Art by Mary Rochelle Burnham

Shooting Star , Print, 8x10, available I played with the oil sketch of 'Marilyn' in Photoshop to see how I would of liked to resolve the portrait had I had the time to finish it. I like the way this turned out so much, that one day I may get around to painting it. Oh, if only I had all the time to do everything that I longed to do, I would have to live several lifetimes and be really energetic!

Marilyn, Oil, 11x14, SOLD I started this Sunday evening when I found out what the Daily Paintworks Challenge was. I was pretty excited and I had expected to do a polished piece. Well, sometimes life happens, and I have been pushed and pulled in several directions that just hasn't included time to paint. Oh, I hate that so much! Good news for you as I am auctioning off this lovely oil sketch for $1.

Roses and Teapot , oil, 8x10", available This was from my last day of Qiang Huang's workshop. I am very happy with this piece which took about two hours of concentrated work.

Yellow Rose with Copper Bowl , Oil, 8x10", available Qiang Huang is a gentleman and a scholar, a wonderful artist and an outstanding instructor. In other words, "a true mensch". I was fortunate enough to be able to take his workshop in Sedona last week, my new backyard. I learned so much and everyone there seemed equally pleased. If you ever have the chance to take Qiang's workshop, you will certainly get your money's worth. Although this painting was done in a workshop, the entire piece was created by myself. Qiang gave me helpful tips and critique. My setup was a collaboration with Cheryl who worked along side of me, and my photo below was taken by Denise. The group photo was taken by Qiang.

Michigan Couple , Oil, 18x24" Sold When I moved to Arizona in July, I brought this piece to finish for a couple back in Michigan. I have included photos of my progression from start to finish. I worked entirely from photos provided by the clients. I did a sketch that I had approved first. Then, I used Photoshop to make a photo composite that became my main reference. Photo composite created in Photoshop I made a 3" grid on my reference and transferred as a sketch to my canvas. I like to work freehand.  I had marked off an extremely light grid with soft vine charcoal. the brush removed the majority of it as I worked loosely and quickly. Light, loose wash with burnt sienna. Applied a warm ground to create unity and a middle value. Beginning to lay in local color and value. Starting to refine the faces. Made the decision to get rid of the shadow between the heads. Detailing the faces, adjusting the background and clothing. Added some c...

Getting to Know You , Oil, 6x6", available Getting to know you,  Getting to feel free and easy When I am with you,  Getting to know what to say  Haven't you noticed Suddenly I'm bright and breezy?  Because of all the beautiful and new  Things I'm learning about you  Day by day. " Getting To Know You " Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein

Eve of The Raven , Oil, 7x5", SOLD "Native North American tribes saw the raven as the bringer of light. In fact, southwestern tribes (Hopi, Navajo, Zuni) felt the raven flew out from the dark womb of the cosmos, and with it brought the light of the sun (dawning of understanding). Consequently, the raven is considered a venerated bird of creation, for without the raven, humans would forever live in darkness."

Whip Cream Evening Clouds , Oil, 5x7" NFS I am having fun with painting skies and in particular clouds. I love the dramatic formations of clouds building before a storm. To be given away at Daily Paintworks.

October Nightscape , Oil, 5x7", SOLD My first night painting. My aim was to capture the mystery of the full moon rising on an October eve.

Summer Sky , Oil, 5x7" This scene is from our property in Manchester, MI. Last summer a storm was building as the sun was getting low in the sky. I must of taken a hundred photos. I love cloud formations and we had some beauties here in Arizona. Be watching for more from me!

A Cry for Freedom , Oil 7x5", available Inspired by the Daily Paintworks Challenge, "A Cry for Freedom" is my small painting, that reflects my deeply held personal conviction. I thank God every day that I am blessed to have been born in our great nation, with our multitude of freedoms. I am proud to be an American.

Seaside Seagull , Oil, 5x7", available I took a loose impressionistic approach with my gull. I learn a little more with each painting I do. I have been busy with commission work lately, and its nice to find the time to try out ideas and new methods.

Broken Egg II , Oil, 5x7", SOLD I don't know why I decided to use a different technique to paint this egg. I tend to be an intuitive artist, allowing my unconscious to direct me. I was very happy with yesterday's direct approach and I am equally happy with today's result using layers. Following are photos I took of my process: Stage One: I toned the panel with a combination of cadmium red light and yellow ochre. I added a small amount of indian red to draw with and to add shadows. I lifted color using my brush and mineral spirits for the lights. Stage Two: Here I added darks with ultramarine blue, manganese violet and Van dyke brown Stage Three: I begin the mid-tones of the background scumbling with ultramarine blue, manganese violet, prussian blue, white, naples yellow and alizarin crimson. Stage Four: I add cadmium red light, cadmium yellow light and zinc yellow primarily in the yolk of the egg. I combined these co...

Broken Egg, Oil, 5x7", available It has been awhile since I have done a DPW Challenge. This was engaging for me on so many levels. I look forward to doing another.

Morning Over Oak Creek , Color pencil, 2.5 x 3.5", available The view out my front window at dawn.

