Mary B Spires Watercolor & Art Stuff

11" x 15" Transparent Watercolor This is an update: I put another layer on the background. This also will be a project for HOOT.

11 x 15 Transparent Watercolors This was a fun one to paint. I had taken this picture at my friend, Ann Blackwell's this was a great little yellow lily, but I decided to change it to pink.... I need a couple more watercolors to submit for HOOT next year. Due November 15 th , I always seem to work better on dead line.

8 x 10 on Canvas Board It's been a few days since I painted......I am way too busy! I started this one this morning, but got it way too wet. I'm trying to get more paint onto the canvas. I like the texture that it creates. Of course I need to let it sit overnight....will finish it in the am.

8x10 Oil on Canvas It looks a little crooked......my photography is lacking! The hardest part was trying to get the lemon reflection value right! As you can see the block in is straight......Oh My, I'll check it again tomorrow, it always looks better the next day. Remember you learn more from your mistakes than you success.

8 x 10 Oil on Canvas Board Finally had time to put the finishing touches on this painting I did in Chuck Marshall's workshop. I just can't seem to get back into painting every day. Things should start to slow down, I hope with being back in class with Michael McEwan will get me on a regular schedule.

Just finished a 3 day workshop with Chuck Marshall. A great time was had by all, plus it was the best " Plein Air Workshop" I've had the privilege to attend. Chuck's a great painter, plus he understands how to teach. Now I'm motivated to get out there and Paint!

This is the 2nd step, need to paint the background very dark with the same colors......also the detail on the flower. Check back tomorrow.....hope to finish today.

Watercolor 12 x 15 I need to do 6 watercolor paintings to submit for HOOT next year.....so here's the first step of Pretty in Pink

Just can't get back into the groove!!!! Trying to clean up after HOOT, plus get ready for my fall semester at Capital University with Michael McEwan. The class meets twice a week in the afternoon. I took this class last fall and learned so much. He's a wonderful instructor, plus he has a wealth of Art History knowledge. I will try to pass on what we're doing plus the lesson learned. I'm also schedule to do a plein air workshop with Chuck Marshall, from Cincinnati. It's 3 days painting outside, Chuck a great teacher, plus we have lots of fun. This will be over Labor Day Weekend. With all this going on, I know I will be back at it!!!

Good Morning! The convention is over and I'm glad to be back in the studio.......I taught 4 classes having 8 students up to 35, so I was a busy lady. I truly have a greater respect for those Daily Painters that manage to paint everyday. I hope to get back on track tomorrow when I go to Donna Noice's weekly class.

6" x 6" Oil on Board Another re post for my eBay Store. Click Here To Place Bid

I survive the trip home....didn't have a chance to paint. Just a word of caution, if you're going to fly, renew your drivers license before you go. My expired on my Birthday, July13! In Ohio we have a 30 day grace period.....not in North Carolina!!!!! I couldn't even rent a car!!!! What a mess! So, when you can't fly, can't rent a car, you take a bus!!!! What an experience!!!! Left Ashville at 3:30 pm arrive in Columbus at 4:30 am. I will try to paint some in the coming weeks, but HOOT (Heart of Ohio Tole) convention starts in a couple of weeks. I have 4 classes, if they fill, I will have 35 students in each (they usually do), so needless to say, I have much work ahead getting ready for them.

Well, it's over!!!! Lots of people, but not many buyers!!! It's a look & see thing! The displays will stay up until Monday Week, so maybe we will get a few buyers coming back! Tomorrow I leave for Ashville , yea! yea! Going to have a week with my oldest best friend, just hanging out. No painting for a whole week, I don't know if I can handle that, but I will try very hard!

6"x 6" Oil on Canvas Worked on this yesterday morning.......after looking at it this morning, I need to add more paint!!!! Just not up to par! Today & tomorrow will be very busy, have to set up for the Art Walk. As John Denver said in a song, "some days are diamonds and some are stones". Yesterday must have been a stone! Some days you can paint and others you need to read a book.......

6" x 6" Oil on Canvas This is #4! I think I need to go on to another series.......I really enjoyed doing them.

6 x 6" Oil on Canvas This is number 3 in the series. It really is about learning and practice. I painted this last night after 5 days of not painting.....so it took a little longer.

The difference between the two Green Apples is the first one has smaller dots! It's been a crazy week. I was out of town visiting my Mom until Friday. This week will also be crazy. The Art Walk is this Friday, I'm almost ready, but need to finish up a few things. Will try to paint a few small ones. I didn't realize when I started that I would become OCD ........I have this feeling when I don't paint that I forgot to do something.....it's like my day isn't going right! This is a good THING!

6" x 6" Oil On Canvas Looks like I'm doing a series! I think I will do 2 more. This one is a little different than yesterdays, besides the placement of the apples there is one more thing........see if you can find it! I'll let you know in a couple of days. I'm heading south to visit my mother, but will be home Friday morning.

6" x 6" Oil on Canvas More dots..........just can't get enough of that fabric. I guess I just love the repeat of the circles. This is number 51 and I painted it in 2 hours. So I think the next 50 will go much faster. I can't express enough how important it is to practice. Of course, I've been preaching this to my classes for the past 15 years. It's not about talent, it's about putting in the TIME!!!!!

