Art by Mary Rochelle Burnham

Autumn Kitty, 10x8", oil,  Available I was feeling pretty low and thought a colorful friend would brighten my day.

Shooting Star, 12x16", oil,  Available This is a piece that I have entered into the Sedona Visual Artists' Coalition Show "Blue". The concept began to formulate with a former blog entry of  mine  of almost three years ago. This one is actually a study for a piece that is 38x52" that I hope to have finished sometime next year. I am honored that my art was chosen for the front page of the show flyer. If you are in the area, please come out to see the exhibit.

Hope , oil, 14x11",  Available I could not of asked for a better group of students at my workshop hosted by Blue Morning Gallery of Pensacola, FL. Hope was an excellent model and sat for us the first two days and then the students worked from a photo that I provided on the third day. The time just flew by so quickly! I have found for myself, that I rarely have time to finish a portrait from life in a couple of hours. I usually will finish from reference photos that I take during the session. That is why I like to incorporate both working from life and photos in my workshops.

Eleanor, 16x20", oil, SOLD Well, I am off to Pensacola, FL to teach my portrait workshop. I look forward to working with a new group of students and having fun interacting with them!

Maine Coon Cat Buddies , 8x10", oil, SOLD I love all animals (and people), but I really have a connection to cats. We got our first from my uncle when I was a toddler. Most of my adult life I've had cats and dogs and an occasional bird, rabbit and squirrel (rescue). I became an artist because of my love of horses. I am available to do commission pet portraits, contact me if you are interested.

Atop Schnebly Hill, 6x8, oil SOLD I love going up Schnebly Hill and enjoying the many gorgeous views, but it is about the worst road in the country! I guess it's to keep tourists away unless they are taking one of the many jeep tours that go up there.

Path to Higher Ground , 9x12, oil,  Available  I liked how the cool shadows played off of the warm light on the parched grass.

Green Pepper , 6x6", pastel, $99 I am offering this piece complete with frame on Etsy. It will look great in the kitchen hanging on a wall or displayed on a small easel. Click to buy on Etsy

School Daze , 12x16", oil, SOLD I had to bribe this little guy with lots of goodies at the breaks to get him to keep still.

Red Pepper On Plate , 5x7, oil,  Available I used a photo of my previously sold painting, ' Red Pepper Salute ', to make a new and improved version.

His Love , 7x5", oil SOLD My portrait workshop is just a few weeks away in Pensacola, FL. I thought I'd switch gears and do some portraits. I am getting excited about teaching a class, again. I have been doing some private teaching since I have been in Arizona, but I miss all of my many students back in Michigan.

Backyard Rock Art , 6x4, oil,  Available My husband stacked some rocks in the yard a couple of years ago. It reminds me of a torso with a head and hat. I think it's cute and I absolutely love the evening lighting. This painting was done 'plein air' over two evenings as the light was changing so quickly.

White Cup, Blue Plate , oil, 6.25 x 4.25",  Available This little study was done in my studio on a sample from SourceTek of their Claessens #13 Oil Primed Linen Fine Weave Panel mounted to Baltic Birch. It's an interesting surface and quite different than I usually work on. You can find them at  https://www.canvaspanels.com .

By The Roadside , oil, 6x8",  Available  Old tree by the roadside in northern California.

Clouds Over Sedona, oil, 6x8",  Available Afternoon clouds building up for a rain. It's monsoon season and we have been getting plenty of rain.

Oregon Fog , oil, 7x5",  Available Driving up to Oregon a few years ago, we hit rain and fog and I started to snap photos as my husband drove. I have been wanting to paint this scene ever since I took the photo. I am going to try "the Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge" and this is my first entry. I have a lot going on this month, including leaving at the end of the month to teach a portrait workshop in Pensacola, FL. I will do my best!

