"Mary Manning embraces the bright, bold and beautiful landscapes of the Southwest and considers herself an Open Expressionist. There is a poetic sensibility that permeates her oil on canvas paintings and always lifts the spirit." -- Renee Phillips, Manhattan Arts International

Mary Manning is an artist who combines Japanese art principles with modern materials to create a "Re-Vision" of Western landscapes in the original pieces she creates. She paints scenes from all over the West, and from her travels in the Himalayas and around the world. "I envision the beauty of deserts, mountains, lakes, rivers and skies with their elements enhanced using color and gilding. I often start a painting on site, then finish it in the studio."

'I grew up with Red Rock Canyon in my backyard," Mary says of her younger years in Las Vegas, Nevada. "The bold and brilliant red sandstone drew me on hikes, archaeology field trips, photo shoots, and painting sessions.

"As I learned to paint in oils, acrylics, watercolors, and pastels, the pieces grew larger and drew attention from collectors, galleries and friends," she said. After seeing Erin Hanson's work in St. George, Utah, her Open Impressionism fired Mary's imagination. With her love of color and bold strokes, Mary paints in as few strokes as possible, using vibrant colors and in each painting. She adopted Open Expressionism, a style of painting that appeared briefly in the early 20th century. "It's time artists who love color and gold leaf revive this art form," Mary says. 

She has had solo shows in St. George, Utah; the Springs Preserve, The Flamingo Library, The Boulder City Library, and Mesquite Art Gallery, all in Nevada; in Springdale Community Center in Southern Utah, and online as Associate Artist with the Manhattan Arts International in New York City in 2022 HerStory, 2022 the Healing Power of Art, and 2023 HerStory. She is part of the Healing Power of Art in 2024. LightSpaceTime honored her as one of twenty international artists in its 17th Abstract online exhibit for Cave of the Heart.

Mary paints in her home studio and in nature as much as possible. "I envision a painting as an enchanting view of nature, often containing gold, silver or copper leaf," she says. The sparkle and reflected light add a new dimension to her pieces. Her landscapes include colorful works of Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Lake Tahoe, and numerous views of the West and the Southwest from her travels. She also does portraits and animals. 

Using mixed media, Mary's original paintings have a depth and excitement that she wants you to experience as she captures the shifting light and colors, and forms she sees while working on her paintings. "Everyone enjoys beauty, and as an artist my work offers a deeper, ethereal quality for you to delight in viewing," she says. "Before these images arrive on canvas or paper, they go through my heart and out the brush."

Mary at Red Rock Canyon