Gratitude, Grace & Giving

November 20, 2018

Gratitude, Grace & Giving

Dear friends,

I have started my gratitude list for Thanksgiving week, something I do every year to reflect on the blessings of the year. And, I want you to know I count you among my many blessings. I am thankful for your kindness. I am thankful for the sharing of my art with friends and family. I am thankful for my collectors whose purchases allow me to continue painting. I am thankful for your daily company on social media. I would not be where I am today without God’s grace and your support.

May this Thanksgiving week find you counting the many blessings of this season of love, giving and sharing.

If you’ll be doing a little “giving” this holiday season, might I recommend a visit to my website, Fine Art Amercia shop or my VIDA fashion shop? I’m sure you’ll find that something special for yourself or someone on your gift list. From artwork to wearable art and home decor, I have you covered.

Click the photo below to visit my Fine Art America shop for art and home decor accessories.

If fashion is on your gift list, just click the next photo to visit my VIDA shop. You can enjoy BLACKFRIDAY savings NOW with code:BLACKFRIDAY.

And, if you haven’t visited my website recently, you find some new artwork has been added. I’ve also added a 2019 full cover calendar to my website. Limited supplies so please get yours now before they run out. Just click the image below to find the calendars.

Visit Website

Thank you so much for being fans, patrons and collectors of my art. Your support means the world to me. Wishing you and yours a most blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings from your artist friend, Mary

“Whenever you can’t think of something to be grateful for, remember your breath. With each breath you take, you can say, ‘I am still here.’”

— Oprah

Messages

November 13, 2017

Messages

Hello friends. As I sit down to write this post I can't believe it's been almost three months since I last shared with you on my blog. The last few months have been a challenge for me as I was dealing with a health issue. I'm happy to say it's now resolving and I can get back in my studio to paint. "Messages" my latest painting has been months in the making. It is very special and reflective of my journey the past few months. It has taught me much on faith, timing, patience and trusting my inner self.

I started this piece a few months ago after I'd purchased a new "toy" for painting. Well, it's really just a cool palette knife, but to me they're my toys. I'd just finished prepping this 24" x 30" canvas in my usual way with gesso and molding paste. I grabbed my new palettte knife and carved the two lines intersecting into one with no idea where this painting would go. The canvas then sat still for months before I was feeling up to actually begin painting.

Once I started applying the base layers the image of a feather popped out. I had not intended to paint a feather. As soon as the feather appeared I knew the painting would take another totally different direction. But where was it telling me to go? I put the painting away again for weeks waiting for the answer.

Every day I'd study the canvas trying to decide how to proceed. The feather was a clue and I needed guidance on how to proceed. After meditating on this piece for a bit the outline of an angel appeared. I now had the next piece of the puzzle.

Since this painting is monotone in color, I included lots of layering and texture enhancements including crushed clear quartz crystal in the angel's body (see first photo for finished detail).

I love the calmness and peaceful feel of this painting. If it speaks to you and you'd like to know more, please comment or send me a message. "Messages" is looking for it's forever home.

Wishing you abundant blessings my friends, Mary

“Allowing the truth of who you are — your spiritual self — to rule your life means you stop the struggle and learn to move with the flow of your life.”

— Oprah

Please visit my gallery to view other available artwork.

Gallery

Autumn Is In The Air

September 19, 2016

Autumn Is In The Air

Autumn's Splendor, acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

My favorite time of year is fast approaching, at least according the the calendar. Fall officially arrives on September 22; however, for those of us in Florida we have to make our own type of fall as our temps won't stop dropping until December or January if we're lucky. And, to enjoy the fall foliage we travel up north or drool over the many photos on Pinterest and other websites.

I grew up in southern Maryland and go through withdrawals this time every year. It doesn't matter that I've lived in Florida for 41 years. Once the fall season is in your blood you never outgrow it.

One of the ways I get into the fall spirit is to paint. "Autumn Splendor" is just one of several fall themed paintings in my studio. This painting symbolizes all the wonderful beauty of the season: The cool, crisp air and the vibrantly colored leaves.

Last week was an exciting week for me with my first SOLO SHOW!!! It was held at a quaint, cafe called The Bunker in Ybor City (historic part of Tampa). So many of my friends were there I was overjoyed. And, I sold three paintings that night. Here's a few photos from the evening.

I'm now looking forward to preparing for my next solo show in January 2017. It will be a larger show so I'll need to get painting. In the meantime, I'll have a small pop up shop at Pottery Barn, Hyde Park Tampa on October 22. Stay tuned for more info as the date gets closer.

Thanks so much for all your warm wishes and heart felt support friends. Please do share my website with your art loving friends.

Wishing you all a beautiful and blessed Autumn season. Blessings, Mary

“When autumn dulls the summer skies,
And paler sunshine softly lies
Upon the brown and fallow lands:—
As fairy artists come in bands
To paint with brushes dipped with frost:—
They pay with gold, for verdure lost...”

— V.O. Wallingford (b.1876), "The Cottonwood Trees"