I can't believe I haven't had a chance to paint for 5 days! We've had a great time with all the grand kids ........everyone went home yesterday. Both Dick & I are pretty tired.......but just loved having them all here. I did get all the framing done for the upcoming Art Walk, July 20 th . I hope to finish up and pack them today. So tomorrow I can paint!!!!!!

8 x 10 Oil on Canvas This is number 50! I started posting pictures on this blog at the beginning of March. I have been painting almost every day, it averages out to 3 paintings a week. So I feel pretty good. I can definitely see a difference in my work. Plus I have 50 painting, some not so good, some I re did, a couple I probably will burn. But overall I'm very happy that I committed to do this. I have completed the last several painting in less time. This one today took me about 3 hours.......so let's see how fast the next 50 go!!!!!

11" x 14" oil on Board I photograph the last two paintings using the new light box! I think it's a great new tool.

6 x 6 Oil on Canvas This also is a re-do. I had more success this time around. I need more paintings for the show, so this takes a little less time, plus I like the subject matter.

8 x 10 Oil on Canvas

8 x 10 Oil on Board This is another re-do, the first didn't have enough paint! Plus her face was not right.......I tried out the new light box, still haven't got the lighting right!

7" xx 10" Oil on Board I posted this one a couple of weeks ago, but didn't like it! So I changed a few things. In fact I painted over the whole thing!

16" x 20" on Canvas I've been working on this one for a couple of weeks. I painted it in watercolor, but had trouble with the hands in oil. So as you can see I left them out!

Sold 8"x 10" Oil on Canvas The Plums were the best part of painting this one. With the spot light on them they were almost transparent. My cloth was brown, but once I finished the stripes they didn't look good, so I decide to change them to blue! This worked much better. In fact I think I will do a couple more with this cloth.

8 1/4" x 10 1/4" Oil on Board Do you think I'm watching too much Food Network? The reds were easier on this one! You think maybe painting everyday helps!

8 1/4" x 10 1/4" Oil on Board This was a fun one! Just love those abstract designs on the material. It just happened to color match the bowl.

7" x 7" Oil on Board This was a tough one, started it a couple of days ago. Had trouble with the "reds". I just couldn't get the right value or color. Tomatoes look so easy, but there not!

7" x 7" Oil on Board Here's another one of those "Dots" paintings! What fun! The square format is really fun too.

7" x 7" oil on canvas Just love those Dots!

Sold 7" x 7" Oil on Board I now have a set up for still lifes ! I took an old watercolor board that Dick made years ago and put it up in the studio. Now I can have a spot light and see shadows! WOW!

8" x 10" Oil on Canvas This was a tough little study. Trying to get the texture & color of the vase.

7"x 7" Oil on Board This was a tough one! I purchased several pieces of cloth with fun designes . This board was already attached to the frame. So I had to mask around the inside with tape. I have 7 of these and they are just the right size. I painted over the original design on the board with acrylic. I hope to have them all finished for the Art Walk.

7" x 7" Oil on Board I set up this still life from my inspiration of Carol Marine, another blog artist. I have been watching her progess for a couple of months. She does nothing but small still lifes.

Finally got a new lap top PC, also have wireless! Remember we're out in no mans land. NO Roadrunner! This works 10 times faster than dial up. I've been painting all week, to date have 5 new ones, but I'm still trying to figure out VISTA!!!!!!!

10" x 15" Oil on Board #33 Another one for the Art Walk.

Well, today I have completed 32 paintings!~! Since my first post! A little less than I had planned, but I can see a difference in my work. Sure I'm not happy with some of them, but as you can see I'm still a student. I think you go through life as a student. I hope I never stop learning. This whole blog thing for me is about the commitment to paint more. All the great painters and teachers say you must paint a 100 paintings, before you can even begin to understand the process. I am a true believer!! I'm still working on paintings for the Lancaster Art Walk, July 20 th , I some how got in two places. It's a long story! But as it may be, I need double the paintings! I will be at WC Grinders on South Columbus St. and ADMAH at Main and Broad.

I don't really like this one, but it's all about practice!

8 x 10 Oil on Canvas This photograph was taken on the deck, under morning light. I can't decide which one I like best!

8" x 10" Oil on Canvas This photograph was taken inside with warm light. Of course I worked on it with Adobe.

8" x 10" Oil on Canvas Step 3 Background of wall is Cadmium Red plus Cadmium Yellow, Burnt Sienna and White. Glass windows are done with Phthalo Green and a touch of Alizarin Crimson, the mix need to be warmer, so I added a little Yellow Ochre.

8"x 10"Oil on Canvas Step 2 Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red and White to block in flowers. Ultramarine Blue and Lemon Yellow with a little Alizarin Crimson for the green leaves.

8" x 10" Oil on Canvas Step 1 Block in with burnt sienna and ultramarine blue.

10" x 15" Oil on Board

10" x 15" Oil on Board

10" x 15" Oil on Board I'm starting to work on paintings for the Lancaster Art Festival at the end of July.....so the pressure is on!

10" x 15" Oil on Board After doing this one in watercolors I thought I would give it a try in oils. Yesterday was a good day, finished this one, plus 2 with good starts. I need about 20 for the Lancaster Art Walk at the end of July. I always seem to paint when I have a dead line!

11"x15" Watercolor This painting was painted from a picture from the St. Petersburg Museum this past Spring. Just love this Poppy by Georgia O'Keefe . After visiting Ghost Ranch a few years ago I see why she painted them so big. I could fit my hand into the center of the flower.