Marianne Bechtle is an abstract expressionist painter who paints large and small abstracts and abstract landscapes and seascapes in acrylic and cold wax. She is committed to creating authentic, emotive and intriguing contemporary paintings that invite the viewer to wander, explore, and intuitively respond to the visual impact of the piece. 

Marianne’s  art practice allows her to create paintings that feel alive to the viewer and convey emotions, feelings, and impressions that drove the work during its creation. She works in the moment, incorporating the unexpected and vivid color, line, stroke, shape and texture with fun-loving irreverence to create works intended to surprise and delight the viewer. 

Marianne lives and works in the coastal city of Virginia Beach. She has exhibited multiple times at the  Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, including at the current "Where We Meet" exhibit that runs through January 11, 2026. She has won awards at multiple juried art shows, including receiving the prestigious MOCA Director’s Award at the 2024 MOCA Boardwalk Art Show.