Join us in welcoming our Artist-in-Residence – Mary Lou Correia! From April 8th to April 18th, Mary Lou will be capturing the unique beauty and textures of the Garden through her vibrant paintings. Visitors are invited to observe Mary Lou as she paints different garden scenes during open hours (9am-4pm). Witness the creative process firsthand and see the Garden through an artist’s eyes.

Special Events:

• Sketching Botanical Vignettes (Workshop) – April 16th | 10am-12pm

• • • Learn sketching techniques inspired by the garden’s unique forms and textures. Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike. Register here.
• Pop-Up Art Sale – April 19th | 10am-2pm in the Plaza
  • • Check out the paintings Mary Lou created during her residency. This is a unique opportunity to purchase artwork inspired by the Ruth Bancroft Garden.

About Mary Lou:

Mary Lou Correia’s inspiration for painting arises from observing Nature and man’s gentle intrusion into it- the angular slope of an old barn, reflections in a quiet stream, the changing of light of a pastoral scene.

Influenced by the Impressionists’ use of brilliant, sensuous layers of color, she observes the grace and beauty of Nature to capture a vignette in time. Painting loosely with exuberant brush strokes, her vibrant color combinations express the changing moods of the landscapes. The subtle use of figures stirs the viewer’s imagination. Challenged by painting pure landscape with only the hint of human presence, her painting encourages the viewer to appreciate and preserve landscape for future generations.

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 art at Salinas High School and Monterey Community College, she worked for several years as a designer and as Director of Publication for Saint Mary’s College in Moraga. Mary Lou has received many awards and exhibited through the Bay Area and nationally, including Oil Painters of America Annual Show, Washington D.C.; Plein Air Painting Festivals in: Carmel; Marinscapes Festival; Carquinez Scene on the Straits.

Her works are in collections throughout the world and she is represented by galleries in San Francisco, the East Bay, and Marin County. She teaches Plein Air workshops on a regular basis through the Walnut Creek Continuing Education Program.