A New World Opens , oil on wood panel, 25 x 27" available A new world opens for this toddler as he discovers the joys of reading. A new world opens for my husband and myself as we depart for Sedona, Arizona this Friday. Having lived in Michigan all of our lives, it will be the biggest move, yet and the most exciting! "Where one door closes, another opens".

The Sentinel Study, acrylic, 5x7" available This is a small acrylic study of a larger painting of mine. I love the fresh approach I took with it. Simple is often better.

Portrait of Hayden, Oil, 16x20" SOLD "Portrait of Hayden" is a recent commission that I delivered a couple of weeks ago. Hayden's grandmother was very specific about how she wanted her grandson portrayed. She was a joy to work with and loved the finished portrait. This gorgeous antique frame was what she chose to have the artwork displayed in. I love the blend of the past, present and future. On this note, my husband and I are about to embark on our new journey. We were both born and raised in Michigan, lived our lives here with our families and now, we are on the cusp of moving lock, stock and barrel to Sedona, Arizona. We will be heading out at the end of the month and have been working on selling all that we will not be taking with us. At this juncture of our lives, we are downsizing and simplifying. Who thought it would be so much work? Unfortunately, it does not give me much time to paint, so please understand if my posting is scarce until we settle. I so ...

Eggs , oil, 5x7" available This is my submission for the Shadow Challenge by Laurie Miller. The rules are simple;  Shadows can be really fun to paint. Find a subject with a dramatic shadow and be sure to make the shadow an important part of your composition.

Goddess of the Canyon , oil, 9x12" available If you have ever been to the Grand Canyon, then you know what an awesome sight it is! Photos just don't really give you the true scope of the magnitude of the place. This rock formation reminds me of an ancient fertility goddess. To me, it is one of the most spiritual places on earth and it was what I hope to have captured in my study.

Days Gone By , oil, 6x8" SOLD Another DPW challenge. I had fun with it and, for me, stepped out of the box.

Cambria Rose , acrylic, 8x10", available I shot the reference of this beautiful rose on the streets of Cambria, California. The most gorgeous flowers lined the sidewalks, in particular roses. Can you guess what my favorite flower is?

The Bluest Eyes , oil, 7x5" SOLD This is my entry for Daily Paintworks, "The Up Close Animal Challenge". The challenge is to paint a close-up of an animal's face and to use the edges of the panel to crop or frame the face with a minimal amount of background space. Taryn Day is the challenge's author, a painter I adore.

Garden Green Peppers , oil, 5x7" available I grew these peppers in my garden last summer. I painted them from life and enjoyed their presence in my kitchen hanging on my wall. Its time now, to release them out into the world.

Summer Oasis , oil, 11x14",  Available It was a perfect summer day, low humidity and the most gorgeous blue sky imaginable. This idyllic scene is not far from our home in Manchester, MI on a farm down the road.

Feline Repose , 10x8" Ebony pencil on paper, SOLD What can I say? I just love kitty cats and they will always have a special place in my heart.

There Is Love , Acrylic, 8x10" SOLD John 3:16 King James Version For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. "For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name There is Love, there is Love." Paul Stookey

Paper Peter Cottontail , Oil, 7x5" SOLD This week at Daily Paintworks is 'The Crumpled Paper Challenge' from Kim Rempel. "Take a piece of paper, crunch it up, put it in a well-lit setting and paint! It's a great exercise to study shapes and relative values." Well, I consider my entry as 'strategically' crumbled  paper and that's my story and I'm sticking to it! ;)

Peek-a-Boo Farm, Oil, 5x7", available This scene from our living room window was on a humid and rather overcast afternoon, with no direct sunlight. We are situated on a very large hill of many acres and the farm is about a half mile away as the crow flies. Through the thick foliage, the farm is barely discernible as it peeks through the trees.

Donuts Make My Brown Eyes Blue, Oil, 5x7", SOLD This week's Daily Paintworks Challenge by Kelley MacDonald is a real fun one! Donuts, yum, let me count the ways I love you! Neither I, nor my husband, can be trusted around them, so I downloaded an image off the internet that I cropped and made revisions to make my own. I almost downloaded a virus in the process and had to shut down my computer real fast! Just another reason for me to avoid donuts like the plague. :(

Evening Glow, Oil, 6x8" SOLD This big guy was all awash in the evening glow of light as my husband and I scoured the hills of northern California. I couldn't resist photographing him and using him in a painting, or two.

Touched by the Spirit, Oil, 6x8" available This is 'A Study of Values' over painted with color. I love how the warm under painting makes the colors sing!

At Rest, Oil, 12x9", SOLD I have two centers of interest in this painting; the bicycle and the light on the middle ground tree. My intent is to capture a moment of peace while having an interesting play of shadow and light.

Grazing In The Grass, Oil, 6x8" SOLD As a child I was in love with horses. I drew them constantly and learned all that I could about them. That passion is how I learned to develop my skills as an artist.

I Have A Hammer, Oil, 8x6", available This was an interesting study for the Daily Paintworks Challenge. I almost did not submit, as I do not have a fondness for painting tools. However, I came up with a concept that I thoroughly enjoyed!

Mise En Place, Oil, 6x8" SOLD "Everything in place" is the definition of mise en place. I find it works well in the studio as well as the kitchen. I detest wasting time searching for something I cannot find readily!