Pastel Society of NC

  • Home
  • Our Artists
  • Membership
    • Membership Information
    • Signature Membership
    • About PSNC
    • PSNC History
    • PSNC Resources
    • PSNC Member Portal (login required)
  • Programs
    • 2022 Programs
    • 2021 Programs
    • 2020 Programs
    • 2019 Programs
    • 2018 Programs
    • Meeting Archive
  • Events
    • Exhibitions and Workshops
  • News / Announcements
    • Member News
    • Artist Opportunities
    • Member News Submission
    • Complete News Archive (2008-present)

Mary Planding

mplanding@gmail.com
831.435.9786 (cell)

Mary began her “auspicious” painting career at the age of 3… helping her fine artist father and teacher gesso his canvases — “As you can imagine, I got more gesso on me than on his canvases….” smiles Mary. She studied at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art taking weekend drawing, illustration, and painting classes throughout her early years. She lived and studied overseas in France and Austria while in college as a major in language and communications. “I fell passionately in love with language after a trip to Paris when I was 14. I was fascinated by how people communicated differently. I was gobsmacked by all the cultures as I traveled across France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. I was so caught up in absorbing all of it, that art became a dim memory.”

Returning to the US, Mary entered the business world, eventually moving to California and working for Apple Computer in marketing and branding. She continued a successful career in high tech for 35 years, getting married along the way and inheriting a family. But her fast-paced career burned her out, and in her recovery time, she rediscovered her love of creating art. “I had always loved pastels, but they were so primitive when I was young, so I worked mainly in watercolor. What a surprise and delight it was to find the variety of pastel brands and surfaces back in the early ’00s. I fell in love again and began studying with local artists.” Influenced by Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Cassat, Morisot, John Singer Sargent, the California Colorist Society, as well as modern pastellists Teresa Saia, Richard McKinley, Richard McDaniel, Kim Lordier, Gail Sibley, and Jeanne Rosier Smith, she continues to develop her skills and style.

Mary’s seascapes show her sense of wonder at the beauty of the Monterey Bay and other locations along the California Coast. Her landscapes are rampant with mountains, streams, and the flora of the different seasons. Her foreign landscapes are whimsical portrayals of doorways, cafés, gardens, and of course — the ocean and mountains. As a colorist and impressionist-style painter, she focuses on helping the viewer experience what is happening in that painting with all the viewer’s senses. Most of her collectors say her paintings help them return to a special memory and experience it once again.

Although Mary works in oil and watercolor as well as pastel, to her no medium is as expressive and vibrant. Pastel is her “go-to”, and it’s not unusual to find her covered in pastel dust while she wrestles with the wind for her easel and pastel box while painting en plein air. Having lived by the Monterey Bay for more than 30 years, she recently moved to North Carolina. “It was time to return to the East Coast and have fun exploring all the wonders that are here.”

Mary served on the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz’s board of directors for two years, and was a member of the Santa Cruz Art League. She’s a former member of the Pastel Society of the West Coast. Today, she’s a member of The Artisans / Stepping Up for Arts and serves on its Steering Committee. She is excited that the Coastal Carolina Painters to which she belongs, will hopefully join the Pastel Society of North Carolina. She looks forward to serving and helping this community of wonderful artists.

click on the thumbnail pictures below to see the full painting

Sierra Wildflowers, 6×8
Pumpkins Galore, 16×12
Path to Heaven, 8×10

Upcoming Zoom Presentations for 2023

Programs are on the second Saturday of each month, usually from 10am to noon (US Eastern Time).

For details of upcoming programs visit our programs schedule page.

Membership Information

Fill out our online application and join us for an upcoming meeting.

Already a member and have something to share? Fill out our blog item submission form to announce your latest show, class, or a general announcement to the group.

Get PSNC updates delivered to your inbox!

Shows / Workshops

7th Annual PURE COLOR: Online International Juried Exhibition of Pastel Paintings 2023

Online Show Opens September 1st
Pure Color 2023 Virtual Reception: video of winner announcements

Light Up Your Still Life with Pan Pastels - Pastel Mini-Workshop

Join award-winning artist, Laurie Basham, in a 3-hour mini-workshop on Saturday, September 9th (1-4pm) where she will share her floral painting process. $50
See more details and sign up on Eventbrite

View all upcoming shows.

Recent News / Announcements

If you are a current PSNC member and want to share your news, fill out the form here.

In Memoriam: Betty Hendrix

“Tiny Summer Sunsets” Paint-Along with Rita Kirkman on Zoom

Member Spotlight, Janet Burgess

“Layering the Light” Pastel Workshop, with Rita Kirkman

Member Spotlight, Betty Hendrix

Member News, Jeri Greenberg

Eat and Art Workshops with Emily Thompson

Member News, Patricia Savage: 30 Year Retrospective

PASTELS-OPEN STUDIO Explore and Expand your Pastel Horizons

© 2023 Pastel Society of North Carolina | 909 Fairgreen Road Greensboro, NC 27410