M.F.Bruno

Great Sales!

2012-02-03T08:59:00.000-08:00

Everybody loves a sale! Especially on art supplies. We "starving artists" are always on the lookout for a good buy. Thought I would post a few recent really sweet finds.

Enjoy and happy shopping. (All sales are for a limited time…)

And of course-Go Pats! (Sorry, I'm a dedicated Boston fan.)

Sennelier Open Stock Pastels On Sale at Dakota Art Pastels- ONLY 2.99

Field Tripod at Judsons Art Outfitters

If you don't get emails from Daniel Smith Art Supplies, sign up fast as I received an email with a code for 30% off your order. Their snail mail catalog is one of the best laid out catalogs, too.

Jerry's Artarama has some great winter sales for any medium

Flip of a coin

2012-01-31T05:51:00.000-08:00

Beach Dunes

All my wonderful artist friends know what I am talking about when I refer to the big discussion that ensues about whether you made it into the "Duxbury show" or not…Every year people either complain or are thrilled with the results and it becomes a big topic of conversation. I was lucky enough this year that the coin flipped in my favor. If you put it into percentages for the number of times I have entered and made it in, it's probably maybe 50%. I remember one year entering the show thinking I would have no issues making the cut with one particular painting. I even only entered one piece I was so confident. Well, you can guess the results. (Large buzzer sound-Baaah!) The only good thing that occurred that year, was I didn't let this thwart me and entered it into another show where that piece proceeded to win Best In Show.

The jurying process really is subjective, even historically. Just look at the Salon des Refusés of 1863 which included such notables as Cézanne, Pissarro, Manet and Whistler.

So the moral of the story is:
Never get disheartened if you don't make it into a show and Never get your ego up if you do.
-author me

I also read this quote recently and am making it my mantra not only for my art, but for my life-

Never compare your journey with someone else's. Your journey is your journey and not a competition.
-author unknown

White and Blue

2012-01-20T05:48:00.000-08:00

Contact me to order prints via my website

I was awoken early this morning by the school systems "connect ed". I guess there is so much snow out there (cmon-it's a dustin'!) that they implemented alternative bus routes for this morning. pfft. What, do we live in Virginia? Throw some chains on those big yellow suckers and toughen up! Can you tell I don't like to wake up to the sound of the telephone ringing first thing in the morning? I am so not a morning person.
You know, when I was a kid I walked 2 1/2 miles to my junior high (what they call middle school nowadays). Seriously, 2 1/2 miles. That was the cut off. And our walking route actually included walking through a cemetery. If I had to stay after for any activities, there were times I was walking through the dark through the cemetery…Scary! But, We were tough. I actually remember a blizzard that was not predicted to be as bad as it was, so they had to let us out early from school. Back in the day of dinosaurs they didn't have the sophisticated weather predicting resources our weather men have nowadays. Although, here in New England that sometimes does not seem to help. Anyhow… I was wearing a pair of loafers, not boots, since they hadn't predicted this Nor'easter and the wind was howling and the snow was coming down sideways and fast. I had to squint my eyes to stop the stinging of the piercing snow as I tried to see where I was going as I plodded through the deepening snow. It seemed to take forever to finally get home and my feet and hands were numb and my face bright red. When I finally fell through my kitchen door my mother turned, glanced at me and cheerily asked me why it took so long for me to get home. We were tough. No alternative bus route for me. No bus for me. We were tough. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah…I know. The alternative bus route is for our children's safety. Yadda, Yadda, Yadda. (wimps)
The picture above I actually took last year around this time when we did have a nice big storm that would have warranted an "alternative bus route". I am too grumpy to go out this morning and take photos this morning. Plus it's too dangerous out there.

Happy Christmahanakwanzika

2011-12-23T10:26:00.000-08:00

Available at Expressions

I know that the next few days are going to be super fun busy so while I have the chance-

Happy Christmahanakwanzika to Everyone!

Silver Bell and Degas

2011-12-22T07:04:00.000-08:00

Silver Bell- Available at Expressions

The ribbon was an interesting area to paint in this little piece. The red was opaque in parts and transparent in others with the green background reading through. The little glitter lines on the red ornament were fun to paint and translate how they were raised above the ornament. I accomplished that by the subtle shadows and highlights on those lines. And speaking of red...

