Marion Wachtel
Encyclopedia
Marion Kavanaugh Wachtel (1875–1954) was a plein air painter in watercolors and oils
that lived and worked with her artist husband Elmer Wachtel in the Arroyo Seco
near Pasadena, California
, in the early 20th century. Her work was valued in her own day, and her works were exhibited across the United States.
Like most of the American Impressionist
artists now known as California Impressionists, Wachtel relocated to Southern California
after first establishing her career in the eastern US. She trained at the Art Institute of Chicago
, and under William Merritt Chase
in New York
. Later, she taught in public schools and at the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1903 she journeyed to California, where she studied under William Keith
, and Elmer Wachtel, whom she married in 1904.
She painted primarily landscape
s of the dramatic Californian and Southwestern terrain. Her medium of choice was watercolor, but she began painting in oils after her husband’s death.
Wachtel was active in arts organizations, including the California Watercolor Society (founding member), the Academy of Western Painters, the California Art Club
, and the Pasadena Society of Artists
.
Oil painting
Oil painting is the process of painting with pigments that are bound with a medium of drying oil—especially in early modern Europe, linseed oil. Often an oil such as linseed was boiled with a resin such as pine resin or even frankincense; these were called 'varnishes' and were prized for their body...
that lived and worked with her artist husband Elmer Wachtel in the Arroyo Seco
Arroyo Seco
The Arroyo Seco, meaning "dry stream" in Spanish, is a seasonal river, canyon, watershed, and cultural area in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The Arroyo Seco has been called the most celebrated canyon in Southern California.-River course:...
near Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, in the early 20th century. Her work was valued in her own day, and her works were exhibited across the United States.
Like most of the American Impressionist
American Impressionism
Impressionism, a style of painting characterized by loose brushwork and vivid colors, was practiced widely among American artists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.-An emerging artistic style from Paris:...
artists now known as California Impressionists, Wachtel relocated to Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
after first establishing her career in the eastern US. She trained at the Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of America's largest accredited independent schools of art and design, located in the Loop in Chicago, Illinois. It is associated with the museum of the same name, and "The Art Institute of Chicago" or "Chicago Art Institute" often refers to either...
, and under William Merritt Chase
William Merritt Chase
William Merritt Chase was an American painter known as an exponent of Impressionism and as a teacher. He is also responsible for establishing the Chase School, which later would become Parsons The New School for Design.- Early life and training :He was born in Williamsburg , Indiana, to the family...
in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Later, she taught in public schools and at the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1903 she journeyed to California, where she studied under William Keith
William Keith
William Keith may refer to:*William Keith of Galston , Scottish soldier during the Wars of Scottish Independence.*William Keith, 4th Earl Marischal*William Keith, 6th Earl Marischal , Scottish peer and naval officer...
, and Elmer Wachtel, whom she married in 1904.
She painted primarily landscape
Landscape
Landscape comprises the visible features of an area of land, including the physical elements of landforms such as mountains, hills, water bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds and the sea, living elements of land cover including indigenous vegetation, human elements including different forms of...
s of the dramatic Californian and Southwestern terrain. Her medium of choice was watercolor, but she began painting in oils after her husband’s death.
Wachtel was active in arts organizations, including the California Watercolor Society (founding member), the Academy of Western Painters, the California Art Club
California Art Club
The California Art Club , founded in 1909, is one of the oldest and most active arts organizations in California. It celebrated its centennial in the spring of 2010. The California Art Club originally evolved from the Painters Club of Los Angeles...
, and the Pasadena Society of Artists
Pasadena Society of Artists
The Pasadena Society of Artists, founded in 1925, is one of the longest-running, nonprofit arts organizations in the state of California, USA.-Overview:...
.
