About the Artist

Maryneil Dance is a fourth-generation daughter of the Texas Hill Country, a region that profoundly inspires her work as a pastel visual artist. After a distinguished 25-year career in interior design, where she became known for creating the “Texas Country French” aesthetic, Maryneil returned to her roots to focus solely on her art, channeling the natural beauty and spirit of the land into her paintings. 

Living on a ranch in Fredericksburg, Texas, she draws daily inspiration from the rolling hills, flowing streams, and diverse wildlife that surround her. Her vibrant pastel landscapes and evocative animal portraits reflect not only the external beauty of the Hill Country but also its emotional depth. Though her primary medium is pastel, she is also skilled in watercolor, oil, and handmade paper collages, always experimenting to find new ways to express the connection she feels with her surroundings.

"Living in the Hill Country, I find myself not just observing but experiencing the spirit of the creatures I paint," says Maryneil. "Whether it’s a longhorn grazing in the field or the subtle play of light on a distant ridge, painting en plein air allows me to immerse myself in the moment and translate it into my work."

In recent years, Maryneil has expanded her repertoire by experimenting with watercolor backgrounds in her pastel pieces, creating multi-dimensional effects that add layers of intrigue to her already dynamic compositions. "Pastel is so tactile," she explains, "the way it moves and builds on the canvas, enhancing the soft coats of animals or the richness of a sunset, makes each piece a journey."

Now retired from her design career, Maryneil devotes herself to painting full-time on her Texas ranch. "I feel as though God speaks through me in every painting I create," she says. "It's a gift to share the beauty of the land and the creatures that inhabit it. Each piece feels like a conversation with nature, a way to honor the world we've been given."

Professional Associations:  

• International Pastel Society  
• Pastel Society of America Associate  
• Austin Pastel Society  
• Die Kunstler Von Fredericksburg (The Artists of Fredericksburg)  
• Former Featured Artist in Residence at RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, Texas