What it looks like at Rhythm Cafe

I'm happy with the way these paintings look at Rhythm Cafe.  They have a light celery green paint on their walls that works very well.  Reception next Saturday, Jan 4th at 2:00 p.m.  Hope to see you there.

Favorites at the West Newbury Library

Please refer to my other blog for the story about the favorites at West Newbury Library.  That show is closing this coming Saturday.  I also hung another new solo show today at the Rhythm Cafe in Merrimac MA.--also mentioned on my daily blog.

I truly appreciate those who have participated in the "Vote for Your Favorite Painting" raffle as it has been very informative.  Mary's other blog--my daily activities.

My adventures for the new year?  Well, I haven't finished thinking about that yet.  I have booked another trip to Italy with Margaret Egli Thomson's group and a workshop nearby with Dreama Toll Perry.  I am trying not to do workshops, but sometimes I can't resist.  I do have some paintings that I plan to paint that have been "on the shelf" for a long time and it's time to get them done.  I really need to organize my photo library, it's way out of hand, do backups on my various computers, etc.  Now that this year is over and I look back over this past year, I have done a good job of achieving my goals and now I can concentrate on 2013.

Popularity results on Bear Hill Road in Arlington

You can view the pictures of all the paintings on my website:  www.MaryPycheFineArt.com. 

If you voted, you may be wondering if your favorite won.  Here are the results. 

First place was the Bear Hill Road triptych #18.
Voters were 
Roberta Breen
Betsey Christiansen
Don Denning
Mike Farrington
Nancy Lea Flynn
Marceu Kraus
Grace O'Neil

Second place was View for Two #12
Ed Cooper
Cynthia Kallberg
Mary Lock
Kate Mason
Jim Mazzola
Gamfe Saunders

Tie for third between Bear Hill Road Sunset and Snow in October.

Thank you to everyone who came to see my show and for voting.  This process is informative to me and I appreciate your input.

Cutter Gallery - and the winner is?

Sunday was the last day at the Jefferson Cutter House Gallery in Arlington MA.  There was a closing reception and we all had a very nice time.  The gallery coordinator, Nancy Lea Flynn, and a couple of her students came by and I very much enjoyed meeting and talking with her and her students.  My cousins surprised me by showing up.  One of my cousins happened to go to a meeting at this location and found my paintings there, not knowing beforehand that they would be there.  This gallery is used by the Town of Arlington for meeting space.  Several other people wandered in as a result of the signs out front.

At Nancy's suggestion, cousin Joe drew from the "favorites" slips for the winner of the painting, "Love You Rose".  Karen (one of my cousins), was the winner!  You can see the pictures below of some attendees as well as the drawing photos.

Joe, Nancy's student and his family

Karen won the drawing

Nancy Lea Flynn, Cutter Gallery coordinator

The Mason cousins

Dennis, gallery manager

Cousin Joe drawing the winner

Joe Mason and  me

Karen and Catherine

Catherine and me

Sidewalk Sign

More photos might be added after I receive pictures from friends and family.

Closing reception tomorrow at Cutter Gallery, Nov. 25th.

It was a very good experience having this show in Arlington at the Jefferson Cutter House Gallery, many friends stopped in to see the show and from the balloon accessorized sandwich boards in the front and back of the gallery, many area residents stopped in as well.  I don't know how many area newspapers printed an announcement, but I contacted 16 papers.  The Boston Globe North put in a nice mention in the Sunday section for "in the galleries".  From those who voted for their favorite painting, I'll be drawing the winner of a small painting and announcing the winner as well as the painting that got the most votes.  Wine and cheese will be served as tomorrow is the last day of the show.  A hearty thank you to those who came by.

Last one for now

Last painting for the Bear Hill Road project that is...

Summer Shack - Bear Hill Road 12x12" original oil on stretched canvas

Since the other paintings were of different seasons, I wanted to add one for summer and this is it.
Last Sunday I had a few people visit the solo show in Arlington and next week is the closing reception as well as the day to draw for the winner of the "vote for your favorite" raffle.

