Born and raised in La Jolla, California, Jeanne Marie Steele has lived throughout the West, focusing her work on Western themes and landscapes. "Drawing and painting are some of my earliest and best memories. My oldest sister is an oil painter who studied with Wayne Thiebaud, and she often took me to art class where I posed and took in the surroundings of the studio, getting forever hooked on oil painting!" Steele later studied for 4 years under the tutelage of internationally renowned painter Sebastian Capella, and Perrietta Hester, and has taken workshops with Wolf Kahn.

Steele uses numerous layers of paint on canvas and wood panels, often enhanced by a high varnish finish. This format can create a jewel-like quality which she sometimes enhances with gold leaf applied to the painting surface. Much of her work evokes a richness reminiscent of an ‘old world ‘ era. "I try to incorporate a luminous inner glow in each painting,” Steele states. “I move from dark to light within the piece, creating a field of depth and hopefully mystery. I want my work to appeal to the viewer’s emotions and memories…leaving some of the painting unexplained, just as life is.”

Steele now resides in Gold Beach, Oregon with her husband. She continues to travel throughout the American West, painting and gathering further inspiration. She has exhibited in many group and one person shows and has received numerous awards. Her oil paintings portray a variety of subject matter that she finds inspiring and exciting.