Artist: Marylou Wilhelm

Marylou Finch Wilhelm passed away on June 23, 2025. 

She was a prolific artist whose favorite medium was watercolor and painting Plein Aire, although she dabbled in many other media, including collage and fiber arts. Her work is displayed throughout Oregon and includes acrylic murals in Chemult, Crescent, Garibaldi and at the Tillamook Fair Grounds. She also completed four murals in San Felipe where she enjoyed winters in the warm sun. 

As a child Marylou started painting in the third grade, when her mother built a desk for her out of wooden apple boxes. This kept her entertained while her father rested between jobs. Marylou loved those old wooden boxes and the art supplies she found in them. 

Marylou also loved teaching others. She started the Willamette Falls School of Art, the worlds first pop up art school A couple of Spark Art's members, Lisa Foster and LoriCay LaFollette, studied water color under Marylou's tutelage, and credit Marylou with helping them to become the better artists that they are today. 

Marylou's family has graciously allowed Spark Art to continue to carry Marylou's artwork for a while longer to give the public the opportunity to purchase some of her delightful work. We have many watercolors that Spark Art will be featuring. We join many others in saying that Marylou Wilhelm and her art will be terribly missed.