Mary Lou Correia

Mary Lou Correia's inspiration for painting arises from observing nature and man's gentle intrusion into it. Painting loosely with exuberant brush strokes, her vibrant color combination's express the changing moods of the landscapes. The subtle use of figures stirs the viewer's imagination. Challenged by painting pure landscape en plein air with only the hint of human presence, her painting encourages the viewer to appreciate and preserve landscape for future generations. A portion of her painting's proceeds are donated to environmental causes.

Her weekly painting adventures include trips to nearby rural backroads, colorful vineyards and the Northern California coast. She frequently travels and paints in stimulating places such as Alaska, San Juan Isle., Oregon, Mexico and Portugal.

Mary Lou has a classical art education. She received a Bachelor's Degree at Syracuse University, followed by graduate work at CCAC in Oakland. After an early career teaching at Salinas High School and Monterey Peninsula College, she worked for a number of years as a graphic designer and as Publication's Director for Saint Mary's College in Moraga, California. Mary Lou has received many awards and exhibited throughout the Bay Area. Her works are in collections throughout the world. She teaches Plein Air workshops on a regular basis through the Walnut Creek Arts Education Program and the San Luis Obispo Art Center.

Recent Exhibitions:
California Art Club, City Scapes, Pasadena, California
LPAPA Go Figure, Laguna, California
Oil Painters of America Annual Shows, Washington, D.C. and Chicago, Illinois
Napa Museum Plein Air Show
Carmel Plein Air Festival
Marinscapes Festival
San Luis Obispo Plein Air Invitationals
Hagen Museum, Invitational, Stockton, California
Vacaville Museum, Pastel of the West Annual
Alameda Plein Air Invitational