One of the methods I use to visualize my Art is to take snapshots of my models and modify them on my computer. Since I’m not a photographer I only have a small point and shoot camera that I use to take photos in my garden or in my studio.

I took this snapshot of these orange tulips using natural light in my studio

I import these snapshots onto my computer and using Photoshop I delete the backgrounds, modify the colors and otherwise play around with the image. I print the images from my Epson printers onto matte cardstock papers.

Using Photoshop on my Mac, I play around with colors and composition

In this particular Art work, after making a completed tonal drawing which I discussed in my previous post, I traced the outline of the tulip onto 300lb hot press paper using a lightbox and a 2H pencil.

Then, using Winsor Newton watercolors, I put down my first layer of paint. Once dry I used my set of Prismacolor colored pencils to draw over the watercolor.

In this Mixed Media Art work I used colored pencil over watercolor

For some reason I find this process to be very relaxing and meditative for me. If I need some calmness in my life, I can go to my studio at any time and pick up right where I left off. No fuss, no muss, no bother.

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There are so many ways to create paintings. As an Artist who has been creating for over 35 years I have developed a variety of methods to arrive at my finished work. Sometimes it is interesting to get a peek behind the process, so here is one style I enjoy.

Snapshot of some Orange Tulips I used as the basis of this series of Art works

Since I’m not a photographer, I take snapshot of flowers I either buy or grow. I usually select them for color or just for form. I find myself attracted to large bold shapes rather than the more frilly inflorescences. I then decide what mediums I will work in and whether there will be one finished Art work in one or more mediums or whether the work will be part of a series.

I love creating tonal drawings so I often do a finished piece in graphite before I start a painting just because I like the feel of drawing. It also is a great way to work out values of highlights and shading.

Tonal drawing of a tulip. I use a pair of magnifying lenses which I hook onto my bifocals to help me see the details

If the work is part of a series, I need to imagine the size of each piece and the total overall impression I’m looking for. This ups the level of complexity considerably and actually makes for quite a nice challenge to my visual imagination and my technical consistency.

For a series of work I need to choose the size of each work and the size of the overall series.

I also need to create a composition that stands alone as well as works for the series.

I used my altered snapshots to help me come up with my composition in this series

My work must not only be accomplished to my own standards for each piece but it must be consistent across all the work. This can be tricky if you don’t create all the work during the same or close to the same period of time.

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If you want to see a truly joyful Art show go visit the Joseph Raffael show at the Nancy Hoffman Gallery at 520 West 27^th St in Chelsea New York. The show will be there until January 10, 2010. Go soon since you might like to go back a second time.

Blossoms and Sky by Joseph Raffael

Visiting this show brought such a burst of the voluptuous joy of color and passion to an otherwise gray day that I was compelled to share it with others.

Joseph Raffael douses himself in his watercolors. His colors flood and pool in the most controlled display of virtuosity I’ve ever seen in this medium. Though in this show his subject matter seems to be primarily flowers, his style is the antithesis of botanical illustration.

As a matter of fact, Elisabeth, my fellow Artist friend and I gallery hopped to this show on the heels of a visit to the ASBA (American Society of Botanical Artists) show at The Horticultural Society of NY. The contrast of two exquisite art forms, both employing watercolor and using flowers as subject, was astounding.

I made a video from some images I took at the show and posted it on YouTube in case you’d like to get an idea what to expect.

For an extra treat I would suggest visiting Joseph Raffael’s website and taking some time to view the meditative videos of him as he paints.

Take a moment to calm down and become immersed in the process of Art. It will make your day. It always does so for me.

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I have donated one of my Krinkled Peony Digital/Traditional Mixed Media Paintings to the Huntington Arts Council, annual silent auction fundraiser. This piece is a combination of Digital painting and Traditional Colored Pencils.

The finished mixed media painting is matted & finished in a 16×16″ natural wood color frame.

