that of the American Landscape. I’ve spent much of the last 20 years exploring preserves, state parks and conservation areas of the Hudson Valley. In a collaboration with several organizations, including the Minnewaska State Park Preserve, the Mohonk Preserve, The Nature Conservancy and Scenic Hudson, “Sacred Ground” pays tribute to and supports land preservation and planned development and, hopefully, increases the public's understanding of preservation."
Hudson River Sunrise
Pastel Paper Mounted on Board © Marlene Wiedenbaum |
Mohonk Undercliff Trail
Pastel Paper Mounted on Board © Marlene Wiedenbaum |
Wallkill Trees Afternoon
Pastel Paper Mounted on Board © Marlene Wiedenbaum |
You teach workshops across the Hudson Valley. Is there anything that YOU'VE learned from one of your students?
In line with the support and openness among pastel painters, there is a sharing of materials, methods, books, sites, exhibits, etc., and my students are no exception. When I was using fixative, one student informed me of a milk based product that was originally used by Degas! Where do you find sanctuary? (#WheresYourSanctuary) I find sanctuary in nature…in my studio that is built surrounded by nature…in solitude. |
Marlene Working "En Plein Air"
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What do you find inspirational about working "en plein air?"
For me, painting on location is a very intimate connection with nature. All the senses are involved, making it a heightened experience. I have discovered rabbits at my feet, deer eating the foliage while I work, even snakes slithering by my easel! There's a sense of belonging in the world. What do you enjoy most about working with pastels? Have you worked with charcoal at all...to blend with pastels? I use vine charcoal for the initial drawing when laying out a painting. The charcoal disappears easily, unlike pencil. It's hard to say what I enjoy most about working in pastel - the immediacy of the medium, blending, vibrant color, easy clean up, and a genuine camaraderie among pastelists are among the many assets of the medium. Note: The pastel pieces featured here are all available. All archival materials used. Please be aware that sizes vary from 12" X 9" to 24" X 18". Contact Marlene if you'd like to inquire about one of the works shown above. |
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Marlene's Teaching Schedule:
Fall Foliage Plein Air Workshop:
Kopavi Studios at Rock Hill 181 Rock Hill Road High Falls, NY Tuesday, October 15 - Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Woodstock School of Art 2470 Rt. 212 Woodstock, NY Marlene has an upcoming workshop Spring 2020. For more information about Marlene's teaching schedule & exhibitions:
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Upcoming Exhibitions:
Mark Gruber Gallery
New Paltz Plaza New Paltz, NY "Three Views" May 18- July 6th Closing Reception: Saturday, July 6th, 4-6pm "Water in Art" July 13 - Sept. 7th Opening Reception: July 13, 5-7pm Sam's Point Preserve at Minnewaska State Park Visitor's Center October, 2019 |
