It's Show Season

It's Show Season

My artist friend, Elizabeth Fontaine-Barr and I hosted a joint show at Tampa's Red Door no. 5 gallery on April 7. What a beautiful show it is with the combination of Elizabeth's expressionistic landscapes and my abstract art. And, the title "Color Chemistry" couldn't be more perfect as we are both paint with bright, bold colors.  I thought I'd share a few photos from the evening because we are so proud of this exhibit.

If you're in the area and would like to see the show, please contact me and I'd be happy to arrange a visit at your convenience. Photos do not do this show justice.

The weekend of this show I was a very busy artist. The next day I had a popup shop at our local Pottery Barn in Hyde Park and then on Sunday I attended and volunteered at the Las Damas de Artes annual Sunday in the Arts fundraiser where one of my paintings sold. An exhausting but wonderful art filled weekend.

I'm searching for new venues to show my art friends. I'll keep you posted on where I'll be. In the meantime, please visit my website for new works added weekly and daily posts on my Facebook page. 

Thank you so much for continued friendship and support. It means the world to me! Wishing you a beautiful weekend to come wherever you are.

Your artist friend, Mary

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”

— Maya Angelou, author

Tiptoe Through the Tulips

Tiptoe Through the Tulips

Tulipe, chalk paint on gallery wrapped canvas

Nothing says Spring like the sight of tulips in your local flower shop, grocery store or if you're lucky enough ....in your own garden. Here in west central Florida it is too hot to grow these beauties, so I must paint them.

If you are a tulip lover you might want to check out the home decor items available with my Tulipe artwork.  All available through my Fine Art America shop.  Just click the photo below to see all the products available with this artwork.

I hope you're inspired to bring home some tulips this weekend. They are sure to brighten up your home.  Have a great weekend!

Blessings my friends, your artist Mary

“Flowers don’t worry about how they’re going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful.”

— Jim Carrey

Spring Beauty

Spring Beauty

Spring Beauty, mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas

Inspired by all the spring flowers blooming in the local nurseries I felt I must capture this feeling on canvas. I haven't painted florals in a while, but this one was inside my head waiting to come out. My own garden was in much need of some tender loving care, so after I finished this piece I actually started the spring clean up in my own backyard.  Amazing what inspires you to begin a task.

This painting began the usual way, with a textured canvas and acrylic paints. But, then I picked up some oil pastels from our local Blick art supplies store (I'd been swooning over them for a while). I painted the canvas with acrylic paints and applied the oil pastels over certain areas to really "pop" the piece.  

Base layers applied in acrylic

Final layers applied with oil pastels

So, now you can guess that I am in love with using oil pastels over acrylic. I love to experiment and play with new painting "tools". This is one I'm truly going to enjoy exploring. 

If you love this painting, the original is available along with reproductions on paper, canvas, and many other products. Here are just a few of the ways you can enjoy this painting in your home.  For more information on any of these products, just click on the image to visit my Fine Art America shop.

Thanks so much for taking time to view my art, and for your continued support friends. Until next time. 

Blessings my friends, your artist Mary

“There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, because before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted.”

— Henry Matisse