A group of us artists went in to the MFA to see the Degas and the Nude
Exhibit the other day. We were guided through the show by Lili, from the MFA, who was a wealth of knowledge and fascinating tidbits. (And also a wealth of patience herding 16 exuberant artists throughout the show.) Along with our questions regarding process and history, one item that was noticed was the fact that so many women in the paintings had bright red hair. Well, we learned from Lili, a lot of the ladies of the evening back then, which we all know that Degas used as models, all dyed their hair red. There was some question as to whether they were forced by authorities or whether it was by choice. I am tempted to google search the answer, but I am afraid what will pop up. Plus, I don't want that in my search history…I can just imagine the headlines now if I am ever arrested for anything, (which I can assure my kids I won't be…) and the authorities find "red haired prostitutes and their history", in my search engine files on my computer. What was this lady doing in her spare time. Jeesh. ANYHOW…as a tribute to these redheaded women of the evening who posed for so many impressionist artists, I photo-shopped our groups hair. (Hope you don't mind, ladies, Tis the season for red anyway.)

Glitter Ornament

2011-12-19T05:21:00.001-08:00

Here is my 2nd ornament painting and below is the tray that I made using prints I made of the originals. I should call the glitter ornament a Seurat ornament as I used the old pointillism method.

Both available at Expressions

Silver Ornament

2011-12-15T08:08:00.000-08:00

I thought it would be fun to be festive and paint some holiday ornaments and ribbons. And during this busy time of year why not paint something not overly complex. Our lives are involved enough right now. So in my next few blogs will be the results. They were good, back to basics pieces that reviewed values, hard and soft edges and color. And were just plain fun to do. I loved this disco ball type ornament. It was complicated, yet simple. I do admit I started getting a little cross-eyed trying to keep my place as I was painting. I reminded myself not to draw every square, but to simplify. The paintings themselves are at Expressions, along with a holiday tray using the same images.

5"X7" Pastel available at:
Expressions

Mary's Landing

2011-11-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

I was cleaning my studio last week and found this piece laying with some others. I painted it this summer when I had met Cecilia and Joan, wonderful artist friends, over at Mary's Landing and we had perfect painting weather. I kind of picked a bad spot, though, because as I progressed the sun was dropping down lower and lower and I was getting blinded. But I couldn't resist the way the sun was dappled on the water. I finally had to quit at one point, cause I kept seeing spots just like when someone shoots a flash camera. Lesson learned, but still had fun.

Smokin' Old Tractor-Don't ya love when that happens.

2011-11-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Sold

This painting was much more of a challenge than I expected. The hardest part was creating the effect of the smoke graying down the background areas, but still seeing the background through that smoke. I actually used no gray to create the effect, but varying colors which enabled me to "mute" the tones without dulling down the picture. I purposefully kept the foreground loose so your eye is drawn to the tightly rendered tractor and, of course, it's red color brings you right to it as a center of attention. So you don't get stuck in the center, the bright yellow flowers purposefully keep you moving around the picture. I wish I could have made it a scratch and sniff picture, though. The tractor kept breaking down as the farmer was plowing down the field right next to the house. Cough, cough. So he was there for quite sometime. Good subject!

I was lucky enough to receive an award at the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod's recent FPO juried show. And it sold, also. Don't ya just love when that happens!

Demo at Expressions

2011-10-18T05:10:00.000-07:00

The Arts Walk last weekend in Scituate was real fun. Expressions was packed on Friday night with lots of visitors and then Saturday afternoon I did a demo at the shop. I worked on a man made paper. This paper has always been one of my favorites and this scene really allowed me to let the paper read through to keep an overall tone, but use heavier coverage in some areas, too.

Unmasking the Firehouse Celebration

2011-10-05T05:56:00.000-07:00

We, at North River Arts Society, are watching the Firehouse Building near completion. It has been a long road of conceptualizing, fundraising, planning, tweaking and it is all coming to fruition. So exciting. We, of course, have to have a Ribbon cutting ceremony, party and dancing to celebrate this exciting accomplishment and what better time of year than right around Halloween.

Click on this link to get all the details-

Firehouse Celebration lising of events.

