Collage Exploration on 9 x 12 Canvas - #4: Village Boardwalk
9 x 12 x 0.5 inches
Acrylic and Paper on Canvas
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Collage Exploration on 9 x 12 Canvas #4 - Village Boardwalk

9 x 12 x 0.5 inches

Acrylic and Paper on Canvas

#4 of 4 in the Series: Village Boardwalk

When I walk down the boardwalk, people stop me and say, 'Oh, your house is the one that glows.'–Mary Matalin

This fourth and final piece of this series is similiar to the third in color, design, and composition. The foreground wanted to be a lighter color than #3. But the same oranges, reds, and pinks are also part of the main color story of this painting.

The composition is asymmetrical with curvilinear lines. There is high contrast of darks and lights and warm colors and cool colors. The shapes seem to move to the right. The three triangles in the foreground anchor the composition.

All in all, I think it's a pleasing and colorful image filled with good cheer. What do you think? I'd love to hear, leave a comment below.

It takes a few to make war, but it takes a village and a nation to build peace.

–Abiy Ahmed 

 

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Insitu

Back Story on the Series

I have been working on a four-painting series for the past month. All four paintings are now complete. This post features the third in the series.

The Series

This series consists of four small paintings on gallery-wrapped canvas measuring 9 x 12 x 0.5 inches. The media used was acrylic paint and paper. I did two series on 9 x 12 inch paper of three paintings each and wanted to try it with gallery-wrapped canvas.

Process

The first step was to paint a white acrylic base coat on each painting. Then, I adhered colored paper shapes onto each of the four canvases, each receiving a unique approach. I painted all four canvases with the underlayer, which helped determine the design direction of each painting. 

After the initial sessions of working on all four at once, I considered each one and worked consecutively, finishing each piece as I progressed to the next. 

I wanted to make a series of small paintings that would hang well together. After the first painting, the color scheme took a different route. Numbers two, three, and four share a similar color story. Numbers three and four follow an almost identical design style along with the color story. 

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“Composition is the art of arranging in a decorative manner the diverse elements at the painter’s command to express his feelings.”
–Henri Matisse

Me, Mary Rush, with my painting, Village Boardwalk

 

About Painting: Emerge with Passionate Action, Heal, and Be Free

“Emerge with Passionate Action, Heal, and BE Free”
Edge-to-edge size: 41.25 inches x 60 inches.
Approx. stretched size: 37 inches x 56 inches Acrylic on Canvas 

Sugar Sweet - New Abstract Painting

 

Sugar Sweet, 42 x 60 inches, Acrylic on Canvas

The color scheme and mood of this painting are childhood innocence. The abstract subject matter reminds me of a dream or a scene out of a children's book. It gives me the feeling of sweetness, sugar sweet.

Enjoy this short video panning the painting for a closer look.

Video of Sugar Sweet Overall Painting

New Acrylic Abstract Painting: Inspired by Village Grind

Inspired by the Village Grind Coffee Shop
36 x 48 x 1.5 inches, Acrylic on Canvas.
Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle AKA Braylee Rush

I completed one of the paintings in process from last week's post. The painting I began outdoors at the 2nd Saturday Art Walk is completed for now. I will let it sit. I'm not sure about the colors, especially the green. It might be too yellow. I'll see how it sits. For now, it's done!

What do you think?

Ready to paint!

Are You Ready to Buy Art?

Are you ready to bring one or more of my paintings to your home or office? Email me at Mary@MaryFineArt.com

Tips for Purchasing Fine Art

When it comes to purchasing fine art, buy a piece that you love. If you connect strongly with a work of art, go ahead and consider purchasing it. The joy and happiness that this original work of art will give you will be immeasurable.

Imagine a space in your home or office where it might fit. And ask yourself some questions such as:

Why do I like this piece?

What does it remind me of?

How do these colors make me feel?

Overall, how does this piece make me feel?

What location or room would this piece fit into?