Marjorie West, 24x30" Oil, On Loan from Collection of Mr. and Mrs.Dennis West  Margie West World Traveler - Volunteer Margie West and I share common roots, as we were both born and raised in Michigan. When Margie moved to Scottsdale, she became a buyer for Paddock Pools and then worked as vice president of procurement for Southwest Ambulance. Upon moving to Sedona, she spent 17 years at the Sedona Fire Department before retiring. When my husband and I decided to find a winter home in the Sedona area, we bought the house next door to Margie and her husband, 'Cap', in Oak Creek Valley. Margie is the chair person for the Welcoming Committee and the first neighbor we officially met. She is one of the reasons why we decided to go back to MI and sell our home and become full time residents of Arizona. Margie also works as a volunteer for the Care Committee. She exemplifies a person with a caring heart but she is much, much more. She is witty, smart, sharp as a tack, a wo...

Rabbi Alicia Magal,  36 x 24" Oil, On Loan from the Collection of Mr. & Mrs. Magal Rabbi Alicia Magal Religious Leader – Author - Philanthropist Rabbi Alicia Magal’s outstanding communication skills are invaluable to a diverse congregation. She leads the congregation with love, creativity, sensitivity and on-going interfaith community outreach. It is her mission to "bring sparks of holiness and joy to the study of Torah”. This year's Philanthropist of the Year award recipient is Rabbi Alicia Magal of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley. The Philanthropist of the Year Award recognizes individuals who consistently commit time and financial assistance to worthy community causes and nonprofits. Rabbi Magal offers opportunities to explore cultural traditions and connect with people of diverse faiths in Sedona and the Verde Valley.

Hollis Underwood M.D,  16 x 20" Oil, On Loan from the Collection of Dr. Underwood Hollis Underwood M.D. Honor Health Scottsdale Hollis (Holly) Underwood M.D., is currently on staff as an Internal Medicine provider at Honor Health Scottsdale. She came to Arizona in May 1994. After a 6 yr appointment in the department of Community Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, she became President of Sonoran Health Specialists, Inc., in February 2000 where she developed and crafted her expertise in Integrative Wellness and Anti-Aging medicine. Dr Underwood served on several boards and organizations including the Center for Women’s Health, Vibetree Foundation and Planned Parenthood. She is a contributing author for The African American Woman's Guide to Heart Health and is also active in several organizations including The Links, Inc.,The National Association of Professional Women and The American Association of Anti Aging Medicine. My lifelong interest in the medical field...

Kimberly McWaters, oil, 36x24", On Loan from the Collection of Mr. & Mrs. McWaters Kim McWaters Technical Institute – Chairman & CEO Kim McWaters is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Technical Institute Inc., the nation’s leading provider of training for students seeking careers as automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine and collision repair technicians.  McWaters was named Chief Executive Officer in 2003 and led UTI to a successful public offering. McWaters has been a member of the UTI Board for ten years and was named Chairman in 2013. She sits on the Penske Automotive Group Board, the nation’s second largest automotive retailer. In 2014, McWaters was appointed to the Mini Mobile Board, the leading storage company in the nation. She is an active member of the community with a passion for supporting women and children. McWaters has served on the Boards of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix and Fresh Start Women’s Foundation for more...

Portrait Of Beverly Damore , oil,  20 x 16" ,  On Loan from the Collection of Mr. & Mrs. Damore Beverly Butler Damore St. Mary's Food Bank - President & CEO Beverly Butler Damore is active in the community, serving as a member of the St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance Board of Directors for six years before joining the staff as Director of Community Relations and Marketing, later serving as Chief Operations Officer and now serving in her fourth year as President & CEO. She is a founding partner of the Phoenix-based corporate communications company Option II Advisors, which specializes in public relations, Web site orchestration, management consulting, community relations, fundraising, and event coordination. Previously, Ms. Damore worked for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and while there, was named co-Interim Chief Executive Officer while also serving as the organization's Chief Operating Officer. Beverly's community involvement began as a rep...

