BIOGRAPHY

Ilene Gienger-Stanfield was born and raised in the dramatic landscape of Klamath County, Oregon.  Her parent’s ranch was situated in the open range and farmland near the Klamath/Modoc Indian reservation.  This unique childhood setting had a tremendous influence on Ilene’s art.

 Ilene’s attraction to sketching began at an early age and has only increased with  intensity over the years.  After high-school she went on to Southern Oregon University where she received her degree in are.  She continued her fine art education studying under well known pastel painter Harley Brown and well known oil painter Catherine Kehoe.

 Gienger-Stanfield has had 12 solo exhibits and years of group exhibitions and invitationals.  Her major awards are too numerous to list with the recents being 2022 Oil Painters of America 31st National “Portraiture Honorable Mention” and Oil Painters of America Western Regional “Award of Excellence”, 2023 Northwest Pastel Society 37th International “Best of Show”, 2024 International Association of Pastel Societies 44th “First Place” and 2025 Women Artists of the West 55th Master’s Division “First Place”.

 Publications include “The Pastel Journal” 2004 June issue, “Pastelagram” 2008 Winter edition, “International Artist Magazine” 2010 August issue, “Pratique des Arts Magazine” 2025 June issue and “The Pastel Journal” 2025 Fall issue.

 Ilene is a signature member of Pastel Society of America, Oil Painters of America, Northwest Pastel Society, American Impressionist Society, and master signature Women Artists of the West.

 In all of her work you will find the influence of hope and optimism that Ilene brings to each of her paintings.

ARTIST STATEMENT

The arts are a journey analogous to life.  In mind and body what we are in our youth we are no longer in our age.

On one’s path of life there is acquired knowledge that applied to our individual lives, will change our beliefs and practices.  If our lives are ever changing then, too, should be our art.

The challenge of executing a likeness of the subject with rhythmic pigment loaded pastels was utopia.  I thought I would forever be a consummate pastel portrait painter.  But, like life, the journey has presented me with knowledge and options to investigate including techniques, mediums, subjects, and creativity.   I crave this exploration and the excitement and inspiration that accompanies.  Currently I am enjoying the use of oils as well as pastels, various subjects, and the journey towards a more intuitive style.

Salute.