I'm participating in another 100 Day Challenge. This year I'm doing 100 days of making landscape art. Landscapes are something I've never done, but always admired; especially the loose and somewhat abstract style. So this will be a place to experiment and learn, with the help of some online classes via YouTube and Kara Bullock Art School. In years past I've done 100 Days of Flowers and 100 Days of Painting People. It's a great way to gain focus and learn new techniques.  

This year, I'm going to be a bit less rigid about my 100 days - they will not be consecutive. In the past I felt some unnecessary pressure to create each and every day and that turned out to be not so fun. This should be fun! There will be days where I paint people instead of landscapes, or days where I don't paint at all! So, check back here for the progress!

Also, contact me for additional information.

It's been a while since I posted here.  Mostly I share work on Instagram - @mmconner23 and subsequently Facebook.  And I've been making art. 

​In mid-January of 2021 I decided to learn how to draw people.  So I started a 100 Day Project.  I got a few days into that project and realized that I had no idea what I was doing.  So in an effort to really commit and figure this thing out, I signed up for a year-long online course in painting/drawing people.  The course, called Let's Face It 2021, is hosted online by Kara Bullock Art School and offers a lesson each week by a different instructor.  My ability to draw faces has grown in leaps and bounds.  I've been immersed in creativity in a way that I've never experienced.  My 100 Day Project ended, well... 100 days later, and I just kept going.  I found true joy in challenging myself to do something I didn't really think I could do. 
​
Now I'm trying to learn how to create a video of all 100 Days to show this growth.  I think I figured it out and shared it above.  The other thing I'm trying to re-learn is setting up a shop on my website.  I think I figured that out as well, but please go check it out and let me know if something looks amiss!

I chose some of my best work to sell in my shop (Original Art) and prints and other fun products can be found on my Fine Art America site.  

Also, I'm collecting emails from people who might want to keep in touch, just in case I decide to leave social media.  To quote my mom: "I'm not there yet." but you never know.  I won't do anything weird with your email, I'll just use it to let you know about updates.  Mostly I love creating, mostly I don't love selling, but if you see something that interests you, or I can answer a question, feel free to reach out. 

Have a wonderful holiday season. I hope you are healthy and happily surrounded by loved ones.

Mary

I'm so on fire creating new work for this holiday sale.  I've never done this with my artwork before - years ago I did a one-day boutique at a local church for my handmade scarves.  I remember that experience as exhilarating and exhausting (and I may or may not have said I'd never do it again).  But here I am -- doing it again. 
 
This time I'll be showing my original paintings as well as some handcrafted items such as cards, ornaments and zippered pouches (fabric made using my original art).  There’s variety in my prices, ranging from $3 to $225.  We’ll see what appeals to the shoppers.
 
The process of preparing for this event has been pretty intense.  I’m busily making items as well as figuring out how to price them, and display them.   Luckily, I take art classes with a bunch of experienced artists (fellow students and teachers) who do these types of shows fairly regularly.  They all have great advice.  And many of them will be participating in this show, so that’ll be fun.
 
I’m most excited to see my work displayed all in one place. I don’t usually hang all of my art in my house, so when I pulled pieces out of their storage (under the bed) it was like greeting an old friend.  And then telling that old friend she needed a little makeover.  So some paintings got a little extra love.  It’s also a great reminder of how far I’ve come since I started painting a few years ago.  I’m definitely developing a style, and am open to trying new techniques and moving forward.
 
It’s going to be a fun weekend and I’ll definitely write about the experience after it’s over.  Now, back to making. 

-Mary

About the 2019 Handcrafted Holiday Sale

Shop for everyone on your list at the Handcrafted Holiday Sale at Center for Community Arts. The sale brings together handmade ceramics, glass, jewelry, fiber arts, photography, prints, and much more – all by Community Arts teaching artists and students.  The first 50 shoppers on each day will receive a free tote bag!

Join us for an opening reception on Friday, December 6 as we kick off our Holiday Sale with an evening of drinks, appetizers, craft-making and entertainment!

Location:
Shadelands Art Center
111 N. Wiget Lane
Walnut Creek, CA 94598

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2019, 5:00 to 8:00PM
Opening Reception, Appetizers, Wine & Beer Tastings, Live Entertainment and Shopping 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2019,  10:00AM to 5:00PM
Shopping, Snacks and Festive Crafts

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019, 10:00AM to 4:00PM
Shopping, Snacks and Festive Crafts

Nearly once a week I attempt to copy (I use that term very loosely) an artist I admire.  Some weeks it's a master, some weeks it's an artist I follow on Instagram (@mmconner23).  I usually work in my art journal or on heavy paper, and I rarely share my copycat work.  It's just for me. I look at it as research, or reverse engineering. How did this artist create that effect? How did they make that color?  I always learn from my copycat days.

