The Soft Approach - New Southwestern Landscape Painting from Camp Verde, Arizona

The Soft Approach, Oil on MDF, 12 x 24 inches
Copyright 2017 Mary Gravelle.
The painting does not have the green background around it.

One of the first things I did when I moved into my new place in Camp Verde, Arizona was to paint. I have a fantastic 360 degree view of mountains that seem to reach into eternity. Every window in this place offers inspiration for many paintings to come. I set my easel up to look out my kitchen window.

I painted The Soft Approach with oil paints using my fingers. I have not painted in oils for many years. I found it was easier to put on a latex glove and just dive into the paint full strength. I had forgotten the joys of mixing paint directly on the canvas. I had forgotten the joys of painting wet on wet. I used a lot of paint!

I call this painting, The Soft Approach, for a several reasons. First, the oil paints, being painted with my fingers made it impossible to get straight, crisp edges. I was seeking this new approach. My acrylic landscape paintings seem to have harder edges. I wanted to try something different. The landscape itself looks soft with its rolling hills sitting at the foot of the taller, large, looming mountains behind them. It's like a gentle invitation to the imagination of expansion within oneself. The other reason for this title is the final result of the painting. It looks soft in the way the paint is laid on. It looks soft in its application of colors and shapes compared to most of my vibrantly hued landscapes.

The Soft Approach, Oil on MDF, 12 x 24 inches
Copyright 2017 Mary Gravelle.

This oil painting is still drying. It will be available for sale in about a month. Once it is dry, I will varnish it. Then, I'll put it up for sale on my website. I will let you know when that happens. If you want to pre-buy it, just let me know! Email Mary@MaryFineArt.com. It would be my pleasure to reserve it for you.

Below are a few in-process photos.

In-process photo
The Soft Approach, Oil on MDF, 12 x 24 inches
Copyright 2017 Mary Gravelle.

My paint pile after completing this painting.
The Soft Approach, Oil on MDF, 12 x 24 inches
Copyright 2017 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 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

Art for the Office

Desert Arteries, 24 x 48 x 3 inches, Acrylic on Wood.
Copyright 2006 Mary Gravelle. In private collection, Tucson, Arizona USA.

I recently sold one of my southwestern landscape paintings to be hung in a new office space in Tucson, Arizona. Desert Arteries is 24 x 48 x 3 inches and an acrylic landscaping painting on wood. It's a handsome piece, or perhaps, pretty, since it's pink.

There is a possibility that more of my southwestern paintings will be purchased for the same office. The person who bought this painting is a friend. Not only does she love my paintings, but also wants them to be seen by the international audience that will be coming through the office space. It's always nice to have a champion of my art go to bat for me.

Original paintings lend themselves to commercial spaces such as offices, lobbies, or healing centers as well as personal home spaces. The energy that emanates from the original paintings enhance and uplift the ambience of any space.

"Original works of art have certain energies about them that reproductions and mass-produced decorative items simply don't have. You know just by looking at it that another human being made it, and not a machine." – http://www.artbusiness.com/whatgood.html

Follow the link from the above quote to find many more reasons for owning art, especially in the workplace.

What are your observations about original paintings hanging in office spaces? Does it detract or attract your attention and interest in that office? How does it affect your time spent there?

To see more of my southwestern landscape paintings, go to my website.

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.

Two Paintings Now Showing at Yavapai College Sedona Center

Keep It Light, Acrylic on Canvas, 24 x 30 x 1.5 inches, painting continues around edges.
Southwestern acrylic landscape painting of Silver City, New Mexico.
Copyright 2008 Mary Gravelle.

Two paintings are now showing at the Small Business Development Center office at Yavapai College Sedona Center.

I hope to hang a couple more. In the meantime, these two are showing: Keep It Light and Paradise; both are southwestern landscape scenes, one from Silver City, New Mexico, the other from Oracle, Arizona.

Yavapai College Sedona Center, 4215 Arts Village Drive, Sedona, AZ 86336, (928) 649-4266. Find them on Facebook.

Painting purchase inquires, please email Mary@MaryFineArt.com. Find Mary's Fine Art on Facebook or on my website.

Keep It Light, Acrylic on Wood, 36 x 48 x 3 inches
Painting continues around edges. Copyright 2007 Mary Gravelle.
Southwestern acrylic landscape painting of Oracle, Arizona

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.

Featured Painting: The Meditation

Featured Original Painting for Sale: The Meditation

The Meditation
Acrylic on Canvas, 9 x 12 x 0.75 inches, Completed in 2008.
$275

This southwestern landscape acrylic painting is a scene from Silver City, New Mexico. The long view gives rise to meditative contemplation.
Original acrylic painting that will never be duplicated again. Bring it into your living space and bring some peace into your world today.
Buy it now.

Shipping Options

Customer Pick Up, no shipping charges $275.00 USD Ship it: $50 shipping charge included $325.00 USD

Buy a giclee print instead of the original.

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Painting Photo Gallery on MySpace

I have uploaded all but one of my southwestern landscape paintings to Mary's Fine Art Photo Albums at MySpace. Check it out. Post your comments on the paintings.