Mary K. Corp

Meridian, Idaho | Oil & Gouache | Landscape & Plein Air

“As an artist, nature calls to me!”

Mary K. Corp finds inspiration in the beauty hiding in everyday scenes and ordinary places. Mountains, lakes, rivers, agricultural landscapes, people, and wild spaces frequently become subjects for her paintings, with water and reflections often capturing her particular attention.

Her work celebrates the outdoors—the sunlight, weather, changing moods, and quiet moments that make each landscape unique. Working primarily in oil and gouache, Mary paints in a loose, impressionistic style that reflects her joy and exuberance for life and her deep appreciation for the natural world.

Painting En Plein Air

For Mary, painting outdoors is a way of immersing herself completely in her subject. She loves exploring new places, meeting new people, traveling the backroads, and searching for landscapes and creatures that spark an idea for a new painting.

She has participated in plein air events throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Utah, and her adventurous spirit continues to take her farther afield.

Nature’s constant changes keep her work spontaneous and fresh. She describes the outdoors as a place of both silence and solitude and moments of vibrance and joy.

“I love the ever-changing complexity of nature which keeps my artistic endeavors spontaneous and fresh.”

A Life Connected to Nature

Mary has lived in the Pacific Northwest her entire life and currently makes her home in Meridian, Idaho. Her background gives her an unusual perspective on the natural world. A retired agricultural scientist and educator, she brings both scientific curiosity and an artist’s eye to the landscapes she explores.

Her passion for asking questions and understanding the world around her keeps her creative voice evolving. She continues to seek out new places and adventures, allowing each experience to inform her work.

Mary studied art education at Western Washington State University and has continued her artistic education through workshops and mentorships in watercolor and oil, most recently studying with artists Matt Smith and Scott Christensen.

Finding the Story

Mary has a deep appreciation for the Impressionists of the 1800s and has traveled throughout the United States and Europe to immerse herself in their work in major museums.

That influence can be seen in her loose, impressionistic approach and her interest in light, atmosphere, and color. But ultimately, Mary hopes her paintings leave room for the viewer to participate.

“I hope that people viewing my art will find space in the painting to add to the story from their own imaginations and life experiences.”

For Mary, painting is about more than recording a beautiful place. It is about creating a feeling of joy, peace, and belonging—and inviting others to find their own connection within the landscape.