Bidding is underway at the Main Street Petite Gallery. Almost 50 artist members of the Huntington Arts Council have donated original work in oils, watercolor, photography, prints, diamond and topaz jewelry, silk and more. Bidding opportunities start at $25, and go until 6 p.m. on Friday, December 4.

This is a great chance to own an original piece of art or purchase one as a gift for a favorite relative or friend. Stop by the gallery at 213 Main Street in Huntington, two blocks east of New York Avenue, to see both the art and all the raffle items.

Poster for the L’Art Pour L’Art Silent Auction for the Huntington Arts Council

The proceeds support the exhibition programs of the Arts Council’s two galleries. Some of the wonderful raffle items are: a pair of subscription tickets for the Long Island Philharmonic; gift certificates for Besito, Honu, RED Restaurant and others; and theater and movie passes.

The gallery will be open for the duration of the auction Friday evenings until 8 p.m. and from 1 to 5 p.m. on the first three Saturdays of November. A “Rockin’ Sock Puppet Making Workshop” is on tap for kids ages 5 to 11 on Saturday, November 14 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Then on November 21 at 2 p.m., some of the donating artists will be at the gallery to talk about their work.

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L’Art pour L’Art a Silent Affair

Main Street Petite Gallery

Art Auction Fundraiser

213 Main St.

Huntington, NY 11743

Opens November 6, 2009 6pm

Meet the Artist – Sat. Nov 21st at 2pm

Auction closes – Friday Dec. 4th at 6pm

Original art from oils to watercolors to pastels to gold and diamond jewelry will be available for bidding starting Friday, Nov. 6 as the Huntington Arts Council’s “L’Art Pour L’Art” opens with a gala reception from 6 to 8 p.m.

The festivities take place at the Arts Council’s Main Street Petite Gallery, 213 Main St., Huntington. The silent auction fundraiser runs until 6 p.m. on December 4, providing the public an opportunity to “bring art to life” by taking home a stunning work of art.

Florence L. Dallari, assistant director of the Huntington Arts Council, stated, “The Huntington Arts Council is appreciative of all of the artists and businesses that support this fundraiser. An original piece of art can be yours for as low as $25 and you can purchase a raffle for just $5. We encourage the community to visit our gallery during this month-long event to enjoy one of the benefits of living in Huntington.”

The proceeds support the exhibition programs of the Arts Council’s two galleries. Along with more than 40 pieces of art, some of the raffle items are a pair of subscription tickets for the Long Island Philharmonic, gift certificates for Besito, Honu, RED Restaurant and others, as well as theater and movie passes.

The gallery will be open for the duration of the auction Friday evenings until 8 p.m. and from 1 to 5 p.m. on the first three Saturdays of November. A “Rockin’ Sock Puppet Making Workshop” is on tap for kids ages 5 to 11 on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Space for this project, where kids will make the puppets and put on their very own puppet shows, is limited, so call 631-271-8423 ext. 14 to make your reservations early. Then on Nov. 21 at 2 p.m., some of the donating artists will be at the gallery to talk about their work. More information is available at the Arts Council’s Web site, www.huntingtonarts.org, or by calling 631-271-8423.

Artists Supporters:

Mary Ahern, Irene Andreadis, Shain Bard, Charles Blake, Edith Rae Brown, Ethel Brown Camhi, Victoria Carlin, Joseph Constantino, Susanne Corbelletta, George D’Amato, Sandi Daniel, Sandro Diani, Lillian Dodson, Michael Fairchild, Jim Finlayson, Holly Gordon, William Grabowski, Jahn Guarino, Ed Hall, David Haussler, David Jaycox, Jr., Andrew Jiritano, Kate Kelly, Herb Knopp, Anita Lamb, Lisle, William Low, Diane Lundegaard, Edward McEvoy, Kevin W. McEvoy, Jane McGraw-Teubner, Rhoda Needlman, Cecil Pang. Jack Pierce, Vivian Pollack, Renee Reichert, Mara Sfara, Marie Sheehy-Walker, Joseph J. Stelmach, Donald Thiergard, Tonito Valderrama, Von Schmidt, Lois Walker, Stokely Webster, Barbara White, M. Ellen Winter, Elizabeth Yaar & more…….

