Dog Days of Summer

August 12, 2020

Dog Days of Summer

August is my least favorite month of the year. It’s the hottest and wettest month here in Florida. I don’t tolerate heat as well as I’ve gotten older. That is why I started spending part of the summer months in Santa Fe, NM. At 7,000 feet elevation with low humidity, Northern New Mexico is a great place to ride out summer.

I was lucky to spend the month of July in my happy place. I’d normally be there May through July, but with the current world situation it was not possible. But those brief days were just what I needed to recharge my soul. I’d been feeling a bit lost and scattered prior to this trip. Cancelled art exhibits, galleries closed or barely open and just general fear of the unknown have been difficult on my creative heart.

We spent most of our time taking day trips to explore the magical landscapes of the state. This meant lots of photos taken for use in future artwork. I even managed to crank out three small paintings while I was in Santa Fe. These are quick shots of the oil pastel paintings done in Santa Fe. I’ll be adding them to my website soon. Just need to get their camera ready shots done. In the meantime, please message me if you see one that speaks to you and I’m happy to hold it for you.

With school resuming and people going back to work, masks are important for everyone. I do have masks designed with my artwork through my Fine Art America shop. They’ve been getting great reviews from my collectors. To view my selection, simply click the image below.

It usually takes me a couple weeks to get back to normal after being gone. My cats missed me tremendously so they’ve required extra attention. I finally unpacked and got the house back in order. Now it’s time to get busy creating some new art. It’s a great time to add new art to your home. All orders ship free to you and I offer convenient, flexible payment plans.

Thank you so much for being fans, patrons and collectors of my art. Your support means the world to me, and I wouldn’t be here without your support.

Blessings from your artist friend, Mary

You Are Never too Old to Dream a New Dream

February 2, 2018

You Are Never too Old to Dream a New Dream

Gosh friends, where did January go? It's like I blinked and it was suddenly February. So many wonderful things to share with you, especially if you're not a fan of social media. I'm in the news; and, I want to share the first of many new paintings to come for 2018.

Starting off 2018 I was honored to be one of Artsy Shark's featured artists. Thank you Carolyn Edlund, founder of Artsy Shark and Executive Director of The Arts Business Institute for this wonderful opportunity.

And, last month Manhattan Arts International published my very own article for The Healing Power of Art & Artists. I am so thankful to Renee Phillips, Director and Curator of Manhattan Arts International for sharing my art journey.

And, here are my new paintings to share. All are 12" x 12" on canvas and come framed in beautiful gold crackled, wooden float frames. For more information on any piece, simply click the photos below.

What Lies Beyond, acrylic & oil pastel on canvas

Fire Spirits, acrylic & oil pastel on canvas

Be on the lookout for my next post friends. I'll be sharing where I am going to paint this summer. I am soooo excited about this opportunity and can't wait to share the news with you.

Thank you so much for purchasing my art and for your support and encouragement. It makes my heart smile knowing how my art touches people.

Blessings from your artist friend, Mary

“It’s never too late to be who you might have been.”

— George Eliot

How Do You Know?

May 3, 2017

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 - 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.

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