Madelon Marie Umlauf

Madelon Marie Umlauf
1942 - 2025
Madelon Marie Umlauf, talented artist, respected educator, and beloved sister, aunt, great-aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2025, at the age of 83.

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Madelon grew up in an artistic environment as the daughter of sculptor Charles Umlauf and poet Angie Umlauf. Her family' s legacy includes the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum, a gift to the City of Austin. Surrounded by art from the beginning, Madelon forged her own identity as a vibrant, abstract painter. She earned her BFA at the University of Texas at Austin, studied painting and drawing at the Aspen School of Contemporary Art, continued her studies at the New York Studio School under the influence of Hans Hofmann, and later received her MFA from Hunter College in New York City.

For more than 30 years, Madelon taught painting at Austin Community College, mentoring generations of students while maintaining an active studio practice of her own. A devoted educator, she challenged her students to refine their craft and take risks in their creative journey, while also cultivating friendships that extended far beyond the classroom.

Madelon's work bridged nature and abstraction, but her life reflected something even more essential: a deep appreciation for simple joys. Though particular and discerning, she lived humbly, focusing on what truly made her happy, carefully selecting the art shows she attended, savoring a well-made cup of coffee or a cold IPA, and seeking out good conversation and worthy challenges. Stylish and almost model-like in her poise, her beauty was matched by a spirit that was curious and uncompromising, much like her mother's. She delighted in quirks and details, tracking down specific ingredients for her cooking as well as her paintings, and she found as much wonder in these discoveries as in the works she created.
She believed in the power of color and light, the magic of true connection, and the importance of staying present to the world around her. She found beauty and inspiration in the birds, trees, flowers, water, stones, music and smells of the world. Those who knew her remember her as someone who lived artfully, with grace, discernment, and deep authenticity.

Madelon was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Michael Eisenstadt; her parents, Charles and Angeline Umlauf; her identical twin sister, Lynn Umlauf; and her brothers, Karl, Louis, and Tom Umlauf.

She is survived by her brother, Arthur Umlauf, and his wife, Mary; her sister-in-law, Shirley Umlauf; her nephews, Stuart, Kurt, Ian, and Simon Umlauf; and her five great-nieces and one great-nephew. She is also lovingly survived by her niece, Carla Umlauf, who was honored to spend the last few years providing care and support, honoring Madelon's life as an artist with both love and action. In addition, she is remembered with deep affection by her tribe of friends, who became her extended family.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum on Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM. As planned, her final solo exhibition will go on at the Old Bakery and Emporium in Austin, Texas, from January 10 through March 21, 2026.

For those interested in learning more about Madelon's work, please visit her website, designed by her grand-niece and fellow artist, Ella Cheesar, at www.madelonumlauf.com.