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!
 

Portrait of Payton and her Horse

 

Portrait of Payton and Her Horse by

Arizona Portrait Artist Mary Opat

 

I've put the final touches on this one.  I hope she likes it!

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

Commissions are welcome.  Thanks for visiting my web site. 

 

Progression Painting days 3 and 4

This was a short painting day.  I feel that the paint needs to dry

before finishing Payton's face and putting in the final shadows

and highlights.  View some of my finished paintings at

http://www.maryopat.com and thanks for visiting my blog page!

Day 4 and I'm pretty close to finished.  As always, I need
to step away for awhile and look with fresh eyes. 
Happy Tuesday!

 

progression days 1 and 2

I decided to post my progress on this day by day.  This is

day one.  Pretty rough, but I'm happy with the composition so far.
If you start to recognize the darling little girl in this painting at
some point, don't tell, it's going to be a surprise for her!

It's the end of day 2 and I've started some detail work.
Time sure flies when you're having fun!

"Goose, Goose, Duck! " Contemporary Water Scene by Arizona Oil Painter Mary Opat

"Goose, Goose, Duck!" Original Landscape Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

14" x 11" Oil on Canvas

 

I took the photo used in this painting in Davenport, IA while

visiting my sister, Pam.  I was amused when I realized that

the geese were swimming in the opposite direction and

it reminded me of the game we played as children, Duck, duck, goose.

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

http://www.cfai.co/maryopat http://www.maryopat.com
Thanks for visiting my blog page!

"Boat Houses on the Mississippi" Contemporary Landscape River Scene by Arizona Oil Painter Mary Opat

"Boat Houses on the Mississippi"

 River Scene by Arizona Oil Painter Mary Opat

This painting was inspired by a photo taken by my niece and
wonderful photographer, Kristin.  The photo was cropped and the colors were
changed a little to resemble late afternoon lighting.
 

Please follow this link to view more of my work:

http://www.maryopat.com

 

 

"Off to the Fair" Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Off to the Fair" Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting

by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

11" x 14" Oil on Canvas 

 

Thank you for visiting my blogsite.  The inspiration for

this painting was from another photo by Galen Frysinger. 

The paintings I'm working on today are both Mississippi River scenes.

It's been awhile since I've painted water and it's a nice change. 
 

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

 

 

Horse and Owner Contemporary Equine and Figurartive Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

Horse and Owner Contemporary Equine and Figurative Oil Painting

by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

14" x 18" Oil on Canvas

 

Here is example of pet and portrait combinations.  Please click here

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

Commissioned work is welcomed.  Thank you for visiting my site! 

 

August pick of the month

This month check out the wonderful art of Jean Turner Smith.   She

paints in oil, pastel and watercolor and is a master of all.

You can visit her site by following this link:

http://www.jeanturnersmith.com 

"Freedom" Contemporary Landscape and Figurative Oil Paintings by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Freedom" Contemporary Equine Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

20" x 16" Oil on Canvas $450.00

 

 To view more of my work, please

follow this link http://www.maryopat.com .  Thanks for

visiting my blog!

"Sandie" Contemporary Landscape and Figurative Oil Paintings by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Sandie" Contemporary Horse Portrait by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat 

 

14" x 18" Oil on Canvas

 

I've decided to paint a series of horses and this is the first one.  I was going

to try for a loose effect, but I think it goes against my nature. 

Maybe the next one!  This painting has been SOLD.
Visit http://www.maryopat.com to

see more of my work.

"Red Skirts" Contemporary Landscape and Figurative Oil Paintings by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Skirts" Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

 

14" x 18" Oil on Canvas  $395.00

 

Here's another painting that was started on Tuesday.  It kind of fits with

 my last few figurative paintings of ladies with brightly colored clothing.

I'll put it aside for a few days and make changes after looking at it with fresh eyes.

Inspiration was from another photo taken by "World Traveler Gailen Frysinger.

Please visit http://www.maryopat.com to see more of my work. 

I'll be adding more paintings soon.