Mary Anna Lehman - Enchanted Forest - circa 1950s Oil on Board P2850

A magical kind of expressionism marks her as a complete original. This painting assuredly casts a spell.

Measures 10" x 8 3/4", frame is 13" x 11" x 2".

Born near Spokane, Washington, Mary Lehman became known for her etchings of horses, which were often enhanced with watercolor and oil.  This work was begun in 1968 after she moved to her home in Rolling Hills Estates, California in 1963. Her etching teacher was Joe Mugniani, and she was also a student of Rex Brandt, Dan Lutz, Mildred Walker, Richard Haines, and others.

Lehman was raised from age six in San Fernando, California.  In 1938, she studied at the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles.  During World War II, she was in the Women's Army Corps at Los Alamos, California, and in 1946, she married Joseph Lehman.  The couple settled in Lawndale, California, and she took additional art training, studying in 1946 at UCLA, 1946-1951 at Chouinard School in Los Angeles, and 1956 to 1958 at El Camino Collage in Torrance.

She also did freelance work including scratchboard illustrations for "Blood Horse Magazine".