Pastel & Charcoal

Mahlke has been drawing most of her life, beginning when she was just a toddler. Encouraged by her family, she took art lessons when she was quite young, then much later studied with artists she admired and respected through workshops.

She began her journey into pastel painting in 1990, with the purchase of a complete set of Rembrandt pastels, learning through trial and error by painting portraits from life. It wasn’t long before she started taking her pastels outdoors with a strong desire to paint the land and the sky.

In the early 2000’s, she studied with numerous instructors, whether they taught in pastels or oils, including Lorenzo Chavez, Robert Rohm, Matt Smith, and T. Allen Lawson. “Most artists I have met and studied with are very warm and giving people. Through the years, I have been truly blessed to have learned from a number of outstanding artists, who have become my colleagues and friends.” She continues to study the works of master artists and is enrolled in an online mentoring course through Tucson Art Academy Online, which she highly recommends for any level of student.

A professional artist since 1998, Mahlke has gained national recognition for her landscape paintings. She has been twice honored as winner of the First place award in Landscape with the Art Renewal Center’s International Salon. In 2013, she was awarded the Gold Medal for works on paper and the Kieckhefer Best of Show award at the Phoenix Art Museum’s West Select show.

In 2017, her work was featured in “Painting Red Rocks Country, Past and Present” a four person exhibit at the Booth Western Art Museum, and in “Stormy Weather: Western Atmospheres,” an exhibition at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.

In 2019, exhibiting with the Artists in Residence program group show at the Brinton Museum, two of her paintings were chosen for the museum’s permanent collection. In celebration of 100 years of Texas State Parks, Mahlke was invited to become a Centennial Artist by painting two specific State Parks from 2019 to 2020, along with 29 other Texas artists. A traveling exhibit, along with a beautiful hardcover book published by TAMU Press, “The Art of Texas State Parks – A Centennial Celebration, 1923-2023” was the result.
More recently, in collaboration with the Executive Director of the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas, she proposed and curated “The Heavens Declare! Celebrating the Glory of the Skies,” an exhibit based on Psalm 19:1.

Also in 2022, Denise was blessed to be invited as a guest artist to the 50th Anniversary Prix de West exhibit at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. She returned as a guest artist in 2023 and 2024 to this prestigious exhibit and in June 2025 she exhibited her work as an official Prix de West artist. “This truly is an honor and a privilege to show my work alongside so many master artists at the top of their careers whom I’ve long admired and learned from. It is a dream come true, and I am thankful to God for this amazing opportunity!”

Mahlke’s artwork can be found in private and public collections throughout the US and abroad and has been featured in numerous publications, including Western Art & Architecture, Southwest Art, Plein Air, Pastel Journal, and two North Light books on pastel.

2023
The Art of Texas State Parks Exhibition : Bullock Texas History Museum, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Panhandle-Plains Historical Musuem
American Tonalist Society Biennial Exhibition – Salmagundi Club, NY
51st Anniversary Prix de West Exhibition – National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, OK
Maxwell/Alexander Gallery Summer Small Works Online Group Exhibit and Sale
Small Works, Great Wonders – National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, OK
Maxwell/Alexander Gallery Black Friday Online Exhibition and Sale

2021 – 2022
“The Heavens Declare! Celebrating the Glory of the Skies” – Museum of Western Art, Kerrville,TX
50th Anniversary Prix de West Exhibit – National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, OK
Maxwell/Alexander Gallery 2022 Summer Small Works Group Exhibit Online Show and Sale
39th Annual Roundup Exhibition and Sale, The Museum of Western Art – Kerrville, TX
Small Works, Great Wonders – National Cowboy & Western Heritage ~ Museum, OK
Maxwell/Alexander Gallery 2022 Black Friday Exhibition Online Show and Sale
American Impressionist Society, 2021 Associate Member Online Exhibition
38th Annual Roundup Exhibition and Sale, The Museum of Western Art – Kerrville, TX

2020
“Making Their Mark” American Women Artists exhibition, Booth Western Art Museum – Cartersville, GA
American Impressionist Society, Online Exhibition
107th Annual Exhibition, Allied Artists of America
Richeson 75, Small Works Online and Gallery Exhibit – Kimberly, WI
Best in Tonalism 2020 online showcase, American Tonalist Society
37th Annual Roundup Exhibition and Sale, The Museum of Western Art – Kerrville, TX
The Brinton 101, Small Works Show and Sale, The Brinton Museum – Big Horn, WY

