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!

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.

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!

Commissioned Still Life

Here's an 8" x 10" still life I just finished for a client

who recently purchased a similar painting from me. 

 

Today I'm busy working up a painting that I hope will turn

into a large mural on a building In downtown Gilbert. Fingers crossed!

Mural at Page Commons

Here is the beginning of the new 6' x 51' mural in Gilbert.  April 5th

will be the day that members of the Leadership Class work to

fill in some of the painting and plant the vegetables in the raised beds.  Stay tuned!!

It will be fun to see the progression.



More Photos of Day Trip, March 14th

 Our next stop was at Tumacoacori National Historical Park.

This Mission was established in 1691 and is part of a National Park.

There is a museum on the grounds and many ruins to see. 

We spent much of the day at Tubac.  Tubac is a small village, rich in history,

and today it has over 80 shops and art galleries.  This is a photo

inside Clay Hands.  I had to have a piece of pottery made by one of the

40 artists who sell their work at this shop!  

Day Trip with Dorothy March 14th

 

 

I had a terrific day driving south with my friend and good neighbor

Dorothy yesterday.  I took a lot of photos for future paintings. 

 Here are three photos of the San Xavier Mission south of Tucson. 

The mission has such an interesting history

and beautiful artwork..and they make fry bread in the courtyard!

 



Artists in Action show at the Queen Creek Olive Mill

I hope you can join us for the last of the season's art show at

the Queen Creek Olive Mill.  Many of the artists are going to

be showing the process they use to create their art.  I'm especially

looking forward to demonstrations by the glass and gourd artists.

Since it's the end of the season, I'm trying to make way for

new paintings, so I'll be reducing all of my art by 25% for

Sunday March 16th!   Hope to see you there!



"Yellow Bird Dancer" Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Yellow Bird Dancer" Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting

by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

16" x 20" Oil on Canvas

 

I took the photograph used as reference for this painting at

the Superstition Mountain Museum where this dancer and his family

were performing.  It was a real treat for me and I hope to

see them perform again soon.  To view more of my

paintings or to purchase, please follow this link:

http://www.maryopat.com

Casa Grande Fine Art Explosion

Join me and my friends at Casa Grande for the Fine Art Explosion on

March 8th and 9th.  I'm excited to be taking a few brand new paintings

to show (which I'll be photographing and posting soon).  It's been crazy

busy around here with all of the events going on before the summer heat

hits!

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