Douglas Martenson

Douglas Martenson is a Professor in the Department of Painting and Drawing at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), where he teaches Figure Composition, Landscape, Figure Painting, and Figure Drawing in the Certificate/BFA program, as well as in the Continuing Education program. He also serves as a Lecturer in Figure Drawing at the University of Pennsylvania.

His research and artistic practice focus on painting and drawing, with deep engagement in landscape art, figure studies, still life, and tonalism. His work explores atmospheric qualities of nature, interiors, and urban scenes, often reflecting a historical and contemporary dialogue in visual expression.

Doug Martenson has exhibited widely in galleries across New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Maine, including the Sherry French Gallery, Gross McCleaf Gallery, Vose Galleries, and Courthouse Gallery. His curation of The Artist’s Response to Nature: Tonalism, Historical and Contemporary at PAFA in 2013 highlights his scholarly engagement with art movements.

His scientific and artistic awards include:

• Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Fellowship (1996)
• Individual Creative Opportunity stipends (2000, 2002)
• Pew Fellowship in the Arts (1993)
• Cresson European Traveling Scholarship
• Philadelphia Mayor's Award (1981, 1982)

Since 2010, Martenson has served as Chair of the PAFA Faculty Committee, demonstrating leadership and institutional engagement. He has no listed advisees or research grants beyond individual fellowships, and there is no mention of laboratory or team affiliations, which is consistent with studio-based visual arts practice.