Winslow Homer House visit yesterday

My visit to Portland's Art Museum and the trip out to see Homer's Studio on Prout's Neck was very informative about how he ended up there and what his life was like.  He was no struggling artist, nor did he lack for the finer things in life, friends, family, or money.  His large family were all successful people, they bought a large area of that peninsula in the late 1800s before the housing explosion and sold house lots, were influential in developing that area of Maine.  One thing that was curious is that he painted his studio walls a shade of Naples Yellow and didn't have north light or that much light at all.  Today's name of that color is Toasted Sesame Seed.  It was a drizzly day and we were not allowed out on the marginal way to see the rocks that were a main attraction to Winslow as well as to me.  That was a disappointment.  There is no public parking on Prout's Neck so going out there again won't be easy.  BTW, public parking in Portland is rather expensive. 

Still traveling down that endless road of computer technology

I'm still working on my new website with WebPlus X6 and getting set up with more blogs, facebook pages, PayPal, Etsy, and Carol Marine's Daily Paintworks and getting on her auction page. 

I used to try to push myself to paint something every day, actually I tried more than once to get on that regimen.  I gave up, again more than once.  But now, I can easily do a painting a day however I probably won't and that's OK.  But I will be more focused on marketing myself for no other reason than I have a huge stockpile of painted work and would rather not have a bon fire.

I'm gearing up and hope that this good feeling about being able to paint more stays with me, baring any horrible bumps in the road that life seems to provide occasionally.

Etsy here I come.

I've been up to my eyebrows with setting up all kinds of new art shops, etc.  Now I have an Etsy Shop.

Original Oil Paintings by Mary Pyche by MaryPycheArt on Etsy

Mary Pyche, award-winning artist, sells only top quality original oil paintings.

Give my shop a visit.  Thanks.

Winslow Homer Studio Visit

I made a reservation today to visit the Winslow Homer Studio at Prout's Neck, Maine for the middle of June so, hopefully, the weather will be nice.  Winslow Homer Studio Renovations

Boston's AD20/21 Show

Friday night I went in to the Cyclorama to see this year's Art and Design of the 20th and 21st Centuries and the Boston Print Fair with a couple of friends.  It was very good this year and we had lovely free wine and cheese and I got 9 free magazines.  Some were art and some were design.  We actually got in free as well as Lynn had coupons.  We parked right there as well, and ate next door practically, so you can't beat that. 
Today I'm off to see the Rockport show for contributing members.  I'm not in it as I didn't get the notice.  All they did was put in on their site, so I missed it.
I'll be picking up my work at the Sage Gallery early this coming week as it ends the end of March.

Zorn at Gardner yesterday, March 13

Zorn at the Gardner

I was surprised by how quick and certain all his brush strokes were.  He uses very large brushes and bravura strokes on, for the most part, large canvases, one was probably 10' high or more.  It was a great lesson for me as I still need to concentrate on the big gestures and let the audience fill in the blanks.  I was also surprised to find some fairly vivid color in paintings that didn't at first appear to have vivid color in them.  Look for instance, at the shadow on the wall for those quick broad brush strokes and what would this look like without the red thing in her hair?  There is color in the beads in her necklace but it doesn't stand out, you have to look for it.  Even her face is not fussed over but looks very finished.

Up to mischief again - self portrait

Quick portrait sketch on cardboard

After a few failed attempts to do a portrait of George, and still having some paint on my palette, I quickly grabbed a piece of cardboard and did this quick sketch of myself looking into the mirror without any thought to position or design and ended up painting the painting as well.  When I started with a small desk light on the desk giving the light (visible in the lower right hand corner) my face was more of a mudhead thing and the studio light on my studio easel was light.  As time went by and the light coming into the window changed, characteristics of my face became apparent.  In order to work on this again, it has to be as day passes into dusk to have the right light.  It was about 50 degrees accounting for the sweaters, lab coat and scarf.  I guess I'd better get back to it before spring arrives.

Zorn at the Gardner today

I'm not going to the opening tonight at the Gardner Museum to see the Zorn Exhibition.  It's members only, and my friend who is a member couldn't make it.  I will make it in to see this exhibit however, as he is one of my favorite painters from that era.  He has big broad brushstrokes and this exhibit has many portraits.
Zorn at Gardner

Reception at Rhythm Cafe, Jan 12th

Darn it, I forgot to take pictures, I was a little busy.  It was a really good day, lots of people came, skaters, neighbors, art friends, a few who saw my work and wanted to meet me.  I had lunch before 2 p.m.

Tree Shadows, 30x40", oil

with some friends and before I knew it, it was 4 o'clock.  A big thank you to those who came and stayed for a while; I really appreciate the support.  It was fun to talk with people about my art, about what they picked for their favorite painting and just to talk about art in general.  I met some locals who knew so much about the area's history.

The show is up until Feb. 11th and then I don't have any other shows planned for this year.  I have a few projects planned and maybe I'll paint to enter Rockport and/or North Shore, two prestigious art associations on the North Shore of Boston on Cape Ann.

Rhythm Cafe Skateland Luncheon

Angela Davis drew this napkin masterpiece and everyone signed it.

Skating friends came to see my paintings hung here at the Rhythm Cafe.  We had a wonderful luncheon today at the Rhythm Cafe in Merrimac MA with the members of the Friday Morning Skating Session people.  Ray Ninness took these pictures with his new iPhone. The lunch was to celebrate my solo show of oil paintings.