Monday, September 14, 2015

Work in Progress


16" x 20" Work in Progress 

Here is the still life I've been working on.  I'm going to let it dry and
come back in and straiten edges, define the edge of the table, etc.  I may
not get this one added to my website Mary Opat Art until I get back from vacation, but I'm
going to try to fit it into my schedule.  Until then...

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

Friday, September 4, 2015

Home Sweet Home


Me in front of the Palace in Madrid, Spain

Well, I'm back home long enough to catch up with the household duties
and pack again for another trip.  The visit with my son in England was fantastic.
  We were able to hop on the train system just a few miles from his house and get to 
London, eliminating a lot of frayed nerves on my part.  The small roads and fast speeds 
while driving on the "wrong" side of the road is not my idea of a good time!
We spent time touring London and saw all of the iconic sites in Westminster and
the surrounding area.  The underground "tube" made getting around easy.

  The north coast of England on the North Sea was a completely different feeling,
 again, accessible by train.   Sheringham and Cromer were my favorite seaside towns.  They
each had colorful beach huts between the sandy beaches and the steep cliffs.
Cromer was busy with people crabbing from the pier and playing in the water.

We decided to fly to Spain for a four day stay.  It turned out to be a wonderful trip. 
 Our hotel was just a couple of blocks from the underground Metro system 
and we were within walking distance of some great restaurants.  
We bought a tourist pass for the underground Metro and bus
system, so we could pop up anywhere and look around.  One of the stops turned
out to be the Madrid Zoo and Aquarium.  That was a nice surprise and a made for a fun day.

 I took over 850 photos during the trip, and I'll begin painting my 
way through them soon.  They're a combination of castles, cathedrals, shops and
seaside.  It's nice to be home, but I'll be taking off soon for Iowa and Minnesota to
visit family and help celebrate my nephew's wedding.  When I get back, expect to
see some new work here!

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!






Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Off to Europe!


A photo of the coast of Ireland that I nabbed from the web.

I'm fighting the urge to go into my studio for the next few days so I can
get ready for my trip to Europe.  This will be a first for me.  I promised my son
Phillip that I would visit when he was stationed in England a couple of
years ago and now I have a chance to go.  I'll be
traveling with a few friends and plan to visit England, Scotland, Ireland,
France and Italy.  I'm leaving my paints behind, but will have my camera
with me at all times!  

I'm going to try to post a few highlights during my stay on this blog, 
so check back in a week or so.

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!


Thursday, August 6, 2015

"A Moment for Thanks" Figurative Charcoal Drawing by Arizona Artist Mary Opat


"A Moment for Thanks" Figurative Charcoal Drawing by
Arizona Artist Mary Opat

14" x 18" Charcoal on Paper

The photo used as reference in this drawing was taken by my good friend
Jean Smith.  The lighting on the subject and pose made the composition
 an easy decision.  I used charcoal on a greenish-gray blue charcoal paper.
Quite a lot of the blue tones come through in the beard and hair.  It
helps to give the look of white hair in the cool shadow areas.
For pricing or to view my paintings, follow this link to
Mary Opat Art


Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

Monday, July 27, 2015

Portrait commission finished!


I've just finished a charcoal drawing for a client.  I haven't done any charcoal 
drawings since college and had forgotten how much fun it is!  

Before I started, I decided to do a little research.  I remembered seeing an article
in Artist International a while back.  I was sure I still had the magazine and
patiently sifted through my pile until I found it.  The artist is Ellen Milinich.  She's
best known for her portraits of children in charcoal.  She not only shared her list of preferred
materials, but she explained her methods and actually showed photos of a 
drawing from start to finish.  

My next stop was a google search for the General company, which makes the
 charcoal pencils she prefers.  The General website led me to a video
 by David Jon Kassan, who paints portraits in oil
and draws portraits in charcoal.  David is one of the many talented artists who give
workshops at Scottsdale Artist School.  (I'll put that on my list!)  His youtube
video was a live portrait session in charcoal.  His subject was one of the factory workers 
at the General Pencil Company. 

