BIOGRAPHY

Marie Kash Weltzheimer is an Oklahoma-based representational artist whose career has flourished since 1988, known for her luminous pastel and oil paintings inspired by music, nature, and the beauty of everyday life. A Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America and Master Circle Honoree with the International Association of Pastel Societies, her award-winning work has been exhibited nationwide and internationally, featured in major publications, and collected widely. Whether through her lyrical, music-inspired portraits or symbolic still life reflecting themes of family and belonging, Marie’s art invites viewers into a world of color, harmony, and human connection.

ARTIST INSIGHTS

How are your background and life experiences connected to your art?

When I was six, we moved away from our family, and I was the only child at home. Boredom is good for creativity, so drawing soothed my lonely soul. Later on, my balm was music, and I spent many hours practicing the trumpet. Because of a lack of family around, family closeness and human connection are very important to me. I feel all of these factors into my work in various ways.

Who are some of your biggest artistic influences?

Early on, the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist period spoke to me in a big way and still do. John Singer Sargent, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, and Bettina Steinke inspire me greatly in the area of portraiture. I’m fascinated with the wallpaper and textile designs of William Morris. Also, a favorite is the Hudson River School of painters, particularly Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran. Current artists whose art I revere are Jane French, Sally Strand, and Jeremy Lipking, to name a few.

How have you developed your artist career?

My art career started before I could write my name, and I spent many hours drawing as a child. When I chose commercial art as a major in college, I was fortunate to have enriching fine art classes, because I only stayed in the graphic art field for about six years. I jumped into working in pastel, taking select workshops in pastel as well as the “business” of art, and started getting my work seen in juried shows, building my career in this way. Soon, I had my work in galleries in Tulsa, Dallas, Telluride, and Chicago, and had solo shows in various venues. After the adoption of our third child, my focus was on nurturing and caring for my children; therefore, my work slowed down, and soon the economy slowed down as well. With a word-of-mouth portraiture clientele that started early on, I was able to maintain some stability with my art career throughout this time, still working exclusively in pastel. As our children entered school and proceeded through college, I had several solo shows and a gradual return to my career. There was a great learning curve that developed with technology and the art business, so I spent time learning how to navigate it. It was also during this time that I made the wise decision to start oil painting, and I have studied with a couple of oil painters to further my ability in the medium while staying true to my voice. In 2019, I felt called to return to my art career full-time and have had three solo shows since then.

What does your artistic work intend to communicate to its audience?

I once had someone tell me that my work gave them a feeling of peace and hope. That was the first time I realized that my work communicated the type of human connection that is important to me.

Does your work comment on any current social or political issues?

Not at this time. I prefer my art to be a reprieve from politics. I may glance its way in the future, but I don’t know when or how that will be.

Do you have a particular story that stands out from your career as an artist?

I was impressed to create a piece of art after reading an autobiography, “A Voice Louder than Rock & Roll”, written by guitarist Caleb Quaye. Caleb was a friend of Elton John, who played a part in his early career, and recorded and toured with him. I then had the opportunity to present the art to him and deliver it to his home. In the end, Caleb’s music, life story, and my art intersected to form a human connection and a new friendship with Caleb and his wife, Lydia.

What is one thing you would like your audience to know about you?

I’m very proud of the fact that our family was built by adoption, and our faith was an important part of that journey.

Which current art world trends are you following?

I know my work is influenced by what I see, and it’s important to see all kinds of art. However, I feel trends keep people from expressing who they really are, and therefore, I don’t consciously follow trends.

Why have you chosen to sell your work with 1515 Lincoln Gallery, and what do you think makes the gallery distinct?

I felt welcome and a warmth throughout the gallery when I visited the first time, in the way the work is presented and the use of the various rooms. I also appreciate the founder/gallery director’s depth of knowledge on creativity and the arts. I appreciate the span of work, from historic works to contemporary, representational to abstract.

VIDEOS:

 Oklahoma Sounds series |  https://kfor.com/news/great-state/portraits-of-note-an-edmond-artist-paints-famous-oklahoma-musicians/

 News segment created by Galen Culver, Oklahoma City KFOR |  https://kfor.com/news/great-state/oklahoma-musicians-on-the-wall-an-edmond-artist-paints-her-favorites/

ARTIST STATEMENT

Music and the natural world are my inspirations. Working in a representational style, brushes, oil or pastel pigments, charcoal, graphite, color, and light are my tools to bring forth the extraordinary, resonate beauty and hope that exists around us.

 Marie Weltzheimer’S AVAILABLE ART

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