Would it make a great gift for someone special?

About the Author

Braylee Rush

Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist, author, and creativity catalyst and consultant. She resides in Sedona, Arizona with her loving and efficient assistant, Sir Kitty. Her other websites and work are: Wisdom Painting for Self-Discovery, Igniting Your Intentions, Sedona Art Hikes, and Silver Graphic Design.

Contact her today with commissions or requests for creative work, consultations, or one on one coaching sessions. She can help you delve into your creativity and come out with your own unique expression.

Inquiries

Inquiries about this en plein air acrylic landscape painting can be made through the contact page.

And, as always, I would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.

Sir Kitty

Until Next Week

• Appreciate art
• Buy art
• Create art

New Painting: Beneath the Surface

Below the Surface, Acrylic on Canvas Floor Cloth,

24 x 36 inches, copyright 2016 Braylee Rush.

The green abstract fluid painting is now complete. It looks as if the earth has been cut down the center and you can see below the surface and into the nooks and crannies of dirt and plant roots.

This painting was an experiment with watered down acrylic paints that were poured on the surface and directed by lifting the canvas. This is a tedious process that requires days upon days to create as each layer needs to dry overnight before proceeding with the next.

Each one of these experiments go in their own direction. Each one is unique in color and style. They all seem to take an abstract look. See my previous article on my fluid painting process.

What do you think?

Early in process shot.

Early in the process.

Detail.

Bottom detail.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Mary Gravelle (Mary Rae Rush)

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 seen on her website.

Sir Kitty

In Process Painting – Waters of Birth

First in process after a fews days
of pouring and then overnight drying.

I began a new painting last week. Right now it looks like a sequel to the Transmutation painting finished before it.

This one is looking like "Waters of Birth". We'll see how it shapes up. Below are in-process photos of this experimental painting.

I love experimenting with watered down acrylic paints. For this one, the canvas was laid on the table. I poured the liquid paint on it and let it sit overnight and repeated for several days until it felt ready to be placed on an easel to paint.

What do you think?

In Process painting is now ready for the easel.

Paints and brushes at the table with the painting on easel.

This is where it is right now after yesterday's
painting session. It is beginning to shape up.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

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

Sir Kitty

Newest Painting–Transmutation

Transmutation, Acrylic on Paper,
36 x 48 inches.
Copyright 2015 Mary Gravelle.

My latest painting is an acrylic abstract painting. It became an action painting after I laid out a large piece of paper on the floor. Using diluted, liquid acrylic paints and a large brush, I had a blast allowing the paint and brush to flow across the page as my body gave way to the movement.

This painting might seem a departure from my normal style, however, I felt like I was returning to my roots.

When I began painting, before attending art school, I painted large abstract paintings on paper. I fell in love with Stonehenge paper at the time with the two deckled edges. The smooth, almost cushy surface of the cotton rag paper delighted my senses and seemed to take the paint with ease without buckling.

The paper I used for this current painting was a mixed-media paper I purchased from The Art Store in Prescott, AZ. While it feels sumptuous, it did buckle a teeny bit under the soaking of the water and gel medium diluted acrylic paint. It looks fine.

I don't know if I love this painting, but I love the process. It's a painting that is fun to look at up close because of the layering of color, shape, and expressive, overlapping brush strokes causing variations in texture and color.

I can't wait to start the next one!

This painting is available for sale.

Flat Stanley, my painting assistant.

I had a couple of painting assistants during this project, Flat Stanley and Sir Kitty. Flat Stanley is part of a literacy program who came to visit me from Florida where my niece lives. Her son, Aidan, is part of the Flat Stanley project for literacy at school.

Flat Stanley, my painting assistant,
gazes at the immensity of the painting
before him. 

Sir Kitty is more accustomed to painting with me and gives me pointers along the way. :-)

Sir Kitty advises me on my next move.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Mary Gravelle (Mary Rae Rush)

Sir Kitty

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