Studying nature's subtle nuances through thoughtful observation provides Mahlke an emotional and spiritual connection that must be expressed. Her vision for a painting starts with that heart response, inspired by the light, color, or mood of a scene then gradually revealed in a sensitive portrayal of land and sky, bringing the viewer into a peaceful, intimate encounter with place. For Mahlke, painting is a way to celebrate and share the beauty and truth of God’s creation with others. Her medium of choice for much of her work, whether in the studio or on location, is soft pastel.

Mahlke has gained national recognition for her paintings. She has been honored twice with the Art Renewal Center’s International Salon First-Place award for Landscape. In 2013, she received the Gold Medal for works on paper and the Kieckhefer Best of Show award at the Phoenix Art Museum’s West Select show. Mahlke's work was exhibited in “Painting Red Rocks Country, Past and Present” at the Booth Western Art Museum in 2017, and in 2019, the Brinton Museum featured her work as part of the museum's Artist in Residence program. 2022 was a memorable and exciting year for Mahlke as she had the honor of being a guest artist in the 50th Anniversary Prix de West exhibit. Also in 2022, in collaboration with the Executive Director of the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas, Mahlke proposed and curated the group exhibition, "The Heavens Declare! Celebrating the Glory of the Skies." In 2024, she was formally invited into the Prix de West family of artists and is greatly humbled by the honor of exhibiting her work in this prestigious show alongside so many artists and sculptors she highly respects and admires.

Numerous publications have featured her work, including Art of the West, Western Art & Architecture, Southwest Art, Plein Air, and Pastel Journal, as well as two North Light books on pastel. Her paintings are in private and public collections throughout the US and abroad.

Mahlke is represented by Davis & Blevins Gallery in Saint Jo, Texas.