Work in Process

36x24 oil and acrylic

I'm nearly finished with this painting.  I haven't decided on a

title yet.  Look for it on my website soon HERE

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

Work in Progress

Here is phase 2 of this 36x24 work in process.  After I finish painting

the horses and water I'll decide on the final finish for the background.

With any luck, the colors in the background will be peeking

through to give the piece some sparkle and excitement.  Finished

painting to follow soon!

Life is art...paint your dreams!

Work in Progress

Work in Progress

36x24 mixed media

I decided to share this painting in several steps.  My plan is to paint the middle 

section in oil and the background by applying acrylic paint with

a knife and oil pastels as accent.  This will be my first attempt at 

anything like this.  So far I've used acrylic to cover the white of the canvas

and have started drawing the horses in oil.  Acrylic can't be applied over oil,

so I need to plan ahead more than usual.  The splash of water is

heavy body acrylics.  I'll be posting several more within the next couple of weeks.

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

"Sarah" Contemporary Figurative Oil by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Sarah" Contemporary Figurative Oil by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

14" x 18" Oil on Stretched Linen

I just noticed I've painted three people in a row.  I have to admit, this is

what I love to paint.  I've started a lovely bouquet of white lilys in a

pretty blue vase, but I have a difficult time getting excited over florals.

I've joined a brand new group of artists.  We call ourselves AZ Artopia

and had our first meeting just a month ago.  I've volunteered to be the

publicity person, so you'll see my posts for the group from time to time on 

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram showing new paintings and announcing our 

gallery shows.  For now, I'm taking a break for a month or so to enjoy my family

in Minnesota and Iowa and celebrate two of my grandchildren's graduation

from high school!  If you would like purchase information for this or any of

my artwork, you can click HERE

 Art...Paint Your Dreams!

"Fortitude" Figurative Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Fortitude" Figurative Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

16" x 20" Oil on Linen Panel

For some reason this little girl just spoke to me and I had to paint her.

Her story is relevant in so many countries today.  To view or purchase this

painting or any of my work, please click HERE  I'll be adding more paintings

soon.  I'm just a little behind!

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

"Angel in a Green Hat" Child Portrait by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Angel in a Green Hat" Child Portrait by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

12" x 16" Oil on Raymar Linen Panel

The photo used for reference for this painting was taken by Barbara Tester 

from Australia and used with permission.  The little girl's name is Eden and

loved to play dressup.  This latest completed painting has been sold, but I enjoy it 

so much that I wanted to share it.

Life is art...Paint Your Dreams!

"Beauty" Charcoal Drawing by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Beauty" 15" x 22" Charcoal Drawing

The photo I used for reference to draw this beauty was shot by a 

photographer in the UK, Ruth Archer.  I've begun working on a few

drawings and paintings for two shows coming up that feature a western theme.

Of course, selling my art before it gets to a show is even better!  This one is

available on my website, which you can check out HERE

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

"A Moment for Thanks" has found a new home!

"A Moment for Thanks" SOLD

I had a great time in Phoenix on Saturday at Berridge Nursery I was invited to 

show at their 19th annual Art in the Garden.  We set up among beautiful

flowering plants and trees with a closeup view of Camelback Mountain.  I can't 

think of a better venue!  A big Thank you to my friend Dianne for helping

me with the set up and take down and keeping me company 😊

"Jada" Pet Portrait in Oil by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Jada" Pet Portrait in Oil by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

8" x 10" Oil on Linen Panel

I enjoyed painting this commissioned piece.  Those eyes!  I don't

believe I've ever seen a cat with this coloring before. 

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams! 

Mural on Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ by Team MAC

Volunteers filling in

Ashley, Chris and Me

Mural painted 3/25/2017 by team MAC (Mary, Chris, Ashley)

"Musical Ostrich" is a mural on a major street in Chandler, AZ.  The

idea was to promote safety at this busy crosswalk on Arizona Avenue while

giving a nod to the heritage and present day interests of downtown Chandler.

The design has some significance to Chandler.  Each year, Chandler hosts the Ostrich Festival. 

It's a unique experience!  There are ostrich races and camel races (with riders), food trucks

 and plenty of vendors.  The Jazz Festival is another big event.  We combined the

two ideas in our design and presented it (along with five other designs) to the city.

We were awarded one of four designs accepted for the project.

