Feeling the Vibe of the Sedona Landscape

In Process at Fay Canyon, Sedona, AZ
Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle

Out and about last week, painting on the land, excited and jazzed, I noticed that if I allow my paintings to flow, surprises show up on the canvas. I love this! Since total accuracy is not important to me when painting a scene I am enthralled with, I happily allow this to happen.

All three paintings, still in process, painted last week on site in various locations, had an intuitive surprise for me. Each one is close to completion, but you can see their state below. I hope to finish them up during this week so I can show you how they end up in the coming weeks.

I feel a newfound joy of painting out on the land that I have not felt in a long time. I love painting abstract and other expressions, but none has brought me as much joy as I have felt this past week. It has energized me. There are new expressions on the horizon. Stay tuned.

I have also been revamping my art website, MaryFineArt.com, to showcase the art in a more focused manner. Hop on over and check it out.

In Process at Airport Mesa Vortex, Brewer Trailhead, Sedona, AZ
Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle

In Process at Cathedral Rock, Sedona, AZ
Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle

What do you think of the new direction? Do you paint outside? Do you like to buy art that has been painted outside?

Here are two paintings that were painted on location and are varnished and ready for sale. Go to my website for purchase details.

Eden, 9 x 12 inches, Acrylic on Wood.Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle. Painted on location.Cathedral Rock, Sedona, Arizona.

Century Plant Flirtation, 12 x 24 inches, Acrylic on Wood.Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle.

This photo will give you an idea of size.
Painted on location, varnished and ready for sale.
TOP: Century Plant Flirtation, 12 x 24 inches, Acrylic on Wood
BOTTOM: Eden, 9 x 12 inches, Acrylic on WoodBoth Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle

About the Author

Mary Rae 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.

Contact her today with painting commissions, requests for creative work, consultations, or one on one coaching sessions. She is happy to paint something just for you. Or 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

What Questions Do You Have About Using Color in the Painting Process?

In my post on mixing color, I found out that color is a topic of confusion and struggle for many artists.

If you are stuck in black and white and shades in between and want to break out in full color, what is stopping you? You are invited to take this quick survey to share your challenges and struggles on using color in your painting process. I'll report back the cumulative results of the survey.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Braylee Rush

About the author: Braylee 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

Varnish -- The Final Part of the Painting Process

Brushing the isolation coat on two paintings.
Isolation coat of Golden Gel Gloss Medium
plus water.

Finishing an acrylic painting via final isolation coat and then varnish is one of my least favorite parts of the painting process. Even though I don't like this final stage, it is one of the most important parts of the process.

When I say I don't like this phase, what I mean is that it is a nerve-wracking part of the process. It is the final stage. What happens if the varnish streaks, runs, and looks uneven? Extreme care needs to be taken to insure the final surface creates the quality and look that I desire for the painting whether is matt, satin, or glossy.

Purpose of Varnish

Varnishing a painting serves a couple of purposes. First, it protects the painting surface from the elements, dust, and UV rays. Second, it unifies the surface in terms of sheen creating a better-looking painting and a feeling of quality craftsmanship.

Isolation coat.

The final varnish should be archival and removable. After about 50 years of hanging out in the open, unless it has been placed under glass, dust and other environmental contaminants have built up on the painting surface. If the painting has not been varnished, these elements embed themselves in the paint. So, it is better that these elements have embedded themselves into a final varnish layer instead. Because once removed, all the dust and other contaminants get removed with it. Then, a fresh new layer of varnish goes on to protect it for the next 50 or so years.

Apparently, I'm not the only artist out there that fears this part of the process. I found an article which made me feel much better about my angst. This article, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Varnish, talks about the final varnish coat and gives us artists tips on varnishing.

I would bet that the final varnish coat is personal to the artist and their medium like Edward Hopper in the quote below.

I use a retouching varnish which is made in France, Libert, and that's all the varnish I use. -- Edward Hopper

I want to hear from you!

Please leave a comment below.

If you are an artist

Do you fear this part of the process? Do you have any tips on varnishing or tips on releasing the angst of this stage in the process?

If you are an art collector

What is your feeling about purchasing a painting with or without varnish?

Mary Rush Gravelle

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.

All I Want to Do is Experiment Part Three

Highways & Biways
Acrylic on Canvas, 18 x 24 inches
Copyright 2014 Mary Rush Gravelle
All rights reserved

The current painting in my experimental arsenal is a project where I poured paint onto the canvas without the aid of brushes or other utensils and made a painting. I did use my fingers a couple of times to coax the paint to go where I wanted, like filling in tiny holes to cover the white canvas where the paint just didn't seem to want to go. Read my previous blog articles on that process here and here.

