New Abstract Painting - Lightbulb Moment

Lightbulb Moment

11 x 8.5 inches

Acrylic on Paper

My latest painting was a fun exploration of warm colors moving across the paper. The colors are delightful. Embellishing with gold added the final touches.

Here it is in grayscale.

Lightbulb Moment (in grayscale)

11 x 8.5 inches

Acrylic on Paper

Let me know what you think.

Collage Exploration Series on 9 x 12 Canvas - Painting #3 of 4 - Fishermans Wharf

Collage Exploration on 9 x 12 Canvas #3 - Fishermans Wharf

9 x 12 x 0.5 inches

Acrylic and Paper on Canvas

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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Fishermans Wharf - Coming to a wall near you.
Purchase information.

#3 of 4 in the Series: Fishermans Wharf

The third piece took a cue from the previous piece in its color story. It differentiated itself from numbers one and two with its design, shifting the color story to include a dark foreground. The spiral theme did not carry through with this painting.

At one point, the painting looked rather dull. I made a bold move, and grabbed a nearby torn piece of paper and ran a magenta paint stroke over the edge. That was just what it needed to breath life back into it. But, the painting was not done yet. I worked a lot with the mid ground and foreground to add contrast. The upper pink section around the gold circular shape took a bit coaxing to bring itself into form. 

The dark foreground received several different shades of blue-green leaning at times toward blue, then toward green, and in the end somewhere in between.

Summary of #3

All in all, I think it's lively and entertaining image. What do you think? I'd love to hear, leave a comment below.

Purchase information - Buy it Now!

The Making of Painting - Life Cycle

 

Life Cycle

• 14.25 x 14 x 0.125 in

Process

I was experimenting with pattern to create a sense of depth. I used a leaf stencil I had made from another painting to add the gold metallic leaves adding another layer of depth.

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 Painting: A Visitation to Middle Earth

A new oil painting has just been released sitting in my studio. "Strange seduction", said she, while the painting stares back at her. Certainly, there is a story in that composition somewhere. Characters come off the canvas, while others recede.

A young girl, an old woman, Pan himself, a pig, and an extraterrestrial co-exist on this oil painting on canvas. Bold blues play the background role while bright green yells out for attention. The extraterrestrial begs for a conversation. He insists on being lifted off the canvas to realize real life on this planet right in my living room. He wants to chat and have tea. He comes as a friend, he tells me.

Painting Process

The painting began years ago. It's been traveling with me to my various locations and addresses. It was a painting that never quite made the grade. So, finally, I decided to just paint over it and begin anew. But, some of the areas are left. I lovingly blended those colors. I couldn't get myself to paint over those spots. I painted Ultramarine blue and Prussian blue over the places I wanted to hide.

The whole painting was intuitively painted over a slow two month period. Lots of time sitting, staring, and contemplating was spent while trying to figure out what to do with the dark blue space I had created. Slowly, colors called, paint danced across the canvas. A new oil painting revealed itself. The final abstract painting is a little strange, I admit. It's a mix of abstract with surrealism.

The strokes are all made with a palette knife. I adore not having to clean brushes after having fun with paint. Just wipe off the paint and voila, done until next time.

Begin the Conversation

What do you think? I'd love to hear your reaction. Please comment below. Feel free to share this post with your friends and art lovers.

Until Next Week

• Appreciate art.
• Buy art.
• Make art.

About the Author, Artist Mary Rae Rush

Mary Rae lives in Camp Verde, Arizona with her loyal assistant, Sir Kitty. Visit her websites for more information.

Websites

• Igniting Your Intentions (INTENTivity)
• Art website

To follow my work, catch me on social media:

• Instagram-my art
• Instagram-INTENTivity
• Facebook: My Art Biz page
• Facebook: INTENTivity Biz page
• Facebook: INTENTivity Intro Group

Four Oil Paintings 12 x 24

Four Oil Paintings Completed 12 x 24

O
il paintings drying

Needing painting boards one day, I walked into Home Depot in Cottonwood, Arizona. Perusing the wood section, I walked past 1/2 inch, 1/4, inch, and 1/8 inch sheets of oak and birch, which I have loved using in the past. I might be getting lazy since I looked at them, thought about the frame I would need to build around them for strength, and kept walking.

Oil paintings drying

I landed in front of MDF. Hmmm... ??? I've used MDF before. I kind of liked the smooth surface. I decided I would buy that. It wouldn't need to be built into a painting panel. I figured I would buy decorative frames after I finished the paintings. I bought a sheet and had them cut it into 12 x 24 inch sized surfaces to paint on. I've discovered over the years that I like this size, as it's well suited for landscape paintings.

Since switching from acrylics to oils, I researched how to prepare the boards for painting with oil. The easiest method I ran across was to paint a thin layer of oil paint and let it dry. Easy enough.