What's my purpose for this post?  To share the talents of these two artists (click
on their names for the link) and to share my renewed appreciation for the
humble drawing.  

Due to the client's wishes I'm not able to post a photo of the drawing I just
 completed, but I plan on creating a few in the near future that I'll share on my website.
As always, thanks for stopping by!

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!





Tuesday, July 21, 2015

"Cinnamon and Sugar" Contemporary Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat


"Cinnamon and Sugar" Contemporary Oil Painting by
Arizona Artist Mary Opat

14" x 18" Oil on Stretched Linen

When I lived in Iowa, we had a fenced in pasture that included a  
tree-lined creek.  We brought the cows that were ready to calf 
to this small pasture near the house so they could be closer at that 
critical time.  This painting makes me nostalgic for those days when
my six kids were growing up and the good times we had there.

To purchase this painting or to view more of my work, please
follow this link to Mary Opat Art 

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!




Wednesday, July 8, 2015

"Scottish Trawlers" Contemporary Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat


"Scottish Trawlers" Contemporary Oil Painting by
Arizona Artist Mary Opat

18" x 14" Oil on Stretched Linen

I love the bright colors of fishing boats and the brilliant reflections they cast 
on the water.  To learn more about this painting, or to purchase directly from my
website, follow this link to Mary Opat Art

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!



Monday, June 29, 2015

"Face to the Sun" Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat


"Face to the Sun" Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting by
Arizona Artist Mary Opat

11" x 14" Oil on Stretched Linen

Whenever I am gifted with a bouquet of flowers, I feel the urge to
capture them in a painting.  These sunflowers were in a lovely bouquet
given to me on my birthday.  I got a nice surprise when I hung the painting
with overhead incandescent lighting.  The brighter yellow flower has a lot
of texture and really picks up the light.  It almost seems to glow on its own.

If you are interested in finding out more about this painting, or any of my
work, please follow this link to Mary Opat Art

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!



Wednesday, June 17, 2015

On My Easel


Here is what I'm working on today.  It's a 12" x 24" oil on board.  I should be
 able to finish and post it to my website Mary Opat Art later this week.  I'm also working
on a still life which has a few of the flowers I received for my Birthday!
It's a fun arrangement of three flowers.  One sunflower in a vase, one sunflower 
on the table, and an orange sunflower hanging off the edge of the table.
I'm putting some texture in the foreground.  A different style for me.
I'm going to post it here, but it may never get to my website.  We'll have
to see how it turns out!  Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Monday, June 15, 2015

"Searching for Sea Glass" Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 
"Searching for Sea Glass" Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting by
Arizona Artist Mary Opat
 
16" x 20" Oil on Stretched Canvas
 
I just finished this painting today.  Please follow this link to my
website, Mary Opat Art to see purchase information, or to view
more of my work.
 
Art is Life...Paint Your Dreams!
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

"Sittin' Pretty" Contemporary Wildlife Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 
"Sittin' Pretty" Contemporary Wildlife Oil Painting by
Arizona Artist Mary Opat
 
8" x 8" Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
 
Here is another little bluebird painting.  This female makes a good companion
to "Bird on a Wire".  It's gallery wrapped, so no need to frame unless you
prefer it!  Please follow this link to Mary Opat Art to purchase directly
from me or to view more of my art.
 
Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

"Bird on a Wire" Contemporary Wildlife Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 
"Bird on a Wire" Contemporary Wildlife Oil Painting by
Arizona Artist Mary Opat
 
12" x 12" Gallery Wrapped Canvas
 
I enjoyed painting this little bluebird with a simple warm
background.  It's painted on a gallery wrapped canvas, so no need to
frame it unless you want to.  Please visit Mary Opat Art to purchase
or to view more of my art.  Thanks for stopping by!
 
Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

Thursday, June 4, 2015

"Strawberry Licious" Still Life Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 
"Strawberry Licious" Still Life Oil Painting by
Arizona Artist Mary Opat
 
9" x 12" Oil on Panel
 
This small painting was fun to do.  If you know me, you know by now
that I really enjoy painting reflections!  To find out more about this painting,
or to purchase, please visit my website Mary Opat Art.
I'm working to finish up several paintings, so check back soon.
 
Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

Sunday, May 31, 2015

New Painting Still Untitled

 
I started this painting yesterday and finished it up this morning.  It's a
11" x 14" on gallery wrapped canvas.  I'll be posting it to my website
 Mary Opat Art as soon as I come up with a name for it.  I'm going to
paint the edges and let it dry, hoping to have it ready for the Twilight
Art Boutique on Saturday at the Queen Creek Olive Mill.  Have a
wonderful day!
 
Life is Art...Paint Your dreams!

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

On My Easel

 
I started this Arizona Landscape yesterday and continued working on it today.
I'll need to let it dry for a couple of days, since the oil paint is getting tacky. 
I'm planning on adding another bush in the lower right hand corner
and will be adding a little warm color on the ground behind the tree, along
with final shadows and highlights.
 
Tomorrow I'll be painting walls at the Artisan Village of Coolidge . 
 A worthwhile project that you'll be hearing more about as the 
project develops!
 
Art is Life...Paint Your Dreams! 
 
 
 

Sunday, May 3, 2015

"Roses and Prims" Contemporary Still Life Floral Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 
"Roses and Prims" Contemporary Still Life Floral Painting by
Arizona Artist Mary Opat
 
30" x 40" Oil on Stretched Canvas
 
Although I painted this one with a particular show in mind and have it
available for purchase on my website, it looks quite nice hanging in my bedroom!
I think I'm attracted to the play of light and shadows on the table as well
as the contrast of strait lines to the rounded curves of the flowers and glass vase.
 
Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!
 

Thursday, April 30, 2015

We Are Happy to Inform You...

I was really pleased to receive notification that the three paintings I entered into the Portrait Artists of Arizona exhibit at the Gammage of ASU were accepted!  This is the first time I've entered my paintings in any of the Portrait Artists of Arizona's shows.  I believe there will be 75 paintings on exhibit, most of them for sale.  The theme for this year's show is "People, Places, and Things". My friend, Jean Smith, will also be displaying, and you can preview her paintings by clicking on her name.



Monday, April 27, 2015

Feeling Grateful

 
"Cottage at Dawn"  SOLD
 
"Art in the Grove" at the Queen Creek Olive Mill went well yesterday.  I met the
most interesting people.  I have to admit, the part I enjoy most about the outdoor
 festivals is chatting with the art lovers who visit my booth.  I always come home
feeling enriched by the experience. 
 
The season for the outdoor festivals in our part of Arizona is coming to a close.  It's time to
concentrate on marketing, painting new pieces, and applying for shows and
events for the coming season.  Today I'm full of gratitude for all of my supporters.
Not only for those who have made purchases, but for my family and friends
who are there for me.  I'll do my best to return the favors.
 
Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!
 
 
 

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Almost finshed!


 
I've been working on this portrait for the few days.  It's time to hide it for awhile
and look at it with fresh eyes on another day.  As always, one of my biggest
problems is getting a good photo.  I'm afraid my skills are really lacking in
that area.  Right now I'm going out to the patio to work on a 30" x 40"
still life.  I'm pretty excited about the still life.  It's larger than I
usually paint and if it turns out, it may be a new direction for me to experiment
with for awhile!
 
Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

Saturday, April 18, 2015

On My Easel

 
This is the painting I worked on this morning.  I need to let it dry for
a couple of days before I finish.  After running it by Melissa,
I'll take it on Tuesday to my Portfolio Studio group for a final going over
 by my painter friends...they will kindly point out
the flaws!  Check my website in a week or so for the final
 
I hope you're all enjoying your day.
Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!