I created a short and speeded up video on the process that lasted over a week's duration, pouring a new color each day (thus the different wardrobe). I thought you might enjoy it.

My goofy self with my painting in process.
Mary Rush Gravelle

Until Next Week 

• Create art

• Appreciate art

• Buy art

I want to hear from you! What do you think of the final painting? Did you like this technique? Did you like the video? What was your favorite part? Leave your comments below.

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

Sir Kitty

Find her work and daily comments on her facebook page. Her art can be seen on her website, maryfineart.com. She can be contacted via email at: mary@maryfineart.com.

Wisdom Painting

Oh me, oh my! I totally forgot to write and publish this week's blog post.

I have been working diligently recreating my Wisdom Painting website. It feels like it has taken me far, far down the rabbit hole. Since moving to Sedona, that piece of my work / offering / gift to the world has resurrected itself after more than a five-year hiatus.

Hiking on the vortex of Bell Rock here in Sedona, the message was given to me to "bring painters and use our natural resources". This felt so very exciting. Should I really resurrect Wisdom Painting?

Apparently, yes! Only a few days later, a friend and client from Connecticut referred her friends to me who were coming to Sedona. We got together and did a Wisdom Painting session. They told me it was a wonderful experience. And I felt exalted for doing the work. It was like, "really, and I get paid to do this too? I was smiling to myself during the whole experience.

This further tells me that, yes, get back to Wisdom Painting, my roots. It must important right now. So… that's what I've been up to for over a week, building a new website for Wisdom Painting. It's like pulling teeth right now. And, I am driven to do it.

We use many beautiful colors during Wisdom Painting.

What about my own art, you might ask? I wonder about it too. My daily artwork revolves around doing phone art. I also do daily drawings during my personal Igniting Your Intentions™ sessions.

The phone art, along with my other art and selected photography can be seen on my flicker account page and albums. Check out my June 2014 Phone Art album to see this month's phone art creations. I have been receiving great feedback on these images.

Okay… back to work. I must get that Wisdom Painting website finished.

Mary Rush Gravelle

Until Next Week 

• Create art

• Appreciate art

• Buy art

I would love to hear your comments on this article, please leave one if you feel inspired.

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

Find her work and daily comments on her facebook page. Her art can be seen on her website, maryfineart.com. She can be contacted via email at: mary@maryfineart.com.

How to Know if a Painting is Complete

People often ask me this question: "How do you know when a painting is complete?" In this short video, I answer that question.

Mary Rush Gravelle, Artist

Until Next Week 

• Create art

• Appreciate art

• Buy art

I would love to hear your comments on this article, please leave one if you feel inspired.

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

Find her work and daily comments on her facebook page. Her art can be seen on her website, maryfineart.com. She can be contacted via email at: mary@maryfineart.com.

Phone to Canvas Painting Two Phase 3-5

Phone Art Flower Painting in Process, Phase 5, July 27, 2013
36 x 36 inches, Mixed Media on Canvas
©2013 Mary Rush Gravelle

Phone Art to Canvas

Painting 2, Phase 3-5

I am enjoying painting my new series based on my phone art application paintings.

I loved my first phone art painting. Now, I love my 2nd painting more.

What do think so far? Do you enjoy seeing the in-process photos? Or would you rather wait and see it completed?

Phone Art Flower Painting in Process, Phase 3, June 29, 2013
36 x 36 inches, Mixed Media on Canvas
©2013 Mary Rush Gravelle

Phone Art Flower Painting in Process, Phase 4, July 6, 2013
36 x 36 inches, Mixed Media on Canvas
©2013 Mary Rush Gravelle

Phone Art Flower Painting in Process, Color Pallette
36 x 36 inches, Mixed Media on Canvas
©2013 Mary Rush Gravelle

Me Working on it.

Phone Art Flower Painting in Process, Phase 5, July 27, 2013
36 x 36 inches, Mixed Media on Canvas
©2013 Mary Rush Gravelle

Mary Rush Gravelle with her painting in Phase 5.

Phone Art Flower Painting in Process, Phase 5, July 27, 2013
36 x 36 inches, Mixed Media on Canvas
©2013 Mary Rush Gravelle

Phone Art Painting #2 Phase 2 Blog Post

Phone Art Painting #2 Phase 1 Blog Post

Until Next Week

• Create art 

• Appreciate art 

• Buy art 

Mary Rush Gravelle is an artist who resides in Tucson, Arizona with her beloved cat, Sir Kitty. Her art can be seen on her website, maryfineart.com. She can be contacted via email at: mary@maryfineart.com.