My lovely and talented daughter was kind enough to design the postcard we mailed out (and that you see above) for the event, pro bono-Thank-you so much Rachael, we love it!

You can actually cut out the mask and wear it to the event, if you like. So cool. Or if you want to get even more creative, we are having a mask making night. Again, click on the link for details.

Come help us Celebrate! We would love to see you there.

Dribble Castle

2011-08-13T06:55:00.000-07:00

This is the piece I entered into the "Pastels By Invitation" Show for all of you who cannot get down to the Cape. I cannot believe how fast this summer is going. These lazy hot days of building dribble castles will soon give way to shorter days, cool nights and changing autumn colors. Go grab some beach time while it's still here!

Pastels by Invitation 2011

2011-07-25T14:48:00.000-07:00

I was invited this year to be a part of the Pastels by Invitation 2011 at the Creative Arts Center in Chatham, Ma. It runs August 4 through September 2nd with the opening reception on August 6th, 6-8. Hours at the gallery are Monday - Friday 9am-4pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. I personally cannot wait to take in the show as I am honored to be included with a wonderful grouping of incredible artists and I know their work will be amazing. Hope to see you there!

Chicken Art

2011-06-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

A good friend of mine, Ellen, sent me a link to this blog posting that was so funny to me that tears were rolling down my face. She so gets my sense of humor. I am now in search of a giant chicken sculpture to lighten up my life. Have fun reading!
The Bloggess
(pls ignore the f-bombs, although they do add to the story)

Fort Hill Stone Wall

2011-06-19T21:39:00.000-07:00

Recently finished and delivered to Kendall Art Gallery in Wellfleet. Fort Hill is just down the road from the gallery and I caught the last light of the day when dramatic clouds were heading in.

Challenge

2011-04-07T14:23:00.000-07:00

German Landscape

I have been following the Daily Paintworks Challenge for sometime and been meaning to submit a piece. So here is my first entry into their challenge. I love seeing all the different interpretations. What fun!

Judsons Art Outfitters

2011-03-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

Link

I was recently thrilled to be chosen as a featured artist for Judsons Art Outfitters. I love their products and they are always on my wish list. I bought one of their traveling rolling backpacks and am very pleased with how sturdy it is and the great pocket on the side for my tripod. It fits perfectly along with enough space and pockets for my painting or pastel box, extra paints, brushes and medium. What I really love about it is how lightweight it is.

I had an older "travel" easel from another company that was so cumbersome and heavy that by the time I trekked to my painting spot, I would be exhausted. I had been considering putting that one on ebay, but I would feel too guilty thinking about the poor person who ended up with it.

For Christmas, I was also given the Guerrilla Painter Wet Painting Tote from Judsons. It is so lightweight. Why didn't someone think of that one sooner. Rave! Can't wait for Mother's Day. (hint, hint, I want the smaller Painting Tote)

BoldBrush Competition

2011-03-15T11:20:00.000-07:00

Under The Umbrella

I just entered the BoldBrush Painting Competition. Never tried it before, so why not. The piece is a painting I did of Union Square in NYC. I used to live in the city, but I still get to go and enjoy the fun and excitement of it as my daughter lives there now. This painting was from one of my long visits with her. You know, I think I owe her another visit real soon. Feeling the pull.

(If you click the name of the painting above, you can see the painting and if you like, click the facebook like button. Thanks in advance!)

Heading In

2011-03-04T11:59:00.000-08:00

I recently delivered this piece to a friend. It is a very horizontal composition, but there are very subtle ways I was trying to bring the eye back toward the center. And although the light is dramatic, I was trying to keep the mood calm at the same time. That end of the day quiet that we experience often on this coast.

Almost There

2011-02-26T06:48:00.000-08:00

The local middle school has an artist in residence program. Each year I am lucky enough to be asked to be one of those artists. This year I decided to do something a little different. I bought this wonderful paper years ago. It is a hand made paper that has darker threads and also iridescent sparkles running through it. It has just enough tooth to be able to work with pastel. I thought this scene would appeal to the both the boys and the girls and sure enough they were extremely intrigued and asked more questions than usual.

