About

A resident of Taos, New Mexico, M.A. Havens first completed fine arts courses at a Pennsylvania secondary school, and continued with life sciences education at Seton Hill College in Greensburg, PA. She graduated from the Pittsburgh Hospital School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse. She then traveled and observed art for a year-and-a-half in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Returning to America, she continued her nursing career in Alabama,  Pennsylvania and Southern  California.  In California, she studied oil painting for three years with Chouinard artist Jay Hastings. During her Hastings apprenticeship, she was also commissioned to paint domestic portraitures. For  eighteen additional years in Southern California she painted, exhibited and sold oils, watercolors, mixed media and acrylics of landscapes, animals and abstract imagery. Her art is in private collections in New York, California, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina. and Texas She currently paints in her Taos studio, and shows at various exhibitions.

EMAIL:  mahavens127@gmail.com    

2002. Established Studio 127 in CA. 

2003. Admitted into Monrovia Association of Fine Art (MAFA), Monrovia, CA.

2003-2020.  Juried artist, exhibitor, and instructor in Monrovia, CA.

· Studio 127  Solo art shows at The Gables Art Extravaganzas and Holiday Festivals.

· MAFA Art Festivals , Library Park, Monrovia, CA. Exhibitor and fund-raiser.

· MAFA Plaza and Summer Art Walks. 

·  Exhibited and demonstrated acrylic painting.

· MAFA Aztec Gallery Shows. Juried, curated, and exhibited. 

· 2018-2020 MAFA-Appointed Art Committee Jurist

2019-2022. Owner of Art Haven Studio and Gallery in Arcadia, CA.

2021. Pomona Valley Art Association, CA, Annual Art Show - Judge. 

2022-on. M.A. Havens Art studio, Taos, NM. 

· Creating and exhibiting original art.

2023. Taos Abstract Artist Collective Fall Exhibitor, Stables Gallery.

2023-2024. “Taos Is Art” Winter Banner displayed by Taos Arts Council.

2024 - 1st Quarter.  Solo exhibition of 11 abstract paintings at Centinel Bank of Taos.

TAOS TEMPO MAGAZINE - TAOS NEWS  

Weekly Edition Thursday, March 21, 2024

M.A. Havens’ artistic evolution

By Emily Mendez

In the delicate strokes of her brush, M.A. Havens, also known as Millie, finds not just a canvas but a conduit for joy, a conduit she chooses to express in its purest form. Embarking on a dual pursuit of fine art alongside a more conventional education aimed at becoming a registered nurse (RN), she navigated the realms of creativity and caregiving with equal fervor.

Millie's artistic talents, though initially cultivated as a mere pastime, were nurtured amid the backdrop of her nursing profession. With an insatiable appetite for the arts, she explored a myriad of mediums, from the meticulous craft of sketching to the vibrant world of oil painting and the ethereal allure of watercolors.

Immersing herself in a three-year intensive study during a sabbatical from her nursing duties, she honed her skills further, delving into the realm of domestic portraiture, capturing the essence of life within the confines of people's historic homes. It was during this period that she also embarked on a transformative journey, refining her technique amidst the tranquil beauty of nature, particularly on the sun-kissed shores of California beaches.

Transitioning from the rigors of the nursing profession to the realm of professional artistry, Millie embarked on a new chapter in her life. Following her retirement from the health care sector, her appreciation for the beauty of life continued to inform her artistic endeavors.

Driven by a desire to nurture and share her passion, Millie embarked on a journey that led her to the vibrant art scene of Santa Fe and Taos. A fortuitous phone call with Feliz Mondragon of Centinel Bank resulted in the showcasing of her artwork, marking a significant milestone in her artistic journey. One of the only abstractionists to be featured as of late, Millie is proud to be featured in the local institution.

In her latest exhibitions, Millie's artwork takes viewers into the realms of abstractionism, with each piece emanating a luminous quality that reflects her profound intention of sharing love and goodness with the world. As a member of the Taos Abstract Artists' Collective, she finds solace and inspiration in the collaborative spirit of the community, fostering an environment of creativity and excitement.

One of Millie's most notable series on display, the "Sustaining Love" collection, is characterized by a meticulous planning process, wherein she imbues each piece with intentional color schemes and layers, exploring the multifaceted nature of love in its various forms — romantic, familial and friendly. Through her art, she invites viewers to contemplate the transformative power of love, from its humble beginnings to its boundless embrace of the universe. The first of the series is the biggest and brightest, showing the creation of love. The second takes viewers into the transformations of love. The third shows love through divine love’s embrace, featuring a small family that walks together no matter what. Together, they form an homage to one of the most profound emotions we all feel.

Her tryptic series, "A Sea Symphony," pays homage to Millie's profound connection with water, a source of solace and inspiration amidst the arid landscapes of New Mexico. The composer of the song that inspired the piece created it with the sounds of whales, and Havens felt the energies of the entire ocean can be changed with the power of the whales. She aimed to capture this with chromatic hues and luminous light, thus drawing on her connections to the ethereal melodies of "And God Created Great Whales," and inviting viewers to appreciate its majestic beauty.

For Millie, the process of creating art is a harmonious blend of control and spontaneity, where she surrenders to the flow of color, shape and line, allowing each layer to unfold organically. Her relocation to Taos in 2022 marked the realization of a long-held dream, as she and her husband embraced the tranquil beauty of the region, finding solace in its temperamental weather and majestic landscapes.

In her sun-drenched studio overlooking the rugged terrain of Taos, Millie continues to find inspiration in the ever-changing hues of the landscape, each stroke of her brush adding another layer of testament to her enduring passion for art and life. As she reflects on her journey, she remains grateful for the opportunity to share her love of art with the world, a journey fueled by a profound appreciation for the beauty that surrounds her here in her new home.

View M.A. Havens exhibition at Centinel Bank of Taos at 512 Paseo del Pueblo Sur in Taos, through April 16, 2024.  For more information, visit mahavensart.com 

At age four, I began coloring with crayons—one color at a time and not repeating, but arranging what felt right. My drawings were undulating and multicolored without definite forms.  After those early years, I used watercolors to paint abstract imagery. Then came representational oils, and I was thrilled to sit on Pacific Coast beaches and paint panoramic skies, surging waves, and surf crashing on rocky shores. Following that phase, I painted landscapes, structures, animals and people. My perspectives spanned from far to near, and my palette extended from oils to mixed media (oil pastels/colored pencils/pen and ink/watercolors/acrylics). Currently, I paint primarily large acrylic abstractions with occasional degrees of realism.  I express my creative journey, my feelings, and my exhilarating  sense of life.

Email:  mahavens127@gmail.com