Essence Painting in Process

Essence of Mary Alice Rush. Stage One

Stage 2. Tree branches filled out.
Rainbow whited out.

First of all, for those who have been reading my blog, you most likely see that I changed the look. I hope you like the change. Let me know.

In January I received a spirit message to create Essence of You paintings. This idea backfired on me at that time.

I have decided to paint the Essence of Me and discover the process for painting the Essence of You (i.e. someone else).

I'm using my birth name in the title of this painting since I believe that my true essence has not changed. I was most likely born with it. And you were born with your true essence intact too.

The Being on upper right of the painting is from an Igniting drawing I did 9/20/06. When I was figuring out what my essence might look like, she popped into my head that she is my essence.

That is all I would like to say at this time about my essence. I would like to hear your comments and ideas on the idea of Essence paintings. Do you think you would consider commissioning me to do an Essence of YOU painting for you with your input? Or would you prefer to hire me as a Painting Guide to help you paint your own Essence painting?

Stage 3. Left column and its foot rounded out.

More Circle Painting-in-process

Oy! Not sure I have improved this painting. I wish I had never painted the yellow over the green!

Abstract Circle Painting in Process

I don't know where this painting will end up. I'm attempting to paint the circle as light source with a glowing effect.

The top painting is where it is right now. The bottom painting is where was after about 8-10 changes to it.

Numerical Painting Series

Now that I'm done with all 9 paintings from this series, I wish I had spent a few minutes everyday writing down my thoughts throughout the process. It was a very powerful painting series for me, which I did not realize until after completing number 9. The series was well received. I sold one painting, Number 2: The Presence of the Other. I'll write more later and post more pictures. Pictured here are Number 4 and Number 5 as displayed at the College Avenue Collection during Weekend at the Galleries, Silver City, New Mexico

Refinement in the Push / Pull

I know I'm getting to the final version of my painting when I'm doing really small and fine adjustments. Refinement in the push / pull is what I call it when I add a little, take a little away and keep at that small adjustment stage for awhile until the painting and me relaxes into a peaceful state. It's all a balancing act at this point. Number 3 and Number 4 paintings are both winding down ..... yeah

The Early Morning Club

The article copied below came through my email yesterday from The Painter's Keys in the Robert Genn Twice-Weekly Letter. The idea from it was to begin painting as soon as you wake up -- before the tea pot boils, before you brush your teeth, before breakfast, blah blah blah ..... WELL!!! I did it this morning. I LOVE it. This will be my new routine. It puts my committment where it needs to be -- with painting. That is my work. I begin when I awake. The rest of the day will take care of itself. Hope you enjoy the article. Please let me know your thoughts.

"The Early Morning Club"
June 3, 2008 Dear Mary, Inspiration and motivation--how do you find it, where does it come from, how do you maintain it? Rankled by time and money considerations to say nothing of non-supportive others, some folks find it a tough order. Like a lot of life's struggles, the solution might just be a simple one. As many know, I'm a believer in effective habits and bold pump-priming. Right now I'm working with some painters in what we call "The Early Morning Club." It's very much like a prayer breakfast, except there's no prayer and no breakfast. Active in several time zones, we meet virtually. People can start and stop when they wish, but frequent non-attendance can result in excommunication. If you'd care to join, here you go:
The minute you awaken, proceed like a zombie to your studio. Before your kettle has boiled, before you have checked your email, squeeze out and prepare your palette. Still in your jammies? Pajama painting is still not against the law. No matter how bleary or unwashed, start now--it's the imperative of drying palettes. Don't know what to paint? Doesn't matter. Start anyway--bold, expressive, blocks of forms and colours are preferable to lines.
Our Patron Saint is Goethe: "Boldness has genius, power and magic. Engage, and the mind grows heated. Begin, and the work will be completed."
Unless disabled, members generally stand during meetings. Dancing, jazzercise and even yoga are also encouraged--we are a cult known for exercising the cardio as well as the creative. Some of us sing nonsense or speak in tongues. We have yet to choose our anthem. "Land of Hope and Glory" and "La Marseillaise" have been put forward.
As the easel-dance progresses, ideas and motifs form and give clues to further directions. Like Boy Scout badges, stuff accumulates. As well as experiencing stimulation and excitement, members begin to feel a beautiful calmness, a connection with all of history's dawnworkers, and the welcome procession of creative joy. Simply speaking, this miracle of private process is further understood, honed and mastered. The break for ablutions and breakfast comes a bit later. The meetings are well worth attending. Membership is free.
Best regards,
Robert PS: "Rest not! Life is sweeping by; go dare before you die. Something mighty and sublime, leave behind to conquer time." (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)