Art by Mary Rochelle Burnham

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.

Spring Creek , pastel, 9x12" SOLD Yesterday, after taking a walk, I couldn't help but go home, get my gear and go back and set up to capture this view. I spent two hours on site and then came home and finished.

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.

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

Broken Angel , 10x8 on linen paper,  Available This little broken angel is part of a roadside memorial that brought tears to my eyes when I came upon it. It is decorated with beads and plastic flowers and the area is strewn with the rubble of decaying remembrance of things past. It seems to embody the dashed hopes and dreams of loved ones tragically lost. The original pencil study has been sold.

Woman Bathing , acrylic, 10x8" SOLD I gave all of my heavy body acrylic paints to a good friend who is making wonderful art with them. I kept only my Golden fluid acrylics that I mostly use thin and transparent like watercolor. This is for a DPW Challenge and I enjoyed doing this piece.

Still Life with Squash, Lemon and Bottle , oil, 10x8 available  I am very happy with this low key painting. Capturing the light was my goal. I just finished the painting this afternoon and the background is picking up some glare.

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.

Evening Falls On General Williams , watercolor, 8x10" available My favorite statue at Belle Isle, Detroit, MI is of Major Gen. Alpheus Starkey Williams as he sits atop his horse, checking a map as his steed bows his head. Williams, a Detroiter, was a congressman, a judge, a lawyer, a postmaster, a newspaper publisher and a failed gubernatorial candidate, and was appointed a Brigadier General for the Union Army in the Civil War.

Sheer Light of Hope , pastel, 22x16", SOLD I am proud of the way this turned out.

Path To Fay Canyon, 6x8", oil, SOLD I recently went out with a "meetup" group to Fay Canyon for plein air painting in the Sedona and Verde Valley area that was organized by Michael Chesley Johnson . This is the painting I worked on outside and completed in the studio.

Path to Oak Creek , oil, 12x16" SOLD I recently went out with a "meetup" group for plein air painting in the Sedona and Verde Valley area that was organized by Michael Chesley Johnson . I will be taking a Plein Air Essentials class from him later this month. This painting was inspired by his demonstration of "Sycamore Shadows" at the Sedona Arts Center .

Red Tea Pot , Oil, 11x14" My gift to myself this year, is to immerse myself in as much learning as I can absorb. I am currently studying with Gretchen Lopez , a marvelous artist. Very sweet and generous.

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.

Venus Nebula , 10x8", digital art print, available This week' Daily PaintWorks Challenge is as follows: The Something New Challenge , posted by Carol Marine on Saturday Jan 5, 2013 I challenge you to do something new for the new year. It can be anything - just as long as you've never done it before: a new medium, a new subject, a completely different style, etc. Stretch yourself. Get uncomfortable. If you don't like the result, try it again... I challenged myself to create something out of my mind, using no reference. That is something that I just don't do...and now I have and it felt pretty good. It's even scarier to post it and (quite literally) show the world. I'll survive and hopefully try it again and again.

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.

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 colors with yellow

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.