Progress on Big Turquoise

Big Turquoise painting in progress
Acrylic on Canvas, 60 x 41.25 inches

“The position of the artist is humble. He is essentially a channel.”

— Piet Mondrian

I’m making slow progress on the big turquoise abstract painting. It seems to have a life of its own now. The composition is developing into a story. What story do you see?

From my Art Journal on June 6, 2023

I dream of a free-spirited approach to applying paint in active, spontaneous ways. However, my inner painter or expression seems to prefer curvy delineated shapes. The painting’s process is one more of considering the next step, feeling, and waiting for a response, a nudge, or guidance on the next move.

Two Paintings in Process

Ready to painting at 2nd Saturday Art Walk.
The musician and lighting folks are setting up
for the evening's musical performance.

I'm working on two abstract paintings right now. They are both 36 x 48 x 1.5 inches on canvas.

The first one, I began last week, is a mixed media painting. So far, I have used paper, pine needles, a stick, and many acrylic skins. It's sheer process and loads of fun!

The second painting began Saturday night at the inaugural 2nd Saturday Art Walk in Sedona Village [of Oak Creek]. I was inspired by the backside of the Village Grind, a coffee house at the Collective Sedona. I'm loving how it's turning out so far. I think it's quite different than any other painting I have done since I don't typically paint buildings or architecture. There was music playing about an hour into the painting. I could feel the vibe of the music flowing with the paint. It was fun to paint outside on green grass.

I'll show you how they both end up in next week's blog post. That gives me a week to finish them both.

Have a lovely week.

My imagination can picture no fairer happiness than to continue living for art.

Clara Schumann

Sir Kitty on my painting in process
from last week. He thinks it's a great
place to clean himself.

Mixed Media painting in process.

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 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.

Works in Process

2 Works-in-Process

These two paintings are still in process. It seems like it is taking me forever to finish either one.

The one in the back (upper portion of the photograph) is a 36 x 36 inch painting, working with acrylic paints on canvas. I would like to use it as a book cover for my upcoming book.

The one in the foreground is an experimental landscape 12 x 12 inch painting. It is acrylic on wood. I built up texture with spackle and gel medium. As I painted it, a southwestern landscape evolved. I added a thick layer of gel gloss medium mixed with paint on top of it. I didn't really like that experimental layer as it covered over the paint strokes I had so deliciously spent time on. I have added gold metallic and violet interference paint which I will sand off in my next session.

I'll keep you posted either in process or when I complete them.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Mary Gravelle
(Brianna Rush)

Sir Kitty

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

New Work in Process See its Beginning Stage

I finally laid some paint down on one of the three pieces of wood I have been lovingly preparing.

Yesterday, I worked with two layers. I was not sure how the texture I applied underneath would work out. It's looking like a landscape painting at this point. We'll see what happens as it progresses.

I really love the process of experimenting with process. The experiment on this painting is laying down the texture in the foundational stages.

The texture experiment was combining spackling (the stuff used to fill nail holes on the wall) with gel medium. I wondered if it would be like light molding paste. I think it has very similar texture. It is less absorbent. I painted gesso over it so the absorbency left somewhat, which I like.

The process part is putting paint on and then taking some of it off and repeating the process. It gives the painting a sort of worn feeling producing less predictable outcomes. I like that process and also love the results.

What do you think so far?

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Mary Gravelle
(Brianna Rush)

Sir Kitty

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