This week I went in town for the International Fine Art Show at the Cyclorama, and it was excellent!  I also went to the Miniature Show at Rockport and enjoyed a quick visit and viewed all the small paintings done by members for the holiday shopping season.

A Painter's Day Off

Another visit to the Hibbard show in Rockport to hear Judy Curtis talk about his early years, and she gave a video presentation with comments on paintings both in the show and some others.  When I entered the gallery I was overcome again but these beautiful paintings, it's as if I hadn't seen them before.  The colors are so gorgeous and cannot be appreciated in any photo reproduction.  Then in the front room of the RAA, the Charles Movalli exhibition was on display--he's one of my top favorites!  My friend, Lynn Murray, and I had lunch across the street, and then I was off to shop.  I usually hate shopping.  But I had a coupon for Michael's and I bought a tube of paint of Cobalt Violet, a color I have not used before and was on Hibbard's palette, so I want to give it a try when I paint "snow" pictures this winter.  Then I was off to Sear's because they had a huge tool storage unit on sale, you know, those tall ones with lots of drawers, some horizontal thin draws on top and bigger ones below, looks a little like a bureau.  Now that will spark a cleaning surge to organize my stuff.  I've kind of taken this week off because I was so over-busy the previous couple of weeks. I'm itching to paint, so maybe I'll paint on Sunday while I'm sitting at my show in Arlington.

Hmmm, art happens.

I've been preparing for my two upcoming shows, and I ordered pencils to give out, and in that process I went online to find sayings/quotes to put on the pencils.  After spending an hour or so lost in reading all kinds of sayings covering centuries of art philosophy, I decided on what coincidentally happened to be in the header of this blog, "Art happens". 

Today here in Massachusetts we are having Hurricane Sandy, and luckily my power is still on.  I've been happily creating paperwork for my shows all day.  I'm having a raffle from "Vote for your Favorite" slips to give away a small painting.  Lots of other details were taken care of, look at the daily blog for more info. www.marypychedaily.blogspot.com

This Thursday I hang my Arlington (Cutter House) show and Saturday I hang the West Newbury Library show, and Sunday I have the opening reception in Arlington. 

In the framing stage

The first few 

A woman's work is never done.

I still have one painting to complete for this Arlington show at Cutter House and have been involved with framing for the past couple of days.  My new design for the floating frames is a success.  They are lighter in weight and made of beautiful maple, double coated with varnish.  My son, Marc, helped me Monday pick up the framing stock from my mill in New Hampshire and I've been busy ever since.  I should be finished today with making the frames and framing the art work.  The process is exacting and now I have another power tool under my belt (not a tool belt).  I talked with a few painting friends about pricing so I'll be able to finish my inventory, show list and labels for the work by tomorrow.  I thought rocks were hard, but figuring out prices is just as hard.  Custom made maple floater frames, for instance, are very expensive.  I'll have 11 or 12 paintings in this show that are large.  12x12" is the smallest of the large works, and 30x40" is the largest.  I have 11 small works to accompany these larger paintings.  I prefer the look of these neat and modern style wood frames and have made smaller "strip" frames for some of these paintings.

David Curtis does Hibbard walk

David Curtis, second generation renowned plein air artist from Rockport, gave an exciting and very informative walk Sunday at Rockport Art Association, mostly his students were in attendance as it wasn't a planned activity for the public.  David's father, Roger Curtis, was a friend and dealer for A.T.Hibbard's work for a while, and David tagged along with his father and asked Aldro questions for which he received answers  that were short.  Having read two books on Hibbard this month, it seems that the artist didn't talk much about art considering it a private occupation but was more than happy to talk baseball.  David's wife, Judith Curtis, an author of several books on art, has written a book to accompany this show.  Most of the 119 paintings present at this amazing show are shown in this book.  David was on the organizing committee of this show and has done a wonderful job of lining up talent to do walks and talks.  Be sure to see this show up until November 11th.

Hibbard, Hibbard, HIBBARD!