Volunteers helped to paint the design.  It was a fun day!  The street was closed for

another great event, the BBQ and Beer Fest.  Fun, fun, fun!  

I dug up a photo taken in 2011 at the Ostrich Fest. 

Debbie W, me, and Mary H.  Fun times! 

1954 Buick Skylark

"1954 Buick Skylark" Vintage Auto Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

11" x 14" Oil on Linen Panel

I don't claim to know a lot about cars, but I do enjoy

painting them.  The reflections are so interesting to me and can sometimes

 tell a little story about the people at a car show.  This is my painting for 

week #12 in my year long painting challenge.  If you like this

painting, or would like a quote on a custom painting, 

please click HERE 

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

Week #11 challenge painting

"Pomegranates"

12" x 9" Oil on Stretched Linen

This little painting is a favorite of mine.  The colors are fun and I

always enjoy painting light reflection in the shadow areas.  If you would like

to fine the details or purchase this painting, you can follow this link.

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

Mural Award

TEAM MAC ( Mary, Ashley, Chris) has been chosen to implement one of our mural designs in downtown Chandler.  Chris Venema, Ashley Walden and myself submitted six designs.  One of Ashley's was among the designs chosen.  We will be laying out the 5' x 26' design beside a crosswalk on Arizona Ave. on March 25th during the BBQ and Beer Fest.  We'll be recruiting volunteers to help fill in the design, so if you're in the area and want to help, please let one of us know.  It should be a fun way to participate in the activities!

My three entries in the GVAL 14th Annual Juried Fine Art Show and Sale

"Lakeshore Drive, 28 x 22 Acrylic

"A Moment for Thanks" 14 x 18 Charcoal

"Portrait of a Cowgirl" 14" x 18" Oil

I'm thrilled to say that

all three of my entries into the Gilbert Visual Art League 14th

Annual Show and Sale have been accepted!  If you happen to be in the Gilbert

area, I hope you'll join us for the opening reception on Feb. 25th from

6pm -8 pm. at The Gallery, Gilbert Historical Museum, 

10 S. Gilbert Road

"Evening on Five Island" Acrylic Landscape by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Evening on Five Island" Acrylic Landscape by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

30" x 24" Acrylic on Board

This painting was fun to do.  The fast drying acrylic paint allows

a great deal of layering.  Look for more paintings from me in this style!

This painting is sold.

"Lakeshore Drive" Acrylic Landscape by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Lakeshore Drive" Acrylic Landscape by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

28" x 22" Acrylic on Board

This painting has a lot of texture and contrast in a style that I'm

enjoying more and more.  It's #6 in my self imposed challenge to finish

a painting each week for 2017.  I entered this in the 2017 GVAL art show.  I'll

let you know soon if my three entries made the cut!

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

"Pitter-Patter" Still Life Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Pitter-Patter" Still Life Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

6" x 6" Oil Painting on Linen Panel

This little painting is my post for week #4 of my personal challenge

for 2017, "one painting a week for a year".  I used a photo that I took of

my Mom's baby shoes.  Mom was born in 1929.  The soft little 

leather shoes are still in remarkable shape.

More of my paintings can be seen HERE

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

"City on Fire" Acrylic Cityscape Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"City on Fire" Cityscape Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

30" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas

This painting was a commissioned piece and will hang near

it's companion piece "Queen Anne's Revenge".

You can see more of my artworks on my website at:

maryopat.com

"Lily Pond" Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Lily Pond" 

by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

11" x 14" Oil on Linen Panel

This is number 2 in my year-long challenge to complete

one painting each week.  This painting has been sold to a couple

who noticed it on my easel while discussing a portrait of a

beautiful cat named Jade.  Thank you Dianna and Ron!

"Mom's Teapot" Still Life Oil Painting by Arizona Artist Mary Opat

"Mom's Teapot" Still Life Oil Painting by

Arizona Artist Mary Opat

It's been awhile since I've added paintings to my website or blog.

I've been taking a little break, enjoying time with my family and

painting a few requested pieces.  This is a little painting I made for

one of my guest rooms.  The room is decorated in the theme taken

from the Peacock Tea Room in Ely, England.  I enjoyed the colors in the

courtyard and the crowded but comfy interior.  This teapot actually lives at Mom's

house in Iowa.  I used a photo of the courtyard in Ely as a backdrop for this

lovely teapot.