D. LaRue Mahlke

In earnest observation and study of nature’s nuances, Denise finds the emotional and spiritual connection that is ultimately revealed in her sensitive portrayals of the American landscape.

Her paintings evoke a sense of peace, intimately connecting the viewer with place. “Painting allows me to communicate the celebratory beauty of God’s creation with others.”

Denise has been drawing most of her life, beginning when she was just a toddler. Encouraged by her family, she took art lessons when she was quite young, then later studied with artists she admired and respected through workshops. “Most artists I have met and studied with are very warm and giving people. Through the years, I have been truly blessed to have learned from a number of outstanding artists, who have become my colleagues and friends.”

A professional artist since 1998, Denise has gained national recognition for her landscape paintings which have been featured in numerous publications, including Western Art & Architecture, Southwest Art, Plein Air, and Pastel Journal. She has been twice honored as winner of the First Place award in Landscape with the Art Renewal Center’s International Salon. In 2013, she was awarded the Gold Medal for works on paper and Best of Show award at the Phoenix Art Museum’s West Select show. Her artwork can be found in private and public collections throughout the US and abroad.

In 2017, her work was featured in “Painting Red Rocks Country, Past and Present” a four person exhibit at the Booth Western Art Museum, and in “Stormy Weather: Western Atmospheres,” an exhibition at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum. In 2019, exhibiting with the Artists in Residence program group show at the Brinton Museum, she had two paintings chosen for the museum’s permanent collection. Most recently, in collaboration with the Executive Director of the Museum of Western Art, she proposed and curated “The Heavens Declare! Celebrating the Glory of the Skies.” An exhibit based on Psalm 19:1. Also, in 2022, Mahlke was invited as a guest artist to the 50th Anniversary Prix de West exhibit at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. She returns in 2023 as a guest and to teach a 4 day workshop in conjunction with the Prix de West

“I find great inspiration in the beauty of big cloud-filled skies and wide-open places, but I am also drawn to quiet, intimate scenes that require a closer look. Subtleties in nature excite me, particularly the exquisite light and atmosphere found early or late in the day.

Annual painting trips, mostly out West, bring new horizons to explore, making a lasting impression on my work.”

Memberships & Associations

— Pastel Society of America

      Signature Member

— California Art Club

Out-of-State Member

— American Impressionist Society

Associate Member

— American Tonalist Society

Signature Member

Publications

“The Heavens Declare! Celebrating the Glory of the Skies” Museum of Western Art Show catalog 2022

Vicki Stavig. “Endless Inspiration” Art of the West. pp 50 – 55, March/April 2021

Johnson, Michael Chesley. “21st Annual Pastel 100 Competition – Landscape & Interior Category” Pastel Journal. pp 54-55, April 2020

Booth Western Art Museum “Painting Red Rocks Country Past and Present” Exhibit Guide, 2017

Muente, Tamera Lenz. “Drawn to the West” The Pastel Journal. pp 47 – 53, October 2014

Corriel, Michele. “Illuminations” Western Art & Architecture. pp 42-49, April/May 2014

American Art Collector Staff. “Movement and Stillness” American Art Collector. pp 152 – 153, April 2014

“Texas Brillance” Western Art Collector. pp 132-133, March 2014

Western Art & Architecture Staff. “Setting the Pace” Western Art & Architecture. pp 36-42, February/March 2014

Gangelhoff, Bonnie. “Show Preview / Phoenix Art Museum: The West Select” Southwest Art. pp 36-37, November 2013

Rogel, Christine. “Artistic Horizons” Big Sky Journal. Summer 2013

Kolpas, Norman. “Deep Connections” Southwest Art. March 2013

“Holiday Treasures” Western Art Collector. pp 76-77, December 2012

Compton, Kelly. “A Salon for Our Time” Fine Art Connoisseur. pp 72-76, December 2012

Art Renewal Center International ARC Salon. Press Release. First Place Landscape, June 2011/2012

“Wide-open Skies and Spaces” American Art Collector. pp 112-113, June 2012

“Artist Roundup: Reading and Resources” American Artist – The Complete Painter’s Handbook 2012. pp 28-34, 2012

Pototschnik, John. Online Interview. May 13, 2012

Pollard, Karen. “Heart and Hands of an Artist. Georgetown View Magazine. pp 31-3, May 2012

Fry, Collin. “13th Annual Pastel 100 Competition -Winners Announced” Pastel Journal. p 47, April 2012

