A Dream Written Down

April 2, 2018

A Dream Written Down

In just 32 short days I'll be arriving in Santa Fe, NM to paint the dream I've had for the past year. What began as a "wouldn't it be nice" little dream last summer is now becoming reality. All that remains is figuring out the logistics for shipping my art supplies, confirming appointments with galleries and boarding the plane. I am excited and nervous both at the same time.

March was a busy month creating new small artwork for April's First Friday in the Heights event at Cleanse Apothecary in Tampa. I haven't even had time to add all the new work to my website. I'll also have three artworks at Scarfone-Hartley Gallery at the University of Tampa for Las Damas de Artes annual Sunday in the Arts event this weekend.

In between I try to find time to design new items for my VIDA fashion collection. There are some lovely new items for Spring, especially the modal silk scarves. I'm just in love with these scarves. You can wear them as a wrap or tie them in multiple ways. This is just one of my new designs along with the painting that inspired the fashion.

Visit My Gallery

I'm working on new paintings, and hope to get them finished and ready for my website before I head off to Santa Fe for May and June. I treasure the time I get to actually paint in my studio versus the business side of art. Working on finding more creative time is a new goal.

Speaking of being more creative, I took off last week to focus on my garden. I've neglected it so badly the past year. It's still very much a work in progress, but I am very happy I was able to bring some whimsy back by replanting my fairy gardens like this one.

I hope Spring finds your neck of the woods soon friends. Here in sunny Florida it's in full swing, blooms, pollen and birds.

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

“As long as we dare to dream and don’t get in the way of ourselves, anything is possible—-there’s truly no end to where our dreams can take us.”

— Hilary Swank, actress

Following My Inner Voice

February 27, 2018

Following My Inner Voice

Study, acrylic and oil pastel on canvas board

So I blinked and another month swooshed by. Even with February having pulled the short stick for days of the month, it has been a whirlwind. I was able to paint a few new pieces, but most of the month was spent on the "business side" of my art. Online training, show/exhibition applications, researching galleries for representation and website tweaking. Not the glamorous side of being an artist.

It wasn't all work though. There was fun to be had in February. I began playing with a black and white palette and the first painting completed (shown below) sold within days. Now that gets an artist excited!! Winter Whispers will be off to a lovely collector in Oklahoma.

The REALLY EXCITING news I want to share is that I'll be leaving in just 65 short days, headed to Santa Fe, NM for two months of painting, networking, painting, meeting with galleries and live painting outside Acosta-Strong Fine Art, one of Canyon Road's finest art galleries. Did I mention I will be painting? And. where else to paint but in the third largest art city in the country?

I invite you to learn more about this amazing opportunity friends. A Go Fund Me campaign has been established to help offset lodging and art supply expenses. I will auction one painting from my trip with 100% of proceeds going to charity to show my deepest appreciation for everyone's support. No contribution is too small.

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

Blessings from your artist, Mary

“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way - things I had no words for.”

— Georgia O'Keeffe

Carmen Mandato Photography

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