Artist Spotlite – Mary

Artist: Mary

Title: “Silent Beauty”

Medium: Watercolor

Comments From The Artist: I am familiar with oils and I would say I am accomplished in Oils. However, I have not touched a brush of any kind since 1986 when I lost my son in an accident. I failed to see beauty for many years. This time has passed and at the persuasion of my husband and a friend who gave me some watercolors and paper, I tried to do watercolor. I am teaching myself and observing many different techniques.

The fist one was done and 3 years passed, I have now resummed full speed ahead to get my feet WET. “SILENT BEAUTY” is my second finished project. Finding and allowing myself time seems to be the biggest problem. I am enjoying.

Tags: Articles & Tips, Artist Spotlite, original painting, original watercolor, watercolor, Watercolor Painting Lessons

Comments

28 Comments on "Artist Spotlite – Mary"

carolyn Bishop on Fri, 5th Sep 2008 9:34 pm

Wow! This is so beautiful … so fresh and accomplished! I just love it!

Joy McKenzie on Fri, 5th Sep 2008 9:51 pm

This is a really gorgeous painting

Lynn Marlowe on Fri, 5th Sep 2008 10:15 pm

You’ve learned very quickly it seems. Picture is beautiful.

Marie Linnus on Fri, 5th Sep 2008 10:27 pm

Beautifully done and aptly named, keep up the great work.

Wayne Cooper on Fri, 5th Sep 2008 10:31 pm

I can see the hand of an oil painter in this work. It is very beautiful but the brushwork is reminiscent of oil.
i hope to see more from you. Congratulations

Keith on Fri, 5th Sep 2008 11:17 pm

I absolutely love the flowers. Watercolor to me is difficult to work
with especially having to reverse the color/shading process as
compared to conventional mediums. But I must say in all honestly
( and please take this with a grain of salt due to I also am new to
the world of painting ) the background shadow takes the focus off
the flowers expecially at the top from the eye due to the fact that it
seems obscure and out of focus. One can’t quite make out
whether it is a shadow or something on the wall or whatever. I
think staying with the lighter colors as on the left side would have
been more appropriate.

Mary Ann on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 1:01 am

Mary,this is very beautiful and very well done

Rachel on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 1:13 am

Absolutely stunning, I agree with the oil brush stroke evidence, adds a sense of structure though which sets it apart from general watercolors. I am a proffessional artist although watercolour is not my forte’ In all honesty, I sware watercolor hates me deeply, 1 in 100 success rate. I admire the placement of the flowers in your piece , delicate yet solid to the eye, the darker shades do however distance the main subject to the right, not too much that it destroys the outcome though. Extremely beautiful work, and I am pleased you have regained sight in the beauty of painting again. I too have suffered similarly and I commend your courage. Keep painting, it is clear you enjoy it and I do hope to see more of your work soon. Take care

Susan on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 1:15 am

I get a soft feeling from this painting. The colors are very harmonious. Thank you for sharing.

I really like your background. The different pigments and shades compliment the flowers, in my opinion. I strive to be able to achieve this effect. It is difficult to me.

Valerie Sasaki on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 4:33 am

Hi, Mary
The colors are soft and wonderful, I would hang this in my home. Beautiful.

Soroya on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 7:20 am

Mary this painting is absolutely lovely. I am sorry about the pain of losing your son. I pray that as you jump back into your creativity that you will feel your heart soothed. As this painting has brought me. A real soothing effect. I love the misty dream like quality of the hazey background and the soft velvety feel of the flowers. Keep painting and be blessed

wilma on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 8:14 am

Mary, the painting is wonderful, the colors are so soft, yet fresh. I too would hang it in my home

Deborah Stinson on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 10:17 am

Very lovely. Soft pink and blue and green. A poem on canvas.

Pat on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 1:04 pm

Beautiful. Very soft and lovely flowers. The backround has just the right touch of color.

Lyn on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 4:20 pm

Mary your picture is beautuful, thank-you for sharing it

Julie Blight on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 10:12 pm

Hi Mary,
Your painting is just beautiful, love your colours. Keep up painting and look forward to seeing more of your work.

John on Sun, 7th Sep 2008 2:07 am

Real nice. I like it alot.

vicky crowther on Sun, 7th Sep 2008 6:46 pm

well done to begin with your talent again – the painting is lovely and you clearly have great potential with the water colours

Jayne Cummins on Sun, 7th Sep 2008 9:40 pm

Just a lovely painting – beautifully executed.
Jayne

The Worley's on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 1:32 am

The words of your little friends; Jake, Tyler, and Cooper…
“Wow, is she like an artist! She should be!” I agree…I would certainly hang this in my home, and I feel lucky to have a piece of your work already in my home!!! This is beautiful! I’m so glad you decided to pick up your brush again, may you once again see the beauty of the world around you.

Shyam Wadwankar on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 3:38 am

Hi Mary,
Art is in your blood.
Good work.
Shyam

Maria on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 2:33 pm

It’s a wonderful painting, lovely colors. Looking forward to see some more.

Ingrid on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 9:49 pm

Hi Mary,

You have in this watercolor painting a very expressive piece! You have done well with your washes and your colors are clean. I would like to make a few comments.

In the background of your painting, the darker area on the right is not carried through the background and this is why it seems weighted on the right side. Also, the pure blue hue used in this shadow area is painted ONLY on the right side and therefore, divides this area even more so. Having incorporated this color elsewhere in the background, in the leaves, stems, or even in the shadow areas on the tulips, would have united this painting a bit more through color.

Your shapes of the tulips and leaves and stems are good, but maybe on one of the sides of the painting (the left side) have that left leaf run off the page to break up that negative space in the background. The background is a very important shape in the painting also! By lifting one of the tulips higher and extending the leaves out further into that background shape, the composition becomes stronger….linking the background shape with the positive shapes of the tulips and leaves.

Good for you….picking up the brush again! Learning to paint is a layering process and you learn by doing! Thank you for sharing you lovely work with us and KEEP PAINTING!!!!!

Ingrid

Amanda on Tue, 9th Sep 2008 3:31 pm

Thank you for sharing this painting and your story. I believe that paintings can express where we are in our lives. Each one a step and I`m sure that with the obvious talent you have that there are many more beautiful paintings in you and each one a step forward, really well done!!!

Joseph P. Sobel on Tue, 9th Sep 2008 9:43 pm

I really like the subtle affect. Nice job.

Judy on Wed, 10th Sep 2008 1:07 am

I am so glad you have returned to painting, and that you have shared it with us. This painting is so beautiful and peaceful. It relaxes me just looking at it. Thank you, and hopefully many more paintings.

shana on Wed, 10th Sep 2008 5:52 am