Art by Mary Rochelle Burnham

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.

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.

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.

Desert Rain At Sunset, 8x10" , oil, $249 Oh my, I have been having a good ol' time. I have been so busy with hiking, biking, off roading and yes, painting! I have lost a ton of weight, had to replace my wardrobe 3 or 4 times and now I am ready to start anew! So, I apologize for neglecting my blog, but I promise to start posting my work from the last few months and new stuff as it comes along. Here is my hubby with my off road jeep to hit the trails with for plein air and fun with my guy: This is a trail in Sedona that the jeep tours take. It's only accessible with something that can climb rocks. Rich is teaching me to do just that. Whoa, is that a rush! Here's me from the same day:

Oak Creek , oil, 6x8",  a vailable I set up my gear on shore and had this far off view from me, where the creek took a bend. I liked that it was distant enough that I wouldn't get caught up in details. It was a most pleasant day and although I had a couple of minor mishaps when the wind picked up before I could get my umbrella down, it was still a most enjoyable experience. I did this study in about two hours on sight.

Headed for the Light , Oil on RayMar panel, 6x6", SOLD My entry into this week's Daily Paintworks "the Bright Path Challenge".

Struck by Heaven's Light , oil, 18x24" available Some friends of ours took us on the Verde Canyon Railroad  where I took hundreds of photos. It was threatening to rain during most of the trip , but gave us dramatic sky and light. I hope to do a series of paintings, including some plein air. Do take this train ride if you are ever in the area...you will not be disappointed.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Started From Seed, Acrylic, 6x6", SOLD This is a  Daily Paintworks Challenge  posted by   James Coulter . The directions are as follows: For this challenge you'll have to go outside (yes, even if it's hot). Choose some flowers on the ground and stand from one to six feet away from them. Use only these colors: Ultra Blue, Cad Yellow Med (or Lt), Cad Rd Lt and white. Limit your painting time to one hour (don't cheat!). Using only three brush sizes (large, med and small) start with a large brush and cover the canvas with thin paint (not runny), getting most of the large, dark areas blocked in. Then work dark to light, thin to thick. Have a focal point with darker darks, lighter lights, more intense color, thicker paint and fewer sharper edges. The rest of the painting should support that area with less visual energy (softer edges, less intense colors, less contrast). Use the smallest brush only at the end and in the focal area only (last 15 minutes). Use a value ...

Into the Woods , Pastel, 19x14" SOLD This is a scene from my office window of the path that my husband mows for easy access into the woods. It tickles me to watch turkeys strut down this path or the deer promenade from out of the woods. I painted this primarily plein air and did some touch up from photo reference in my studio. Fall Splendor , Acrylic, 10x8" SOLD "All good things come to those that wait". Had this little piece in our local Manchester gallery, The Wild Acorn, for what seemed forever. I got the call today while in my Open Figure Studio in Tecumseh, that my piece had sold. This scene is from one of my husband and mine's many forays into northern Michigan. Linda , Oil, 12x9" SOLD Linda was our model today at Open Figure Studio. She is fantastic and doesn't move a bit. At break time she  once again becomes her usual bubbly personality! Linda is a wonderful artist in her own right and I am proud to say that she has been one of...