Two Months in Santa Fe

Two Months In Santa Fe

I arrived in Santa Fe, NM (aka My Happy Place) at the beginning of May ready to paint, network with other artists, find a gallery to represent me and enjoy the arts and culture of The City Different. After getting settled in to my little casita, I began painting, participated in the annual Canyon Road Spring Art Festival by painting live at Acosta-Strong Fine Art and dropped off a painting for a group show at Metallo Gallery in the quaint and quirky small town of Madrid, NM. Not too bad for my first week in Santa Fe.

Live painting at Acosta-Strong Fine Art 

What a treat is was to get to paint with three other amazing artists from this gallery. They were all so gracious and I loved being introduced as their "visiting guest artist". After I came down from that high it was time to meet with the galleries who agreed to see my art. The first one was a polite "no thank you" but the second one was a huge YES!!! I came in toting two bags filled with art and I'm happy to say the Turquoise Butterfly Gallery took all 11 pieces of my art. 

After celebrating that victory I got back to painting and was able to complete five new paintings. I've just finished adding them to my website. Please click here to visit my website.

Sacred Start, 12" x 12" acrylic on canvas

There's a reason Santa Fe is the third largest art market in the country. With more than 100 fine art galleries and artist studios in one short mile, Canyon Road offers an incredibly diverse array of artwork by established and emerging artists. As a collector, whether you prefer art that is contemporary, abstract, modern, expressionistic, traditional, western or Native American, it’s all here. 

And, of course no trip to Santa Fe would be complete without a visit to the Georgia O'Keeffe museum and her home and studio in Abiquiu. O'Keeffe is my muse so I never miss an opportunity to visit these places. I could write an entire blog on how much her life and work inspires me.

I'm preparing for a solo show in Tampa at the Rialto Theatre in September so I'll be painting all summer. And, with all the inspiration collected from my trip those paintings should burst onto the canvases. I'll share more on this as it gets closer. If you're local I hope you will come out to join me.

Thank you so much for being fans, patrons and collectors of my art. Your support means the world to me.

Blessings from your artist, Mary

“I had this desire and interest in painting to want to do my own things.”

— Georgia O'Keeffe

Creating The Traveler

Creating The Traveler

In case you missed my previous blog in May answering the question "how do I know if a painting is finished', I'm going to follow up that question as it seems like the most asked question I get these days. I love sharing my art, my thought process and of course what's on my easel.  Here's a super short video I created for one of my new paintings - The Traveler. 

Bringing an image in my mind to canvas is not an easy thing to describe. My painting style is intuitive, usually with no references other than emotions or images in my head. By adding and subtracting layer upon layer of paint I come to a point where the painting is finished. How do I know? The painting tells me. 

If you've been following me on Facebook you probably know I have recently started designing a fashion line with my art for VIDA. I am so excited about this new venture and I hope you will check out my VIDA shop. I am in the running to have my designs showcased on HSN!! I've got my fingers crossed and will keep you posted. Simply click the photo below to visit my shop. 

Fashion items based on my painting, "The Traveler"

With over 100 items in dozens and dozens of designs you're sure to find something that speaks to you. 100% satisfaction guarantee through VIDA. My name is on each label. 

The Traveler

I invite you to visit my gallery page to see all my current artworks available.  Just click the button below to see the gallery. You'll also be able to order giclee or canvas prints of your favorite artwork that may be sold out.

Thanks as always for your continued support friends. Please invite your friends to my page as your shares help me to grow. Until next time, be well and don't forget your sunscreen.

“The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see”

— G.K. Chesterton

How Do You Know?

How Do You Know?

I was just asked this question again today, and it's a typical question most artists field whenever someone is viewing their art.... especially abstract art.  How do you know when you're finished? It really is a great question, but not one that's easy to answer. 

My paintings usually start with inspiration from a color palette or an emotion from a memory for example. In my head I revisit places I've been and recreate them on canvas as my mind sees them. Okay, are you still with me friends? It's difficult to verbalize how I paint. I primarily use my hands and just allow the paint to move around the canvas freely until forms or patterns emerge. Nothing is intentional, purely intuitive.  

This is my latest painting titled "Song of the Water". My husband and I are planning a trip back to Santa Fe next month and I've been thinking of all the places we've previously visited on past trips and remembered a particular beautiful waterfall. That memory inspired this painting.

Day 1 - applying the base layers

Day 1 was just about applying the initial layers of paint by hand and blending them to form the base of my painting. As I blend you can see the texture of the molding paste first layer pop out to form lines and ridges. 

Day 2 - the layers continue and become refined

Day 2 was all about the layering of additional colors. In the zone and singing to the music in my studio I instinctively add colors that speak to me and apply them either with my fingers or with a palette knife. At the end of this session I'm happy with the results and start to wonder, AM I FINISHED?

But wait, what I didn't take a picture of is the always awkward "middle stage" where you look at the piece on your easel and think "THIS IS CRAP". After pushing through that stage you find what you're looking for. That, after all your efforts, it did result in a painting that reflects your emotions.

After reaching my ending point for the second day and still undecided on whether to stop or continue on this piece I decided to sleep on it and look at it again with fresh eyes in the morning. Stepping away from a painting is so important to give you new perspective.

Day 3 - adding the finishing touches

The final day after reviewing where I'd stopped I knew this piece needed MORE. So of course I added more with some gold, a little turquoise and red. Somewhere I've read that every painting should include a bit of red. Well, it worked for this one. 

Song of the Water, acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas 

So, how do you know when you're finished with a painting?  For me it is when I thoughtfully review my work and determine that nothing else I could add would improve it. If you don't listen to that little voice in your head you could easily wreck a beautiful painting.

Thank you for taking the time to follow my journey friends. I can't tell you what your support means to me. Feel free to comment on this post or send me a message anytime. I always love hearing from you.

Until next time, take care and blessings from your artist friend, Mary

“As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing”

— John Muir