"Sunflowers" Original Still Life Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Sunflowers" Original Still Life Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

7" x 5" Oil on Panel

 

This is a 7x5 study I did for a larger painting.  To see more of my work

or to purchase, please go to http://www.maryopat.com  A big thank you

to the members of the Gilbert Visual Art League who made

the opening reception of the Members Show such a big success!

"When Life Gives You Lemons" Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"When Life Gives You Lemons" Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

7" x 5" Oil on Canvas

 

To view or purchase my work, please visit me at

http://www.maryopat.com

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

 

"Sugar Bowl" Still life Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Sugar Bowl" Still Life Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

7" x 5" Oil on Panel

 

This little painting was done as a study in reflections.  It's one of the

paintings being donated to the GVAL 5x7 benefit show and sale on

Nov. 15th in Gilbert.  For more information about the event, go to the

events page on my web site at http://www.maryopat.com

Have a wonderful week!

"The Rocks" Contemporary Landscape Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"The Rocks" Contemporary Landscape Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

7" x 5" Oil on Panel

 

This small painting is full of texture.  To view more of my paintings

or to purchase, please follow this link to my web site

http://www.maryopat.com  I paint commissions including portraits.

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

Gilbert Visual Art League Show and Sale

5x7 painting for the GVAL 2014 fundraiser

 

I just finished this little painting for the GVAL fundraiser.

Such fun to paint.  Thanks Elaine G., a friend from Iowa, for permission

to use the photo!  If you're in the area on Nov. 15th, come to

downtown Gilbert, AZ to purchase from the GVAL members.

Check my website under EVENTS for more info!

http://www.maryopat.com

Life is Art, Paint Your Dreams!!

"Desert Path" Plein Ait Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

"Desert Path" Plein Air Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

12" x 9" Oil on Wood Panel $135

 

This is one of paintings I began in a recent outdoor workshop.
I set up my French easel in the backyard yesterday and I plan on taking
advantage of the beautiful fall weather here.  I want to finish up the
other plein air paintings I started in the workshop within the next
two weeks.  It's Monday....have a great week!

 

"Wild Fire" Vintage Car Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Wild Fire" Vintage Car Oil Painting

by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

11" x 14" Oil on Canvas

 

I finished this vintage car close up today.  This Buick is number 5

in a series. 

 

I've also been working on a portrait and will share it with

my painting group on Tuesday for critique.  It's the first portrait for

the "Women Making Faces" project I've finished.  It's a collaborative

effort with 12 female artists participating.  I won't be sharing photos of

the portraits until next summer, but trust me, I'm working on it! 

 

On My Easel

Here is what I worked on today. Another of the close up

vintage car series.  I'll let it dry before I put on the final

touches. 

 

If you happen to be in the area tomorrow, Oct. 18th, come on out to the

Superstition Mountain Museum for Art on the Patio.  You never know

who will turn up there or what you'll see for sale.  Along with artists and crafters,

there are usually homemade jams and salsas, homemade fudge, lots of jewelry

and of course the gift shop inside the museum is open.  Check out the

directions and more about the museum http://www.superstitionmountainmuseum.org
The old west buildings and the trails are open (and free) and the
view of the mountains is spectacular!
 

Plein Air Workshop Day 2

Our friend Donna and her husband happened to be in the area on

Friday and Donna took a photo of me and also one of Becky and

my friend Bev, who was also taking the workshop. 

 

Day 1 of the Becky Joy Workshop

Becky Joy giving a demonstration at the Superstition Mountains.

 

I took this photo of Becky Joy at the workshop today.  The day started out

cloudy and the rain came down pretty steadily in the morning.  We were under

a canopy and the fog made for some beautiful cloud formations.  I think my painting

of the mountains turned out pretty good.  My rendition of a Palo Verde tree, however,

leaves something to be desired!  I'll take photos of my paintings in the unfinished

state at the end of the workshop.  Tomorrow we're changing locations.  We'll

be traveling a little closer Saguaro Lake.  I think I have the Plein Air bug!

Look for some of the finished paintings on my web site soon.

http://www.maryopat.com



GVAL Artist of the Month!

 

Thank you GVAL members for voting my painting "Twilight's Edge" the

Artist of the Month award at the October Gilbert Visual Art League meeting.

