Gilbert Leadership Class Mural

I'm now working on the final design for a new public

mural in Gilbert.  This one will be painted on a 6' x 51' concrete

pad and will be a joint effort with the 27 members of this year's

Leadership Class.  This should be a fun project once it gets under way.

At least it looks like there will be a little shade on the area this time!

"Sky on Fire" Original Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Sky on Fire" Original Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

11" x 14" Oil on Canvas

 

Thank you for stopping by my blog site!  To view

more of my work or to purchase, please follow

this link: http://www.maryopat.com

Olive Mill Show Sunday Feb. 16th

Here is a sample of some of the artist's work that will be available

at the Olive Mill.  We have some new members with wonderful

original art.  I hope to see you there!  Queen Creek Olive Mill 25062 S. Meridian Rd.

Queen Creek, AZ 85142

 

"Mojave Muleskinner" Original Figurative Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Mojave Muleskinner" Original Figurative Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat 

 

16"x20" Oil on Canvas

I took a photo of "Tumbleweed" at the Superstition Mountain Museum
and asked permission to paint a portrait of him.  You may see
more western themed paintings in the future.  I'm currently working on
an Apache Dancer, also at the Museum that day.

 

To purchase or view my art, please follow this link:

http://www.maryopat.com  Thank you for visiting my website.  If you're

in the area, check my web site to find out where I'll be showing next.

Art on the Patio

I was blessed to be able to spend my Saturday at the

Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum today.  I met

some wonderful people and was able to enjoy this view of the

mountains while selling my artwork and making new contacts.
 

If you're in my area in the east valley, join me and the San Tan

 Artists on Feb. 16th at the Queen Creek Olive Mill for

a fun day with great art, great food, and great wine!

A Wonderful Day with my Art Buddies

I joined friends to tour the new Temple in Gilbert yesterday.  The beauty of the

interior was amazing.  Photos don't do it justice, so if you get a chance to tour

before it's "off limits" to us non-Mormons, do it!  Of course, we all studied the

huge paintings inside and marveled at the crystal chandeliers.  Pictured are

Sharan, Donna, myself, Judy, JoAnn, Ann, Stevie, and Barb.  Bev and Jean joined

us later for a delicious lunch at Sharan's house.  I'm afraid I'm not getting much

painting done lately.  The weather is fantastic this time of year, so I'm taking

advantage of the area's activities.  Summer and full time painting

will come soon enough!

Superstition Mountain Museum Heritage Days

I had a great time at the Superstition Mountain Museum during Heritage Days.  I got some terrific photos for future paintings and the view of the mountain and surrounding area is beautiful.
Next year I plan on joining the vendors there and selling my art.

One of the Apache dancers doing
a traditional dance
 

Two brothers, hoop dancer and feather dancer taking a break.

One of the Muleskinners who posed for my future paintings.

Website Update

I've taken some time to add a category to my website.  If you're in the

area, follow this link to check out the events I'll be taking part in through March. 

http://www.maryopat.com

 I love to have friends and family stop by to visit during the art shows. 

 I'm working on some larger acrylic abstract pieces right now and will be

posting pics of them soon.  Thanks for visiting my blog!

 

 

 

 

 



PAOA Studio Session

Portrait Artists of Arizona Studio Session Model

 

Here is a photo of our model posed for the painting

session yesterday in Scottsdale.  It was great seeing familiar faces

and meeting new people there.  Whenever artists gather together you can

be sure to find camaraderie and a willingness to share information.

"Blue Vase with Orange Flowers" Original Still Life Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Blue Vase with Orange Flowers Original Still Life Oil Painting

by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

14" x 11" Oil on Canvas

 

Here is another painting of flowers.  I used a palette knife

on the petals to give them some texture.  To view to purchase

my paintings, please visit: http://www.maryopat.com

"Blue Bowl with Apples and Orange" Original Still Life Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Blue Bowl with Apples and Orange" Original Still Life

Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

11" x 14" Oil on Canvas

 

To check out more of my

work or purchase online, please visit : http://www.maryopat.com

If you're in the area, stop by the downtown Chandler next

Friday evening, Jan. 17th between 6 and 10 p.m.  I'll be there along

with other area artists and a few of my talented friends.

 

The JAG's

Here are my painting buddies...Judie, JoAnn, Ann, Jean, Donna,

Bev, Sharan, and Barb holding Macie wearing her beautiful red Christmas dress.

Tuesday's are the best because of these wonderful and talented ladies
that meet at Jean's to paint together and learn.

My house is decorated, gifts have been purchased and mailed, and

it's time to get back to painting.

San Tan Artist show at the Olive Mill Dec 8, 2013

Myself, Bev Koldon and Barb Janecka at the Olive Mill.

We're breaking out the tents for the first time here.  It was a little chilly

last Sunday, but warm compared to the Minnesota weather

that I flew home from the night before!  I had a wonderful break

and I was able to visit my family back in Iowa and Minnesota.

We have another show in a few days and we're expecting

a sunny day in the 70's.

