"Julia"

36X48 oil on canvas

up for auction soon

 

Here's another older painting. I have a lot of mostly happy memories of the time in which I was working on this piece. I painted this at the "Celebration of Fine Art" in 2000...the first year I did the show. It is of the lovely Julia Chacon who is an awesome flamenco dancer. I'll just say that I received a lot of advice while I was painting this (mostly from male artists, but I digress...). Although this was out of my comfort zone at the time, as far as color palette, size, etc., it represents a pivotal point at which I learned to take unsolicited advice with a grain of salt (or less). I started to figure out that the other advice-giving artists were giving me conflicting advice.

 

Okay...I've decided to share this one story, but not the name of the artist. One of the (male) artists who was giving me advice was just never satisfied with this piece. He would walk up and say, "I don't know...it's almost there, but there's just something not quite right. I don't know...maybe you should use the complimentary color on the shawl (in reference to the fan and scarf)." To which I truthfully said, "It is the complimentary color." He walked away trying to figure out what further advice he could give me in order to improve upon this obviously substandard work.

 

The next year, I was at the Celebration again and the same (male...did I say that before already?) artist dropped by my studio space for a chat. Apparently he had no recollection of this painting from the year before, because he said, "Now that's a kick-ass painting". Hmmm...okay...whatever.

 

This is a large painting in need of a good home. It would also be great in an office or restaurant (well...maybe not a Chinese restaurant...but you get my drift). Feel free to contact me if you're interested in putting an early bid in on this piece...and feel free to forward. I feel inspired now...I think I'll put on some flamenco music and do my fandango dance...

 



"Grandma's Kitchen"

16X20 oil on canvas

 

This is an older piece and is, in fact, my mom's kitchen window (edited somewhat...as anyone who knows my mom will understand). From time to time, I go through a backlit phase, in which I want to paint anything and everything with backlighting. Don't ask me why. I would have to make something up, because I don't know why. I guess its the muse (Aunt Clara). I'm considering putting this one up for auction soon...let me know if you're interested, or if you want to make an offer. 

"The Meeting"

16X20 oil on canvas

sold

 

I came across a photo of this over the week-end. I like the romantic feel of it...youth...spring...spooky trees. What...you don't think spooky trees are romantic? I guess we all have our preferences.

I hope to be offering a workshop in February, for those who live close enough to attend. Feel free to contact me if you're not already in my student database, but would like to be notified of upcoming events and workshops. I'm also hoping to do workshops in other cities, so let me know if you have a league or group who would like to host one.

Also...I'm planning to have another online auction soon from this blog, so keep checking in. 

Almost finished...

"Aunt Mary Deen"

8X10 oil on canvas

 

 

Still somewhat on the topic of "when is it finished?"...I like a loose, painterly look. It's what I strive for. But I still like to tweak...or noodle, as it were. I've been working on this little painting for the last couple of days (off and on...also working on other things). So I'm at the point where I have to decide whether or not to refine it more or leave it in its impressionistic stage. Maybe a few more little tweaks...keep you posted. But for now...I think there's a bowl of ice cream with my name on it...

Revised Hill Country

9X12

$175

 

Okay...sometimes you just have trouble stopping. Tweak. Tweak. Noodle. Noodle. But I think I'm done now. It seemed it needed a little more color and action so...here it is. Unless I look at it again next time I'm in the studio and have other thoughts. I suppose one could write an entire book - or at least a long chapter - on knowing when to stop. And I think that most of what applies to art also applies to life. People who like to stir up trouble, for example. Stop it. Or people who insist on standing two inches from your face. Stop. Just stop. And...it's probably time for me to stop writing about this...

 

Tomorrow night is the demo for the Corsicana Art League...looking forward to that. And I'm getting ready to offer my first workshop for the new year, if I can reach an agreement for the right time and space. Contact me if you're interested in workshops. I like to think that my workshops are not only informative (I try to help you problem solve and make breakthroughs), but good camaraderie. And the coffee and donuts are not without significance.

 

Off to dance a short fandango...

