Mary J Steffens
APANZ
I am a pastel portrait and figure artist based in beautiful Nelson.
My style is a little different. I invite viewers to get up close to my work to see the results of multiple layers of pastel line work revealing colour that you may not expect. For my figure and portrait work I use a limited colour palette and instead of blending, I use 10s of thousands of directional lines built up to create shape, light and shade. Each piece is built up with multiple passes (layers), I am a freehand drawer so with each pass I am also making corrections and changes. The final passes are all about the finer details and highlights.
My biggest influences are impressionist artists Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt. Degas for his ability to portray movement and everyday life, and Mary Cassatt for her ability to capture intimate family moments. With my work I aim to capture the effects of light, colour and movement and to show off how amazing the human face and form is.
I joined PANZ in 2024 and have loved being amongst a large group of amazing NZ artists. My biggest achievement so far is winning the General section of the 2025 PANZ Purely Pastel National Exhibition with my piece 'Hope In Sepia'. And also gaining APANZ within my second year of being part of PANZ.
Alongside my art, I am a self-employed graphic designer and web designer.
www.maryjaneart.co.nz
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APANZ
I am a pastel portrait and figure artist based in beautiful Nelson.
My style is a little different. I invite viewers to get up close to my work to see the results of multiple layers of pastel line work revealing colour that you may not expect. For my figure and portrait work I use a limited colour palette and instead of blending, I use 10s of thousands of directional lines built up to create shape, light and shade. Each piece is built up with multiple passes (layers), I am a freehand drawer so with each pass I am also making corrections and changes. The final passes are all about the finer details and highlights.
My biggest influences are impressionist artists Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt. Degas for his ability to portray movement and everyday life, and Mary Cassatt for her ability to capture intimate family moments. With my work I aim to capture the effects of light, colour and movement and to show off how amazing the human face and form is.
I joined PANZ in 2024 and have loved being amongst a large group of amazing NZ artists. My biggest achievement so far is winning the General section of the 2025 PANZ Purely Pastel National Exhibition with my piece 'Hope In Sepia'. And also gaining APANZ within my second year of being part of PANZ.
Alongside my art, I am a self-employed graphic designer and web designer.
www.maryjaneart.co.nz
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