Last week I copied a famous painting by Gustav Klimt (Adele Bloch-Bauer with her lovely long neck and golden dress) and it got me thinking about details.  I love the details in Klimt's work.  So I gathered the details I love, those swishes, and swirls, and flowing lines and dots, and gold!  You can't forget Klimt's gold!  I combined those with the newest technique I love (layers of matte medium and watercolor paint; something I learned in Carla Sonheim's online course 2019: Year of the Collage) and my love of swimming and along came my latest swimming series: Swim Flow.  I started very small 4 x 6" and by the time I completed number four, I was working at 11 x 14".  I could see going bigger, of course.  Maybe when the weather warms up and I can paint outside.  I also see that I'm only painting swimmin' women, and maybe it's time for a guy.  We'll see. 

Head on over to my Original Art shop and see what's new. Thank you for all the great response to my February Flowers project, there are a few of those originals available too!  If you see something that is "sold out" let me know, maybe we can work on a commission together.  Comment below or send me a message if you have any questions!

Mary

I took the Instagram challenge #29FebruaryFlowers last month - create floral artwork every single day.  I've never done anything quite like that! At first I thought, no biggie, I can draw a flower or two every day.  Yea, it turned out to be quite the challenge!  I really got into it, trying a variety of techniques I'm learning through my online and in-person classes.  Of course, there were a few days that the flowers only got a passing effort - see my daughter's water polo ball.  But for the most part, I put a lot of effort into my daily art practice.

I'm very proud of my work and enjoyed seeing my art change and develop (for the better, most of the time) through the month.  Sharing my flowers every day on Instagram - @mmconner23 and with my friends on Facebook was very rewarding. I had quite a few cheerleaders - thank you!  Both communities have such great art groups and I loved seeing other artists' daily blooms.  

Now that it's March, I'm thinking of developing some of those daily creations into larger canvases.  I'm also ready to make different art (maybe something aquatic, getting ready for summer swim season).  For those who requested, I've put quite a few of my February Flowers in my shop.  You won't find the water polo ball there though. I'd get in trouble for selling that!

Happy March to you all. Enjoy my flowers (and check out #28FebruraryFlowers on Instagram) and know that Spring is just around the corner!

- Mary

I answered a call for entries from the City of Walnut Creek for artwork to go on recycle bins.  Two of my pieces were selected and made into posters that grace the side of the bins in my city, so that’s cool.  It’s fun to be accepted, and have friends say, “hey I saw your art!”
 
I submitted two pieces for a holiday show at a local gallery and they were not accepted.  So that’s not so cool. It’s an interesting challenge, this whole “do you like my art” thing. I’m old enough to understand that one, or several, rejections does not necessarily mean what I’m making is not good.  It just means my work doesn’t fit with what they’re looking for.  But it still stings a little.  Being a naturally competitive person, I always want to be chosen.
 
Of course I went to the gallery holiday opening to support a friend who did get accepted and to see the other art.  I really tried to view the pieces with an objective eye.  Looking at the collection, I saw how my work might not fit in, although there were a few oddballs on the walls.  I also noticed a level of finishing that I aspire to.  Some of the art just had a very polished (some literally - resin!), finished look that I admire and will keep in mind for my own work. And who knows, maybe my stuff just didn’t appeal to the gallery owner.  I guess I could ask, but that would require a level of bravery I don’t quite have (yet).
 
And then I need to ask myself why I’m doing this.  Bottom line: I love to create.  I love to experiment. I love to learn new techniques.  If what I make appeals to others, that’s great.  If not, would I stop creating?  Of course not.  But I may need to find a place to store canvases!  Or switch to paper, which takes up less space and is way easier to store. 
 
If I set the goal to sell my work, I need to make a firm plan (can you say New Year Resolution?)  Just like any goal setting, there needs to be a plan with a list that has little boxes that I can check off.  I love a good list. So, I’m going to keep creating, and keep sharing and just see what happens.
 
Update: Happy New Year, I’m entering more shows.  I’m just forging ahead with the notion of sharing. If someone wants to buy, that’s great.  (someone – you?? – can  buy original art right here on my website, or prints of my art on Fine Art America)

2019 is going to be a great year. Keep creating!

Cloth, Paper, Scissors is my favorite art magazine. I've been a subscriber for many (many! 10?) years.  It always delivers a variety of mixed media techniques as well as interviews with artists and of course, new product reviews (who doesn't NEED more art supplies, right?)  It’s a happy, happy day in our house when my CPS magazine arrives and I can truly say it shapes my artistic style over the years.

In each issue they also offer a Readers Challenge.  They ask for submissions from readers usually within some sort of theme; hand stitching, city-scapes, recipes, or portraits, for example.  Each issue I admire the readers submissions and shyly wish that I could/would submit something.  I sort of react like a deer in the headlights and draw a complete blank when faced with creating something based on that issue's theme.  I am also a little afraid of rejection.  Until last Spring.