It has been over a year that I have been working on this show and finally this Friday is the opening. I will have five portraits of my chosen subjects and my self portrait, making a total of six from me. It's been quite a journey and I hope that any of you who are in the area will check it out. There will be approximately 55 portraits exhibited from a variety of artists, all original paintings.

Hay Rolls, oil, 5x7" $109 Sometimes, I don't realize how badly I have painted a piece until later. This is usually not only a piece that does not sell, but also one that starts to make me cringe whenever I look at it. I rarely destroy them, because I believe in trying to learn from my mistakes, and believe it or not, sometimes it takes me a while before I figure out what went wrong! Holding on to the dogs, at least for a while, keeps me humble, too. Eventually, the day comes when as a warm up, I decide to paint over the piece. Sometimes, I sand it down and do something totally different. Other times, I repaint and make the needed improvements to the original painting. Then, this time, I kept the theme, and even the location, but changed the view to something I like better. Here is the original painting: Both images are from an afternoon as the clouds were building in the heat. The first was as a storm was coming in and has more edge to it. The end result is a calme...

Thank you, Sara, for your permission to share this on my blog! Robert & Sara Genn Twice-Weekly Letter -- Insight and inspiration for your artistic career. My bad boyfriend Dear Artist, On last night's flight from New York, I read Amy Poehler's memoir, "Yes Please." An actress, writer, director and producer, Amy describes the distinction between that thing you do as an artist and your career as one. "Creativity is connected to passion -- that light inside that drives you." On the other hand your career, writes Amy, is simply a series of opportunities and jobs, and should be treated with some ambivalence. "Learn to let go of wanting it. Treat your career like a bad boyfriend." I'm pleased to report that I am the top earner of rejection letters amongst my peers. My early twenties were spent painting, writing impassioned cover letters and compiling slide packs for galleries of international repute. In theatre, this is called a "cold...

This free event is the annual celebration of the arts in the greater Verde Valley and runs from 10 am to 5 pm daily, April 24-26.  The tour provides thousands of visitors a  unique opportunity to meet the artists and see the studios in the greater Verde Valley. There will be over 50 artists participating, working in a variety of mediums, such as:  ceramics, painting, fiber, photography, jewelry, watercolors, and sculpture. This is a self-guided tour allowing visitors the opportunity to meet with artists in their daily  work spaces, ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the creative process. Please come out and see me, I am at studio #47. Maps and artist information is available on-line now at: http://sedonaartistscoalition.org/openstudios/osmap.html .  Printed maps and brochures will be available in a number of Sedona area businesses and hotels by mid-April.  If you  have further questions, you can contact Mike Upp at mjupp10@...

Swans , oil, 5x7", SOLD Thought I do the Daily Paintworks Challenge , today. I took the original morgue file photo and altered it considerably in Photoshop. I can view photos from a flash drive on my TV because it has an USB port. Then, I just work from the monitor and never have to print out my reference. This is my new way of working, if I need to work from a photo. I love it. My TV screen is a 43" and I can zoom in on a photo, too. Sometimes, I just love technology.

Backyard Trees, oil, 5x7",  Available These trees are in a neighbor's yard that I see from my studio window. I enjoy how the evening light dances upon them. It's the best of both worlds, when I can paint an outdoor scene from life, in the comfort of my studio.

Granny Smith , oil, 7x5", SOLD I try to eat an apple a day. Fuji apples are my favorite for eating. Crisp, juicy and sweet. I love the form and color of this granny, especially with the purple drape. I am going to slice her up and eat her on my salad...yum.

Heading Home , oil, 4.25 x 6.25",  Available The view along the side of the road as I am going to my studio.

Number 2 Cow , oil, 6x6",  Available I created this painting from a photo I took in CA. I think she is one of those 'California happy cows'. She sure looks happy enough chewing on that grass that I gave her! Available on Etsy

Orange Maine Coon Cat , oil, 7x5", Sold I love this kitty! I got his photo off of Paint My Photo.