OMG...WOW...I know--you think I exaggerate.  Nope.  I totally can't believe that this extra-ordinary show can be here in our little Rockport Massachusetts.  You would expect to see something like this at the MET.  YOU HAVE TO GO.  Detailed information here.  There are many wonderful events built around this show, mostly on Tuesdays mid-day and Thursday evenings.  The paintings are so exciting that I was actually overcome with joy.  There is also a wonderful book accompanying thisshow written by Judith Curtis. 

A.T. Hibbard, N.A. ~ American Master
by Judith Curtis

This beautiful 104 page hardcover edition, features 114 images of Hibbard's works.

This is our newest publication to be released in conjunction with the RAA Hibbard Retrospective, opening October 6th 2012, and is being sold exclusively through the RAA.

I've been to Europe

My trip to Austria and Switzerland was absolutely wonderful.  It was an art trip and tour with Margaret Egli-Thomson who paints in Florida.  The next tour will be in Italy next year.  Contact me ASAP if you are interested in going along.  She runs the most amazing trips for less money than you will ever get anywhere and it's also the best--go even if you aren't an artist!  I had a little trouble doing blogs while in Europe on my iPad, and I inadvertently posted them on my OTHER blog:

Now I'm working feverishly to prepare for two shows in November and one in January.  I'll be posting photos of the paintings soon as well as dates for receptions, etc. 

My Gemini Nature

The twins, that's me--I'm working on two paintings at once and having lots of fun.  My studio was 90 degrees today but I didn't even notice.  Seeing the work of Eric Aho inspired me to let go and just do it.

A very busy month.

I have lots of photos to share but I usually have problems uploading more than one.  I'll try at the end.

My series "Bear Hill Road" is coming along with two large paintings in process: one is a dyptic of two panels 24x30 and the other is 24x36.  North Shore Art Association opened for the season with a wonderful show, as usual.  Karen Berger, Lynn Murray and I had a nice museum day at Addison in North Andover. I started teaching a private art lesson--another milestone, and had a birthday, yet another milestone.

Cox 2012

Mary's Birthday

Karen Berger at Addison

Lynn Murray at Addison

 

Best in Show!

Spring Members Open Show... Best in Show award goes to.....

  Spring Members Open Show.  Bear Hill Road by Mary Pyche, Congratulations!

What a surprise, it feels good!

Here it is.....

Bear Hill Road tryptic 18x18"x3 oil on canvas

at Newburyport Art Association.

3 galleries at once

I've been busy preparing many paintings for delivery, etc. to the current show at Newburyport Art Association, Rockport Art Association and the Sage Gallery in Haverhill.  They are all paintings in the Bear Hill Road series of paintings that I'm working on for a solo show in November.  I made all the frames as well.  One is 12x36", one is a triptych of three 18x18" canvases, and the rest is 9 small ones, 6x6", 8x8" and 5x7".

I went out yesterday to paint plein air at the Greenbelt's Cox Reservation with David P. Curtis who thankfully carries on the tradition of helping artists like the original great painters of Cape Ann.  I'll post the photo of the finished painting when it's done.  In the meantime, here is picture of my motif (spelled motive in the old art books).

Today's art delight was a trip to MFA Boston to see a film on Gerhard Richter, the world-famous painter.  I just realized that I posted my painting info on my activities blog and vice-versa.  Opps.  See my other blog for more info on Gerhard.  My artwork blog.

Ed LeMay performs

Ed LeMay performs this weekend (March 24 & 25) with the Boston Gay Men's Chorus at the New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall presenting Love's Voice, The Splendor and Triumph of Love.  It was a very enjoyable and impressive performance that was part chorus along with some acting, dancing and instrumentals. 
Although this isn't a report about painting, it fits into the artistic category don't you think?  A good friend, Peter Stott, and I had a nice slow dinner beforehand and some always interesting conversation.  It was a perfect evening AND I also got a free parking spot right there on the corner of Huntington and St. Betolph Street.--a good omen to be sure.

The play "VINCENT"

The full length play by Leonard Nimoy, performed by Doug Brendel at the Newburyport Art Association last night was very well done and perfect for that venue.  VINCENT was produced in partnership with Time & Tide Fine Art in Ipswich,MA.  Kristina Brendel and her husband Doug, both very talented people, would be interested in bringing this performance to your venue as I believe that the proceeds go to a good cause.  Contact them on Facebook or  by email.

