New Painting Hidden Staircase

Hidden Staircase, 12 x 24 inches, Acrylic on MDF
Copyright 2016 Mary Gravelle

Four trips to the arch at Fay Canyon and this painting is complete. There is one small detail I might add, but other than that, it's done.

I created a video of the fourth painting session for your enjoyment.

This painting was a joy to paint. The painting process unfolded in an abstract subject matter for this acrylic landscape painting.

The wall of ruins, according to a local man who has lived in Sedona for 30 years, was manmade a few years ago. It's been there since I moved to Sedona 2.5 years ago. I never knew the difference. I thought it was an ancient ruins and reveled in that idea. The spot up under the arch is quite lovely energetically. The trees give it a feeling of being an oasis.

The first three times up there, I enjoyed the peacefulness of being alone. Painting in solitude is wonderful.

I was late getting up the morning of the fourth visit. It was the week of Thanksgiving so there were many tourists. The local man I mentioned earlier who burst my ancient ruin dream bubble was there. Still, it was enjoyable. I waited until they all left before setting up to paint.

Below are my process photos and the video. Enjoy. Drop me a comment and let me know your thoughts.

The painting is available for sale on my art website.

Fay Canyon, trail up to the arch.

Fay Canyon, under the arch with the man-made ruins.

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 services are Sedona Art Hikes and Wisdom Painting.

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 can be made through the contact page.

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

Until Next Week

• Appreciate art
• Buy art
• Create art

Acrylic Skins Class is Coming Up Again on Sep 14 & 21 Join Us!

Acrylic Skins Class: How to Make Them and Use Them.
Sep. 14 & 21, 9 am to Noon
Sedona Arts Center
Register Online

Acrylic Skins class is Coming Up Again on Sep 14 & 21 Join Us!

The first Acrylic Skins class was so much fun that I will do it again this month. Join us on two Wednesdays from 9 am to Noon on Sep. 14 & 21 at the Sedona Arts Center.

This class will give you knowledge and hands-on experience in making and using acrylic skins. You will also be able to use them in a painting.

How Can You Use an Acrylic Skin?

Acrylic Skins can be used as collage elements in your acrylic and mixed-media art projects. Whether you use all acrylic with paints and gel mediums or embed found objects in them, it's a process that is super versatile.

It's just plain fun! 

Experimentation is where's it at during this process. On the first day, I'll show you many different techniques and ways of creating your skins. And then, you will be able to create 3-5 skins during class.

On the 2nd day of class, you will use your skins on a painting to take home with you. It might not get completely finished, but it will be well on its way for you to work on once you return home. This process is addicting!

Acrylic Skin Ready for Art Project

Join us!

Register and pay online. Or email Mary@MaryFineArt.com for information, registration, and payment arrangements.

Materials are extra. A Materials list will be provided upon registration.

See you then!

Read more about this class.

Praise for the Class

It was great fun. Thank YOU! I enjoyed just playing rather than being too focused on perfection. Day 2 was so much fun!!! –K.W., Sedona, AZ

Awesome workshop! I really enjoyed it. Everyone seemed to have so much fun. I know I did. Delightful. Thanks!  –E.H., Sedona, AZ

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

That Painting Gives Me Goosebumps

In process en plein air at Courthouse Butte, Sedona, Arizona
Copyright 2016 Braylee Rush

I'm getting goosebumps, said my neighbor as she looked at my painting
Sometimes, as the painter, you just don't know how someone else is going to react to your painting. In this case, my recent en plein air acrylic painting. I painted it in three different sessions on site at Courthouse Butte in Sedona, Arizona.

When my neighbor saw it at a live painting event I was doing, she told me it was a special painting. The more she looked at it, the more she felt goosebumps. She said that there was one word, Ancient. She said it felt like the energy was from long ago during the crystalline age of Sedona.

Sedona, the Land of Crystalline Energy

This is not the first time I have heard about the crystalline energy in this spot. A visitor told me she could see crystal energy spurting from the top of the mountain as we hiked together. I couldn't see it nor feel it then, and I don't feel it now. But, that is not to say that others cannot feel it. I wish I could. Maybe my energy talents lie within the painting process and allowing the energy to be captured on the canvas.

Work in process on location, Sedona, Arizona.
Photography courtesy of Pat Kaufmann

The camera on my phone is acting out so I don't have a full photo of the completed painting. It is too large for my scanner. I'll try to get a good photo of it and post it another time.

During the second painting session, a photographer passerby took photos of me painting. He was nice enough to send them to me via email. Thanks, Pat Kaufmann!

Packing up after a painting session on location.

Are you ready to bring home a piece of Sedona to your home or office? This painting would be good for any area or space where a visual slice of heaven could elevate the mood of anyone looking. It's a small painting, 9 x 12 inches, so it would fit into any small space, nook, or cranny like a kitchen, bathroom, den, living, bedroom, or wherever you can think of. Is this the perfect painting for your space? Email me at Mary@MaryFineArt.com

Painting on location, en plein air, Courthouse Butte, Sedona, Arizona.
Braylee Rush

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:

1. Why do I like this piece?
2. What does it remind me of?
3. How do these colors make me feel?
4. Overall, how does this piece make me feel?
5. What location or room would this piece fit into?
6. Would it make a great gift for someone special?

Braylee Rush

About the Author

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.

The faithful and willing
painting assistant,
Sir Kitty

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.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

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.

Here is Your Chance to See One of Sedona's Most Unique Homes along with My Abstract Art

Damian Bruno, Listing Agent of
Sedona Dome Home
My art is showing while the home is for sale

In July, I wrote about the open house as a great venue for artists to showcase their art. Now, the community gets a second chance to attend another open house to see one of Sedona's most unique homes, a dome home. And, you have another chance to see a collection of my abstract art hanging in this wonderful home.

