Painting the Colors, Light, & Feel of the Southwest
Original Paintings Collections
Original Paintings unique, one of a kind, like You!
Surround Yourself with Art That Captures Moments Beyond Time.
Each of Mike's paintings is more than an image—it’s a window into a world unseen. Through layers of texture, light, and emotion, Mike invites you to experience the quiet wonder that exists between moments.
Whether it’s the subtle curve of a distant horizon or the intricate proportions of the human face, these works remind us that beauty often lies where we least expect it. Allow yourself to pause, explore, and rediscover the extraordinary in the everyday.
BECAUSE ART HAS THE POWER TO REVEAL WHAT
WE’VE BEEN TOO BUSY TO SEE.
Landscapes and More Collection
“A painting is not a picture of an experience, it is an experience”
— Mark Rothko
Every original painting in this collection captures the essence of the Southwest — its luminous skies, rugged mesas, and the enduring spirit of its people. From sweeping landscapes to intimate portraits and character studies, each work reflects my direct experience with the land and those who inhabit it. These originals invite collectors to bring the color, warmth, and authenticity of the Southwest into their homes and lives.
Character Studies collection
“I believe that every face was in the mind of God before the creation of the world. When I paint them I'm thinking God's thoughts after him. What higher calling is there than that?” (Ephesians 1:4)
— Mike Mahon
Add personality and humanity to your home decor.
This collection is of pastel and oil portrait studies that were done from life in one sitting of one and a half to three hours each. Their charm is the unique qualities of freshness and expression that comes from painting alla prima (all at once) with a strict time limitation. They are as much an expression of the artists skill and exuberance for art as a rendering of the model.
Because of their personal value to the artist they have never been available for sale before, but he is making them available now. They are in pastel or oil and not framed. The pastels are on archival sanded pastel paper, matted and backed. The oils are on stretched canvas, or canvas board, or masonite.
Landscapes and More Collection
“A painting is not a picture of an experience, it is an experience”
— Mark Rothko
Every original painting in this collection captures the essence of the Southwest — its luminous skies, rugged mesas, and the enduring spirit of its people. From sweeping landscapes to intimate portraits and character studies, each work reflects my direct experience with the land and those who inhabit it. These originals invite collectors to bring the color, warmth, and authenticity of the Southwest into their homes and lives.
Character Studies Collection
“I believe that every face was in the mind of God before the creation of the world. When I paint them I'm thinking God's thoughts after him. What higher calling is there than that?” (Ephesians 1:4)
— Mike Mahon
Add personality and humanity to your home decor.
This collection is of pastel and oil portrait studies that were done from life in one sitting of one and a half to three hours each. Their charm is the unique qualities of freshness and expression that comes from painting alla prima (all at once) with a strict time limitation. They are as much an expression of the artists skill and exuberance for art as a rendering of the model.
Because of their personal value to the artist they have never been available for sale before, but he is making them available now. They are in pastel or oil and not framed. The pastels are on archival sanded pastel paper, matted and backed. The oils are on stretched canvas, or canvas board, or masonite.
THE PROCESS
Bringing an idea to life through art begins long before the first stroke is made.
Inspiration can strike in the smallest of moments—a shadow dancing across a wall, the texture of weathered stone, or a face full of charac. For Mike Mahon, the process is one of observation and patience, waiting for the right alignment of light, emotion, and space.
Every composition is a deliberate act, balancing form and feeling. Mike crafts pieces that invite reflection and connection. These works become more than visual—they become experiences that resonate deeply, offering viewers a chance to pause, feel, and rediscover the beauty hidden in the everyday.
Mike Mahon’s style is impressionistic realism. His portraits and Southwestern landscape paintings seem to intensify and exaggerate the story he wants to tell in them. Ordinary people and places are suddenly transformed when Mike focuses on the heart and soul of his subjects. As Hunter Ingalls, art educator and art critic, stated in a newspaper show critique, “Mike Mahon is an artist with a clear command of both the oil and pastel media... (his) works reveal an ability to single out simple, unassuming details for special emphasis, elevating the imagery into radiant, dream-like originality.”
