Wednesday, April 23, 2014

"Delilah's Duck" Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Delilah's Duck"  Contemporary Figurative Oil
Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat
 
11" x 14" Oil on Canvas
 
I started with a red background on this painting hoping to bring out the greens.
To view more of my work or to purchase, please
visit http://www.maryopat.com  Thanks for visiting my
blog site!

"Blue Door" Contemporary Oil Painting by Arizona Artist mary Opat

"Blue Door" Contemporary Oil Painting by
Arizona Artist Mary Opat
 
8" x 10" Oil on Panel
 
To view more or to purchase any of my paintings, please
follow this link: http://www.maryopat.com and
thank you for visiting my blog site!

April 23rd, 2014

This morning I packed up and mailed off one of the first paintings I completed
since my decision last year to retire from the "regular paycheck world"
 as I like to call it, and concentrate on making and selling my art. 

 As I was carefully bubble-wrapping it and taping the
box shut I had a few thoughts about my journey so far.  I've learned so much from
the workshops and classes I've taken.  Much of what I've learned has been incorporated
into my paintings, and just as importantly, much has been rejected.  Often it's the part
that we reject that makes our art our own.  The world would be pretty boring
if we all painted the same! 
 
 Once a week I paint with a wonderful group of friends including
Jean Smith, our very wonderful instructor.  I'm amazed at the talent
of my friends as we work in our own style of painting in various mediums. 
 My world has become richer and far more colorful since I began
following my passion.  I'm grateful for my family, friends, and every
day that I'm allowed to live among them! 
 
 
 

Monday, April 21, 2014

Dedication at Page Commons

 
The dedication of the restored planter boxes and garden
mural took place early this morning.  Here are a few photos of the
Gilbert Leadership Class XXII and the residents of Page Commons
enjoying refreshments after the ribbon cutting. Go to my
website to see more photos http://www.maryopat.com 

Thursday, April 17, 2014

"Pink Hat" Portrait Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 
"Pink Hat" Portrait Oil Painting by
Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 
I decided to take an earlier painting and change the background
to make it a little more interesting and here's the result.  I
think the space is filled more evenly now and the peachy colors
bring out the skin tone a little more.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Gilbert mural at Page Commons




 
The 6' x 51' Gilbert Leadership Class XXII mural is finally finished!
I'll clean it and seal it with varnish and leave it for the residents of
Page Commons to enjoy.  The vegetables in the raised planter beds
are doing great and everyone is excited to get in there and garden.
I had fun visiting with the residents who came by when I was
painting and made some new friends in the Leadership Class.  This
was such a good experience.  Now back to my studio!

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Gilbert Leadership Class XXII Work Day

Here are a few more of the terrific members of the
Gilbert Leadership Class XXII working on the mural.  There
were 8 members assigned to paint at a time and they pretty
well stayed with it all day. 
Here's what was going on behind the blue tarp!  Eight existing planter
boxes were equipped with an automatic watering system and then filled
with garden soil.  The members planted hundreds of vegetables and
flower plants and then brought in additional rock for the surrounding
area.  It was a day well spent and I'm sure there are some aching muscles
today!  Tomorrow my real work begins on the mural.  I'll report back
in two weeks when (hopefully) I'm finished.

Gilbert Leadership Class XXII Work Day

Seven a.m. Saturday morning, I'm set up and ready to go.  The leadership class
 had a perfect day to work on the mural and to fill the planters with
vegetables and flowers.
 
Here are a few of the Gilbert Leadership Class XXII working on the
Mural.  A tarp separated the painting area from the garden area
to prevent dust and garden soil from landing on our painting surface.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

GVAL 11th Annual Fine Art Show People's Choice Award Winner!

Congratulations to Bev Koldon, the  People's Choice
award winner at the GVAL 11th Annual Fine Art Show and Sale
for the second year in a row!  I'm always happy
when one of my good friends wins an award...way to go Bev!