 



More Small Paintings

Gold Finch 5x7

Cactus Flower 5x7

A few new small paintings

                                                                   Fall Harvest 5x7

Two Reds and a Green 5x7


I decided to remove some of my paintings because the color
of the photos is terrible.  I'll try to fix the problem and hope to start
posting again soon.



GVAL Benefit Show and Sale 2013

The Gilbert Visual Art League 5x7 Benefit Show and Sale

turned out great.  The Gilbert art walk and farmers market

were right across the street and Postino Wine Cafe has

wonderful bruschetta that we sampled throughout the day.

You can't beat our weather in November!  Any paintings that were not

sold will be offered at a later venue.  Please visit my web site to

view or purchase my paintings http://www.maryopat.com

Gilbert Beautification Award

Here is the Gilbert Beautification Award 2013.  I was

tempted to take it home, but I think a better

spot will be at American Legion Post 39, where the mural and pocket

park is located.  Skip is building a display case for it and it

can be appreciated by the members who were so nice and helpful to me

while I was working there. 

A few photos from the Bruce Marion "Breakout Workshop" Nov 9th and 10th

Receiving instruction on the portrait 

Me making and executive decision on my happy little painting

 Bev, Jean, Barb, me, Jim and Bruce taking a lunch break

I made a new friend

Congrats Barb Janecka

Congratulations to Barb Janecka on her Gilbert Visual Arts League

"Artist of the Month" ribbon!  A well deserved honor and beautiful

painting.  Barb will be one of many artists who have contributed

paintings to the 5x7 GVAL benefit this Saturday.  Click

on the photo below for info.

Paintings from the Breakout Workshop

I spent last weekend at Bruce Marion Studio's "Breakout Workshop"

in Chandler.  We finished five large paintings and here are

two of them.  Each of the five were done using different methods and produced

different looks.  I'll post photos from the class and more of my finished

paintings in a few days.  It was a fun workshop and we worked so fast that

there was no time to think or plan ahead.  It's a good way to get the creative

juices flowing! 

GVAL Meeting

Rather than have a speaker/presenter last night at the Gilbert Visual Art

League monthly meeting, we invited members to bring supplies and 5x7 inch

panels and work on paintings for the fundraiser on Nov. 16th.  It was a fun

social gathering called the Lush and Brush (a few bottles of wine and

yummie snacks were brought).  The night was a hit and it was fun to see

the variety of painting styles used by the members.  There were at

least 150 finished paintings turned in and many more to come.  If

you live in the area, drop by Postino Wine Cafe on Sat. Nov. 16th!
To visit my web site, follow this link http://www.maryopat.com

 

Gilbert Community Beautification Award

 

I'm excited that the Gilbert Leadership Class XXI and the American Legion Post 39

are the recipients of the Gilbert Community Beautification Award for 2013.  The mural and pocket park in the historical center of Gilbert certainly did a lot to improve the area and it is well deserved. 

I've been asked to be a guest at the awards celebration next week.  It should be a fun evening and

a chance to get together again with some of the wonderful people I met through this project.

Historical Mural in Gilbert, AZ  50' x 11'

 

Paintings of Roses

I finished two more small paintings today for the GVAL 5 x7 Benefit

Show and Sale.  If you're in the area, be sure to join us on Nov. 16th

beginning at 9:00 a.m.  We plan on having around 200 small 5" x7"

paintings for sale at only $25.00 each.  We'll be at Postino's in the Gilbert Heritage

District in the outdoor greenspace.  To view or purchase my work, please

visit: http://www.maryopat.com and thank you for visiting my blog!

"Panama Hat" Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Panama Hat" Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

8" x10" Oil on Canvas Panel

 

I painted this lady selling flowers today.  I may make a few

adjustments when it dries.  To see some of my finished work,

follow this link to my web site:

http://www.maryopat.com  Thanks for visiting

my blog and Happy Halloween week!!

"Cactus Flowers" Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting by Arizona artist Mary Opat

"Cactus Flowers" Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting

by Arizona artist Mary Opat

 

5" x7" Oil on Canvas Panel

 

This is a small painting that will be donated to the GVAL

5 x7 Benefit Show and Sale on November 16th.  If you're in the Gilbert

area, we'll be at Postino Wine and Cafe from 9a.m. until

the paintings are sold. 

 

To view or purchase my paintings, please follow this link:

http://www.maryopat.com  Thanks for visiting my site!

Portrait Artists of Arizona Studio Session

I joined some of the members of the Portrait Artists of Arizona in Scottsdale

Saturday for a studio painting session.  Our model's name was Chris

and he did a great job.  This photo was taken after (2) twenty minute

sessions.  It's amazing how the time flies by when you're concentrating.

Next month the session will last all day, so I'm hoping not to feel so rushed!

I may put this on the shelf and finish it later.  Too many irons in the fire right now.
Visit my website to view or purchase my work at:
http://www.maryopat.com and thanks for visiting my blog!

New display tent

My friends Bev and Barb came over today and we did a trial run

setting up our new display tent.  As with all tents and sleeping bags, etc.

they come out of the case much easier than they go back in!  The art show

season is just starting here, so I'm sure we'll get a lot of use

out of it.  To check out some of my paintings, please follow

this link: http://www.maryopat.com  and thanks

for visiting my blogsite!

