New Year, New Decade, New Inspiration

New Year, New Decade, New Inspiration

Golden Hour, oil on panel

I’m still finding it difficult to think we’re already a week into 2020. Hope your holiday season was a wonderful one. I am so thrilled to be back in the studio creating new artwork. I believe this year will find me painting more abstracted landscapes with my newly found love of oil paints in 2019. At the beginning of last year I decided to give oils a try. Not only did I find them fun and luscious to paint with, but the element of surprise is always there. Unlike acrylics, correcting mishaps in oil is not an easy task. I now welcome the little “happy accidents”.

Luckily, I have many photographs from last summer’s trip to Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico for an endless source of inspiration. And, I’m already planning my next trip to Santa Fe for this summer. Be prepared for lots more painting coming from the charming adobe casita I rent just off Canyon Road.

This is my first work in progress for 2020. Done in oil and cold wax on a cradled birch panel. I’m really loving the results so far, and with a few more tweaks this one should be done soon. Any suggestions on what I should call this one friends? Just send your suggestion via a comment below.

My next art exhibit will be in March. I’ll be participating in a group exhibit with a landscape theme. I’ll keep you posted when I have more information. In the meantime, you can always see my available artwork on my online gallery. Just click the button below to visit my gallery.

I have an exciting new opportunity coming up next month. I’ll be joining a new local home decor boutique to show my artwork. The grand opening is in February, so I’ll keep you updated as soon as I have more to share. Fingers crossed this will be another great avenue to show my art.

Thank you so much for being fans, patrons and collectors of my art. Your support means the world to me. Wishing you and yours the best of all things in 2020 and the new decade to follow.

Blessings from your artist friend, Mary

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

— Eleanor Roosevelt

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

Welcome To My Mini Studio Tour

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.

Colby Cat

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.  

Mini paintings getting varnish

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.  

Art Books

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