The End of a Great Year!

Well here it is, the end of 2014.  Looking back on the year, all of my memories fall into the good or great categories.  Don't worry, I'll spare you the details! 

I'm starting off this year with the 30 in 30 challenge.  Thirty paintings in thirty days!  I'm planning to post a new painting each day in January.  It's a challenge that is taking place in 23 countries by over 800 artists.  The results will be posted at the end of the challenge.  Some of my friends tested the waters earlier this year with a 30 in 30 and survived.  I may not actually get 30 done, but I'm going to give it a try.

I hope your memories of 2014 also fall into the good and great categories.

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2015! 

"Playground" Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

I decided to call this one simply "Playground".  I hope the viewer

gets a feeling from the painting.  It's meaning is open to interpretation.

 

 16" x 20" Oil on Stretched Canvas $435

 

Check out my web site for purchase information or to

view more of my paintings at http://www.maryopat.com

Have a great day!

 

 

"Prospector" Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

"Prospector" Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

9" x 12" Oil on Panel

 

The reference photo for this painting was taken by a friend.  I decided to post it on my

web site but it won't be for sale.  I have several photos of men and women dressed in

old west costume.  I may decide to do a little series of them in the coming months!

Check out some of my recent paintings and those that have "gone to good homes"

at http://www.maryopat.com

On My Easel

 

I started this painting today.  A friend e-mailed the photo to me and

I still need to ask the make and model, but I find the reflections of the palm

trees on the car pretty interesting.  I know the photo was taken in Arizona.  The

rough block-in is finished and I'm finished for the day!  I also worked on a

little commissioned figurative piece today.  I'll be posting both finished

paintings before the end of the week on my web site

http://www.maryopat.com  Have great week!

On My Easel

 

I got a chance to work on this painting today.  I'm looking forward

to the days growing a little longer now.  I'm in the habit of working in natural

daylight in my north studio (bedroom), and the setting sun seems to take

me by surprise most days.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas...I know

I did!  I'm truly blessed.

The Last Cowboy by Kim Johnson

I was talking to my friend Suzanne this morning and we were discussing watercolor

portraits.  It reminded me of a demo done by Kim Johnson at one of our GVAL

meetings last year.  I wanted to post this demo I found.  Amazing artist!

If it won't play in here, you can find it on youtube.  It's called

"The Last Cowboy by Kim Johnson"

On My Easel

 

This is the painting I'm currently working on.  I'll need to put

it on the shelf to dry for a few days before I finish it up.  Too late

to start another one today.  May you be happy and healthy this weekend!

"Lake Powell" Landscape Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

 

This scene is of Lake Powell, the second largest man made

reservoir in the United States.  Lake Powell is part of the

Colorado River and extends from southern Utah into northern

Arizona.  In this painting, I wanted to capture the flatness of the cliffs and

the deep color of the shadows.  The warm colors of the rocks makes a

good back drop for the crystal blue water.  You can follow this link

to see some of my other painting http://www.maryopat.com

Have a wonderful day!

 

Mary's Rantings

Wow! Facebook has changed!  I'm not talking about the logarithms or the fact that you need to pay for a boost to get your product "out there".  I'm talking about the fact that when I first started using it, the main purpose was to keep up with friends and family.  I love seeing photos of my extended family and of the friends I left behind when I moved here from the Midwest, as well as posts from my friends here in AZ.  What I don't love are the political and religious views that are way too prevalent on my page now.  I know...I know...it's like the T.V....if you don't like it, turn it off!

I try to skip over the obvious plugs for the lefty liberals and the righty conservatives, but it's getting harder.  Since when did everyone decide to push the views of others without doing some research first?  And since when are my friends and family opposed to the basic human rights of others?

 There are good people out there who have other ways of believing and living.  The only way we'll have peace on earth is if all of us on this planet are peaceful and loving.  It can work....we just need to get to the tipping point.

OK, I'm done ranting.  I know I'm not even close to perfect, none of us are, so maybe I can cut people little more slack in 2016.  I'll try to ignore the inappropriate posts, or at least not make snarky comments :-) .  I'm going to try very hard not to jam up your newsfeed with political garbage or religious views.  My views are my own and I'll try not to force them on anyone else. 

Have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year,
and may we have Peace on Earth!

On My Easel

I started this 16" x 20" oil painting today.  I hope to work on it again

tomorrow.  I noticed the I need to cool an area to make it recede a little.

It's nice to be working a little larger after having painted

several small 5x7 paintings recently.  I love to paint water and I'm hoping

it turns out like the picture in my mind!  Have a wonderful weekend! 

"South of the Border" Contemporary Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"South of the Border" Contemporary Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

16" x 20" Oil on Canvas

 

This is one of the paintings I decided to tweak a little.  I'm fortunate to

be able to learn from my peers on a weekly basis and I try to apply the knowledge

 to my paintings.  My time spent painting at Jean's on Tuesdays has been invaluable. 

She is a terrific instructor and friend. Our little group feels like family to me.  Check

Jean's web page at http://www.jeanturnersmith.com. 

 

To see more of my paintings or to purchase, please visit me at

http://www.maryopat.com

 

 



"Yellow Ribbon" Contemporary Still Life by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Yellow Ribbon" Contemporary Still Life by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

11" x 14" Oil on Panel

 

This started out as a study in folded fabric.  It has quite a bit

of texture that isn't evident in the photo.  To purchase or view any

of my paintings, please click HERE

 

I would be happy to visit with you about custom paintings and

portraits.  Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams! 

January 1st is approaching!

 

Traditionally, we view January 1st as a fresh start.  It's the beginning of a new year and seems like a good time to improve upon what has been our past plan of action.  I have only one thing on my list for next year..."Do better".  It can apply to everything we do all year long.  No need to list "diet, exercise, get along with relatives, write that novel", etc.  Just "Do Better"! 

The ending of the old year seems more important to me.  It's the end of the tax season and a good time to look back on what you've accomplished in the past twelve months.    I have a few unfinished canvases that I'll sand down and gesso over.  I hate waste, so they'll go on the shelf with my new canvases and be used again.

I also have a few finished paintings that I'll tweak before the end of the year.  Some paintings that looked finished to me less than a year ago are lacking those little highlights or splashes of color that bring a painting alive.

The most important things, of course, are not things at all.  They're the loved ones in our lives.  How have we treated them in the past twelve months.  Have we made new friends and had fun with our old ones?  Have we made time for our children, grandchildren, parents and siblings? 

As 2014 ends, I hope you have had a wonderful, productive year.  I know I've had blessings in the past year too numerous to mention.  Here's hoping you have a Happy Holiday Season and we all "Do Better" in 2015!

With Love,
Mary