 

Phase two color wash

Yesterday I put a thin wash of color over the monotone base.

The initial raw umber and white are showing through.

I'll wait until the paint dries before continuing.  I think I'm

going to like the finished product.  In this process it seems that any

drawing problems are worked out before the color is applied.

Today I'm making weights for my display tent.  PVC pipe,

sand and concrete....oh my!!  Thanks for visiting my blog.

Check out my new website at http://www.maryopat.com

Phase one of transparent wash portrait

You've probably seen this little guy before.  He was the subject

of the first portrait I painted.  In our Tuesday class with

Jean Smith, we're doing a painting by first using raw umber and white

to define shadows and highlights and then we'll add transparent

color washes on top to add the color.  I thought it would be

fun to see how this one compares to the first painting.  I'll
post again when it's finished.  You can

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

Have a good day and thanks for visiting my site!

 

October "Pick of the Month"

Check out fellow artist and friend Beverly Koldon.    Bev won

"Best of Show" at the Constitution Day celebration in

Gilbert with this painting. Follow this link to view Bev's blog

http://www.bevkoldonart.blogspot.com

"Blue Bowl with Pears" Still Life Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Blue Bowl with Pears" Still Life Oil Painting by

 Arizona Artist  Mary Opat

 

7" x5" Oil on Panel

 

Here is one of the small paintings that will be for sale at the

Gilbert Visual Art League fundraiser in November.

Please visit my website to view or purchase my work.

Thanks for visiting my website.  I'll be announcing the

details of our fundraiser soon.

http://www.maryopat.com

New Website

If you've tried to check out my paintings by following a link to the Contemporary Fine Art International web site within the past few days http://www.cfai.co/maryopat , you'll notice that most of my paintings have been removed.  The site has made some changes and now only twelve paintings are showcased for each artist.  Also, the paypal shopping cart is no longer available to us. 

I was a little bummed out until I realized that it might be a good thing in the long run.  It forced me to get off my you-know-what and shop around for an individual website.  I'm planning to keep using the international blogs that are available through CFAI.  I add my paintings to 8 blogsites in addition to this one and I'm getting a good presence on Google Images because of that.

Here is a link to my new website: http://www.maryopat.com

Oil Painting of a Girl on Her Horse by Arizona Portrait Artist Mary Opat

Oil Painting of a Girl on her Horse by Arizona

Portrait Artist Mary Opat 

 

16" x 20" Oil on Canvas NFS

 

I finished this one up today.  Please check out some of my

paintings at http://www.maryopat.com

Thanks you for visiting my blog.  Happy

first day of Fall!

 

Day 3 girl on horse

Here's what I'm working on after day 3.  I'll put it away for a few

days to get a fresh perspective on it before I finish it.  Please visit

Contemporary Fine Art International to view or purchase my work.

http://www.maryopat.com 

day 2 girl on horse

I was able to get a few hours to paint today.  At the end of

day 2 both the horse and rider look a little scary! To see some of my

finished work, follow this link:http://www.maryopat.com

Thanks for visiting my blog!

 

Day one Horse and Rider Portrait

I started this 16" x 20" portrait yesterday of a little girl and her

Arabian horse.  I got most of it blocked in on the first day.  I like the way the

jacket turned out just using a few strokes and leaving it...something I'm

getting better at!  I'll post the progression of this one so check back. 

Thanks for visiting.  You can see more of my work at

http://www.maryopat.com

"Two Women with Baskets" Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Two Women with Baskets"  Contemporary Figurative Oil

Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

16" x 20" Oil on Canvas

 

Please follow this link to see or purchase my

paintings:http://www.maryopat.com 

Thank you for visiting my blog!

 

Another great presenter at the GVAL Meeting

Bruce Marion gave a demo at last night at the Gilbert Visual

Arts League September meeting.  I'm so excited to be joining a few of my

friends in November at one of his workshops. You may see some crazy good

paintings from me in the near future!  I snagged this photo of

Bruce from the internet.  Another great meeting with good friends

and learning at GVAL.  If you live in this area of

Arizona come join us!  Here are links to GVAL and to

the site where I display and sell my art work.  Thanks for visiting.

http://www.gval.org

http://www.maryopat.com

 

 

Wildlife Mural

Mural at the Cresco Wildlife Club  8.5' x 35'

 

One of my good friends from Cresco, Iowa sent these photos to me

of a mural I painted several years ago.  The photos remind

me not only of the fun I had painting the mural, but also of the

fun times at the events hosted there and friends I won't forget.

September "Pick of the Month" from Mary Opat

John and Elli Milan

 

It's September already?  Where did the summer go!

This month I'd like to feature the web site of my friends

John and Elli Milan.  They are both artists here in the east valley and

in addition to producing beautiful, colorful paintings, they

teach art classes in their studio.  You can check out their

artwork and class schedule by following this link:

http://www.milanartanddesign.com
find my work at http://www.maryopat.com
thanks for visiting my blog!