About the Artist

Marz Doerflinger was born in the golden valleys of Southern California. As a young child she was fascinated by animation and would play in the studio of her best friend's father, an animator for Hanna-Barbera. Her early exposure to art lead to a life long love of values, shadows and carefree expression.

Ms. Doerflinger received a BFA in painting and animation from Washington State University in 1983. She has enjoyed careers in television set design, graphic design and internet multimedia. In addition to her creative work, Marz is a long distance runner completing over 140 races with distances ranging from 26.2-150 miles. She currently splits her time between the lush rainforests of Olympia, Washington and the arid desert mountains of Rio Verde, Arizona.

Originally working in watercolor, Doerflinger turned her practice towards pastel, oil, and acrylic. She finds proficiency in multiple mediums allows her to speak fluidly about the landscapes around her, choosing the medium that best suits the moment. Marz strives to communicate mood and atmosphere through expressive gesture and a limited palette. Her approach communicates the essence of a subject rather than the details, preferring to allow the viewer to create their own story.

She is currently represented by Art House Designs in Olympia, WA (360) 943-3377

[email protected]
MarzDoerflinger.com

Recent Shows, Awards, Juried Events, and Publications

IAPS Fall Web Show Exhibition, 15th Masters Division, October 2025

Red Rock Pastel Society Annual Show, Masters Division, September 2025

Herman Marguilies award, Pastel Society of America 53rd annual Enduring Brilliance exhibition., September 2025

Pastel Journal, featured artist “Familiar Questions, Fresh Answers” Summer 2025.

Masters Circle status, International Society of Pastel Associations, April 2025

IAPS Spring Web Show, April 2025

Juror’s Choice Award Red Rock Pastel Society, Yellow International Exhibition, March 2025

Award of Merit IAPS 45th Exhibition Open Division, October 2024

Northwest Pastel Society Member Show, October 2024

Pastel Society of America Enduring Brilliance, September 2024

Red Rock Pastel Society Member Show, August 2024

“Artist Spotlight: Marz Doerflinger” Western Art and Architecture Magazine, Feb/March 2024

IAPS 43rd Exhibition Open Division, October 2023

Red Rock Pastel Society ORANGE Exhibition, October 2023

Pastel Society of America Enduring Brilliance, September 2023

Honorable Mention, Red Rock Pastel Society Member Show, June/July 2023

IAPS 42nd Exhibition Open Division, April 2023

Pastel Society of America Enduring Brilliance, September 2022

1st place, Red Rock Pastel Society RED Exhibition, June/July 2022

Best Plein Air Pastel, Plein Air Salon, May 2022

Arizona Pastel Artists Association Signature Member, May 2022

Award of Merit, Phippen Art Museum Open APAA Show April/May 2022

Bold Brush Award for Abstract, August 2021

Bold Brush Top 15%, August 2021

Pastel Society of America Enduring Brilliance, September 2021

Red Rock Pastel Society member show, June 2021

Bold Brush Top 15%, May 2021

Northwest Pastel Society International Exhibition, May 2021

Pastel Society of America signature member, January 2021

Best of Show, Northwest Pastel Society Small Works Show, November 2020

“The great outdoors, 11 artists who paint the landscape” Southwest Art, June 2020

Little Gems, Scott Milo Gallery, Anacortes, WA, June-July 2019

Oil Painters of America feature in American Art Collector, May 2019

“Micro-Pochade: painting and mountain biking” Outdoor Painter/Plein Air Magazine, April 2019

“Artist Focus” American Art Collector, January 2019

Bold Brush Top 15%, May 2019

Bold Brush Top 15%, April 2019

Bold Brush Top 15%, January 2019

Bold Brush Top 15%, November 2018

Bold Brush Top 15%, October 2018

Bold Brush Outstanding Acrylic, August 2018

Bold Brush Top 15%, August 2018

Bold Brush Top 15%, May 2018

Bold Brush Top 15%, April 2018

Olympia Art Walk Spring Juried Show, Olympia, WA, April 2018

Bold Brush Top 15%, February 2018

NWPS Annual Show, Portland, OR, August 2017

Little Gems, Scott Milo Gallery, Anacortes, WA, June-August 2017

Olympia Art Walk Spring Juried Show, Olympia, WA, April 2017

The Art of EBLAR, Rio Grande Gallery, Truth or Consequences, NM, February 2017

Artist in Residence, Truth or Consequences, NM, February 2017