Doherty, M. Stephen. “Denise LaRue Mahlke: Techniques in Response to Landscape” PleinAir Magazine. pp 69-73, Winter 2011

“Lone Star Scenery“. The Pastel Journal. p 72, August 2010

Fauntleroy, Gussie. “On Location: Six Artists Hooked on Painting Outdoors” Southwest Art. p 108, June 2010

Art Renewal Center International ARC Salon. Press Release. First Place Landscape, June 2010

“Founding Artists” Western Art Collector. pp 112-115, October 2009

“American Artist Cover Competition Winners Announced” American Artist. June 2009

“10th Annual Pastel 100 Competition Winners” The Pastel Journal. April 2009

“A Vision of Texas” Western Art Collector. pp 170-175, October 2008.

Doherty, M. Stephen. “Denise LaRue Mahlke: Art as a Calling” American Artist. June 2008

Gangelhoff, Bonnie. “Artists to Watch” Southwest Art. June 2008

Books

Hevener, Anne. “Pure Color 2” North Light Books. 2017

Hevener, Anne. “pure Pastel” North Light Book. pp 58-59, 2019

Price, Maggie. “Creative Freedom” North Light Books. March 2013

Sansom, Andrew and Reaves, Linda J. “The Art of Texas State Parks” Texas A&M University Press. September 2022 // Order Online

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2023

    • The Art of Texas State Parks Exhibition : Bullock Texas History Museum, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Panhandle-Plains Historical Musuem

    • American Tonalist Society Biennial Exhibition – Salmagundi Club, NY

    • 51st Anniversary Prix de West Exhibition – National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, OK

    • Maxwell/Alexander Gallery Summer Small Works Online Group Exhibit and Sale

    • Small Works, Great Wonders – National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, OK

    • Maxwell/Alexander Gallery Black Friday Online Exhibition and Sale

2021 – 2022

    • “The Heavens Declare! Celebrating the Glory of the Skies” – Museum of Western Art, Kerrville,TX

    • 50th Anniversary Prix de West Exhibit – National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, OK

    • Maxwell/Alexander Gallery 2022 Summer Small Works Group Exhibit Online Show and Sale

    • 39th Annual Roundup Exhibition and Sale, The Museum of Western Art – Kerrville, TX

    • Small Works, Great Wonders – National Cowboy & Western Heritage ~ Museum, OK

    • Maxwell/Alexander Gallery 2022 Black Friday Exhibition Online Show and Sale

    • American Impressionist Society, 2021 Associate Member Online Exhibition

    • 38th Annual Roundup Exhibition and Sale, The Museum of Western Art – Kerrville, TX

2020

    • “Making Their Mark” American Women Artists exhibition, Booth Western Art Museum – Cartersville, GA

    • American Impressionist Society, Online Exhibition

    • 107th Annual Exhibition, Allied Artists of America

    • Richeson 75, Small Works Online and Gallery Exhibit – Kimberly, WI

    • Best in Tonalism 2020 online showcase, American Tonalist Society

    • 37th Annual Roundup Exhibition and Sale, The Museum of Western Art – Kerrville, TX

    • The Brinton 101, Small Works Show and Sale, The Brinton Museum – Big Horn, WY

2019

    • 108th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, California Art Club, Pasadena Museum of Art ~ CA

    • Shades of Gray, Inaugural Exhibition, American Tonalist Society ~ Salmagundi Club, NY

    • Looking West Exhibition, American Women Artists, Steamboat Art Museum ~ Steamboat Springs, CO

    • Brinton Artists in Residence Exhibit, The Brinton Museum ~ Big Horn, WY

    • Landscape Today, First Annual Exhibition, Harrison Center ~ Indianapolis, IN

    • 36th Annual Roundup Exhibition and Sale, The Museum of Western Art ~ Kerrville, TX

    • The Brinton 101, Small Works Show and Sale, The Brinton Museum ~ Big Horn, WY

2018

    • Small Works, Great Wonders – National Cowboy & Western Heritage ~ Museum, OK

    • Perspectives of the American Experience – American Women Artists, Rockwell Museum ~ Corning, NY

    • Outside Perspectives – Invitational Show, Mockingbird Gallery ~ Bend, OR

    • 107th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, California Art Club, Natural History Museum ~ Los Angeles, CA

    • Maynard Dixon Country, Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT

    • 40th Annual Drunch Week Exhibition, Grapevine Gallery ~ Oklahoma City, OK

2017

    • Painting Red Rocks Country, Past & Present – Booth Western Art Museum ~ Cartersville, GA

    • Stormy Weather; Western Atmospheres, Desert Caballeros Western Museum ~ Wickenburg, AZ

    • Small Works, Great Wonders, National Cowboy & Western Heritage ~ Museum, OK

2016

    • Small Works Great Wonders, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum ~ Oklahoma City, OK.