I enjoy the freedom of painting with a palette knife. So, I that's what I used with each of these abstract oil paintings. They are freestyle paintings, each one is unique.

Which one do you like best?

Emerald City, 12 x 24 inches, Oil on MDF.

Desert Landscape, 12 x 24 inches, Oil on MDF

Fire Mountain, 12 x 24 inches, Oil on MDF

Emergence, 12 x 24 inches
Oil on MDF

Until Next Time

• Buy Art
• Appreciate Art
• Make Art

Thoughts? Which Painting Do You Like Best?

Please comment below. I love hearing from you!

About the Author, Artist Mary Rae Rush

Mary Rae Rush (Mary Gravelle)

Mary Rae lives in Camp Verde, Arizona with her loyal assistant, Sir Kitty. Visit her websites for more information.

Websites

• Igniting Your Intentions (INTENTivity)
• Art website

To follow my work, catch me on social media:

• Instagram-my art
• Instagram-INTENTivity
• Facebook: My Art Biz page
• Facebook: INTENTivity Biz page
• Facebook: INTENTivity Intro Group

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 Mixed Media Painting The Accidental Landscape and Process

The Accidental Landscape, 12 x 24 Inches, Mixed Media on Wood.
Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle aka Braylee Rush

I just completed this mixed media acrylic painting over the weekend. It has been in process for a couple of months.

It began as an experimental painting and continued to be experimental and intuitive until its completion.

One day, I cleaned and organized my studio. You know what that means, don't you? The unexpected, that's what! Some elements that were not supposed to go together, got stuck to each other. Thus, the Accidental Landscape began its evolutionary turn.

The painting in process got stuck to the papers I was using in the process and another piece of wood that I was going to gesso for a separate painting. I couldn't unstick them without damage.

In the meantime, I was experimenting with making acrylic skins and creating a class around them. So, I used this painting as a demo piece to show what could be done with the skins after making them. I used three acrylic skins on this painting, along with found objects, and the paper you see curled up in the "sandwich."

Process 1. The Accidental Landscape.

Process 2. The Accidental Landscape.

Process 3, the unexpected. The Accidental Landscape.

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 Mixed Media Painting The Accidental Landscape and Process

The Accidental Landscape, 12 x 24 Inches, Mixed Media on Wood.
Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle aka Braylee Rush

I just completed this mixed media acrylic painting over the weekend. It has been in process for a couple of months.

It began as an experimental painting and continued to be experimental and intuitive until its completion.

One day, I cleaned and organized my studio. You know what that means, don't you? The unexpected, that's what! Some elements that were not supposed to go together, got stuck to each other. Thus, the Accidental Landscape began its evolutionary turn.

The painting in process got stuck to the papers I was using in the process and another piece of wood that I was going to gesso for a separate painting. I couldn't unstick them without damage.

In the meantime, I was experimenting with making acrylic skins and creating a class around them. So, I used this painting as a demo piece to show what could be done with the skins after making them. I used three acrylic skins on this painting, along with found objects, and the paper you see curled up in the "sandwich."

Process 1. The Accidental Landscape.

Process 2. The Accidental Landscape.

Process 3, the unexpected. The Accidental Landscape.

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

Two Abstract Paintings in the Works

Work in Process, Phase 4: Yellow Abstract
36 x 48 x 1.5 inches, Acrylic on Canvas
Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle

Two abstract paintings are in the works. Besides painting landscapes of the awesome land around me, I love to paint abstracts.

I take an experimental approach to painting abstracts rather than painting abstractions from real life.

The first painting, called Purple Abstract, at this point (I know, original name, right? haha), started out on the floor with big gestural movements with a brush. I loved how the colors began mixing themselves wet on wet.

When I went to do the dark purple, it got kind of messy so it ended up being spilled, then splashed and splattered onto the canvas. It's hanging on my wall while I figure out what to do next with it next.

Work in Process: Purple Abstract, Acrylic on Canvas
36 x 48 x 1.5 inches, copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle

Work in Process, Phase 1 on the floor: 
Purple Abstract, Acrylic on Canvas
36 x 48 x 1.5 inches, copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle

Work in Process, Phase 3: The white part is matt medium
which dries almost clear.
 Yellow Abstract, Acrylic on Canvas, 36 x 48 x 1.5 inches
Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle

The next one, Yellow Abstract (haha again), began with shapes that acted as masking. After that layer dried, I applied matt medium.

I have added two layers of paint over the matt medium. This one seems to have more to say to me right now than Purple Abstract.

Work in Process Phase 1:  Yellow Abstract, Acrylic on Canvas
36 x 48 x 1.5 inches, Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle

Work in Process Phase 2:  Yellow Abstract, Acrylic on Canvas
36 x 48 x 1.5 inches, Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle

The yummiest blue that I'm using on the Yellow Abstract painting.

I'll keep you posted on the progress.

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.