Last Spring 2018, I submitted a photograph of Genevieve for CPS's Mixed Media Portrait Challenge.  I figured if there was any time I was ready to put myself out there, it was with this piece.  I love Genevieve and had a wonderful time creating her in a few hours of focused work.  She truly seemed to flow from me in a sort of magical way (sounding kind of woo-woo, I know).  When that sort of creativity comes along, you just have to open up and let it flow and so I did.  Fast forward a few weeks and I am notified that Genevieve made the cut!  CPS wanted to publish her in the Fall issue of the magazine.  I was one of 9 readers who were accepted.  My husband likes to point out that I was the only artist west of the Missippippi chosen (geography geek). 
 
I mailed off the original art, and waited for my Fall issue of the magazine to arrive.  Only it didn’t!  In all of the many years I’ve subscribed, this was the first time my issue was not delivered.  Ah! But how could this be, when this is the issue I’m actually in??  I was left with having to buy the issue on Ebay (I actually bought two because I was so excited.)  Guess what?  The Fall issue didn’t contain the mixed media portrait challenge.  It had the results of a different reader challenge.  So, I thought I’d just have to wait until the Winter issue.  What seemed like the very next day, I received a notice that Cloth Paper Scissors was ceasing publication effective immediately and the Winter issue would be it’s last!  Seriously?  I had JUST renewed by “prescription” for another 2 years.  And, what about my reader challenge? Would it appear in the final issue?  Well, yes, yes it did and that is bitter sweet.  It is so thrilling to see my work in my favorite magazine and yet so disappointing that the magazine is ending.  I guess the lesson is, enter the damn Readers Challenges early, and often! 
 
I’m working on putting myself out there more, and it’s paying off.  More on that later… 

I figured it out!  Art makes me happy (duh) and so does exercise, and getting out with friends.  So those are my “big 3” this Fall.
 
I’m fully in the swing of making art nearly every day.  I’ve been taking classes online through Carla Sondheim - which I love.  The flexibility to watch videos whenever I have time, and then share work in a private Facebook group is perfect for me right now.  My classmates are super supportive and willing to give gentle critique when requested.  The instructors are very responsive to posts and encouraging as well.  Sometimes I am even pushed beyond my comfort level and really weird and interesting things appear.  For example I just finished up a class called Making Faces.  It’s all about loosening up and creating faces that are weird and wonderful.  I opened my mind a bit and allowed myself to be less than perfect.  In fact, far, far from perfect.  And I loved it!

I’m pretty busy with the rest of my life (mom, wife, athlete) and have a limited schedule for in-classroom classes.  It didn’t work out this Fall to take a class with live people and an instructor.  I really miss those folks, so the other day I stopped in to one of my former classes to say “hi”.  Seeing the variety of people and artwork and techniques gets me excited to get back in a classroom (not to mention having people to talk to!)  So next session (2019!) I will carve out some space in the schedule to get back into a classroom with my art friends.
 
One goal I’ve had for a while is to figure out how to set up a shop to sell my original artwork. I’ve had (and still have) a shop on Fine Art America where people can buy prints of my work.  It’s a great site, very easy to navigate and they offer a fun collection of products. One can buy a shower curtain, a pillow, or a phone case, among other items, with my artwork on it.  Often, when I share my art on Facebook, people ask about buying the original.  For a long time I’ve been sort of shy about selling originals, but now I’m ready. I set up a spot on my website where that can happen.  It was (and still is) definitely a learning experience.  You can visit that shop here.  Please feel free to message me if you see something wonky about it, or if you have any questions.  And of course, feel free to buy something! 

 Next on my list: showing my art in a gallery, and... going BIG.  I really want to paint a large canvas and I should do it now, when I can work outside before the rain comes (hoping for rain in CA!)
 
I’m making new art nearly everyday, so check back often.  Enjoy your one creative life…  I certainly am.

I'm very fortunate to live in a town that has a great arts education program.  Over the years I took classes in Mixed Media and more recently, I took an abstract painting class. It's super conveniently located just down the road from my house and I get to experiment with different techniques each week.  It's harder than I thought it would be - this "letting go" thing.  My goal is to loosen up and work a bit more intuitively.  There are many layers that come and go. Sometimes I miss those things I covered up and I have to quiet the inner voice that's saying "Oh no... what have you done!?!"  Because really, it's not life or death.  It's art!  And I love it (even when the colors get crazy and there seems to be no solution!)

Starting in a few weeks I'm taking a new class where we will dive into painting big beautiful florals.  I can't wait!

My plan is to post more art here.  I'm also feeling the itch to bust out the sewing machine again, so we'll see what happens with that.  Once I put the finishing touches on a few pieces, I may offer some things for sale.  Until then, I'll share my current work in progress here.  Stay tuned for updates!

UPDATE: you can find prints (of all sorts! shower curtain, anyone?) at my site on Fine Art America.  Visit and have fun shopping!  If you're interested in purchasing an original, you can contact me through that site, or send me an email.

Just a quick update to show some of the artwork I've been working on recently.  I'm taking a mixed media class (again) and loving it.  Each week I try a different style of mixed media.  I love learning new techniques and finding my artistic groove.