The artist actually sets up in the main hallway. The art teachers bring their class down, but also when the bell rings and the kids are going from one class to another they pass by and stop and chat. I think the appeal to them was not only the subject matter, but the brightness of the work and also how the paper is still a big part of the painting. It was a good lesson in perspective which coincidentally they just finished studying in their art class. (I honestly did not know that ahead of time.) Quite a few must have been paying attention in class and when I asked different groups which type of perspective this illustrated, they would shout out "one point perspective". Yeah! I worked from a photo that I had taken on a trip to Pennsylvania. And I made sure to let them know that I was the passenger, not the driver, when I took the picture. The kids gave me the best compliment by telling me that the painting was very different from the photo and so much better than the photo itself. If I have to work from photos only, this is what I like to hear.

The only hard part of the day was, for some reason, there was also a giant heart shaped balloon near by that actually had a button on it that when pushed would play a tiny rendition of some song. (I have luckily forgotten the song) Of course the kids could not resist pushing it, so by the end of the day I was wishing I had a giant pin to pop it. But otherwise a fun day.

North River Arts Society Members Show

2011-02-18T12:00:00.000-08:00

Information on NRAS site

The Opening of the Member's Show for the North River Arts Society is tonight. With all the snow we have had piled up high on the side walks, we weren't sure what was going to happen. For the last two days we have had unusually warm weather which is melting away a good amount of the snow. Being a skier and Feb vacation just around the corner, I usually don't like a warming trend right now. But this time I am glad for some melting as this will make it a little easier to attend the event.

I am forgetting the exact number, but we have around 250 entries to the show. Joseph McGurl was our awards juror and with this many entries I know it was an extremely hard task. He was very sensitive to his job and viewed each piece in the show with great care. If you haven't seen Mr. McGurl's work, please take a look by clicking on his name and it will take you directly to his site. The light and quality he captures within his pieces is remarkable. Just stunning.

So...hope to see you at the opening and if not, the show runs through February 27th so there is still time to take it in. Just call the North River Arts Society for hours.

New Class Offerings

2011-01-07T10:46:00.000-08:00

I am offering a new listing of classes for the New Year. See them right here on my blog under...guess where...class offerings-on the right. There are both Adult and Children's classes listed. This great little collage is from a young student in my last Children's class. The class incorporated collage in with the pastels as they all wanted to use glitter and have Christmas themed pieces. Tis the season for glitter. The children always amaze me at how creative and uninhibited they are at experimenting and thinking "out of the box". We all need to take lessons from them.

North River Arts Society Art Sale

2010-11-12T09:29:00.001-08:00

Click here for hours and details

Every year the North River Arts Society has a wonderful art sale. There is fantastic original art, prints and tons of other items all priced just right for the upcoming holidays. So if you want to start your shopping early and are tired of giving out those traditional boring shirts and ties, come on by and add some spice to your gift giving.

I will be selling framed originals, unframed originals, some prints in these fantastic little stand alone easels that sit right on a small coffee table and coasters.

Many of my first-rate artist friends will have their gorgeous items there, also. Somehow I always end up spending part of what I earn cause I just can't help but grab that scrumptious landscape at it's marvelous price.

Get there early as it's always a popular event!

Golden Light

2010-11-01T14:01:00.000-07:00

The Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod will be having their annual Member's Show to be held at the Brewster's Ladies Library-1822 Main St., Brewster Ma. The opening reception is November 6th, from 3-5 and the show runs through the 30th. I have entered this little 8"X8" fall piece (and it is for sale). The lighting was extraordinary that day casting a golden glow on the river. I found this fall fantastic for painting with our unusually warm crystal clear weather and gorgeous skies. Made up for the fact that the leaves on the trees, although still stunning in places, were not quite as vibrant as past years.

126 Front Street

2010-10-28T19:25:00.000-07:00

I finished this piece a while back and hope to enter it in some upcoming shows. There are many elements that are represented within the painting that depict the contrast between gaiety and innocence and the desperation of our social times.

The subdued tones of the worker's attire reflect the resignation of the figure to his situation in life. In addition, he is surrounded by the crumbling, faded brick building.

Although currently trapped behind bars, the children's lighthearted pink painting on the door suggests that there can be hope for the future.