Raffle Sponsors:

Besito, Bottles and Cases, Canterbury Ales, Cinema Arts Center, Ciro Spa, Honu Kitchen & Cocktail, Jacqueline-Fine Jewelry, John W. Engeman Theater, Jonathan’s Ristorante, L. I. Philharmonic, Mediterranean Snack Bar, Mundays, Northport Tasting Room & Wine Celler, Prime, Red, Theater Three, Universal Touch Massage

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Another Type of Canvas

Mary Ahern is an artist member of the Huntington Arts Council. Much of her art is inspired by her garden, a piece of art in its own right that is constantly changing. Her husband, Dave, often comments that her plants seem to be on wheels since Mary is constantly moving her plants from flowerbed to flowerbed. She uses the texture and color of the plants to create beautiful works of art in her garden.

In Northport NY the peonies bloom in June

Walking through Mary’s garden and listening to her speak about it reveals how much thought was put behind each and every placement. Mary uses her plants to create artwork just as she uses oil paint. Each plant has specific colors or textures that can be used to compliment or contrast the other plants it is put with. Certain beds of flowers are based on the color of those certain plants, i.e., mixing deep reds with frosted greens. Others are based on the texture of the plant, i.e. small leaves, low ground covering, etc.

However it doesn’t stop there. Each of these flowerbeds is incorporated into the garden as a whole and even the pathways that flow between each have been carefully laid out. The flowers that Ahern cultivates influence her artwork greatly. She likes to have samples of the subjects she is working on around her. “I’m not trying to duplicate what a camera can do. I’m interpreting in a realistic style how I see the subject.”

The Krinkled White is a single peony prized for its simplicity

When you step into Mary’s home and studio, it is as though the garden is continuing inside as well. Her art work adorns the walls and upstairs in the studio her love for the garden is transformed into pieces of art.

Mary was first introduced to gardening by her Uncle Teddy who was a gardener himself. “Every time we visited, I loved to help him in the garden and when I acquired my first plant at around the age of five, I made it very clear to everyone in my family that I was the only one allowed to care for it. Since I have always held a passion for the garden, it was only natural that it showed up in my artwork.”

Mary uses many different mediums to create her works of art. They include oils, watercolors, and digital painting. The amount of care and detail incorporated in each piece is absolutely astounding. She creates Digital Flower and Shell Paintings as well as  paintings using Traditional media.

Mary has been digitally designing for over 25 years now. She first started at Chyron Corporation, located in Melville, working in Sales and Marketing Positions. Later, Mary began her own graphic design company called Online Design which, at that time, was one of the few to be 100% digital.

Although Mary Ahern has been painting for over 30 years now, as a young child she never really became interested in the arts. Music was a large influence during her high school years: she was in the band and even conducted, which was rare for a women to do during that time.

It wasn’t until Mary was in her 20’s that she became interested in art, when one of her friends gave her a book about the work of the artist, Georgia O’Keeffe  This influenced her to take a class at the local Y and when she picked up the paintbrush she knew it was her calling. “The paintbrush seemed like an extension of my arm. Since then art has never been a hobby but a part of my life.” She went on from there and got a degree in Fine Arts from Queens College and has been creating ever since.

Four different background treatments of the Krinkled White Peony

For those interested in pursuing a career in the arts Mary’s advice is to develop business and marketing skills in addition to the skills you develop to create your Art.   The web and social networking sites make marketing available  to everyone. “Whether it’s a website, a blog and alsoTwitter, Facebook or a combination, it is important for potential buyers to see the artist behind the paintings because that also helps to sell your art.”

She believes that a career in the arts is a very tough “glamour” business and you must have entrepreneurial skills as well as lots of determination to be successful. Mary Ahern also states that there are not many things more rewarding then to have someone who has purchased one of her Fine Art pieces tell her how much pleasure they have received every day from seeing her work hanging in their home  It makes her smile.

