Through her paintings, Mary Benke aspires to convey the essence of her subject matter, whether it be a landscape from her home in Colorado's foothills, an intriguing scene from her travels, flowers and wildlife found in her own backyard, or images inspired by the activities and interests of her family: fly-fishing, dance, and nature.

The imaginative use of color, design and texture in her work evokes emotion and a strong sense of imagery. She is drawn to the luminosity of watercolor and the vibrant textures of pastel, and paints in both mediums depending on the subject. She also enjoys the challenges and rewards of plein air painting and mixed media.

Her passion for art began in high school and college. She earned degrees in journalism and English at the University of Southern California, while also taking painting and drawing classes. After working as a magazine editor and graphic designer for over 20 years, she rediscovered fine art through watercolor and pastel classes and workshops.