Gwenda A. McLamb

Born near Chicago, IL

Lives & works in Albuquerque, NM

“And into the woods I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” - John Muir

I find inspiration for my oil or pastel paintings while hiking trails around the Southwest, but mostly in the Sandia Mountains. The landscape and lighting are so completely different from where I grew up in the Midwest. Even though I’ve lived in New Mexico for 25 years, I’m still in awe of our unique surroundings and the warm "watermelon" glow in the late afternoon. My goal is to capture and share these quiet and uplifting moments in impressionistic style paintings. In oil, I use a combination of palette knife and brushwork.

I have been drawing and exploring the woods since I was a child. I have a bachelor's degree in studio art from Grinnell College in Iowa. While working in the healthcare industry as a graphic designer and contract specialist, I completed my MBA at the University of New Mexico. For a few years, I worked as a pharmaceutical representative and traveled throughout the central and northwest parts of the state. I left the workforce to stay home with our two daughters and volunteer in their schools.  After doodling many notes to them, I realized I missed creating art. As they’ve been getting older, I’ve been able to devote more time to my passions of painting and hiking.

My art work has been shown in various exhibitions and salons at the New Mexico Art League and The Gallery ABQ, plus solo shows at the Roots Farm Cafe in Tijeras and Cabra Coffee in Cedar Crest.