tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35723009329051406182024-03-13T11:04:19.807-07:00Art AdventuresOne woman's response to lifeMary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.comBlogger508125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-89192493031127225002018-05-26T23:04:00.000-07:002018-05-26T23:04:16.128-07:00Travel Sketch in Australia
"Entrance to Sydney Harbor"
9" x 5" watercolor sketch
We left for Australia January 21 and returned home on February 18. We mixed it up, spending 8 nights in a studio apartment with gorgeous Opera House and harbor views, taking the Indian Pacific Railway for four days, three nights across the continent to Perth for a few days; then boarded a Crystal Cruise back to Sydney by way of the West andMary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-23293427531327186922018-04-28T07:45:00.000-07:002018-04-28T07:45:44.179-07:00Pastels from Monday Morning Drawing Cl
"Pitcher and Floribunda Roses"
12" x 16" Pastel
Since 2007, every Monday when I am not traveling, I attend a three hour drawing class by Robert Semans, a master artist for the past 40 years. This particular piece was a setup I brought to class, using a pitcher I bought in England and Floribunda Roses blooming in my back yard. Bob says we paint the light, and I believe I managed that withMary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-44362417447810595372018-04-21T10:34:00.001-07:002018-04-21T10:34:53.380-07:00Mendocino Remembered
"Mendocino Memories"
10" x 13" Watercolor
In January, Bob and I spent three days in Mendocino at the MacCallum House, a BandB with cottages and lovely gardens. We even managed to use our own garden spa in spite of rain and cold weather on the coast. We enjoyed a private wine tour of the Anderson Valley. Bob likes to do Argentine Tango so we went to a Milonga, a dance event for people Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-47384080804790262512018-04-20T10:48:00.000-07:002018-04-20T10:48:37.902-07:00"Sunshine" from my garden
"Sunshine"12" x 12" Watercolor
Spring brings on a desire to paint flowers, so the beat continues. For the past two weeks I have worked on this small piece at Thursday Night Art and at home. These Peruvian Lillies grow in our back yard,. I placed them in a jelly jar with a ribbon around the top and photographed them on my sofa to capture the light. I loved the shadows, the very deep background Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-48576650571165084462018-04-13T21:18:00.001-07:002018-04-13T21:18:42.730-07:00Camellias on My Mind
"Happy"
12" x 12" Mixed Media
A few of my faithful bloggers have wondered where I have been. Bob and I have dedicated a lot of time to seeing the world the last few years (well, parts of it), with a month in Australia in January/February our most recent adventure. It has been difficult to get a solid block of time for art, and even less for blogging about it. However, when I am in townMary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-60776641320549273732017-11-19T13:37:00.000-08:002017-11-19T13:37:50.451-08:00Cumbres and Toltec Steam Train: Comin' Round the Mountain
"Cumbres and Toltec Steam Train: Comin' Round the Mountain"19" x 14" Watercolor
Bob is a train buff and I enjoy them, too. So when I planned my Colorado ranch workshop with fellow artist Jeanne, we decided to spend the week before riding two famous steam trains that are remnants of the narrow guage railroads operated by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railway. The railroad was built for Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-4180816911655201102017-11-16T11:41:00.001-08:002017-11-16T11:43:14.348-08:00Plein Air with Friend Jeanne
"Falls Creek"
11" x 15" Watercolor
After friend Jeanne and I returned from Colorado, we were motivated to do some plein air painting. I always love doing it with the watercolor society, but both Jeanne and I live far from many of the locations. With Bay Area traffic, we just have to pass up some places. Because Jeanne was slated for some surgery almost immediately, we had to act fast. I Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-90381520481386675232017-10-30T15:34:00.000-07:002017-10-30T15:34:44.027-07:00Toddlers Make Fun Subjects
"Goats Only Please"
15" x 20" Watercolor
In 2016 we were blessed with the births of two granddaughters who have continuedto delight us from both coasts. Sydney, not in this painting, lives in the DC area and Amelia, with her head in the goat rest area, lives nearby. Both sets of parents have done a great job limiting their exposure on the social media sites and sending grandparents photos Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-63671614553257494752017-10-28T15:31:00.002-07:002017-10-30T19:55:37.022-07:00Colorado: Days 5 and 6
"Mountain Mist"
Day 5 dawned with rain and cold. We were a brave bunch, venturing higher into the mountains on the muddy road. At least today, no one ended up in the ditch as one of the car drivers did on Thursday. Fortunately she was able to drive out of it. Steven was set up overlooking a pasture with some cows. His work include the cows, but I decided to complete this scene sans cows Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-62588498616168233962017-10-28T14:52:00.002-07:002017-10-30T19:56:41.613-07:00Colorado, Days 3 and 4
"Fishing the Rio Grande"
29" x 15" Watercolor
On our third day at the ranch, Steve arranged for the Chris, the ranch hand in charge of fishing, to do some casting at the Rio Grande that runs through the ranch near the entrance. We would make quick sketches and take photos. Rain was forecasted shortly, so we were planning to return to the workshop building.
