Mike Mahon

Mike Mahon’s style is impressionistic realism. He has a flair for color, and a mastery of drawing and design. His portraiture and landscapes seem to intensify and exaggerate the story he wants to tell in them. Ordinary people and places are suddenly transformed when Mike focuses on the heart and soul of his subjects.
His life as a commercial artist and illustrator for twenty-eight years prepared Mike for the full-time fine art career he now enjoys in Santa Fe. His varied experience in every area of the art business has helped him demonstrate excellence and versatility in pastel, watercolor, oil, and photography.
Passionately invested in virtually every area of the visual arts throughout his career, Mike is also the inventor of a revolutionary pastel management & plein air painting system, Mike Mahon’s Pastel Porter.
He was featured in the 2004 North Light Books’ publication, 100 Ways to Paint Portraits and Figures, along with 99 other artists from around the world. Mike has been honored with many first place and Best of Show awards for his work including a Best of Show at the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico 2014 Santa Fe Paint Out and 3rd Place at the 2015 Paint Out.
Mike is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America (PSA), the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico (PAPNM), the Pastel Society of New Mexico (PSNM) and the American Plains Artists (APA).