Art and Design Show

This weekend at the Cyclorama in Boston MA See the Art & Design Show.

I went yesterday with my friend Ed.  There were a lot of art galleries as well as design studios and I met and talked with some very interesting people, in particular Robert Llewellyn, a very well-known photographer, and Jacob Kulin who does interior design wooden and other objects, tables, wall hangings, etc.  And, like the International Art Show, I was able to get dozens of wonderful magazines, and even a free subscription to a Boston design magazine called Boston Home. We attended a lecture with interior designer Vicente Wolf, who won the AD20/21 Lifetime Achievement Award and has a few books in print of his work.  He was a joy to hear as he is a very nice unpretentious man with 35 years of experience who unselfishly shared ideas and design methods.  The photos at the talk are also in his books and I loved the photography.  Read an article on him in the 3/16/12 G section of the Boston Globe by Christopher Muther.

Starry Starry Night--Vincent at Newburyport Art Assoc.

Fri March 16  SOLD OUT

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR

 Sat, March 17 - Sun, March 18

All performances begin at 8:00 p.m., in the Hartson Gallery

Doors open at 7:30pm

 Ticket prices: $12.00 for NAA Members and $15 for Non-Members

Vincent (the play) at NAA To purchase tickets, call  or drop by the NAA

Wakefield MA Exhibit at CPA

 

 

 

Here are some photos of the display.  Last night's performance at Wakefield's new Center for the Performing Arts with Jay Psaros was very entertaining.  The crowd was happy and pleased with the music, songs, and stories of Jay who is an up-and-coming musician.  I met and spoke with many Wakefield residents and became aware of how nice that city is.  It's nice to talk and get feedback from people about one's art.  I'm honored that I was able to participate as a solo exhibit in their first event where they paired performance art with visual art.

Wakefield Exhibit, Performing Arts Center

 

 

 

I'm at 2 places at once this Saturday.

One is at the Wakefield Center for the Performing Arts Center and the other is at Sage Gallery in Haverhill.

Sorry to say, I'll miss the opening reception at Haverhill as I am exhibiting work at the Performing Arts Center.

In Wakefield, on March 10th at 7:30pm. Jay Psaros, a singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist will be performing as well as an opening act by a talented local student, Natalie Joly.

Accepted to Sage's Spring Show

I have been selected for the Spring Art Exhibit at the Sage Art Gallery!  
My art will hang in the gallery form March 10th to March 31st.  
The opening reception will be March 10th for 7 to 9 pm.  The Sage Art Gallery

Sage Art Gallery

136 Washington Street
Haverhill, MA 01832

Trip to Wakefield

Jay Psaros performance, March 10th
I went to Wakefield High School today to see the area where I will be able to display artwork at a Center for Performing Arts event scheduled for the evening of Saturday, March 10th.  School was in session and it's been 100 years since I walked through halls of high school kids milling around.  They have a very nice auditorium where various performances are held.  The link above will show you the venue.  I think that the hallway leading to the entrance to the hall will be where I would show my work.  Now that I've organized my paintings, it's much easier to select paintings for events like this.  More later on the performance itself and details of my involvement.

The Sage Art Gallery Juried Exhibition is March 10 through March 31, 2012.

Stevens Coolidge, North Andover 9x12" oil

The Sage Art Gallery Juried Exhibition is March 10 through March 31, 2012 and I will submit 2 paintings, one is representational and the other abstract/contemporary.  

The representational oil painting is 9x12" and is called Stevens Coolidge, North Andover.  It is a view from the back with dramatic lighting on the finely groomed hedges and the roofs of the building.  It has a gold plein air frame.

The abstract/contemporary mixed media piece is 20x24" and is called The Eagle.  It has a mostly black and white abstracted motif suggestive of nesting material and an orange sun with a scruffy bald eagle on a branch.  It has a custom made black floating frame.


Both are priced low at $350 each.