Art by Mary Rochelle Burnham

Spanish Rose, 16x12", oil, available I took fourth place for my entry of "Spanish Rose" last Friday's opening at the University Club. I was very surprised as the competition was stiff. So many great pieces! So, if you have the chance, come out and see the show. It runs through April 22nd. Location: The University Club of Phoenix 39 Monte Vista Road Phoenix, Arizona 85004 Exhibition hours: Monday – Friday 9-11 AM and 2-4 PM

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.

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.

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.

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...

Portrait of a Young Lady , watercolor, 14x10" available I am pleased to announce that I will be giving a two day portrait workshop in Jackson, MI, June 5-6. Please click here to download the flyer.

Light of Hope , oil, 36x24" Sold I received notice that this painting and two others were accepted into the Portrait Artists of Arizona 3rd Annual Members Juried Fine Art Portrait Exhibition and Sale . There are some excellent artists in the group, including many professionals. I am honored to be included! If this painting looks familiar, my earlier blog post of "Sheer Light of Hope" is the pastel study for this piece. Ironically, it did not make it into the Arizona Pastel Artists Association  Spring 2013 Juried Show, however three other pieces did. I am very proud and honored.

Bust of Benjamin Franklin , oil, 7x5" SOLD Jean-Antoine Houdon French, 1741-1828 Tinted plaster after 1778 Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, OH Benjamin Franklin (1705-1790) went to Europe in 1776 to negotiate a treaty of alliance between France and the United States, and remained as the new nation's Minister to France until 1785. Through their fraternal and social activities, he became acquainted with the sculptor Houdon, who recorded in this portrait the statesman's thinning hair, sagging chin, and expression of wisdom and humor. Eight years later, on Franklin's recommendation, Houdon came to the United States to model a sculpture of George Washington.

Chapeau , Oil, 12x16" It feels good to work from a live model again. Yesterday, I joined the Portrait Artists of Arizona . I drove two hours to get there, but it was well worth it. We had a very lovely model and she was quite pleased with the likeness. I experimented with painting loosely and getting a heavier application of paint. As a follow up to  Fallen Firefighter , my January 5th blog, here is a photo from the Pensacola News Journal  (click to read the full story): Tony Giberson/tgiberson@pnj.com Velma Jones, center, the mother of Maurice Bartholemew, gets a better look at her son's portrait during the dedication of the new downtown library Friday morning while her grandchildren, Maurice's kids, Caleb, left, and Tiffany Bartholemew look on. A special wing of the library is dedicated in memory of Maurice Bartholemew.

Marvin Maurice Bartholomew , Oil, 30x24" SOLD I was honored to have been selected to paint a portrait of this young man who died tragically while fighting a house fire, November 25, 2000. The City Council of Pensacola, FL named the new wing of the Downtown Library in honor of Marvin Maurice Bartholomew and have a prominent location within the atrium, where his portrait will reside, designated for a First Responders Memorial honoring all fallen Firefighters and Police Officers. The Ribbon Cutting Firefighter Memorial Dedication Reception will be held this Friday at 10:00 AM at 239 North Spring Street. The public is welcome.

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.

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...

Eldon , Oil, 14x11", SOLD I had the honor of doing a portrait demo for a small group of artists down in Casa Grande, AZ last week. Eldon was the willing subject and he did a wonderful job of modeling. This was a quick two hour sketch with a few short breaks. Here is a portion of the thank you note I received: "Just wanted to thank you again for the workshop you did for our Art Class here at Las Colinas.  Everyone including our instructor Cathy expressed how much they learned from you.  I have been asked several times to bring out the portrait you did so that they could examine it more closely.  After seeing it, other folks have now expressed interest in checking out our class on Thursdays.  Anyway, thanks again." 

Her Gaze, Oil, 10 x 8", available Adrienne is a petite young woman with the most compelling gaze. The shadows are painted very thin and the light values, especially in the face, are impasto. My intent was to show some interesting brush work in this 2.5 hour sketch from life.

Her Highness Holds Court , Oil, 7x5",  a vailable The Daily Paintworks Challenge is to paint man's best friend and his/her favorite things. This is Sasha and she looks so regal that she could be Queen!

Marjorie, Oil, 14x11", SOLD Marjorie had sat for us, again, and I did the usual oil sketch. I liked it, but it had a couple of issues that I decided I'd address at home. I bring a camera with me to the sessions and take a few photos of the models as reference. I rarely go back and alter a piece at home, as I either like what I did or I don't. Those I don't, I will use to paint over with something or someone else. Marjorie is special. She is someone that I admire, consider a friend and feel a special bond with her. I hope that my portrait of her shows the respect I feel for her.

Lost in Thought , Oil on Panel, 12x9"   SOLD Heather was our model at Open Figure Studio. I was quite pleased with the outcome from the dramatic backlighting. I was working on a fairly dark toned panel. This piece just flowed without much pressure. I am not sure who was lost in thought more, myself or the model?

Marjorie , Oil, 12 x 9" SOLD Marjorie was our wonderful model, yesterday. I was so happy with her choice of the red top as it reflected plenty of warmth into her skin. The walls of the art center are a very cool white and yesterday was overcast, adding additional coolness. Everyone kind of got a late start, so with breaks, I painted this in about two hours. Doesn't seem to matter how early I get there, time just seems to get the better of me. The upside is that I don't seem to be over thinking my approach. I had a warm reddish brown tone on this board and it seemed to really help to paint the portrait quickly. You can see it particularly in the blouse.

Sedona Bound , Oil, 11 x 14" SOLD I love this guy! He's so funny, talented, easy going. He kind of has a bit of a nut job for a wife, but hey, nobody's perfect. Rich was our model yesterday at our Open Figure Session. I have painted him a time or two and every time I do, I think I get a little better at it. I love the far away look in his eyes and the shadow on the wall. The unfinished shirt with the red underneath, seems to point the viewer straight to the face while giving a nice texture. What do you think?

Portrait of an Artist,  Carbon Pencil, 14x11" Dick is a fellow artist and member of the Jackson Civic Art Association. You can see a gorgeous piece of his pen & ink art, "Sudden Encounter", on the JCAA website . It is always a pleasure to have Dick as a model, as he has so much character, both as a model and a person. I have used him many times in my workshops and classes. Here is a quick computer sketch that I did of him a few months ago: Dick Stanton, Painter IX  And, on a similar note, here is a quickie pencil sketch that I did while sitting at my computer, from a Google image of Drew Barrymore awhile back: Drew, Pencil, 4.5x4.5 Something about the act of drawing that I find both soothing and stimulating. Sounds a bit like an oxymoron, but I feel so relaxed while drawing and totaling engaged, simultaneously. How about you?