Arts On

2010-09-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

click here for all the details

There is a great event happening this weekend for anyone interested in some fantastic silent auction prizes, a tasting of some premium wines or a tour of some very talented artist's studios. Should be a lot of fun! And all to help support a wonderful arts organization...

A New Leaf

2010-09-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

Out walking yesterday on the first day of fall and came across this remarkable brilliant red leaf on the ground. First brightly colored leaf I had happened upon this new season. "How appropriate and beautiful," I thought. After I picked it up and studied it, I looked up and around trying to find which tree or bush it had come from. The only other red leaves I could find were a patch of poison ivy. I had already been holding the leaf for a few moments and grazing it gently with my fingers when I came to this realization that I may have ruined my day. I gingerly tiptoed up to the poison ivy patch for a closer look making sure not to inadvertently touch the nasty stuff and much to my relief, my leaf was somewhat different. So I took it home and did a painting of it...Anyone know what it is?

Also, I am testing out the different grades of Uart Pastel paper. This was done on the 800 grade. I found it very much less granular. It doesn't allow you to scumble as much as the lower grades. And gives kind of a fuzzy effect and a mushy feeling. Getting tight details is a little hard. Good for if you want to not be too tight with your work.

Anyone looking for a plein air umbrella? I have a new box that has a specific umbrella that works with it. So my other very lightly used one is up for bids. Comes with carrying case and accesories...

plein air umbrella

Crabbin'

2010-09-21T13:22:00.001-07:00

It has been at least 30 days since I dropped my middle child off to college. There is a definite missing piece around the house without him here. While watching the late night news if I hear a sound, I absentmindedly think it is Jarrod coming through the door, only to be disappointed that it is the house settling in for the night. I miss those hilarious, animated midnight stories of his adventures or misadventures of the day.

I made my first fall dinner of home made beef stew the other night. One of his favorites. And felt guilty eating it without him present. My husband and youngest child did not have the same concern.

Time really does fly by too fast. Wasn’t it just yesterday that I captured he and his friends “crabbin” in the pool tides. I know he must now yearn for those lazy summer days when his only concern was making sure his fingers weren’t pinched by the wary crustaceans. Now his responsibilities are studying, grade point average, professors and girls. Of course, he is also having the time of his life taking in incredible Penn State football games, clubs and just hanging out with a slew of brand new friends.

So while I do have my extreme moments of melancholy, I only have to imagine Jarrod now in a group of Penn State friends laughing infectiously as they walk the narrow paths of the campus and I feel much better.

Beginning of Summer

2010-09-13T11:08:00.000-07:00

Available at

I had done a small 8"X8" plein aire piece for a fundraising event at the North River Arts Society, Out of the Box (or OTB). In that event, everyone is given a small square formatted board to work on. When I was out painting it, I thought it would be nice to actually compose the scene in a long horizontal format, so I used the plein aire piece and my reference to complete this larger painting. I couldn't post my larger piece or even the smaller piece until the Out of the Box event was done, because part of the fun and mystery of that event is to keep secret who the artist is who did the painting until bidding has ended. Well, the event ended this past Saturday night with a great party, absolutely fantastic Choclatinis and lots of happy people leaving with their newly won artwork.

So here is my longer 13" X 27" composition piece...

Wellfleet

2010-08-25T13:05:00.000-07:00

Recently made a trip to Wellfleet to deliver some news paintings to the Kendall Gallery. I love Wellfleet. It has such a free spirited character about it. Where else can you jump in the car and catch a movie at the Drive-In Theatre or pick up any floatie you could imagine and head to the beautiful unspoiled sandy beaches?

The Kendall Gallery has a warm charm of it's own with a wonderful assortment of artwork featured in the main gallery and when you venture out to the back, an outside sculpture garden that offers little nooks and crannies and quiet spots to sit and contemplate and which also leads you to a second beautiful gallery area and frame shop.

The owner's, Walter and Myra Dorrell, always make you feel welcome, comfortable and at home. Walter's watercolors always amaze me. He creates striking rich colors in his paintings that defy the medium.

It is a joy to be included in this gallery. Thanks Walter and Myra!

