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About The Artist
DLM

There is a quiet thoughtfulness and passionate purpose to the work of artist D. LaRue Mahlke. Her paintings convey a sense of restfulness and peace that reflects the spiritual connection she feels for the landscape she loves. Denise believes that being an artist is a calling that involves preserving, celebrating, and sharing in God's creation. This sense of having a calling, a God-given purpose, motivates her to paint from the heart and challenges her to continue to sharpen her skills, understanding, and dedication. "There is always more to learn and I have a responsibility to put forth my best efforts in the spirit of thanksgiving and praise. The opportunity to reflect the creative ingenuity and love of the Creator through my work is a privilege and a joy."

Denise is a Signature member of the Pastel Society of America, and is also a member of Plein Air Austin and Central Texas Pastel Society. Her work has been featured in American Artist, Pastel Journal, Plein Air Magazine, Southwest Art, and Western Art Collector, and continues to gain national recognition and earn awards. She is an invited artist to the prestigious Maynard Dixon Country show, which supports the Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts, and Artistic Horizons which benefits Arts Without Boundaries.
Selected Exhibitions:

2012
  • Coors Western Art Exhibit Silent Auction ~ Denver, CO.
  • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.
  • Artistic Horizons ~ Bozeman, MT.
2011
  • C.M. Russell Museum, The Russell ~ Great Falls, MT.
  • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.
  • Randy Higbee Gallery, 6 Inch Squared Exhibit ~ Costa Mesa, CA.
  • M Gallery, Private Spaces ~ Charleston, SC.
  • InSight Gallery, Fall Showcase ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
  • InSight Gallery, Texas Stampede ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
  • InSight Gallery, Small Works ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
2010
  • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.
  • Masters in Miniature, C.M. Russell Museum ~ Great Falls, MT.
  • The Russell, C.M. Russell Museum ~ Great Falls, MT.
  • American Plains Artists, Great Plains Art Museum ~ Lincoln, NE.
  • Night of Artists, Briscoe Western Art Museum ~ San Antonio, TX.
  • Cowgirl Up! Desert Caballeros Western Museum ~ Wickenburg, AZ.
  • Celebrations, InSight Gallery ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
  • Texas Stampede, InSight Gallery ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
2009
  • Founding Artist's Show, InSight Gallery ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
  • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.
  • Cowgirl Up!  Desert Caballeros Western Museum ~ Wickenburg, AZ.
2008
  • Streams of Life, Whistle Pik Galleries ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
  • Salon International, Greenhouse Gallery ~ San Antonio, TX.
  • Phippen Museum 34th Annual Western Art Show ~ Prescott, AZ.
  • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.
  • Texas Dual, Mark Haworth and D LaRue Mahlke ~ Whistle Pik Galleries, Fredericksburg, TX.
  • American Art in Miniature 2008, Gilcrease Museum ~ Tulsa, OK.
  • Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniature Show ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
2007
  • Texas Review, Whistle Pik Galleries ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
  • Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters ~ Winter Park, CO.
  • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.
  • Gilcrease Museum ~ American Art in Miniature 2007 ~ Tulsa, OK.
  • Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniature Show ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
2006
  • Scottsdale Artists' School Best and Brightest Juried Art Show and Sale ~ Scottsdale, AZ.
  • Horizons 2006 Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Lakeway, TX.
  • Texas Review, Whistle Pik Galleries ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
  • Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters ~ Winter Park, CO.
  • Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.
  • Brushes to Bronze Fine Art Invitational ~ Keller, TX.
  • Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniature Show ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
2005
  • Whistle Pik Galleries Texas Review ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
  • Maynard Dixon Country ~ Mt.Carmel, UT.
  • Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniature Show ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
  • Whistle Pik Galleries Graceful Discoveries Palette Show ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
2004
  • Whistle Pik Galleries Texas Review ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
  • Graceful Discoveries Showcase, Whistle Pik Galleries ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
  • Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters 2004 ~ Estes Park, CO.
  • Maynard Dixon Country 2004 ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.
  • Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniature Show ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
2003
  • Maynard Dixon Country 2003 ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.
  • Painting The Parks, Estes Park Plein Air ~ Estes Park, CO.
  • Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniature Show ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
  • Cultural Activities Center ~ Temple, TX. ~ One-Woman Show
  • Nature's Palette Plein-Air Invitational ~ Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center ~ Austin, TX.
  • North Hills Gallery Pastel Exhibition ~ Austin, TX.
  • Hill Country Arts Foundation Visual Impressions Plein Air Invitational ~ Ingram, TX.
2002
  • Arts for the Parks Mini 50 Competition
  • Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniature Show ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
  • American Plains Artists Exhibition ~ Odessa, TX.
  • Ellen Noel Art Museum 18th Annual American Plains Artists Benefit Show & Sale ~ Midland, TX.
  • American Women Artists Fifth Annual Competition ~ Santa Fe, NM.
  • Bosque Conservatory of Fine Art National Show ~ Clifton, TX.
2000 - 2001
  • Bosque Conservatory of Fine Art National Show ~ Clifton, TX.
  • American Plains Artists Exhibition ~ Odessa, TX.


Awards and Scholarships:
  • Art Renewal Center International 2009/2010 ARC Salon:
    First Place in Landscape
  • Randy Higbee Gallery 6 Inch Squared Exhibit:
    First Place Award
  • Phippen Museum 34th Annual Western Show:
    First in Pastels
  • The Pastel Journal's 10th Annual Pastel 100 Competition ~ Animal/Wildlife Category:
    Second Place Award
  • The Pastel Journal's 10th Annual Pastel 100 Competition ~ Landscape Category:
    Honorable Mention
  • Pastel Journal 9th Annual Competition 2007:
    Honorable Mention
  • Landscape Division, The Artists' Magazine Annual Competition 2007
    Finalist
  • Scottsdale Artists' School ~ Best and Brightest 2006:
    First Place Pastels
  • Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters 2006 Show:
    Award of Excellence 2006
  • Central Texas Pastel Society 2005 Membership Show:
    Best of Show
  • Maynard Dixon Country 2004 Show:
    Milford Zornes Best On Paper Award
  • Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters 2004 Show:
    Award Of Merit
  • Central Texas Pastel Society 2004 Membership Show:
    Best Of Show
  • Scottsdale Artists' School 2003:
    Tuition Scholarship
  • Maynard Dixon Country 2003 Show:
    Best Small Pastel Award
  • Arts for the Parks 2002 Mini 50 Competition:
    Top 50
  • Bosque Conservatory of Fine Art 2002 Show:
    Tuition Scholarship
  • American Plains Artists 2002 National Show:
    Honorable Mention
  • Austin Pastel Society 2001 Show:
    First Place - Portrait
    Second Place Overall
    People's Choice Award
  • Central Texas Pastel Society 2001 Membership Show:
    Winsor & Newton Award of Merit
  • Pastel Society of the Southwest Show 1998:
    Kay Polk Portrait/Figure Award