Maureen Skroski

Maureen Skroski is a soft pastel painter. Her career has been as an art teacher until retirement afforded more time to focus on her own art.

Influenced and encouraged by her “Uncle Billy”, William P White was an artist and Art Professor in the New York City area, Maureen knew she wanted to be an art teacher/artist since 1st grade. A scholarship to the Milwaukee Art Center Saturday and summer programs and a focus on Art in High School lead Maureen to study Art at the University of Wisconsin Madison’s Art Education program. Study at UW Madison provided exposure to a variety of mediums and influential instructors. Life Drawing and Oil Painting were of particular interest. Maureen earned an Art Purchase Award for an Oil Painting and had an etching selected by her professor Colscott for his collection while at UW Madison.

While raising a family and teaching Art, there were many opportunities for camping and exploring nature. The love of Nature and specifically trees are reflected in Maureen’s Art. As her children grew and moved away, it provided opportunities to visit and explore new areas. This travel inspired a need to produce art. Retirement provided the time.

Maureen’s Art has been shown at The Art’s West Show in Eau Claire and the Eau Claire Art Teacher’s Show at The L E Phillip’s Library.

Soft Pastels offer me a painterly quality and rich colors. I enjoy Plein Air painting and studio work from photos. For me, painting with pastels is a delicate dance of darks and lights as well as knowing when to STOP!

I learn something every day I paint. Representation of Nature is not my mission. Interpretation and expression of Nature with my love of color as my guide is my mission.