Thanksgiving Blessings

November 25, 2015

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to express my gratitude to all my wonderful collectors and fans across the country. I am truly blessed to be able to create art that connects with so many. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement friends.

I wish each of you a most blessed and joy filled Thanksgiving holiday.

Gobble, gobble ~ Mary

“Another Good Year

We thank you, Lord, for food and friends
And for all of the joy this holiday lends;
It’s Thanksgiving Day and we can see
The blessings you’ve provided our family.

Thanks to you, Lord, for another good year;
When you watch over us, there’s nothing to fear.

”

— Karl Fuchs

November Steal of the Month

November 3, 2015

This is the second month of the "Steal of the Month". This month I'm pleased to offer "Hollyhocks and Blue Window". This painting was completed last fall following a visit to the beautiful Santa Fe area. Hollyhocks are one of my favorite flowers to paint, and the Canyon Road area of Santa Fe abounds with them throughout the summer.

I'd love to see this sweet painting find a loving home, and it can be yours friends.

Congratulations to Marilyn F. for being the winner of the October "Steal of the Month", a two piece painting entitled "Mary's Garden".

Make an offer for this original painting for November 2015.

Opening Offer must be $20.00. (Original retail value $99.) The current offer will be displayed above the photo. Please be sure to check the current offer amount before making your offer.

4" x 12" acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas. Ready to hang. This painting was inspired by the beautiful hollyhocks growing along Canyon Road in Santa Fe, NM.

You may increase your offer any time during the month. USA shipping will be $5.50. Send offers to mary@marymirabalart.com or complete the form below. The last bid must be in by 7 pm EST November 30. Please let me know if you have any questions on this monthly deal.

I will post the new offers on this page each month. This is a wonderful way to get an original painting for far less than its retail value. Best Wishes!

Thank you so much for your continued support friends. As always, I love to read and respond to your comments. Please feel free to comment here or via email.

Blessings, Mary

“My favourite flower, if you’ll pardon,
Is standing stately in my garden,
And it’s so tall it must have props.
They lend support to hollyhocks.

They’re tall, graceful and so proud.
The wind’s blown one; it’s sadly bowed.
They come in lovely pastel shades;
It’s unfortunate that they ever fade.

Before you cut them down, you’ll find
So many seeds are left behind,
And if you plant them, they will grow.
Next year you’ll have another show.”

— Josie Whitehead

Welcome To My Mini Studio Tour

October 29, 2015

Sitting at my easel this afternoon I wondered what to include in this week's blog, I thought you might enjoy seeing my mini studio where I am following my passion.

My studio was our daughter's childhood bedroom. Several years ago I slowly converted it from a guest bedroom to a craft room. When the painting bug hit me last year I had the perfect place to pursue my passion. Small, but mighty is how I describe my studio. It houses everything I need and has a great south facing window for lots of natural light. Still need to repaint the walls from it's former bedroom days. A task for 2016.

I use a vintage bakers rack for storing my finished works. One of my sweet friends was moving and couldn't use it in her new home. Luckily, she asked if I'd like it and of course I said yes. It is perfect for my studio. My large pieces hang on the wall and the smaller ones sit on the bakers rack until they are sold.

Let me introduce you to Colby, our 5 year tabby cat. Colby is my shipping manager, and as you can see he mostly sleeps on the job. Good thing he's cute! We are a rescue family for cats with six total. Colby seems to be the only one interested enough in my painting to spend time in the studio. Sometimes I have to shoo him out so I can actually get some work done. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to paint with a cat sitting in your lap.

My work space is a table I "rescued" from a local thrift store. It's perfect for what I do and with a skirt around the bottom I can stash all those items I don't use all the time. Great when you don't have a lot of space to begin with. Here I'm varnishing some mini paintings that will go into frames.

I have a growing library of art books for inspiration, as any artist does. These are some I recently picked up at a second hand book shop. It's amazing how many wonderful books you can find second hand. If you want to take time for yourself and relax and enjoy some beauty just grab your favorite beverage and an art book. How can you not smile when you're looking at art? That is the best compliment I can receive ..... when someone says my art makes them smile.

Steal of the month is almost here!!! October 31 is the last day for bidding on this month's "steal". You still have a couple days to get in on the fun friends. The current offer is only $45 for these TWO original 6" x 6" paintings. Just click here for information on how to make an offer on these fun, colorful paintings.

This month really flew by. Thank you so much for your wonderful support and encouragement. Please share me with you art loving friends and stay tuned for more steals and giveaways coming up.

Have a safe and fun Halloween friends. Cheers, Mary

“It is art that makes life, makes interest, makes importance and I know of no substitute whatever for the force and beauty of its process”

— Max Eastman