Art by Mary Rochelle Burnham

Three Little Tomatoes Sitting in a Tray , Oil, 5x7", SOLD I really, really like what I did with this painting. OK, first came the influence from the Carol Marine workshop. I don't think I would of thought to do a still life from a bird's eye view. But more importantly, what I garnered was how the shapes and angles make an interesting design, rather than painting the objects for themselves. I love how the diagonals lend motion, the strong light and shadows add drama, as well as, the intense reds playing off the cool blues of the shadows. The hard linear qualities of the tray in juxtaposition to the organic shapes of the tomatoes also add contrast and excitement.

Gracias Rosa , Oil, 7x5" SOLD On Valentine's Day, my sweet husband took me to Casa Bonita for lunch. Upon leaving, I was given this red rose from the staff to take as a 'thank you' for our patronage. I took it home to my studio and here is the result!

Stand Out, Oil, 6x8",  Available I love color. I started this painting on the last day of the Carol Marine workshop in Aurora, IL last December. I just had a sketchy underpainting going, when I petered out. It was a fantastic and intensive five days. I wasn't sure if I was going to finish it, but I liked the concept and I had taken photos. You may even notice that these are the same flowers as in 'Something Borrowed, Something Blue'. So, here is the finished product and I love it!

Shadow Play , Oil, 6x8", available I did not think of bananas as difficult to paint. Even though these went quickly, they took sometime before they came together. Funny how expectations can play with your mind. I ended up loving the outcome despite it looking like a jumbled mess for the first half.

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.

Apple with Cup & Saucer, Oil, 7x5, available I set up this arrangement after our lesson on composition at Carol Marine's workshop . I borrowed the cup from  Cathe Hedgespeth of Henderson, KY. She is a sweetheart. I worked at the same table as her each day. I borrowed the background papers from Trish Lyons of Louisville, KY, who also shared my table. Trish is a wonderful gal, too, and I was happy to loan objects along with everyone else. We had a fantastic group of people, which included two great guys!

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?

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

Shhh, I Hear The Light , Acrylic on panel, 12 x 9" SOLD I've had a terrifically busy few weeks since my last post. I taught a two day Portrait Workshop Boot Camp, that was fabulous. Just a great bunch of students and a couple of terrific models. I did a two day outside event of my fine art, that unfortunately, the weather did not co-operate and I had to pull out early due to high winds. I have been teaching my acrylic, pastel and portrait classes and several commissions and caricature jobs that came my way took up my time. T he Whole Cat and Kaboodle Challenge  was  posted by  Dreama Tolle Perry  on  Saturday May 14, 2011. I got around to it this morning. Originally, I intended to do it in oil, but got sidetracked when I decided to use acrylic to cover and tone a panel that I had used to demo in one of my acrylic classes. My husband, Rich, provided the title. I hope to do a version in oil, if I can spare the time.

Pulse of New York , Color pencil on paper, 7 x 5" SOLD Yet, another Daily Paintworks Challenge! I love doing figures, and I have already done an oil painting on this theme, All A Twitter . Many of you have commented on the use of my color on the DPW site. I love color, it is music for my eyes! New York is pretty drab, but definitely an exciting place. Color is what excites me and is a good metaphor for the sounds, smells and intensity of the city as well as the look in this woman's posture and face. Here is my second version in acrylic: Pulse of New York 2 , Acrylic on panel, 7 x 5" SOLD I haven't worked in acrylic lately, other than demonstrating for my students. Thought I'd give in a whirl! I used a limited palette and like the subtle difference in the color scheme.

Elvis Is In The House , Oil on panel, 5 x 7",  a vailable Last year while visiting some friends, I took photos of their chickens. I figured that one day I'd get around to painting chickens because they look cool and taste great! Well, as you can see, our friend had some rather plain, drab hens and then this magnificent bird. I don't know what breed this is, but he really reminds me of 70's Elvis, in his white jumpsuit, a bit bloated and really strutting his stuff! Those chicks are his adoring fans.

The Road Less Traveled , Oil on RayMar panel, 5 x 7" SOLD This is the companion piece to Headed Toward the Light. This was actually toward the beginning of our hike and in near proximity to my pastel painting, 'Around The Bend'. As you can see, we were still on relatively level ground. When I paint these little pieces, or even gaze at them, they take me back to being there. But, most of all, walking hand in hand with my best friend, my heart, my husband.

Brian , Oil, 14 x 11" This was the second time that Brian modeled for us. He is a student from a nearby college. A handsome young man and an enjoyable model to paint!

The Long and Winding Road ,  water soluble color pencil, 2.5 x 3.5" SOLD T his is my second submission for the German Landscape Challenge, hosted by Carol Marine and Daily Paintworks. When I am painting, I feel as if I'm at the movies. With every stroke, I become a part of the scene, enjoying all the sights and sounds. I am the director and I like happy endings!

The Long Road Home , water soluble color pencil, 2.5 x 3.5"   available This is my submission for the German Landscape Challenge , hosted by Carol Marine and Daily Paintworks. I have never been to Germany, but my objective with all my paintings is to express myself with color and mood. I know what the light looks like and how the air feels on a day such as this. I hope you feel the breeze in your hair and the warmth of the sun on your skin, as you remember walking the long road back home.

Red Pepper ,  water soluble color pencil, 3.5 x 2.5"   available I love to garden and to cook, and the red pepper is a vegetable that I also love to paint as well as eat! It has wonderful color and shape. Notice the subtle reflection on the surface that it sat on. All in all, a tasty treat!

Dominique , Oil, 14 x 11", available Wednesday was our portrait session in Tecumseh, and Dominique was our wonderful model. I spent about two hours minus breaks on this study. Dominique was a very energetic girl and this was her first time modeling. The arm resting on her head was her idea and although a difficult pose for her and for us, everyone did a fantastic job! I took some good photos and perhaps will develop this into a more finished piece.

Red Rose ,water soluble color pencil, 3.5 x 2.5", available Red Rose is an original 2.5 x 3.5” (ACEO) painting. It was painted with professional grade water soluble colored pencil on UART sandpaper and comes protected in a clear polypropylene resealable card sleeve. This one of a kind miniature painting is initialed on the front and signed on the back by the artist along with the title. It is unframed. Photo of framed art is for illustrative purposes only. Illustrative purposes only This little gem was originally painted for the ‘A Valentine’s Day Rose Challenge’ on the Daily Paintworks site. This particular challenge was hosted by Qiang Huang. The rose is my favorite flower, its scent as pleasing as its beauty.