2019
108th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, California Art Club, Pasadena Museum of Art ~ CA
Shades of Gray, Inaugural Exhibition, American Tonalist Society ~ Salmagundi Club, NY
Looking West Exhibition, American Women Artists, Steamboat Art Museum ~ Steamboat Springs, CO
Brinton Artists in Residence Exhibit, The Brinton Museum ~ Big Horn, WY
Landscape Today, First Annual Exhibition, Harrison Center ~ Indianapolis, IN
36th Annual Roundup Exhibition and Sale, The Museum of Western Art ~ Kerrville, TX
The Brinton 101, Small Works Show and Sale, The Brinton Museum ~ Big Horn, WY

2018
Small Works, Great Wonders – National Cowboy & Western Heritage ~ Museum, OK
Perspectives of the American Experience – American Women Artists, Rockwell Museum ~ Corning, NY
Outside Perspectives – Invitational Show, Mockingbird Gallery ~ Bend, OR
107th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, California Art Club, Natural History Museum ~ Los Angeles, CA
Maynard Dixon Country, Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT
40th Annual Drunch Week Exhibition, Grapevine Gallery ~ Oklahoma City, OK

2017
Painting Red Rocks Country, Past & Present – Booth Western Art Museum ~ Cartersville, GA
Stormy Weather; Western Atmospheres, Desert Caballeros Western Museum ~ Wickenburg, AZ
Small Works, Great Wonders, National Cowboy & Western Heritage ~ Museum, OK

2016
Small Works Great Wonders, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum ~ Oklahoma City, OK.
Cowgirl Up! – Desert Caballeros Western Museum ~ Wickenburg, AZ.
105th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, California Art Club, Autry Museum ~ Los Angeles, CA.
Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale Buffalo Bill Center of the West ~ Cody, WY.
Maxwell Alexander Gallery Small Works Exhibition ~ Culver City, CA.
Grapevine Gallery Women Artists Show ~ Oklahoma City, OK.
Dixon Camp Out Fine Art Invitational ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.

2015
Grapevine Gallery ~ Winter Show and Sale ~ Oklahoma City, OK.
Grapevine Gallery ~ 40th Annual Drunch Week Exhibition ~ Oklahoma City, OK.
Dixon Camp Out Fine Art Invitational ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.
Panhandle Plains Invitational Art Show and Sale, Panhandle Plains Historical Museum.
Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale Buffalo Bill Center of the West ~ Cody, WY.
Artistic Horizons Invitational Fine Art Show ~ Bozeman, MT.
Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.

2014
The West Select, Phoenix Art Museum ~ Phoenix, AZ.
Small Works Great Wonders, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum ~ Oklahoma City, OK.
Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.
Panhandle Plains Invitational Art Show and Sale, Panhandle Plains Historical Museum ~ Canyon, TX.
29th Annual Bosque Art Classic, Bosque Arts Center ~ Clifton, TX.
Vermilion Cliffs & The Four Corners Exhibition, Maxwell Alexander Gallery ~ Culver City, CA.
Prevailing Winds – American Women Artists, Booth Western Art Museum ~ Cartersville, GA.
American Women Artists 17th Annual Exhibition, Addison Art Gallery ~ Orleans, MA.
Movement & Stillness, InSight Gallery ~ Fredericksburg, TX.

2013
The West Select, Phoenix Art Museum ~ Phoenix, AZ.
Small Works Great Wonders, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum ~ Oklahoma City, OK.
Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.
Artistic Horizons ~ Bozeman, MT.

2012
Small Works Great Wonders, National Cowboy & Western Art Heritage Museum ~ Oklahoma City, OK.
Texas Masters, InSight Gallery ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
Holiday Small Works, InSight Gallery ~ Fredericksburg, TX.
Coors Western Art Exhibit Silent Auction ~ Denver, CO.
Maynard Dixon Country Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale ~ Mt. Carmel, UT.
Artistic Horizons ~ Bozeman, MT.
Petit Salon, M Gallery of Fine Art ~ Charleston, SC.

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.

The West Select – Phoenix Art Museum
Gold Medal Works on Paper
Best in Show 2013

Pastel Journal – Pastel 100
Third place in Landscape

Art Renewal Center International 2011/2012 ARC Salon
First Place in Landscape

Pastel Journal – 13th Annual Pastel 100 Competition
Fifth Place in Landscape

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 Place 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 in 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 in 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