Since early childhood, Mary L. Hoffman has always been drawing and painting and set her sights to be a professional artist.
As her artistic skills developed over the years, Mary became best known for her portraiture art. Portrait commissions helped finance her college studies at The Cleveland Institute of Art in Cleveland Ohio where she earned her BFA in 1989For the past 30+ years, CEO’s, Sports Figures, Actresses/Models, Universities, and collectors worldwide have commissioned Mary for her elegant Oil Paintings and Charcoal Portraiture.
Soon after graduating, Mary joined the Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors and entered several of their juried Fine Art Shows and Exhibits; one of which earned her the “Best of Show” title as well as many “Third Place” and “Honorable Mention” ribbons.
A move in 1991 to South Carolina is where Mary taught Life Drawing, Portrait Painting and Basic Drawing classes a few weeks of the year and continued her Portrait business. In 1998, Mary expanded her art repertoire when Mural Commissions for businesses, Churches and private homes began. Mary discovered the joy of Plein Air Painting in 2005 and the Plein Air addiction began.
Today, Mary enjoys combining her love of the portrait and Still Life with painting en Plein Air. She travels to participate in Plein Air Festivals all over the Eastern United States. Her work is documented on her website where one can view and purchase original works of art.
Mary resides with her husband and two children in South Carolina.
Recent Awards include:
2025 First Place – Summerville Artist Guild All Members Show
2023 Honorable Mention – Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition – Charleston SC
2022 3rd Place – Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition - Charleston SC
2021 Merit Award – Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition – Charleston SC
2021 3rd Place – OPA/Edisto Art Guild - Edisto Island Plein Air Paint Out –
2020 Honorable Mention – OPA Wet Paint Competition – Virtual Online
2018 1st Place – Art Fields Portrait Contest – Lake City, SC
2016 Quick Paint Winner – Cashiers Plein Air Festival – Cashiers, NC
2016 2nd Place -Artfields Portrait Contest – Lake City, SC
2016 Honorable Mention – Castine Plein Air Festival – Castine, ME
