Welcome February

February is the month of hearts friends.  So, what better time to share my heart series of paintings?  These are just a few of the hearts available.  

Flowers are a lovely gift for Valentine's Day, but the joy they bring is short lived.  An original piece of art can last a lifetime.  And, as an added bonus I also paint flowers.  How 'bout a bouquet of flowers that never fade?  

Floral Still Life,  12" x 12" acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

If you saw last month's blog I mentioned I was participating in a 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.  Wow, I didn't realize how difficult that would be when I started.  While I didn't complete 30 paintings, I'm proud to say I produced 20 new paintings and really enjoyed this experience. Being able to experiment with different mediums and styles outside my normal comfort zone was especially fun.

January was a busy month with two art shows entered, one workshop attended and preparing for upcoming shows. 

Here are the 20 paintings done for the challenge.  If you'd like more information on any of the paintings shown below, just click on the "Available for purchase" tab where they're listed.

Thank you friends for your continued support and encouragement.  It truly means the world to me.  If you are enjoying my art, please do share it with your friends.  I'd love to grow my list of friends.  

“The artist knows he must be alone to create; the writer to work out his thoughts; the musician, to compose; the saint, to pray. But women need solitude in order to find again the true essence of themselves.”

— Anne Morrow Lindbergh

My January Challenge

I've embarked on a challenge this month to kick start the year.  It's the Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.  Trying hard not to get behind.  This challenge is about getting into the studio to try new things.  It's about painting more often.  It's about having fun and developing new skills.  I'll be sharing my daily works on Facebook.  I hope you'll follow the challenge with me.   

Day 1, "Latte" on canvas

Day 2, "Dandelions" 5 x 7 study on paper

The monthly "Deal of the Month" is back!  This month's piece is a sweet 6" x 6" paintings of red/orange poppies on gallery wrapped canvas.  If you're interested in learning more about the deal of the month, please click the tab to the left "Steal of the Month".  Here's a peek at this month's steal.

Steal of the Month:  Poppies, 6 x 6 acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

Hope your 2016 has started off well friends.  I am looking forward to the opportunities that await me.  Thank you for continuing the journey with me.   Blessings,  Mary

“Challenge yourself today, to improve, for a better tomorrow than yesterday.”

— Vikrmn, Guru with Guitar

Welcome 2016

Happy New Year friends!  I am not one for making New Year's resolutions because I know I won't keep them.  Instead, I would like to make a list of my art goals for 2016.  This past year was my first year as a full time artist, and I want to thank you all for being part of this journey.  I cannot explain the joy I feel when I'm creating.  I love playing with paint palettes, new textures and experimenting with different techniques.  

For 2016 I am hoping to expose my art to more people.  I would like to have a gallery represent me.  This is huge for me and will likely be my most difficult challenge.  Other goals include showing in at least one MAJOR art show in 2016 and having my art in a few shops.  

My latest works are a triptych of positive affirmations.  I think "Fly" is particularly appropriate for my 2016 goals.  These pieces were inspired by a beautiful sheet of wrapping paper found at my friend's paperie and shop.  Just a little reminder of how important the "little" things in life truly are.

Fly, acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas.  Shown here as a framed print.

Joy, acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas.  6" x 6" mixed media.

Zen, acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas.  6" x 6" mixed media.

Below you can see the wrapping paper and one of the stages of the creation process.  Isn't this wrapping paper fun?  

I'd love to hear what your New Year's resolutions or goals are friends.  Or, any comment you'd like to share.  All that share a comment below will be entered into a drawing for my 2016 art calendar.  Who doesn't need a calendar?  

2016 Mary Mirabal Art Calendar

“Each New Year, we have before us a brand new book containing 365 blank pages. Let us fill them with all the forgotten things from last year—the words we forgot to say, the love we forgot to show, and the charity we forgot to offer.”

— Peggy Toney Horton