This painting is for sale on my website http://www.maryopat.com

 

The presentation for the October meeting was by Karen O'Hanlon.  Karen studied her

craft once a week for five years with a Japanese artist.  She travels to Japan to buy the papers

used to make her kimono art.  Karen shows her work in many shows throughout the

U.S. and will be at the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale.  You can check her art out here .

Thank you Karen!

 

My Coolidge Museum Visit

I attended a reception at the Coolidge Museum last night.  I met a lot of

really wonderful people who are very proud of their town and

the progressive plans they have for making Coolidge a destination

for visitors.  I happened to find a photo of Reed on the internet, who fought in WWII and

can probably tell you about every item on display at the museum.  I really enjoyed visiting

with him and hearing stories of years gone by.  If you happen to be in the Coolidge area,

be sure to visit the museum and say hello to Reed. 

He has 91 years worth of history to share!

Workshop studies

Here are the studies I painted at the Chris Saper workshop on Saturday in Scottsdale.

Chris is a wonderful instructor and I got some really valuable tips, especially concerning

the use of color in portrait painting. Two of the portraits from her book,

 Classic Portrait Painting in Oils Keys to Mastering Diverse Skin Tones

were on display at the workshop.  Being able to get up close to see all of

the colors and brush work was great. In my opinion, it's impossible to fully appreciate art

unless you see it in person. 

 

If you're interested in painting portraits, Chris Saper has some free instructional

videos.  Check out this link and enter your e-mail address to receive free

instruction and her newsletter.   Enjoy!

http://www.artistsnetwork.com/portrait-painting

 

"Sky Blues" Vintage Car Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

"Sky Blues" Vintage Car Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

11" x 14" Oil on Canvas

 

This is the number 4 in a series of vintage car close ups featuring

chrome.  To purchase this painting or any of my works, please

click on this link http://www.maryopat.com.  Thanks for stopping by. 

 

Life is Art, Paint your Dreams!

"Car Show Reflections" Vintage Car Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Car Show Reflections" Vintage Car Oil Painting by

 Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

11" x 14" Oil on Canvas

 

This is the third in small series of vintage cars.  To view or purchase

any of my paintings, please visit my web site at:

http://www.maryopat.com  I will be adding more vintage

car paintings soon.  I also take commissions for custom

paintings.  Have a great day!

On My Easel

Here are the two paintings that I worked on today.  The chrome has some

interesting reflections.  So far I just have the base colors finished.  I'll finish

these up next week and post them to my website http://www.maryopat.com

 

I'm excited for the big game tomorrow...Iowa Hawkeyes (Univ. of Iowa)  vs.

Iowa Cyclones ( Iowa State).  The schools fight for a pig trophy each year.

If you live in Iowa, or are a transplant, like me, you have to pick a side and

wear your colors proud!  Have a great weekend!!  Go Hawks!!!

"Red Rider" Vintage Car Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

"Red Rider" Vintage Car Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

11" x 14" Oil on Canvas $275

 

This is the second in a fun series of vintage car close ups.  To purchase

or view any of my paintings, please follow this link

http://www.maryopat  Have some fun today!!!

On My Easel

 

I started this painting this morning.  It's the third in a series of

vintage cars.   I have the base colors pretty well blocked in.

Lot's of chrome on this one!  See my finished paintings at http://www.maryopat.com

I should be able to post this as a finished painting by the end of this week.  I'm off

to finish #2 and begin #4. 

Have a marvelous Monday!

 

"Sky Rider" Vintage Car Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Sky Rider" Vintage Car Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

11" x 14" Oil on Canvas

 

This is the first of a series of vintage car detail paintings.  My goal is a series

of at least six 11x14s in September.  I can't talk now....better get to work!

To purchase or view any of my work follow this link to my web site.

http://www.maryopat.com

 

Life is Art, Paint your Dreams!

 



CFAI August 2014 Artist Showdown 3rd place winner!

Contemporary Fine Art International

 Artist Showdown 3rd Place August 2014 Figurative Competition

"Blanket in Love" 16" x 20" Oil on Canvas

 

I was excited to find out that my entry into the CFAI August

Competition won third place.  Here's a link to see the 1st and 2nd place winners.

I've just started to enter online painting competitions.  Most of the competitions

have hundreds of entries and not much chance of winning.  The ones I enter

are free, so there really isn't a down side!  To view more of my

paintings, or to purchase, follow this link to my website:

http://www.maryopat.com

 

Life is Art, Paint your Dreams!