Born in San Bernardino and raised on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Mary-Austin found inspiration in the California landscape at an early age. The Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design took her inland to Los Angeles where she and her husband are currently 23-year residents of the Echo Park district in Los Angeles (their homes for the last 20 years have bordered on Elysian Park land) They also spend many weekends at their desert cabin in Twentynine Palms, CA.
Klein returned to painting landscape in 2001. From the first show she has developed a following of art collectors who appreciate her detailed realism documenting natural landscapes. Her paintings are exquisite, small-scaled gems that capture the light conditions unique to California. Numerous trips to remote desert regions are taken throughout the year to gather new material for her work.
Mary-Austin Klein has exhibited her work in Los Angeles, Laguna Beach as well as Pasadena, and Joshua Tree. She has been featured in The Guide to the Wild Mojave publication sponsored by the California Wilderness Coalition for her artwork and her advocacy efforts, and has appeared in The Desert Trail and LA Architect Magazine. Klein is a part-time teacher of art and photography.
Photo credit: Kelly Fajack
