Mechtild Calnin

Mechtild Calnin is a watercolorist who is painting to capture the beauty of the Southwest Wisconsin countryside around her rural home in Richland County. She is inspired by the woods and hillsides, the flowers in her colorful garden, and the old farmsteads that connect us to the land.

Mechtild was born in Germany and lived in Nurnberg where she studied at the Fachochschule Nurnberg for Commercial Art. She married Richard Calnin in Germany in 1953 and a few months later they moved to the United States. They made their home in DePere, Wisconsin. Both taught at St. Norbert College, Mechtild as part time lecturer of German Language and Literature for 17 years.

Retirement brought them to Richland Center, Wisconsin, where they converted a barn into their home. There, Mechtild started painting again. Over several years she studied with Dr. Joe Robinson and took workshops with Robert and Sharon Long and Pat Norten. All are accomplished watercolor artists known through the United States. Mechtild is currently teaching watercolor courses over several years at the UW-Richland Extension in Richland Center.

The Calnins have traveled and lived in Europe, Mexico and Peru. They have 4 sons and 8 grandchildren.

131 W. Court St. · P.O. Box 475 · Richland Center, WI 53581

608-604-2838