“My art is about authenticity and simply letting the subject matter speak for itself. The Christian astronomer, Johannes Kepler, once said, ‘I was merely thinking God’s thoughts after him.’ It's an honor and previlege to make a career of painting God's thoughts about the beauty of landscape and the human face after him."
Mike doesn't approach his work in a formulaic way, limiting himself to only one kind image or technique. He paints what he loves, not what he thinks will sell. That keeps his work fresh and spontanieous.
“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.”— Henry Ward Beecher
COLLECTOR REVIEWS
Words from those who’ve welcomed art into their lives.
“The detail Mike puts into his work is unmatched. So many collectors have said many times they can't believe his pastel work! Clients, customers and collectors swoon over his vibrant color choices.’’
Mike's work definitely strikes a cord with our Texas residents! The canyons and landscapes are always the collectors favorites. They see the sentiment in the space seem to spark a personal memory for them.
The New Mexico pieces are equally as gorgeous and many clients associate it with a vacation spot they have been too or a road they have traveled along theirs life's journey.
We believe Mike’s work will be passed down for many generations to come!
— Reece Beddington,
Reserve Gallery, Amarillo, Texas
“Mike's work represents both exceptional artistic skill and that rare quality of emotional resonance that makes a piece truly unforgettable.”
“I was immediately struck by Mike Mahon's extraordinary mastery of light when I first encountered his work in a gallery in Taos, New Mexico.
What sets Mike apart is his intuitive understanding of how light transforms throughout the day - his palettes shift naturally with the conditions he's capturing, whether it's the soft, gentle colors of early morning or the dramatic warmth of sunset reflecting off mountains and fences.”
— Andrea Matus-Magee, Artist/collector, Santa Fe, NM
“Mike's paintings are a vibrant celebration of Southwestern culture, infused with the rich, colorful influences of Taos, Santa Fe and the New Mexico countryside.”
— Dennis & Kim Garvey,
Collectors, Amarillo, Tx
“[Mike] is a master of design and he is one of the best of the best in the New Mexico art scene..”
{Mike] is the consummate professional in the way he approaches the design and process of creating a painting. We are fortunate to own a lovely painting I purchased from him years ago and it has become not only one of our favorite pieces, but also evokes special memories of a week in Taos painting with Mike. His paintings just say “New Mexico” with his beautiful colors, skillful composition, and his mastery of his medium, both in pastel and oil. His deep roots in New Mexico are evident in the historic locations he choses to paint. He is a master of design and he is one of the best of the best in the New Mexico art scene. I am blessed not only to be a collector but to call him a friend and a teacher.
— Elizabeth Cooper,
Owner Operator BlueBird Studios, Santa Fe, NM
“Susan & I have several of his original paintings, not to simply decorate our home but to enrich it with fine art images of places that we sense are present and a part of us though far away.”
Mike Mahon shares our love of New Mexico and captures its unique light & beauty by taking his pastels and easel outside to the sites where he paints what his expert eye sees and what his soul feels, thus capturing the essence of the place as well as anyone possibly can.
That’s why Susan & I have several of his original paintings, not to simply decorate our home but to enrich it with fine art images of places that we sense are present and a part of us though far away.
— Don and Susan Chapman
Elgin, TX
VIP INSIDER
Become a VIP Insider to be notified about exclusive new collections, events, exhibitions, openings, and other news.
Your email address will never be shared with a third party without your written permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the artworks available in different sizes or formats?
Yes! Many of our pieces are offered in a variety of sizes and framing options. Whether you’re looking for a statement piece or something more intimate, we can help you find the perfect fit for your space.
Are these artworks part of a limited collection?
Absolutely. Our collections feature exclusive, carefully curated works—many offered in small editions or as one-of-a-kind originals to maintain their uniqueness and value.
Do you offer international shipping?
Yes, we proudly ship worldwide. Each piece is handled with the utmost care and professionally packaged to ensure it arrives in perfect condition, no matter where you are.
Can I schedule a private viewing or consultation?
Of course! We offer personalized consultations to help you select the ideal artwork for your home, office, or collection. Contact us to arrange a private gallery viewing, virtual tour, or design consultation.
Painting the Colors, Light, & Feel of the Southwest
