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.

Red Pepper Salute , Oil, 5x7" SOLD This is my first painting in my new studio with my new shadow box. I want to thank Carol Marine for providing the detailed instructions to make it, and my dear hubby, Rich, for building it. By the way, my pepper was delicious on my salad and in my spaghetti sauce!

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." 

Touched by the Spirit , Oil, 6 x 8" "Apple symbolizes wisdom, because in the Bible, it is the fruit of the tree "that gives the knowledge of what is good and what is evil"1(Genesis 2:9), which Adam and Eve are forbidden to eat. God had said "You may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden, except the tree that gives the knowledge of what is good and what is evil..."2(Genesis 2:16-17). Nevertheless, being tempted by the evil serpent, Adam and Eve eat the apple. After they consume the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve "[are] given understanding"3(Genesis 3:7), and are thrown from paradise, the Garden of Eden. Therefore, the apple may also symbolize the beginning of an exile, or suffering." --Dominique Mao