 





"Wisteria"

gouache on watercolor paper

sold

 

Wow...this brings back memories. I was actually still married when I did this painting! It was of a huge Wisteria vine on my back porch when I lived in Sugar Land. I went through an extensive gouache phase back then. I've been contemplating trying it again...though I no longer have any of the paints left, and I am pathologically frugal. But maybe...maybe worth the investment?

 

Last night I did a demo for the Palette of Roses Art League...what a great group. Very attentive and open. I hope to do a workshop with them in the near future. Monday, I will do a demo for the Corsicana Art League...looking forward. And moving forward...one foot in front of the other. With paintbrush in hand.

 



 

 

I have to confess that I have, in fact, been accused of being predictable (mostly by my kids, so I'm not sure if that really counts...they love to keep us grounded in our own mediocrity, don't they?). But I once visited Arizona for the first time and bought a house there. So don't try to tell me that I'm entirely predictable. I am spontaneous on occasion. Some might even say pathelogically spontaneous (my tax guy, for example).

 

Which brings me to some thoughts. I came across a photo of this painting yesterday. It was experimental for me...first of all, it's in acrylic and not oil. Secondly, it's entirely from my imagination. Sometimes we artists (much like people) can become mired in what's become comfortable...that which we've mastered (or at least as much as we're capable). Between my first attempt this week to do a palette knife painting, and finding this photo (the painting was sold a couple of years ago), I'm reminded that we should never stop experimenting and stepping outside the comfortable boxes we construct around ourselves. Let's toast to unpredictability...

 



"Hill Country Morning"

9X12 oil on canvas board

$175

 

Most of you know that I am (a) a prolific painter (hard to keep track) and (b) I like to experiment. This was my first attempt at a landscape done almost entirely with a palette knife. I discovered that I love painting with a palette knife. Who knew? The photo doesn't actually do it justice...there's a lot of texture in there. Maybe someone can give me a short tutorial on getting better photos of paintings...it's an ongoing frustration.

 

 

 



"Lazy Days"

9X12 oil on canvas

$175

A few thoughts about the New Year…

As I’ve written before, I have somewhat unorthodox views on New Year’s resolutions (I know…there’s a shocker). I only believe in making resolutions that are highly attainable, such as resolving to eat more ice cream. And the last time I wrote about this, I stated that I would resolve not only to eat more ice cream but to dance more…to dance a fandango with great abandon, though I don’t really know what a fandango is or what it entails. One hopes it does not involve any poles.

But I’m resolving to do a few things differently this year, including some changes to my blog. For the most part, I will be writing shorter posts, but with more frequency. My first online auction went well and was great fun, so I’ll probably have more.

You will notice that I now have a PayPal on this blog. This can be used not only for purchasing work, but also to pay for deposits on workshops.

About workshops…I’m hoping to do more out-of-town workshops, so please contact me if you would like to have me do a workshop for your art league, or if you would like to get together a group of your own choosing. I’m also offering private lessons for those of you who have very busy schedules, or if you think you want more intense one-on-one. I can offer a private class for one or two people, and the cost will be $100 (per person, in the case of 2 people) for a 2 to 3 hour session…in my private studio.

And I’d like to explain a little more about my CafePress store. I hope that you’ll check it out (http://www.cafepress.com/maryhortmanfineart). But in addition to what you see on the page, I can custom make any item that CafePress offers (they offer hundreds of items in addition to the ones on my CafePress page). I can also custom design items with any painting of mine…as long as I have a digital photo of it. For example, if you have a favorite painting that you would like as a mouse pad, you can just contact me, and I’ll set it up.

Wow…I’m tired just reading this. I probably should go have a bowl of ice cream in preparation for the fandango that will shortly ensue.

Holiday Sale

This Saturday night, December 22 (assuming the world does not end), from 7 - 9, I'm hosting a Christmas gathering in my studio/gallery and I hope some of you can attend. I will have these paintings on sale at discounted prices. If you can't attend, but are interested in one of the pieces, you can contact me through email, by phone, or through this website. Hope to see you there!

"After the Ball"

16x20

original price $2300

sale price $1500

 

 

"Stargazers"

20x16

original price $1200

sale price $600

 

 

 

"Like A Red, Red Rose"

10x8

original price $450

sale price $175