My Abstract art in the Green Living Room which has a water feature.

Sedona Dome Home. This area was used a home school by
the builder and owner of the home.
Three of my small mixed media pieces fit the space perfectly.

You can watch several videos of the creation of this dome home on YouTube. Just google Sedona Dome Home and you'll find all sorts of videos from the building of it to the family of five that lived there while home schooling their three daughters. It's an intriguing story.

Here's the video invitation from Danielle Giann, partner listing agent.

Here's what Damian Bruno, the listing realtor, Coldwell Banker First Affiliate, of the home has to say:

Please Join Us for the Sedona Dome Home "Xanadu" Community Open House - August 21st from 12-5pm. Please RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1871678656390719/

One of Sedona's most famous structures and now you can see the inside. Held by Damian Bruno and Danielle Giann Coldwell Banker First Affiliate along with Omar Kenney of Bay Equity Home Loans and Michelle Murie of Lawyers Title.

Live Music from Doc who will be playing acoustic guitar on the properties stage. Come meet local artist Braylee Rush of Mary's Fine Art and see her works on display!  

Free Food provided! Mary's Fine Art on Display!  

Come join us for a preview inside one of Sedona's most unique properties the Dome Home!
http://www.sedonarealestateagents.com/

New Day mixed media painting plays with the
delightful light coming in through the skylight of
this master bedroom.
New Day, Mixed Media on Wood, 12 x 12 inches.
Copyright 2015 Mary Gravelle.

Come on out!

Please leave a comment on your thoughts of artists showing their art at open houses.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Mary Gravelle (Braylee Rush)

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.

New Painting Pilgrimage

Cathedral Rock Pilgrimage, 12 x 12 inches
Acrylic on Wood, Copyright 2015 Mary Gravelle

I recently finished my first Sedona landscape painting, Cathedral Rock Pilgrimage. It's a rather small acrylic painting, 12 x 12 inches that I began en Plein air.

It is a view of Cathedral Rock as seen sitting at Bell Rock with the glorious century plant in bloom not far from where I was sitting.  See my first post with more in process photos.

Cathedral Rock is the 2nd most photographed site in the world. It looks different from every angle in which you see it.

Its name, Cathedral Rock, suggests something sacred. As I worked on this painting in the studio, a sacred pilgrimage was suggested as the rocks seem to be walking along the golden path. I see in my imagination a cloaked monk figure. Can you see it? I didn't paint it in. I left it to your imagination. Perhaps this painting speaks to you of something else. Do tell. Drop me a line.

Me, Mary Gravelle, at the top of Cathedral Rock,
end of the hiking trail.

In some ways, I think of my move to Sedona as an unknown pilgrimage. The journey to reach this destination was long, and arduous, requiring a great amount of spiritual strength and stamina. It began when I left Silver City in May of 2012. I'm glad I am on the other side of it now, I'm home. And great things are happening.

En Plein Air beginnings
Cathedral Rock Pilgrimage, 12 x 12 inches
Acrylic on Wood, Copyright 2015 Mary Gravelle

I also think another way of defining a pilgrimage is as the dark night of the soul or the hero's journey. Have you taken a pilgrimage? What was the impetus to move you to do it? What did it require of you? What was waiting for you on the other side? I would love to hear if you want to share, drop me a note.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Mary Gravelle (Brianna Rush)

The handsome, Sir Kitty. Meow.

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

New Work in Process – Acrylic Landscape Painting

Work in Process, Stage 3
Cathedral Rock Viewed from Bell Rock with Century Plant.
12 x 12 inches, Acrylic on Wood.
Copyright 2015 Mary Gravelle. All Rights Reserved.

I hiked up to Bell Rock last week with paints and a piece of wood. I scouted the best spot to sit with a view that intrigued me.

A towering budding century plant enchanted me as I caught a glimpse of Cathedral Rock in the distance providing me with enough inspiration to begin.

Still a work in process, yesterday, it began its communication by redirecting my paint brushes and colors in a slightly new direction. I wonder where it will end up? Stay tuned.

Work in Process, Stage 2.
Cathedral Rock Viewed from
Bell Rock with Century Plant.
12 x 12 inches, Acrylic on Wood.
Copyright 2015 Mary Gravelle.
All Rights Reserved.

Work in Process, Stage 1

Cathedral Rock Viewed from

Bell Rock with Century Plant.

12 x 12 inches, Acrylic on Wood.

Copyright 2015 Mary Gravelle.

All Rights Reserved.

I Have a Dream and Need Your Support

https://www.missionmainstreetgrants.com/b/49929

I have a dream for my art, publishing a book, and creating a new art hikes business. I could really use your support.

https://www.missionmainstreetgrants.com/b/49929

I need 250 votes by June 19. I have applied for a small business grant through Chase Bank. In order to move to the next step in this process, all applicants are required to attain 250 votes. If I don't get those votes, my application and all the work I did on it will be tossed out.

https://www.missionmainstreetgrants.com/b/49929

Please, if you could take about 30 seconds to vote that would be awesome. You will need to be logged into Facebook. They are not saving, sharing, using your information in any way except for vote collection purposes. I won't even know if you voted unless you tell me.

https://www.missionmainstreetgrants.com/b/49929

Come on, please, help support an artist with a dream. I would support yours in a heartbeat. I'm not asking for money, only a simple click and vote. Thank you in advance.

Watch this short video (1:40) for more information and a bit of inspiration while you are viewing.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Mary Gravelle (Brianna Rush)

The handsome, Sir Kitty. Meow.

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