My favorite season of the year arrived yesterday. Welcome fall! While I haven't started decorating my Florida home just yet, I felt the need to paint a few fall themed paintings this week to celebrate. Recalling childhood memories from my youth in Southern Maryland, I can imagine I'm back home playing in a pile of freshly raked leaves, or decorating our front bay windows with paper pumpkins cut from construction paper.

Living in West Central Florida, we don't experience any tree leaf changes other than our oak tree losing its leaves in the front yard. I long for the change in colors so I painted "Autumn Aspens" to transport me to another place, at least in my mind.

"Autumn Aspens"  10" x 10" acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas — "Autumn Aspens" 10" x 10" acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

What are some of your favorite things about fall? I remember hayrides, bonfires, pumpkin patches, hot chocolate, crisp cool air, and sweater weather. Things I miss so dearly even after living in Florida for 40 years.

My Fine Art America shop has got you covered for updating your decor for fall. Throw pillows, tote bags, shower curtains, hoodies and more are available with my fall paintings. Just click on Fine Art America to visit my shop.

Starting the beginning of October I'm unveiling "Steal of the Month" where I will select an original painting and offer it up for bid here on my website. This is a wonderful way to get an original painting for far less than its retail value. Stay tuned for the inaugural "auction" starting the end of next week. I'm so excited to offer this to my fans as a way to add to or start their art collection.

“I see
the turning of a leaf
dancing in an autumn sun,
and brilliant shades of crimson
glowing when a day is done...”

— Hazelmarie "Mattie" Elliott, "A Breath of Heaven"

Thank you all for taking the time to visit with me this week. The days are moving faster and the holidays are soon to follow. Take time to enjoy this season and all its glory. I am most grateful to have you here. Please feel free to share my website with your friends.

Blessings to all,

Mary

I had the wonderful opportunity to one of 30 guest artists at the Wandering Eye Gallery's Art Jam this past weekend. The Gallery was packed with lively guests and amazing art. Here I am (in the center) with two of my friends, Diane and Dani, who came to cheer me on.

Next I'm preparing for a group show "Transcending Nature" to be held October 15 through November 25. I'll have more details on this show soon.

In November I'm participating in the Tampa Garden Club's Fall Fest and Holiday Market. If you're in the Tampa Bay area I invite you to come out and see me at one of these events. I'd love to see you.

It's been a fun week in the studio. Here are some new works I'd love to share.

Blessings, 16" x 20" acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

Chasm, 12" x 24" acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

Blessings and Chasm were inspired by the upcoming annual Indian Market in Santa Fe to be held August 22 and 23. The summer is the perfect time to visit Santa Fe, and is usually the time we are there. I've been going through "withdrawals" not being able to go this year so my paintings are reflections of memories from past visits. These pieces were very emotional and different style paintings. Blessings was done with a brush and Chasm with a palette knife.

I've included a short video of the creation of Chasm. Hope you will enjoy it.

And, a couple more of my new "mini's" were also added to my shop. Here's an adorable "Bird and Sunflower" that is only 5" x 5" framed. Perfect for sitting on your desk or wherever you need something cheery to look at.

The weeks continue to zoom by and the stores already have their fall merchandise out. I'm still on summer time and want to enjoy the summer for a while longer. No seasonal change paintings for me just yet.

Thank you SO MUCH for your continued support my friends. I sincerely love reading your comments and will respond to them - I promise. Please feel free to let me know what's on your mind. Until next week, have a great weekend and why not get out and enjoy some of the local art in your area.

Blessings to all, Mary

“My future starts when I wake up every morning ....Every day I find something creative to do with my life.”

— Miles Davis, jazz musician