    • Cowgirl Up! – Desert Caballeros Western Museum ~ Wickenburg, AZ.

    • 105th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, California Art Club, Autry Museum ~ Los Angeles, CA.

    • Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale Buffalo Bill Center of the West ~ Cody, WY.

    • Maxwell Alexander Gallery Small Works Exhibition ~ Culver City, CA.

    • Grapevine Gallery Women Artists Show ~ Oklahoma City, OK.

    • Dixon Camp Out Fine Art Invitational ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.

2015

    • Grapevine Gallery ~ Winter Show and Sale ~ Oklahoma City, OK.

    • Grapevine Gallery ~ 40th Annual Drunch Week Exhibition ~ Oklahoma City, OK.

    • Dixon Camp Out Fine Art Invitational ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.

    • Panhandle Plains Invitational Art Show and Sale, Panhandle Plains Historical Museum.

    • Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale Buffalo Bill Center of the West ~ Cody, WY.

    • Artistic Horizons Invitational Fine Art Show ~ Bozeman, MT.

    • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.

2014

    • The West Select, Phoenix Art Museum ~ Phoenix, AZ.

    • Small Works Great Wonders, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum ~ Oklahoma City, OK.

    • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.

    • Panhandle Plains Invitational Art Show and Sale, Panhandle Plains Historical Museum ~ Canyon, TX.

    • 29th Annual Bosque Art Classic, Bosque Arts Center ~ Clifton, TX.

    • Vermilion Cliffs & The Four Corners Exhibition, Maxwell Alexander Gallery ~ Culver City, CA.

    • Prevailing Winds – American Women Artists, Booth Western Art Museum ~ Cartersville, GA.

    • American Women Artists 17th Annual Exhibition, Addison Art Gallery ~ Orleans, MA.

    • Movement & Stillness, InSight Gallery ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

2013

    • The West Select, Phoenix Art Museum ~ Phoenix, AZ.

    • Small Works Great Wonders, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum ~ Oklahoma City, OK.

    • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.

    • Artistic Horizons ~ Bozeman, MT.

2012

    • Small Works Great Wonders, National Cowboy & Western Art Heritage Museum ~ Oklahoma City, OK.

    • Texas Masters, InSight Gallery ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

    • Holiday Small Works, InSight Gallery ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

    • Coors Western Art Exhibit Silent Auction ~ Denver, CO.

    • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.

    • Artistic Horizons ~ Bozeman, MT.

    • Petit Salon, M Gallery of Fine Art ~ Charleston, SC.

2011

    • C.M. Russell Museum, The Russell ~ Great Falls, MT.

    • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.

    • Randy Higbee Gallery, 6 Inch Squared Exhibit ~ Costa Mesa, CA.

    • M Gallery, Private Spaces ~ Charleston, SC.

    • InSight Gallery, Fall Showcase ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

    • InSight Gallery, Texas Stampede ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

    • InSight Gallery, Small Works ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

2010

    • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.

    • Masters in Miniature, C.M. Russell Museum ~ Great Falls, MT.

    • The Russell, C.M. Russell Museum ~ Great Falls, MT.

    • American Plains Artists, Great Plains Art Museum ~ Lincoln, NE.

    • Night of Artists, Briscoe Western Art Museum ~ San Antonio, TX.

    • Cowgirl Up! Desert Caballeros Western Museum ~ Wickenburg, AZ.

    • Celebrations, InSight Gallery ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

    • Texas Stampede, InSight Gallery ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

2009

    • Founding Artist’s Show, InSight Gallery ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

    • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.

    • Cowgirl Up!  Desert Caballeros Western Museum ~ Wickenburg, AZ.

2008

    • Streams of Life, Whistle Pik Galleries ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

    • Salon International, Greenhouse Gallery ~ San Antonio, TX.

    • Phippen Museum 34th Annual Western Art Show ~ Prescott, AZ.

    • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.

    • Texas Dual, Mark Haworth and D LaRue Mahlke, Whistle Pik Galleries ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

    • American Art in Miniature 2008, Gilcrease Museum ~ Tulsa, OK.

    • Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniature Show ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

2007

    • Texas Review, Whistle Pik Galleries ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

    • Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters ~ Winter Park, CO.

    • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.

    • Gilcrease Museum ~ American Art in Miniature 2007 ~ Tulsa, OK.

    • Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniature Show ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

2006

    • Scottsdale Artists’ School Best and Brightest Juried Art Show and Sale ~ Scottsdale, AZ.

    • Horizons 2006 Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Lakeway, TX.

    • Texas Review, Whistle Pik Galleries ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

    • Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters ~ Winter Park, CO.

    • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.

    • Brushes to Bronze Fine Art Invitational ~ Keller, TX.

    • Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniature Show ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

2005

    • Whistle Pik Galleries Texas Review ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

    • Maynard Dixon Country ~ Mt.Carmel, UT.

    • Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniature Show ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

    • Whistle Pik Galleries Graceful Discoveries Palette Show ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

2004

    • Whistle Pik Galleries Texas Review ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

    • Graceful Discoveries Showcase, Whistle Pik Galleries ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

    • Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters 2004 ~ Estes Park, CO.

    • Maynard Dixon Country 2004 ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.

    • Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniature Show ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

2003

    • Maynard Dixon Country 2003 ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.

    • Painting The Parks, Estes Park Plein Air ~ Estes Park, CO.

    • Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniature Show ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

    • Cultural Activities Center ~ Temple, TX. ~ One-Woman Show

    • Nature’s Palette Plein-Air Invitational ~ Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center ~ Austin, TX.

    • North Hills Gallery Pastel Exhibition ~ Austin, TX.

    • Hill Country Arts Foundation Visual Impressions Plein Air Invitational ~ Ingram, TX.

2002

    • Arts for the Parks Mini 50 Competition

    • Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniature Show ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

    • American Plains Artists Exhibition ~ Odessa, TX.

    • Ellen Noel Art Museum 18th Annual American Plains Artists Benefit Show & Sale ~ Midland, TX.

    • American Women Artists Fifth Annual Competition ~ Santa Fe, NM.

    • Bosque Conservatory of Fine Art National Show ~ Clifton, TX.

2000 – 2001

    • Bosque Conservatory of Fine Art National Show ~ Clifton, TX.

    • American Plains Artists Exhibition ~ Odessa, TX.

AWARDS

The West Select – Phoenix Art Museum:

    • Gold Medal Works on Paper

    • Best in Show 2013

Pastel Journal – Pastel 100:

    • Third place in Landscape

Art Renewal Center International 2011/2012 ARC Salon:

    • First Place in Landscape

Pastel Journal – 13th Annual Pastel 100 Competition:

    • Fifth Place in Landscape

Art Renewal Center International 2009/2010 ARC Salon:

    • First Place in Landscape

Randy Higbee Gallery 6 Inch Squared Exhibit:

    • First Place Award

Phippen Museum 34th Annual Western Show:

    • First Place in Pastels

The Pastel Journal’s 10th Annual Pastel 100 Competition – Animal/Wildlife Category:

    • Second Place Award

The Pastel Journal’s 10th Annual Pastel 100 Competition – Landscape Category:

    • Honorable Mention

Pastel Journal 9th Annual Competition 2007:

    • Honorable Mention

Landscape Division, The Artists’ Magazine Annual Competition 2007

    • Finalist

Scottsdale Artists’ School – Best and Brightest 2006:

    • First Place in Pastels

Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters 2006 Show:

    • Award of Excellence 2006

Central Texas Pastel Society 2005 Membership Show:

    • Best of Show

Maynard Dixon Country 2004 Show:

    • Milford Zornes Best On Paper Award

Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters 2004 Show:

    • Award Of Merit

Central Texas Pastel Society 2004 Membership Show:

    • Best Of Show

Scottsdale Artists’ School 2003:

    • Tuition Scholarship

Maynard Dixon Country 2003 Show:

    • Best Small Pastel Award

Arts for the Parks 2002 Mini 50 Competition:

    • Top 50

Bosque Conservatory of Fine Art 2002 Show:

    • Tuition Scholarship

American Plains Artists 2002 National Show:

    • Honorable Mention

Austin Pastel Society 2001 Show:

    • First Place in Portrait

    • Second Place Overall

    • People’s Choice Award

Central Texas Pastel Society 2001 Membership Show:

    • Winsor & Newton Award of Merit

Pastel Society of the Southwest Show 1998:

    • Kay Polk Portrait/Figure Award