Gwen Dean was born in 1938 in Pomona, California. She studied in the late 60’s and early 70’s under Kaffy Reinhardt, former President of the California Art Club and a student of Theodor N. Lukits and Sergei Bongart. During that time, Gwen briefly attended classes with Sergei Bongart in his Santa Monica Studio. Gwen’s early work was primarily plein air landscape, seascape and indoor still life. After obtaining a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Gwen innovated hospital programs in Southern California, and spoke at national conferences on dissociative disorders while utilizing art therapy with many of her patients.

In 1992, while in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Gwen painted a series of plein air paintings. It was during this trip to Santa Fe that she began to "rekindle her passion for painting". In 1996 Gwen attended a few workshops at Scottsdale Artist’s School and one with the Plein Air Painters of America. Utilizing her business skills, in 1998, Gwen formulated and implemented the Tucson Plein Air Painter’s Society.

Gwen’s work focuses primarily on all aspects of painting in the field (plein air). She considers herself a purist in that her work consists of plein air work done in the field focusing on architecture and landscapes. Gwen is interested in documenting history through painting of historical sites. Currently Gwen is focusing on historical ranches throughout Southern Arizona and California.