• To see some of her beautiful artwork, head over to her website,

http://MaryAhernArtist.com.

• Visit her Garden at her blog

The Garden Artist – My Garden, My Art, Where Passions Merge

http://MaryAhernArtist.com/garden-blog/

• View behind the scenes of an Artist on her Art Blog

Art Naturally – Musings Of My Life As An Artist

http://MaryAhernArtist.com/art-blog/

• Mary’s step-daughter Sharon Ruedeman made a video about her garden which you can view on YouTube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJTAh3dBrps

This article was derived from an interview with Mary Ahern, The Garden-Artist by Diane Brown and produced by Dianne Matus of the Huntington Arts Council.

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Great Cow Harbor Day is celebrated each year in the picturesque town of Northport, Long Island, NY.

The parade begins at noon on Sunday, September 27, 2009 and the day of festivities continues through 5pm.

I have just received my booth assignment.

Find me at Booth # 8 in the same location as last year, on the path closest to the harbor. That’s easy.

My booth will be located in the same position as last year’s Great Cow Harbor Day overlooking the harbor.

I will be showing and selling my Botanical Fine Art Digital Paintings. My Art is inspired by my gardens, so drop by and talk to me about your gardens and all the success you’ve had this year since we had so much rain.

Stroll along the beautiful Northport Harbor and enjoy the full day of family fun activities

I found this explanation of Cow Harbor Day in Wikipedia:

Cow Harbor Day is an annual festival celebrating the history of the village of Northport, New York, which was once known as Great Cow Harbor. It is held annually on the Sunday of the third full weekend in September, always following the Great Cow Harbor 10K held on the Saturday before.

Cow Harbor Day draws thousand of visitors to Northport each September. Events kick off with a parade down Main Street, featuring floats, the areas best high school marching bands, antique cars and a temporary resurrection of the trolley that was once commonplace along this route. Bovine related costumes and floats are also a common theme. Celebrations are held at Northport Memorial Park at the harbor’s edge with live music, boat races, and other attractions. For the past two years, the parade has been led by the US Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary Band from the local Ft. Salonga, NY Flotilla. Each year an appearance is made by the Regimental Band of the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY and Northport High School Marching Band and flag team.

Since 1977, there has also been a popular 10 kilometer footrace, the Great Cow Harbor 10K, which always takes place the day before Cow Harbor Day. The New York Road Runners Club considers the race an important run-up to the annual New York City Marathon, and practicing runners can be seen charging up the local hills starting in August.

As a side note, my husband Dave is running in the Great Cow Harbor 10K the day before the show. I sure hope he’s recovered enough to help me set up the booth!

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The historic use of limiting editions of prints was during a time when prints were made from art carved or drawn onto stone, wood or other surfaces that degraded with use. As more impressions were made the surface wore out and the image became less crisp. Limiting the quantity of the printing run helped to control the quality of the print and of course the value.

Digital printing does not suffer from this problem since there is no degradation in resolution, or crispness, from one print to the next. In fact, what can happen as technology evolves and equipment gets better and faster, later prints may be of higher quality then original prints made years earlier in the cycle.

New Technology Offers New Forms of Creativity

So how do I offer my customers a solution to their desire for a unique piece of my Art rather then the Open Edition pieces I generally offer?

Custom Art Work Created Just For You

Custom Editions brings my customers into a collaborative effort in the artistic process of helping me to create a unique Art Work specific for their home or office design ideas.

Here’s how:

You select a piece of Art from my array of Standard Digital or Traditional Paintings.

1. I can print your selection on different surfaces like Fine Arts Paper or Canvas.
2. I can put different finishes on each canvas print, i.e. Matte, Semi-Gloss or Gloss.
3. My standard work is designed in a 3×4 aspect ratio, i.e. the height to width relationship. I can customize the composition to fulfill specific sizing.
4. I can print at any size that would work for the space you have in mind. Super-size up to 64 inches and mini-sizes for grouping.
5. I can customize the colors, most particularly, the backgrounds, to suit your design ideas.
6. I can combine traditional paint with your digital print to make a truly one-of-a-kind Art Work.
7. I can customize framing or do away with framing altogether using the Gallery Wrapped canvas style.