Class

2010-06-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Recently finished teaching a great class to a fantastic group. We had a perfect weather day one day and headed over to Scituate Harbor to the little beach tucked in by the Y.C. I was so thrilled with how great the class progressed. Funny moment of the day was when I, the teacher, was critiquing a painting and stepped backward and didn't realize there was a nice size rock behind me. I never realized you could actually force your body to fall in slow motion. Actually landed pretty softly. The only thing bruised was my ego...haha.

For Pastels Only on Cape Cod

2010-06-14T12:24:00.000-07:00

Available at Kendall Art Gallery, Wellfleet, Ma

I went to a lively opening of the For Pastels Only on Cape Cod show sponsored by the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod. The show is being held at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth through the 27th. The space is quite beautiful. It is a renovated bank and has some really interesting architectural elements which made for fun viewing. There are even paintings hung in the old vault room which still has the original vaulted door. I was honored to receive The Landscape Award sponsored by Liz Haywood-Sullivan, especially since Liz is a fellow pastelist and wonderful friend. Richard McKinley and Margaret Dyer were the Jurors of Selection and Awards and I, along with my fellow paparazzi artists, were thrilled to meet Mr. McKinley first hand. (He must have been blind by the end of the night with everyone taking turns to have their picture taken with him.) This is the picture that I was lucky enough to win the award for...

This show has now been extended, so for anyone down near the Cultural Center, it is now running until July 7th!

The Sketchbook Project

2010-06-04T13:27:00.001-07:00

My Daughter told me about a great fundraising project put on by the Art House Co-op. You sign up for a sketchbook and pick a theme and when it is done, send it back and it is viewed at the Brooklyn Art Library. And you can have it digitized to be viewed online.

Here is the link to my daughters blog which then links you to the sight...(I know, I am being lazy)

Click here

Can't wait until my sketchbook comes in the mail! Fun, fun. For my theme I chose inside/outside. I can be literal or play on the words. You'll have to wait and see.

Thanks, Rachael

Play

2010-05-17T11:51:00.000-07:00

6"X6"

I had bought some flowers and started playing by just doing a vine charcoal value drawing on some extra Canson Mi Teintes paper. I threw a hint of pastel over it, as I felt it needed something more. I like the effect and think I will play with this idea a little more later. Maybe get more in depth. Sometimes I get so serious about work that I forget to just play.

Spring Saltmarsh

2010-05-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

Expressions, Scituate, MA

I taught a wonderful class a few days ago and the weather was no less than perfect. I started the session with a very quick pastel painting to demo underpainting in watercolor when you are plein aire painting. Although the weather has been incredibly warm with plants blooming way before their usual time, the salt marsh is still a nice subdued green.

downtime

2010-04-14T09:43:00.000-07:00

Seems like for the last two weeks, I have been going at 90 miles an hour. Too much to do, too little time, yada yada yada... So today I just took a much needed relaxing long walk with my pup and brought along my camera. Felt so good to take things down a notch and just experience this fantastic warm spring day. I could actually feel the tension melting away. Need to remind myself to do this way more often.

Taste of the Town and Silent Auction

2010-04-07T08:12:00.000-07:00

Click here for more info on event

6"X 8" Wind Ensemble

My son has been on the Wind Ensemble at his High School and he is coming up to his last concerts before he graduates. I cannot say enough about the enjoyment we, and he, has garnered from Wind Ensemble and Band. And also what a fantastic job the music program and all their support team does, starting right at grade school, in our public school system. A big Thanks to all. Our biggest fear is losing this phenomenal educational and inspiring program to all the budget cuts.

I just finished a piece for the Marshfield Friends of Music biggest fundraiser, A Taste of the Town & Silent Auction. I have donated this piece to be auctioned off. There are also other great items available, too. Takes place this April 10th! Proceeds benefit Marshfield's Public Schools' Music Program...Check it out by clicking the link below the image. Lots of fun!

Painted Cakes and Flowers

2010-03-29T17:12:00.000-07:00

With all this cold weather and dreary rain, my daughter and I decided to take in the Flower Show this weekend to catch a glimpse of what we would like this spring to mirror. After parking the car and sprinting through the frigid cold to the Seaport World Trade Center, we were greeted with pure color, delight and warmth. How nice to be surrounded by luscious greens and brightly colored flowers. As always at the flower show, we came across spectacular varieties of plants and flowers that we had never seen before and can't pronounce anyway. I am hoping that I will be able to find some of these in local garden centers when spring truly arrives. It also made me long for warm plein aire painting days to arrive soon.

