Malinda Menke

Primarily a landscape painter, Malinda currently works exclusively in pastel. She often prefers the intimate view for her paintings and simplifies elements in the landscape, using interesting, underlying shapes as the foundation of her compositions. She chooses saturated color to express the vision that our natural world is the manifestation of joyous energy. Malinda is especially drawn to the drama that unfolds with the last light of the day, a magical time when the sun illuminates, defines and transforms the land. From her home along the Turquoise Trail, with views of the Ortiz and San Pedro mountains, she continues to be intrigued by the dancing light and brilliant color that is New Mexico. Malinda is a member of the Pastel Society of New Mexico, New Mexico Art League and Plein Air Painters of New Mexico. She has exhibited in group shows at Harwood Art Center, Sumner & Dene Gallery and Arts Alliance Gallery. Her work has been accepted in PSNM's Annual National Painting Exhibitions 2007/2008, and the New Mexico Art League's 80th Anniversary Fine Art Show, 2009. Her work can be seen at Nob Hill Art Gallery in Albuquerque.