As an award winning photographer and artist,  Mary Maslanka's interest in art surfaced early in her childhood and continued throughout her school years.

 

In her first job she worked for a Photography studio as a Colorist and Retouch Artist. During the 38 years of which negative retouching was her chosen profession, she attended several semesters of Extension art classes. This was the beginning of her appreciation of fine art. At that time, she decided that oils would be the best medium. Her profession of Photographic Service Specialist never changed, but she did keep oil painting as a chosen passion.

 

Mary also evolved as an accomplished photographer. Throughout the years, she has advanced from the Kodak 120 box camera to digital cameras and computer imagery. Almost all of her digital art begins with images borrowed from her drawings, photographs or paintings.

Several years ago, she was introduced to the world of Colored Pencil. With rare exception, she works with her own photographs in her pencil art. Her hobby of collecting antique marbles, primitives and glassware has given her the inspiration for some of her work. She finds this medium fascinating. She has worked in both watercolor and pastels but at the present, she prefers working in oils and colored pencil.

Mary is a retired member of the American Photographic Artisans Guild as a Master Artist. She is also an active member of Alpha Rho Tau in Tulsa OK and the Tulsa Chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America.

 

Alpha Rho Tau had the privilege of having three juried exhibits at the Philbrook Art Museum in Tulsa OK. Mary had a total of six painting accepted for these exhibits. She has also had six of her works accepted in the Cherokee Heritage Center's 2004,2005 and 2006 annual juried "Trail of Tears" Art Show in Tahlequah OK. In 2004,2005 and 2006 she also participated in the annual juried "Art in the Square"art market located at Utica Square in Tulsa. OK.

 

One of the 2005 Alpha Rho Tau activities was a membership shown held at the "Frame Maker" in Tulsa with 34 members participating and 68 pieces shown. Mary received one of 12 honorable mentions on her oil painting. Another membership show was held at Tulsa Community College in 2006: Mary received a Blue Ribbon, the top honor given in oils.

 

As a student of art in Illinois, Kansas and Oklahoma, Mary is currently studying with Southwest  Artist, Ross Myers of Tulsa. She has won numerous awards and her art is in private collections throughout the United States.