Summer Breeze , oil, 8x6"  Available When I saw this lovely lady's photo I just thought of a summer breeze. I love the way the light plays on her face and the sweet expression of her face. I often listen to music when taking my morning walk, riding my bike or painting. Here's the tune: See the curtains hangin' in the window In the evenin' on a Friday night Little light is shinin' through the window Lets me know everything's alright Summer breeze, makes me feel fine Blowing through the jasmine in my mind Summer breeze, makes me feel fine Blowing through the jasmine in my mind See the paper layin' on the sidewalk A little music from the house next door So I walked on up to the doorstep Through the screen and across the floor Summer breeze, makes me feel fine Blowing through the jasmine in my mind Summer breeze, makes me feel fine Blowing through the jasmine in my mind Sweet days of summer, the jasmine's in bloom July is d...

Number 1 Cow , oil, 6x6", SOLD I have always been fascinated by cows. I used to love to pick tall grass and feed them through the fence as a child and even as an adult. This is my first closeup 'portrait' of a cow and I didn't notice until I was painting her that her tag read '1'. How apropos! She is also so beautiful, that she is number one in my book!

Red Tea Pot, Mug & Apple , oil, 6x8"  Available Thank you,  Jill Rae Martin-Golden for your comment on my cupcake #3 expressing interest in my three color palette for that painting. I replied that I can't really take credit for my palette as it was sort of based on Zorn's, comprised of Ivory Black, Cadmium Red Deep, and Yellow Ochre. Well, that got me to thinking. I have never really tried Anders Zorn's palette for a painting until today. It's pretty easy to focus on the values and play of cools vs warms. Forget about making intense colors, other than red. However, I found it to be a great exercise and I am glad to have done it and learned from it. Click on the link here to see an earlier version of the same subject that was painted with a full palette.

Lyssandra , oil, 14x11", available Today, was an 'All-Day Portrait Studio' at the Granite Reef Community Center sponsored by Portrait Artists of Arizona. Lyssandra was our beautiful young model and she is as sweet as she looks. It was hilarious how the men in the group went ga-ga over her and most were old enough to be her grandfather if not her great grandpa! Nothing inappropriate, as we all appreciate beauty, and had a great time getting together and painting.

Cupcake #3 , oil, 7x5",  $109 I used a limited palette of only three colors plus black and white. They are: titanium white, ivory black, azo yellow, utrecht red and alizarin crimson. The black mixed with white reads blue, and when the alizarin is added, it reads purple. This cupcake almost painted itself, it went so fast!

Water Lily , oil, 5x7", Sold This is from a photo I came across on Paint my Photo . It reminds me of going out in the rowboat to find and pick water lilies to bring home to my mom.

Cupcake #2 , oil, 7x5",  Available I don't know if painting cupcakes is a good idea for me. I almost convinced my husband to buy me some actual cupcakes for reference. I am not to be trusted! All kidding aside, cupcakes are not as easy as I thought they would be to paint. I think they are a great painting exercise for me, because I just focus on the shapes without any emotional attachment as I would have with a portrait or an animal.

Milk Break , oil, 5x7",  $109 I took the reference photos for this painting a few years ago when I lived in the farming community of Manchester, Michigan. It was spring and this little one was adorable!

Portrait of Suzy , oil, 10x8" SOLD   Please say a prayer for Suzy's owner as she is very ill.

This Little Piggy , oil 7x5"  SOLD I loved painting this porker! I used a photo from Paint my Photo . Cool site, cool pig!

Cupcake #1 , oil, 7x5",  Available This is my first painting of a cupcake. Many more to follow. It was fun, but not easy! I worked from a photograph because I dare not have any in the house, or they will be inside me.

Dawn Breaks Over Mt Shasta , oil, 5x7",  $109 I took the reference photos for this painting while on a trip up to Oregon over Thanksgiving week. It was a cold morning and the fog had lifted to this majestic scene.

White Maine Coon Cat, oil,  7x5"  Available I decided to participate in Leslie Saeta's " Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge ". I had fun painting this cat! I hope each and every piece I create will teach me something new.