It’s Memorial Day and time to remember soldiers who lost their life in defense of our country.

A quiet holiday, with time to reflect on the past, present, and the hopeful future.

I picked my favorite artworks to add to the site today, and I hope they convey the feelings I had while painting them.  The majority are of Southern California, the land, the sea, the people.  I feel a real sense of gratitude for the present, for being able to work, live, and paint here.  My family and friends are doing well, and I have love in my life.  What more could I ask?

I’ve joined SoCalPapa, and will paint in their upcoming event in Newport Beach next weekend.  One of my artworks is in an upcoming show through the Randall Higbee Gallery.  

I was taught not to brag, so I hope I’m not.  Share with me what makes you happy and proud as well!  

With love and gratitude,

Mary

The sunlight changes and the energy in the air shifts this time of year.  I notice some mixed feelings - excitement over the sense of new possibilities with autumn coming, along with that old childhood melancholy over summer ending.  I began this painting mid-morning in San Juan Capistrano on a trip with my painting class.  We were watching John Cosby paint an extraordinary demo of eucalyptus trees, when off to the left a woman rode by on her horse.  I tried to capture the feeling of being in warm sunlight while feeling a cool breeze blow by, with the excitement of a Saturday morning stretching out ahead of us.