No Art Today

FREE video series of my Igniting Your Intentions program
This program will help you tap into your inner wisdom.
It is also a creative process that artists and creatives
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I missed writing my blog last week. I'm in the middle of doing other things besides creating art. As I went about my day today wondering what to write about, the title came to me: No
Art Today. When I lived in Hartford, CT many years ago, there was a restaurant called No Fish Today. That's where the idea came from.

Art is in the works, however. I put the first coat of varnish on the commissioned painting that was completed a few weeks ago. I also have started a painting I would love to use for the cover of my upcoming book, Ignition. So, my art is in there, just taking a different kind of journey for a week or two.

The creation that is happening right now is that I'm about to launch a FREE video series of my Igniting Your Intentions program. It's a creative process of writing, drawing, and intention. It's my own process and I'm excited to share it with you! Head on over to the that page and check it out. Sign up. Learn something new. Enjoy the process.

And... I'm working on a 5-week Igniting Your Intentions workshop with special guest numerologist, Greer Jonas. It's a 2015 Discovery Session that will help you direct 2015 in the best possible way for you personally. You will be guided according to your personal numerology. And then, I'll help you create an intention statement. Then, there will be daily work to do. More details will be unfolded as you go. The FREE video series I referred to above is the introduction. Sign up to find out if it is for you. If you have questions about the process, fill out this quick two question survey. This will help me create the best possible program.

Until Next Week

Sir Kitty

Brianna Rush (Mary Rush Gravelle)

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

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

Beam Me Up Color

Current painting reference materials. Color Transporters.
Copyright 2014 Mary Rush Gravelle.

Color has the power to transport us to an elevated state of mind. When you think of your favorite color, where does it take you?

Does blue take you to the sky or the water or somewhere else? Does green take you to green grass, a pasture, a forest, or other destination? Where does orange take you? Where does black take you? Do you wonder why these colors transport you to certain places? What state of mind do they conjure? Go on a color journey and discover where each of them has the power to transport your mind to a new state.

When I walked into my studio this morning I was uplifted by the colors and images that invited me in. I became aware that the colors opened a door to a new place within myself.

I am painting a lotus flower on fire. I hope it will turn out good enough to use a cover image for my upcoming book on the Igniting Your Intentions process.

Since I don't have access to lotus flowers and fire where I am, I did a google search to find reference materials. I had no idea that lotus flowers came in various colors! I find the lotus flower just absolutely breathtakingly stunning. Along with the reference photographs, the purple papers are my one month, one year, and five year goals. The orange paper on the bottom is a crayon lotus flower drawing that I did this morning and added it to the mix.

As I stared at my painting alongside the reference material, I realized that the colors and images were transporting me to a magical place. It is a place of beauty and wonder. It's a place where I breathe deeper. It's a place where I find gratitude within me. Oh, those colors! They make me feel great. They take me to a higher place where everything is grand and possible.

Current painting reference materials. Color Transporters.
1st stage of my painting. Copyright 2014 Mary Rush Gravelle.

The purple and bluish lotus flower is so luscious. The orange one is warm and inviting.  The pink lotus flower is a breath of fresh air.

Current color palette.
Copyright 2014 Mary Rush Gravelle.

Is it the color or the color combined with the image? The perfection of the lotus flower is enough to transport me to another realm. But, imagine a black and white photo of a lotus flower. And then look at the color photos. Isn't it the addition of color that is the transporter to a beautiful realm, full of possibility and potentiality? If these images were of something else in the same colors, would they be as effective in transporting my mind and soul?

All I could think of was the old TV program, Startrek and the famous line, "Beam me up, Scotty". In this case, "Beam me up, Color"!

What do you think? Does color transport you in some way? Does it matter what the subject matter of the color? Did you take the color journey as described above?

Paints and brushes for current painting in process.
Copyright 2014 Mary Rush Gravelle.

Speaking of color, I invite you to browse my selected colorful paintings and digital media work where color reigns. Let them transport you to a higher place. Consider purchasing one to uplift your space.

Reference photos:

1. Google Search for Lotus Flowers take a beauty color break.

2. Orange Lotus free download of image. You can buy the artificial flower at: http://www.dhgate.com/product/artificia-lotus-flower-artificial-silk-lotus/162141785.html

3. Purple Lotus by Gail Bingham. Visit her gallery.

Pink Lotus website: From the Garden Zen.

Fire image. Free download of image from freepik.com.

Until Next Week

Sir Kitty

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

About the author: Mary Rush Gravelle is an artist who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved cat, Sir Kitty.

Sketching on Location

Mr. King Bell Rock, 9 x 12 inches, oil pastel on paper.
Copyright 2014 Mary Rush Gravelle.

Sketching is not one my favorite things to do as I feel awkward and clumsy with drawing media. I feel much more at home with painting media for its flowing and liquid response to my brush.

"Drawing is the honesty of the art. There is no possibility of cheating. It is either good or bad".
--Salvador Dali

Nature

Being in nature is one of my most favorite things to do and be. Paying homage to the land in whatever way that shows up is important to me. Photography is usually my favored response to wanting to capture what I feel when I'm out there. Many times the photograph is used in making a painting.

When I tune in to my experience of being on the land, I see the gloriousness of creation, and feel God's presence and the magnificence of his touch. Many times it turns out to be a mutual love affair. As I appreciate and love the beauty I see, I am returned the love and appreciation from the land.

Mr. King Bell Rock from my vantage point
Sedona, AZ

Sketching on Location

Yesterday, I packed some drawing paper and my oil pastels with the intent to sketch while outdoors. As I hiked I asked my guidance to lead me to the perfect spot. I had in mind a certain location on Bell Rock where I could see the expanse of Sedona. However, Mr. King Bell Rock, as I have grown to affectionally call this famed vortex, had a different idea.

I hiked up to the location where I thought I would be drawing. But, something pulled me onward to a different location. I had worn sneakers as I forgot to change into my hiking boots. I was not all that prepared to do more than an easy hike. As frequently happens, though, Mr. King Bell Rock beckons me to new pathways and scenes, sometimes more intense terrain than I had bargained for. Yesterday was no different.

Sketching with oil pastels

I carefully hiked along allowing my inner guidance to pull me forward. I found a spot that seemed to let me stay awhile. I had managed to hike three quarters of the way up to the top. Instead of facing outward, I felt the urge to face inwards facing Mr. King Bell Rock. It turns out he wanted my full attention.

So, I sat there for a couple of hours sketching to the best of my ability to capture the essence of what I was feeling and seeing. The weather was wonderful and warm. I was visited by a few tourists who saw me sitting up there and climbed up a much more difficult pathway than I had climbed in my indirect movement toward this spot.

I sincerely find drawing frustrating and am rarely happy with my results. I hope that practice will help ease these feelings of inadequacy. One day if I let myself practice long enough, I just might like my drawing.

Artists:

Do you sketch, draw, or paint on location? What's your experience with it?

Art Collectors:

Do you appreciate art that has been created on location? Why?

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Brianna Rush (Mary Rush Gravelle)

About the Author
Brianna Rush (Mary Rush Gravelle) is an artist who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved cat, Sir Kitty. More about her art and paintings can be found on her website.

Copyright 2014 Brianna Rush (Mary Rush Gravelle). All rights reserved.

Sir Kitty