Fresh off the Easel

It's a Beautiful Day to Sit Outside
Acrylic on Wood, 12 x 12 inches
Copyright 2015 Mary Gravelle

I just finished my newest painting, It's a Beautiful Day to Sit Outside, Acrylic on Wood, 12 x 12 inches.

Last week the Sedona Plein Air Festival inspired me to paint this scene. I have been enjoying looking at it outside my window and wanting to paint it all summer.

I have been wanting to paint it all summer!

After coming home last week after the Plein Air Festival event at L'Auberge, I could not contain my aspiration any longer. I looked out my window while painting. So, it's a painting from life, not a photograph.

Visiting from Florida, Flat Stanley, became my painting student and assistant. I think he might have been a partial muse and influenced this painting somewhat. What do you think?

Flat Stanley with our finished painting.

It's been fun hanging with Flat Stanley, who arrived last week. He is a school project from my niece's son, Aidan. They are learning about reading and writing. Flat Stanley will travel the country visiting different friends and relatives. I was the first stop, being in Sedona, Arizona. You can find out more about the Flat Stanley Project for Literacy on their website. Or go to the main website.

Below are some process photos of this painting. Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

Flat Stanley and I prepare for painting. 

Flat Stanley makes his first painting gestures.

The underpainting is finished.

The painting is coming together. Flat Stanley is super excited!

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

The handsome, Sir Kitty. Meow.

Mary Rae Rush with one of her large abstract paintings.

About the author: Mary Rae Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist and writer who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved assistant, Sir Kitty.

Her art can be viewed on her website.

Get Outside and Paint

Bruce Gomez painting at the Sedona Plein Air Festival
on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. 

Sedona Plein Air Festival

The Sedona Plein Air Festival began on Saturday. It's the first plein air festival I have ever attended. The experience has me energized to the max.

Get Outside!

If you are an artist, or just love to paint, get outside! The fall season right now in many locations in the U. S. makes for the perfect weather to get outside and paint. Think of the beauty that awaits to envelop you, the crisp cool air hitting your cheeks, and the wind that brings fresh new air.

Sedona Challenge

Sedona is such a beautiful location. The mountains, full of striations, have intimidated me, holding me back from delving too deeply into painting them. Watching the plein air painters meet this challenge has given me new hope. It also inspires me to get outside more often and paint.

I did get outside to tackle one of the famous rock formations here in Sedona, Cathedral Rock. My outside setup was very simple for the painting plein air session of Pilgrimage, below. I threw about four colors of liquid paint into a plastic bag, popped that into another bag along with paper towels and plastic and my brushes. I painted on the ground since my easel had another painting on it that I didn't want to disturb. It worked out fine.

I started this painting outdoors and finished it in the studio.
Pilgrimage, 12 x 12 inches, Acrylic on Wood.
Copyright 2015 Mary Gravelle (Braylee Rush).

One of the two women painting plein air
at the 11th Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival.

Plein Air Festival Inspiration

I leave you with photos from the Sedona Plein Air Festival to inspire you to get outside and try painting en plein air. What are you waiting for? Pack up your art materials and get out there! Even if it's only your backyard, do it.

As you look at the photos, notice how the painters have set themselves up for painting outside. Notice their easels, packs, palettes, brushes, paper towels, umbrellas, seats, and more. Make a list of gear that would help you create outdoors. Make do with what you have right now. Add to your gear as your budget allows.

Guerilla Painter has all kinds of plein air gear to inspire you and help you make your painting experience a delight.

Let me know how it goes.

Betty Carr, one of two women painting at this year's
Sedona Plein Air Festival.

Jim Wodark in the front gave a free painting demonstration
this morning.

Could you paint with all this commotion going on?

Charlie Hunter from Vermont painted
outside of the Sedona Arts Center.
He had a unique style from the other painters
that I really loved.

Jim Wodark

Gamblin Paint winner of the plein air painting
session on Saturday.

Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle)

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

The handsome, Sir Kitty. Meow.

Do you paint outside? Do you wish you could paint outside? Have you attended Plein Air Festivals? Please comment below and start the conversation.



About the author: Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist and writer who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved assistant, Sir Kitty.

National Geographic and Sedona Art Hikes

My nomination of Sedona Art Hikes, my new art business, to be included on the Sedona Verde Valley National Geographic Tourism website has been approved. Yay, Yay, happy dance!

The launch of this website marks a two year journey and partnership between National Geographic and the Sedona Verde Valley Tourism Council. This is a huge asset for folks living in and visiting this region. This website will prove to be a huge help planning your trips to Sedona and the surrounding Verde Valley area according to your interests and curiosity of trying something new and different, places that are unique to this region.

Sedona Art Hikes can be found under the "Things to Do" tab on the website's homepage. Under this tab, go to "Outdoor Adventures." There you will find Sedona Art Hikes. Or just use this link.

Sedona Art Hikes is showcased as one of a dozen sites out of 283 that were nominated by local residents.

If you are planning a trip to Sedona, make Sedona Art Hikes a prime choice on your itinerary. Let's paint among the glorious red rocks of Sedona!

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle)

The handsome, Sir Kitty. Meow.

About the author: Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist and writer who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved assistant, Sir Kitty.

Everyone is Creative

Number 3: Quintessential Creativity.
24 x 24 inches, Acrylic on RayMar Panel.
Copyright 2009 Mary Gravelle.
Original is Available. Prints are available.

My last post declared that not everyone is an artist. This post I shout out that everyone is creative. Yes, that's right. Everyone is creative!

I discovered my own creativity in the 1980's when I was laid off of a corporate position. I read the book, What Color is Your Parachute. I discovered that I was happiest when creating and working with my hands. That book sent me on a journey inward to discover my own creative tendencies.

In 1992, I read Julia Cameron's classic book, The Artist's Way, which changed my life for the better. Since reading and working that book, I have been on a mission to help others dig deep into their inner well of creativity.

YOU are creative, my friend! Everyone is creative.

I believe that it is Creativity which makes you, YOU. It is what makes you unique and like no other in this entire universe. Doesn't it make sense to find your creativity, to explore your unique expression? It is your unique expression that the world needs. Dig in. Dive deep. If you need it, I can help you. Contact me at Mary@MaryFineArt.com.

Below is a video that talks about everyone being creative and that Wisdom Painting can help you see it. Wisdom Painting was one of the first creativity workshops I developed to help others see their creativity being expressed in full color. Contact me about a Wisdom Painting session today.  This session can be held in person in Sedona or via Skype. Mary@WisdomPainting.com.




I have all kinds of ways to help you ignite the creative genius that resides within you. The video below talks about three ways to work with me to discover your creativity.

Below is the longer version talking about Igniting Your Intentions. This process grew out of Wisdom Painting to include writing and working with intention. It is this process that helped me grow into an artist and painter.

I have completed my book on this process that delves into creativity and helps you break into your own inner well of it. I'm looking for a publisher or literary agent. Can you help me with this quest to get my book published? Contact me at Mary@IgnitingYourIntentions.com.



So, what do you think? Are you creative? How do you think your creativity helps you and makes you, YOU?

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle)

The handsome, Sir Kitty. Meow.

About the author: Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist and writer who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved assistant, Sir Kitty.