I'm Off to the Land of Enchantment

I'm Off to The Land of Enchantment

Gosh what an fun, exciting month this has been friends. My trip to Santa Fe, NM is just around the corner. I leave on May 4 for my two month painting residency. I will paint in the city and region that inspires my art. I've also been invited to do live painting on Canyon Road, the premiere art destination in Santa Fe. I can't tell you what a dream this is and how excited I will be to share my experience with you. 

I've never been gone for more than two weeks, so planning for two months away is a bit of a challenge for me. Just figuring out which art supplies and tools to pack and ship is enough to keep me up at night. Thankfully there's a wonderful art supply store in town for anything I forget.

I have managed to do some painting this month, exhibit in shows and sell some art. A very successful month in my book. Here are a few of the new paintings that I've just added to my website. The companion piece for Fire and Ice sold before the paint was even dry.  

Fire and Ice | 20 x 20 inches | acrylic on canvas

New to my online shop are a series of framed originals (painting are all 8 x 8 inches) and would look beautiful individually or as a set. 

And, last but not least, new designs are available in my VIDA collection. If you haven't had an opportunity to see my fashion collection, I invite you to pop over to check out the new Winter Whispers silky soft modal scarf and matching sheer wrap. Just click the photo below to visit my VIDA shop.

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

“Everything you can imagine is real.”

— Pablo Picasso

Following My Inner Voice

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. 

Winter Whispers, acrylic on canvas

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. 

CLICK ABOVE FOR DETAILS

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

I Left My Heart in Santa Fe

I Left My Heart In Santa Fe

It happens just about every year in June or July. The hubby and I pack up our bags and head to Santa Fe, aka my "happy place". This year was probably the most special of the dozens and dozens of trips we've taken over the past 20+ years. We were able to stay for two weeks in a quaint, charming adobe casita off Canyon Road, the perfect place to stay in town. You can start gallery hopping as soon as you walk out your door.

Our home away from home

Of course we did the usual things one does while on vacation, we visited almost every art gallery, museum and boutique we could squeeze into a day. We ate, and ate and ate some some. Took a wonderful night sky tour outside of town which was simply amazing and awe inspiring. Visited Georgia O'Keeffe country and - of course - her museum. I even had a private one day painting workshop with award winning artist, and author Nancy Reyner. I can't wait to try out my new paint flinging skills!!

And, of course beautiful flowers everywhere you looked. I'm particularly drawn to old fashioned hollyhocks and they grow like weeds in Santa Fe. They even inspired a painting done on an earlier visit, Hollyhocks and Blue Sky.  

Hollyhocks and Blue Sky, acrylic on canvas

Hollyhocks and Blue Sky is a 12" x 12" acrylic on canvas (unframed). Just send me a message if you are interested as it is not listed on my website. 

Below is the first painting inspired from this summer's trip. Titled Celestial Choir no. 1. I was so moved by our night sky tour that this painting was born. I hope you'll enjoy it. I'm just in the finishing stages of a companion piece to go along with this one. Simply click on the image below for more information.

Celestial Choir no. 1, 12" x 12" acrylic on canvas (framed)

Thank you all for being part of my journey. Your support means the world to me and for those who are collectors of my art, you also have a peace of my soul. I do paint the colors of my soul. I invite you to follow me on Facebook and Instagram. And, please do visit my website if you haven't stopped by in a while. 

Have a relaxed and fun summer my friends. Let's talk again soon.  Your artist friend, Mary

“How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat.
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget”

— Eagles, Hotel California