Biography

Mary Harriman Klunk has been a working artist for over 30 years.  Her educational background includes a BS degree at Towson University, studying Art and Psychology; and an M.Ed from Loyola University.  Mary studied painting and drawing at the Mitchell School of Fine Arts and the Maryland Institute of Art in Baltimore, Maryland.

Mary has been employed as an Art Therapist in neuropsychiatric hospitals, Senior Centers, and nursing homes. She managed Art programs in maximum and medium security prisons.  Mary served as Artist in Residence at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Perry Point, Maryland.  She taught Painting and Drawing classes at Community Colleges throughout the Maryland area with students ranging in age from five to 95.  She has lectured on American Artists, Impressionism, and Modern Painting,and  taught Art workshops in Maryland, Florida, and Nassau, Bahamas.  Mary worked as a mural artist for Harford Community College, Comcast Cable, and the Havre de Grace Arts Commission.  She worked as a Caricature artist in Baltimore's Inner Harbor.  Mary owned and operated a working studio and gallery in Havre de Grace, Maryland.  She currently paints and teaches in Ft Myers and Sanibel Island, Florida. 

While teaching Art at the Maryland House of Corrections, Mary became aware of high rates of illiteracy among the inmates.  She devoted herself to improving literacy rates, earned an M.Ed in Special Education and Reading, and for ten years worked as a Reading teacher in the Baltimore School System. 

Ms. Klunk's work includes portraits, still life, landscapes, and figure studies.  Her works are completed in a classical "Old Master's" style with emphasis on color relationships, lighting, and value.  She works in oils and pastels and has exhibited nationally, and in the Florida and Maryland areas.  She has won numerous awards for her work.

Inspirations for still life paintings include everyday objects, fruit, flowers, and beach finds.  Trips abroad and in the United States provide material for land and seascapes.  A fascination for faces and personalities, developed through years of caricature, provide inspiration for portraits and figurative paintings.  The beaches of South West Florida are featured in many of her works.  Mary is currently teaching Portraiture at BIG ARTS on Sanibel Island and provides Art instruction at the nearby Shell Point community. Commissions available by contacting the artist.

Mary has won numerous awards for her work, most recently a portrait, “Malaya”, was awarded Second Prize in Fusion’s International Show at Palm Springs and was accepted into the 94th Exhibition of the American Artists Professional League at the Salmagundi Club in New York. 

A landscape, “Purple Shadows on the Beach” was awarded First Place at BIG ARTS’ On Location: A Plein Air Show; and a figurative painting, “Our Brothers Keeper” was awarded the Judges Choice from the Art Council of Southwest Florida. 

A Still Life, “Annie’s Memories” was accepted into the 92nd Exhibition of the American Artists Professional League at the Salmagundi Club in New York.