About Connie Mae
I create oil paintings that celebrate my love of nature, transporting the viewer into the scene. I love to highlight the beauty found in ordinary moments, which call the viewer to pause, reflect, and sense the peace that nature offers. When we allow ourselves to be present in the moment - in the place where we are, whether on a city street, walking through the forest, or looking out a window, we notice nature and find that our soul quiets, and we experience the healing wonder that nature provides. Because I find such joy and wonder in natural settings, I paint in a realistic style with a bit of interpretation that unites the joy found in discovering unexpected details with the spirit felt in each place. I invite you to take a little journey and enter into these scenes I have created based on my experiences.
Artist History
Award-winning artist Connie Mae paints both en plein air and uses her own photographs for reference for painting in her studio. Influenced by artists such as Andrew Wyeth and Asher B. Durant, she paints in a realistic style that is uniquely hers, skillfully utilizing light, shadow, and color.
Connie grew up with a love of nature, hiking and camping in Michigan’s northern woods with her family. Never without a pencil or paintbrush, she drew and painted from her experiences, learning at an early age the delight in observing details. She took art classes throughout her school years, majored in fine art at Spring Arbor University, and pursued additional education at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, and has studied under renowned artists including Lorenzo Chavez, Derek James, and Katriel Srebnik.
For several years, Connie’s artistic attention was devoted to teaching art. Upon moving to West Virginia in 2012, she turned her attention back to oil painting and now works as a full-time artist celebrating the beauty she finds outdoors as well as doing commissioned work.
Connie’s artwork has appeared in numerous exhibitions, it has won many awards, and has been purchased by collectors throughout the U.S. Connie has also been interviewed on public media.
An active member of her community, Connie has served on local arts councils, created public art, juried local exhibits, and contributes to educational art programs. Her professional memberships include Tamarack: The Best of WV and Allied Artists of WV.