I came across a landscaping idea that I want my husband to now do to our back yard. It should be easy, right hun? haha!

We also came across these incredibly flower decorated cakes. I loved this painted one. I could do that...just paint on Fondant. I never even knew what Fondant was until my fam started watching The Cake Boss.

Funniest moment there...watching this older gentleman holding his camera, that must also takes videos-(I hope), at arms length above his head. He walked the whole show that way. We continually would catch glimpses of him here and there. His arm must have been exhausted by the end of his stay. And I can't quite fathom how this video must have come out.

Enfolded

2010-03-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

contact artist if interested in purchasing/6"X6" Pastel

Just finished another still life with the Mary figurine, but in color. When I was arranging the lily it enwrapped the figurine and I loved the effect so I left it. Happy accident. It was a real challenge with the white lily against the white figurine. Lots of little subtleties.

Ivy

2010-03-12T08:38:00.000-08:00

I drew this portrait of Ivy a while back and have entered it in a few shows. Ivy's mom just purchased the drawing and so she is now home. Appropriate. The medium I used was sanguine and white conté. I started using conté back at art school during my life drawing class. I think it gives a drawing a nice old world feeling. When I first met Ivy, she looked to me like she was from a past era with her gorgeous curly hair and her beautiful ivory complexion, so it made total sense to me to use this medium. It was one of those drawings that I envisioned what I wanted it to look like before I even put down the first mark on paper. Great advice from William Merritt Chase-"Try to see your picture...drawn and painted, always anticipating a success and never a failure. You should always see your motive painted before you attempt it, and choose as simple a subject as possible."

Demo Middle School

2010-03-05T13:29:00.001-08:00

Today I gave a quick demo at our local middle school. I set up a little still life and worked directly from that. The kids were so inquisitive. They were truly interested and eager to learn about the materials you are using and the process. It was a pleasure to be surrounded by such great kids. Just so there is no confusion, the photo of my easel shows oil paints on the palette. That was just left over from another painting. The demo is a pastel painting.

How cool

2010-02-24T11:44:00.001-08:00

Since my blog is essentially a babyblog, meaning a new endeavor, I was thrilled to be awarded a sunshine award from Sally Dean. Thanks, Sally! Sally's blog is inspirational. Her goal is a painting or drawing a day with some use of a flower within it and to accomplish this for 365 days. Whew. She has been so creative in her thought process for executing this, too. You are inspiring, Sally.

Here are my recipients(in no particular order):

6)Pablo Villicana Lara

12)Drawing & Painting Steve Doherty

All are creative, fun and addicting. They should really call it blogcrastination as I find myself immersed in reading and keeping up and not tending to my own work at hand, sometimes.

Of course, there are a ton of others that I would give this award to, but I was told to list just 12...

Here are the "official" rules-

Take the picture of the flower and put it on your blog. Pick 12 recipients and link them to your blog. Notify these people.

Lots of work, but they all give me joy.

P.S.

2010-02-17T08:02:00.000-08:00

After posting the drawing yesterday, I decided to do a little research. When I placed the lily by the statue I was aware that it was symbolic to Christian and Catholic faith and knew that it was associated with the Virgin Mary and her purity. And so I thought it was a meaningful flower to incorporate into the drawing not only for those reasons, but because I knew my mother and mother-in-law both loved receiving these flowers during the Easter season. Well, to my amazement and enlightenment this is what I found. In Christian faith the white lily is the associated flower and symbol of the Virgin Mary and the parts of the flower itself have their own significance. The stem represents the Virgin Mary's faithful mind. The petals, her purity and virginity. The scent, her divinity and the leaves, her humility. (I am sure my grandmother is now rolling her eyes at me up in heaven at my lack of knowledge. I admit I was not one to pay attention in CCD. And I am positive that when and if my brother-in-law Tom reads this will have the same reaction as my grandmother. He is an inspiration to us all with his incredible faith and knowledge.)

