Biography ~ C.V.
Landscape paintings by Laverne Bohlin have been described as tranquil, serene and peaceful. "I find a serenity and expansiveness in natural settings that I don't find elsewhere" she says. Although her work often portrays ordinary scenes - experiencing and depicting the effects of light on the landscape is the essence of her work.
Laverne's love of art and nature began on Lake Erie's "North Coast" where she was born and raised. She spent summers working as a portrait artist at Cedar Fair, L.P. while attending college and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan. While attending Michigan, her education was directed towards the study of abstract art. Additional study with master pastellists Richard McKinley, Doug Dawson, Jimmy Wright, Susan Sarback, Marla Baggetta, and Terri Ford focused on a more realistic depiction of the natural world.
Using pastel or oil paint, Bohlin's work mainly depicts the local landscape and flora. For the majority of her life she resided in the Chicago area, painting places where nature had been allowed to flourish in addition to cultivated gardens. "Living in a metropolitan area caused me to focus on the last remnants of un-managed land that were close to my home. Teaching community college landscape design classes taught me the importance of the stewardship of the land. I am inspired to make art that shares my love of the natural world and heightens others awareness of the environment." Since relocating to New Mexico, she has been excited to interpret the vast landscape that has fascinated so many artists.
In addition to participating in local and national shows, she teaches pastel drawing workshops in the Albuquerque, Wisconsin and the Chicago area. Laverne is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of New Mexico and a longtime member of The Nature Artist's Guild of the Morton Arboretum.
Click Here for Artist Statement
Partial List of Juried Exhibitions:
2025 Pastel Society of New Mexico Signature Members Show, Legends of the West Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2025, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 Masterworks of New Mexico, EXPO NM, Albuquerque, NM
2025, 2024 New Mexico State Fair, Fine Arts Gallery, EXPO New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
2024 Pastel Society of New Mexico Signature Members Show, Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM
2023/2024 "The Art of Healing," New Mexico Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM
2023 Received Signature Status in the Pastel Society of New Mexico
2023 Pastel Society of New Mexico "Enchanted Color" Exhibition, Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM.
2022 Encantada! National Juried Art Show. FUSION, 708 1st Street NW, Albuquerque, NM
2022, 2021 Pastel Society of New Mexico 30th National Pastel Painting Exhibition, Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM.
2018 Pastel Society of New Mexico, "16th Annual National Pastel Painting Exhibition", Sorrel Sky Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2018 New Mexico Art League, "Lay of the Land New Mexico", Albuquerque, NM
2018 Pastel Society of New Mexico "10th Annual Small Works Show", Studio J Gallery, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
2015 Scottsdale Artists' School "Best and the Brightest Show" Scottsdale, AZ
2014 Chicago Pastel Painters, "Strokin'V!", Union St. Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL
2014 22nd Annual "Best of the Best", Alliance of Fine Art, Burning Bush Gallery, Wheaton, IL
2013 Chicago Pastel Painters, "2013 Fourth Biennial National Juried Exhibition", The ARt Center, Highland Park, IL
2009 Richeson 75:Landscape, Seascape & Architectural 2009, Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Kimberly, WI
2007 Pastel Society of the Southwest 2007 National Pastel Exhibition. Irving Arts Center, Irving, Texas
2007 MidAmerica Pastel Society, "2007 National Pastel Exhibition". Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, St. Joseph, MO
Awards
2025, 2024 New Mexico State Fair Fine Arts Gallery, 3rd Place Award in the Pastel Category, EXPO New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
2024 MasterWorks of New Mexico, EXPO NM, Albuquerque NM, Award of Excellence in the Miniature Fine Art Division
2023 The Gallery ABQ, Small Works Show, 1st place award.
2022 Pastel Society of New Mexico 30th National Pastel Painting Exhibition, Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM. Received Sponsor Award. Judge or Awards: Desmond O'Hagan.
The Gallery ABQ, 8210 Menual Blvd NE, Albuquerque NM. Small Works Show, 1st Place Award.
2022 MasterWorks of New Mexico 24th Fine Art Show, EXPO NM, Albuquerque, NM. 1st Place Award in the Pastel Division. Judge of awards: Michelle Dunaway.
2014 Friends of Danada, Nature Art Show, Wheaton, IL 1st Place Award.
2012 Prairie Plein Air Competition and Show, Prairie Center for the Arts, Schaumburg, IL. 2nd Place
1986 Midwest Pastels '86, Silver Cloud Fine Art Center, Chicago, IL. Honorable mention. Judge: Richard Schmid
