Mary Neri King was born into a home where art was at the center. Music, fine art, and creative expression were always the life-source for her family. She grew up in country Connecticut and then moved to California where she raised her children on five acres in Winters for thirty-two years. There, Mary’s appreciation of nature blossomed as she became interested in identifying birds. Now she paints them in acrylics and her recent love of painting “en Plein Air” has elevated her work by allowing her to more fully express her passion for the convergence of art and nature.

Marlene Lee owns a dog named Kava, a chihuahua/miniature pinscher mix, who she walks in her neighborhood where they encounter a wide range of other dogs. Marlene became inspired to photograph and then to paint these dog’s portraits in oils and acrylics. With each painting she aims to capture the sparkling personality in their eyes which is then reflected in the rest of their bodies.

As artists, friends, and lovers of animals Mary and Marlene are delighted to share their enthusiasm for the natural world with visitors to International House Davis. The artists will be on hand to greet visitors and light refreshments will be served.