If you can think of it I can probably do it.

Let’s get started on your Custom Editions collaboration. Visit my website for additional information.

Call me, Mary Ahern at 631-757-9459

Or email me at mary@MaryAhernArtist.com

Let’s make Art together!

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I have pledged to donate 20% of the sales of my Digital Paintings, “Bleeding Heart”, and “Kansas Peonies”, to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization supporting breast cancer research.

Why I am making this offer.

First of all, I have too many girlfriends who have been affected by this disease.

Secondly, as I traveled to various states doing Fine Arts Festivals, I realized that an unusual number of women were buying these pretty pink flower prints for themselves, their sisters, mothers or girlfriends.

“Bleeding Heart” – Designer Print – 8×10 or 11×14

During conversations with these women, I began to be aware of how many of my Pink Botanical Prints were being given as gifts to women struggling with Breast Cancer.

I decided to do something about it.

So I’m donating 20% of the Sale of these two Flower Prints to Susan G. Korman For the Cure.

Designer Print Pricing

8×10 Designer Print – $29.95
11×14 Designer Print – $54.95.

Quantity pricing is available.

“Kansas Peonies” Designer Prints 8×10 or 11×14. Larger sizes available.

These Kansas Peonies are available in larger sizes, framed and unframed and with custom color backgrounds.

Email me for pricing information for the larger pieces.

20% of the Price of any size of these Digital Paintings will be donated to Susan G. Korman For the Cure.

One woman came to tell me that she had bought a large framed Kansas Peony piece from me previously and that she had hung it opposite her bed so it would be the first thing she saw each  morning. I was so moved by this. I was proud to be part of her struggle.

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Sales are processed securely on my website by PayPal. Click here to view.

If you prefer to order from me directly please feel free to call me at: 631-757-9459. I accept MasterCard & Visa by phone. For security purposes do not send me your credit card information by email.

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Today was the second and last day of the 37th Annual Greater Westhampton Chamber of Commerce Mary O. Fritchie Outdoor Juried Art Show

The overcast weather encouraged many customers not to go to the beach but to come out and enjoy purchasing Art

The weather took quite a change from yesterday’s very sunny and overly hot and humid conditions. The humidity stayed but the sun and extreme heat disappeared.

The show opened officially at 10am and was very busy for quite a few hours. People were in a buoyant and buying mood, which was very nice to see. The current economic environment is still oppressive but many folks seemed to be carrying home their treasured purchases, large and small.

Behind the scenes is my husband Dave prepping additional Designer Prints for sale

I enjoyed so much seeing customer/friends who stopped by to catch up on life. Some of these collectors began buying work from me when I was showing my traditional Botanical mixed media paintings at Art Shows and Festivals. That was quite some years ago. I love hearing that they’re still enjoying seeing my Art hanging in their homes!

About 3:30 while standing talking to visitors, I could feel the weather abruptly change. Apparently so did many others since there was a slow but steady departure of customers over the course of the next half hour. After checking by phone with various friends living around Long Island, we knew a storm was coming through.

The weather changed and you could feel rain coming even before the drizzle started

I made the decision to break down an hour earlier than the official end of the show. Good thing we did. My husband Dave and I have the set-up and take down very well coordinated and we packaged the Art, the furniture and the tent very quickly. We completed the dissembling and loading of the trailer in an hour and a half. By the time all was loaded into the trailer and I was sitting in the truck starting the engine, the rain came down in full force.

We knew the storm was coming and the customers weren’t so we packed our things and left.

We were both soaked but the Art wasn’t. We drove towards home through torrential rain and pulled safely into our flooded driveway. The storm was traveling from west to east so as we got closer to home the rain had begun to subside. By the time we showered and changed, the sun was out again. We went to eat at a restaurant with an outdoor terrace and celebrated another great Art Show.

Life is sweet!

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