My Art Notes

Monday, May 14, 2018

Behind the Scenes Since My Disappearance in August

Where Have I Been as an Artist Since I Last Posted?

Artist Mary Rae Rush (Mary Gravelle)

It's a been awhile since I've written a post here on Blogger. I shifted my focus from writing about my art and art business to blogging only on my art website. Now, I'm thinking it'll be good to post both places. Any thoughts on this subject?

So, where have I been since posting last August? I committed to completing my book on my creative process. I created an online course to match the book. And, I've been painting. My progress seems slow, but now that I read this, I've come along way. Below are snippets of updates on each of those.

Book

My proposed book cover for the forthcoming book on Kindle: INTENTivity

I'm at the end of that completion cycle finally. The title changed from Ignition to INTENTivity. It's been one of the longest, largest creative projects I've undertaken thus far in my life.

I decided to self-publish after receiving one rejection letter from an agent. In hindsight, I might have been better off sending out 100's of book proposals until I received a YES. But, I didn't, so I've been learning the ropes of self-publishing. There is so much to learn and know. As I work to complete uploading to Kindle on Amazon, I see that I've learned a lot. There is still so much more to learn. Perhaps I'll write another blog post of advice to others who want to write a book. The featured photo is where the book cover stands at this point. You would not believe how many book covers I have designed for this book over the past 7 months!

See links below to follow me on social media for updates.

Online Self-Discovery Course for Creative Confidence

Coming soon, online course for self-discovery and transformation.

The book is a "workshop in a book" that outlines a 6-week program. New material had been added since working with clients on this work. I enlisted the help of beta-testers to read over my book and take the course as they read. Much to my delight and surprise, it went very well!

Although during the process, I hardly had time to come up for air in this time period from September through November. I'm deeply ingratiated to the five beta testers who were still standing at the end of this procedure. It was intense for all of us. They were taking a deep dive into the self-discovery process, Igniting Your Intentions, and giving me feedback on the book and the work at the same time. I was recording video and audio and preparing PDF's of the work, building my online course as I went. All through this, I was daily checking in with my student beta testers helping them out with their process.

What Paintings Have I Been Working on and Completed?

Cross Pollination of the Cosmic Bee.
11 x 19 inches.
Tempera on paper.

I think this will be the subject of a separate blog post. But, I painted nothing in September and October of 2017 while I was heavily focused and working on the book and online course.

Then, because I sincerely have to paint for my sanity, I came back to it with a lighthearted approach in November, following prompts from a Facebook painting group. In January I did two paintings, two paintings were completed in February, and in March I did none. I picked up again in April working on a redo of a painting that didn't work from many years ago. That's where I am right now in my oil painting adventures. I've discovered that I need to take a more balanced approach to my goals.

Until Next Time

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About the Author, Artist and Writer, Mary Rae Rush

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

Websites

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Sunday, August 6, 2017

New Painting - Seclusion

Final painting completed this week: Seclusion, 36 x 60 x 1.5 inches,
Oil on Canvas, Copyright 2017 Mary Gravelle aka MaryRae Rush

I completed my newest painting this past week.

I love this painting. I have been experimenting with painting with tools other than brushes to get the painting started, finishing it off with brushes as needed in more detailed areas.

I like the finished areas juxtaposed with the lesser evolved areas on this painting. I also love surprises that show up when I allow the painting to be what it wants to be, like the blue shape lower right.

What do you think? What do you like about this painting?

Below are in-process shots. Enjoy. Please leave a comment below.

Photo reference credit goes to Nick's Nature Pics Blog. He graciously permitted me to use his photo of the Turkey Vulture as reference while painting. Thanks, Nick!

Seclusion in-process photo of the under layer.

Seclusion in-process photo of the under layer detail.

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, Fluid Expressions Workshop for Empowerment, Igniting Your Intentions, 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 via email to MaryRaeStudios@gmail.com.

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

My assistant, Sir Kitty

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Vibrant Painting For Your Home or Office – Red Subtlety Triptych Yellow Red Purple

Left to Right:
Red Subtlety on Yellow, Red Subtlety on Red
and Red Subtlety on Purple

Triptych Painting: Vibrant, Energetic Impact for Home or Office

For the interest of art lovers and art collectors, I will explain my process and theory behind this triptych.

Idea

This was the last in a series of triangle paintings. The idea behind this triptych was to see if I could "bury" the triangle.

Theory

If I paint over the triangle with enough layers, the triangle shape will disappear.

Process

I began with painting each panel a different color for the background with the idea of being a graduated value from light to dark. The first panel was painted yellow; the second, red; and the last panel, purple. Then I used the same three colors on all panels for the top layers.

I made many stencils out of oaktag, which was leftover from my dress designing days. I drew various triangle sizes, differentiating them from solid to outlined. I then cut them out with an x-acto knife.

Vibrant and energetic impact to your home or office.

Paintings - Tryptych

Acrylic and Oil on Oak Panels

Each panel measures: 48L x 24W x 3D inches

Hung together with 6 inches apart, they measure:

48L x 84W x 3D inches

Silver City, New Mexico

I worked with all three panels laid down on a table surface, painting the same color on each panel as I progressed. I laid selected stencils on top of the panels and proceeded to paint thinned-down acrylic washes over the panels. With the thinned acrylic paint, I wanted the background color to show or shine through, thus giving me the graduated colors of panels with the final product. Where the stencils lay, it would leave its shape behind. I proceeded in this fashion alternating yellow, red, and purple layers over various stencils. I kept at it until I could barely recognize the triangle shape as part of the composition.

At the end of the process, I realized that it was next to impossible to entirely "bury" the triangle. It is a part of me as it is part of the infinite.

Red Subtlety on Yellow

Red Subtlety on Red

Red Subtlety on Purple

These handsome panels are made of oak wood construction (my own construction), each panel measures 48 x 24 x 3 inches. Hanging them six inches apart, gives a full wall width of 84 inches x 48 inches tall x 3 inches deep.

The final painting result is a non-objective, monotone effect. They have a rich luster. They are painted with acrylic. I completed them with final oil glaze layer. They make a vibrant and energetic impact to your home or office.

Red Subtlety Triptych on Yellow, Red, Purple

For inquiries, please contact me, Mary Rae, at MaryRaeStudios@gmail.com.