It was a cold morning and very Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-57550606714545802442017-10-17T18:03:00.000-07:002017-10-30T19:57:18.720-07:00Colorado, Days1 and 2
"Autumn Gold"
15" x 20" Mixed Media
We arrived at the ranch on Sunday afternoon, enjoyed a chance to meet fellow participants at dinner and an evening introduction. The following morning we began days filled with painting outdoors, delicious meals, and evening sessions in the workshop building. There was little time wasted. Steven began with an introduction to his approach to painting plein Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-47429116908060660242017-10-15T14:13:00.001-07:002017-10-30T19:57:55.400-07:00A Colorado Workshop
"Snow and Aspens"
10" x 20" Watercolor
In late September I attended a plein air workshop given by Stephen Quiller, a noted watermedia artist from Creede, Colorado, known as a color specialist who has authored books and DVDs. The workshop was held at beautiful 4UR Ranch near Stephen's home. I went with an artist friend who had attended this same workshop with me in 2015. Again, we Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-85345652635585092962017-04-29T07:43:00.002-07:002017-04-29T07:43:12.548-07:00Another Work of Bob
"Scottish Man"12" x 15" Pastel
In 2013 Bob came into Monday drawing class to meet me for lunch. He was wearing his orange vest and a hat. Our instructor Bob Semans has become our friend, and the minute he saw Bob, he asked if he would come pose for us. That day, Bob chose to wear his Scottish Balmoral hat that he wears with his formal kilt. Here is is in his full kit.
Bob Semans did Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-59178552698570074612017-04-28T15:41:00.003-07:002017-04-28T15:51:07.297-07:00Combining Collage and Paint
"Sounds of the City"
10" x 10" collage and acrylic
on museum quality canvas
I've been wanting to come up with ways to combine painting and collage with figures. I've painted Lisa Taylor before. She is a marvelous singer from Santa Cruz, CA, and I've danced to her live music a number of times. Her band's Facebook page gives you lots of info. I got permission from Lisa to use photos I've Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-1248824666963688622017-04-27T11:51:00.000-07:002017-04-29T07:44:44.623-07:00Drawing Class: Guglielmo Winery Supplies a Subject
"2015 Dolcetto
12" x 15 Pastel on Pastel Mat Board
Napa Valley is known as the wine valley in California, but Santa Clara Valley, known today as Silicon Valley, was the first premium wine production region, called "The Valley of the Heart's Delight." French and Italian immigrants brought their vines to our valley during the Gold Rush Era. That tradition continues with at least 30 Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-66392013339925575702017-04-16T09:50:00.001-07:002017-04-16T09:50:22.793-07:00
"View from the Paladar in Havana Old Town"
18" x14" Watercolor
$400
Recently we returned from a wonderful land tour of Cuba with Road Scholar. Relations between the USA and Cuba have been thawing, though the embargo we placed on them remains. President Obama opened travel with Cuba, but it remains quite restricted. You travel on a cruise ship or with a sanctioned tour company. Of course, Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-51423610236838151482017-04-09T06:33:00.001-07:002017-04-09T06:33:46.673-07:00Monday Morning Drawing Class: The German Beer Stein
"Octoberfest"15" x 15" Pastel
Drawing instructor Bob Semans brought in a beautiful beer stein and fruit. Usually I do a pastel in a single morning, but this one took two. The design was a challenge and though it looks complex, I simplified it quite a bit. As always, values are everything in making a successful drawing or painting.
Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-69808620127969145032017-03-25T07:18:00.001-07:002017-04-09T06:26:44.376-07:00SCVWS Award
"Thundering Waters"12" x 15" Watercolor$400
I changed out my old Windows machine for a Macbook Air which I love, but I had problems working on my blog. Bob solved the problem by installing Chrome. However, if anyone else has suggestions for a good blogger app, I would appreciate hearing from you.
Now for the happy news: Recently I received an award at the 49th Annual Members Show of Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-52120350505597727022016-11-23T05:39:00.001-08:002016-11-23T05:39:45.199-08:00 Gwen Fox Online Coaching and Critique Group, Continued
My abstract, "Balancing Act"
"The Batchelor" by Andrew Wyeth
Back to the critique group after the post on my latest collage.
A few days after the graduation, we left Brooklyn, NY, on the ocean liner, Queen Mary II. I could paint and when I got to England, I could post on our private group Facebook page. I selected "The Batchelor" by Andrew Wyeth and focused on Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-31750572824601166152016-11-20T16:18:00.001-08:002017-12-20T18:02:20.309-08:00"Putting on the Ritz" Inspired by Klimpt
"Puttin on the Ritz"
36" x 48"
Torn Magazine
On Gallery Wrapped Canvas
Contact the Artist for Purchase
After returning from Vienna, where we saw some of Gustav Klimpt's work in the Belvedere Museum and at The Secession, I was inspired to do a very large collage using gold. You will recall that Klimpt's painting of Adele Block Bauer, a Jewish woman, was ironically confiscated by Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-43846709091726708712016-11-20T08:23:00.000-08:002016-11-20T10:17:59.611-08:00Gwen Fox Online Coaching and Critique Group, Continued
My abstract, "On the Move"
"Still Life with Fruit and Jug" by Paul Cezanne
I was on a roll with abstracts, and I was now in New England for our granddaughter's graduation from Smith College. I sat at the counter of our large rented Victorian amidst family and friends and selected "Still Life with Fruit and Jug" by Paul Cezanne. If you compare my shapes with someMary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-36760093098826047972016-11-19T14:46:00.000-08:002016-11-19T18:48:13.550-08:00Gwen Fox Critique Group: Getting Started with an Abstract
My abstract, "Dreaming in Color"Actylic on paper
Picasso's "The Dream"
Gwen talked about a good way to start an abstract. Select a painting by a famous artist and use some of the arrangement of shapes as your starting sketch. I chose Picasso's "The Dream" done in 1932. I used Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-65679369531675887422016-10-29T15:08:00.000-07:002016-11-20T11:06:55.966-08:00Gwen Fox Online Coaching and Critique Group
"Nature's Light"
Watercolor on Paper
7" x 9"
Continuing with my art year in review, I will tell you about some wonderful online coaching and critique group.
A couple years ago, artist friend Joan and I met in New Mexico for our yearly art vacation. We attended a workshop in Taos taught by artist extraordinaire, Gwen Fox. I wrote about that 2014 workshop beginning here. After that Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-38707532083362644082016-10-28T10:45:00.001-07:002016-10-28T10:48:02.558-07:00John Salminen Workshop
"On The Edge"
Watercolor and Collage on Paper
20" x 32"
After a very busy travel schedule, I am going to post art done this year that I have not yet shown.
In February, I took an amazing workshop from very famous watermedia artist John Salmanin. John is both a great urban landscape painter and a fabulous abstract artist. I missed taking urban landscapes from him, but managed to Mary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572300932905140618.post-65300725841091231352016-07-16T11:55:00.001-07:002016-07-16T11:55:17.461-07:00A Musician Series: "Hot August Nights"
"Hot August Nights"
20" x 25"
$700
I am participating in a online critique group with Gwen Fox, an artist from Taos, NM. She challenged us to paint a series, so I continued with the musician theme. Ala Jeannie McGuire, who recently taught a Figurative Workshop in Vermont, I focused on making this painting unique and created an abstract background. Though the sax player is more forwardMary Paquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847021818957221109noreply@blogger.com3