For My Mothers

2010-02-16T11:54:00.001-08:00

click here to bid

My mother gave me this little statue years and years ago. It sits on my bureau and often when I am just waking the morning light hits it in such a way that I am mesmerized. It is a wonderful way to greet the day. I have often thought I would do a painting of it, but decided to start with a simple conte drawing. I named it For My Mothers, as a tribute to my mom and my mother-in-law who had such incredible faith and of course, for Mary.

Art Supplies

2010-02-03T16:52:00.000-08:00

My students always inquire as to where I shop for my art supplies. Unless I need supplies in a hurry, online is where I get the majority of my supplies. It is so easy to comparison shop and get the most for your money. I always check on shipping costs as that will greatly effect your final price. Companies will always send you their catalog for free if you request them, so you can easily see what is offered before you go online. Here are some of my recommendations (not in any particular order):

Dick Blick Art Materials

Jerry's Artarama

Daniel Smith

New York Central Art Supply - This company has many hard to find and unique items. They also have specialty catalogs that you may request.

Terry Ludwig Pastels Great luscious colors and wonderful personal service.

Some great plein aire easels and pochade boxes are offered by varying companies. I recently bought an EasyL which I adjusted to my needs. I created 2 boxes which fit within the main box. One box holds my pastels, the other holds a palette for oils. I alternate the box inserts depending on what my desired medium is for the day. You can see the box with the pastel insert in the photos of my demo at the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod. I will include a picture of the oil palette in the next few days.

I purchased my EasyL here:

Artwork Essentials

Judsons Art Outfitters is currently having a seconds special on some of their boxes.

Happy Shopping!

Small Pond Winter

2010-01-26T07:42:00.001-08:00

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I started this painting around a week ago and just got to finish it during the weekend. Busy week last week. The pond is at the end of our street and I loved the long shadows across the snow and the gorgeous reds in the trees and bushes. Usually during the winter once the ice is frozen all the neighborhood kids and parents clear off the snow and spend their afternoons skating. Each time they tried this year it would snow on their efforts and so I think they gave up in frustration. On the bright side, they did get in lots of sledding.

I remember one year the conditions being exceptionally good for a long stretch of time. One of those nights a moon was shining big and bright and full. Enough light shown across the pond that the kids could keep skating. The wind was hushed and the air clean and crisp. We built a small fire and had hot cocoa on hand to keep warm.

With the two warm days and pouring rain that we just had, the snow is now gone off the pond. The winter is still very young, though and we could have another cold snap that will allow the kids to skate again. That's life in New England.

Haiti

2010-01-15T06:50:00.000-08:00

Just like most of the world, I am feeling somewhat helpless at what is happening in Haiti. So with today's post I am simply offering prayers and a link.

To help the cause in Haiti click here

Morning Snow and Pines

2010-01-13T10:48:00.000-08:00

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Two days ago I readied for the day and upon entering my kitchen was greeted with this view through the window of this wonderful morning light filtering through the trees. Set down the tea, grab the pastels and get to work...The challenge was all the dark vertical lines of the trees and the horizontals of the snow and light. Also, how quickly I knew the light was going to change. I chose the view which kept some of the lighter valued trees in the forefront so the painting would stay light and airy. I also chose to use a vertical format to suggest the height of the trees.

Watercolor underpainting demo

2010-01-07T10:42:00.000-08:00

Here are some images from a demo I gave for the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod. A method I use quite extensively is to underpaint with watercolor and then apply pastel over that underpainting. The watercolor keeps the painting light and airy underneath, but still reads through beautifully even after applying my layers of pastel. I was referring to a small painting done on location and some photo reference. I love working from my small plein air pieces as they help to keep the colors and inspiration true. (The final painting is available for purchase and details can be viewed at my main website.) (Thank-you to Elaine Cunniff for the jpg images of the demo day)

It's about time

2010-01-06T19:34:00.001-08:00

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My son will be proud of me. Months ago he helped me start the set up of this blog. And here it finally goes. It is with some fear that I am jumping into this venture, but I have expectations that it will end up being fun. And here is my first painting on my blog. This is a pastel painting I did just a few short months ago on a gloriously warm late fall day. The road leads to my house and is covered with lots of snow now. It feels more like New Hampshire around here this year than the SouthEast. My children will now have the same memories that I had of high climbing snow banks and lots of sledding when they grow up.