Thursday, December 31, 2015

Loveland Museum Gallery Winter & Spring 2016 Adult classes

  • I have been teaching at the Loveland Museum Gallery for over a dozen years now.  I have a following I cherish, wonderful people to work with and professional art supplies for classes.   All supplies are included and no experience required.   Here is my offering for 2016 Winter & Spring:
  • Draw What You SeeTuesday, February 2, 1 – 4 pm

    You can’t become a realistic draftsperson in three hours, but you can learn enough to get started! Learn several drawing “tricks” to train your brain to see accurately with black and white charcoal, graphite, and markers on paper. Instructor: Mary GiacominiFee: $45 ($36 Museum Members)


  • Larger Than LifeTuesday, April 26, 1 – 4 pm
    In the style of Georgia O’Keeffe, we will use pastels to create a floral drawing, concentrating on making it bigger than life sized. Instructor: Mary GiacominiFee: $45 ($36 Museum Members)

  • Spring Break
    Tuesday, March 22, 1 – 4 pm
    Need some warm tropical scenery? Create your own in this mixed media class! Paint a brilliant watercolor sky, layer in an acrylic silhouette of palm trees, and perhaps add a hammock too! Instructor: Mary GiacominiFee: $45 ($36 Museum Members)
  • Snowy Aspens
  • Tuesday, January 19, 1 – 4 pm
    Bring a beautiful forest scene to life by learning to “mask” Aspen trees using watercolor paint on paper. Instructor: Mary GiacominiFee: $45 ($36 Museum Members)

  • 50 Shades of Gray
    Tuesday, February 9, 1 – 4 pm
    We will mimic some of Ansel Adams’ black and white photos, but with one dark watercolor. Learn how to make strong paintings by learning to see value. Instructor: Mary GiacominiFee: $45 ($36 Museum Members)

  • Bowl of Blueberries
    Tuesday, March 8, 1 – 4 pm
    In this easy layering and stenciling project, create a rich purple painting of a bowl of blueberries with a limited palette of transparent watercolor.  Instructor: Mary GiacominiFee: $45 ($36 Museum Members)

  • Palette Knife Poppies
    Tuesday, April 12, 1 – 4 pm
    Use acrylic paint and palette knives on canvas to create brilliant, textured poppies.  Instructor: Mary GiacominiFee: $45 ($36 Museum Members)


Monday, December 7, 2015

Tuscan Vines

Tuscan Vines
I just finished "Tuscan Vines", a 24" x 18" original oil painting.  While in Italy I plein air painted in the Fuglini vineyards just outside of Montalcino.  I used the reference photo from the night before (when we were 'scoping' out a place to paint in the morning) and the plein air oil I painted in the morning.  I loved the evening shadows of the grapevines better but still the plein air study was very helpful with color.  This plein air day was nothing short of perfect as we even were served Brunello wine with our lunch.  I painted both fairly Impressionistically but the studio painting has much more impasto.    Contact me for current availability.
Brunnello di Montalcino

You can see more of my artwork online: 

Facebook page (open to the public) 
(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)
MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Monday, November 30, 2015

Chasing Light

Poudre Rapids

“CHASING LIGHT”
3rd ANNUAL INVITATIONAL OF
NORTHERN COLORADO PLEIN AIR ARTISTS
Featuring Plein Air, Landscapes, Flora & Wildlife

December 2nd-13th, 2015
The CCC, Carnegie Building, 200 Mathews Street, Fort Collins, CO
Gallery Hours 12:00-6:00 pm
Wednesday-Saturday

Opening Reception
First Friday, December 4th, 6:00-9:00 pm
with The Rocky Mountain Woodturners Association

Participating Artists
Kevin Aldrich, Kay Borrett, Marilynn Brandenburger, Jenifer Cline, Ann Delzell, Susan Driver, Andrea Gabel, Mary Giacomini, Nelia Harper, Danna Hildebrand, Patty Hughes, Ken Knox, Margueritte Meier, Christine M. Torrez, Laurie Waddell and Laura G.Young

Artists demos will be on Fri., Dec. 4; Sat., Dec. 5; Fri. Dec. 11; and Sat., Dec. 12


A Special Thanks to The City of Fort Collins for their Support

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Autumn Plein Air in Rocky Mountain National Park

The Conversation

Golden Blankets
I am fortunate to live within an hour's drive of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.  This means I can leave while it's still a bit dark out and drive up the Big Thompson Canyon to capture the vivid  Fall colors that September has to offer in the mountains.  Twice I got out with a plein air buddy to capture the  golden colors in oil.  Both of these oil paintings were finished with a pallet knife alla prima. This is how I like to have fun.  These original oils are currently available for purchase.  Contact me for more information.

You can see more of my artwork online: 

Facebook page (open to the public) 
(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)
MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Plein air Washington Coast

"Splash" sold

Sail Away

Legend

"Glow"

Orcas Island

The Cannery at Annacortes (sold)
I had the pleasure of a plein air painting trip to the coast of Washington this past summer.  I went with 4 artist friends and we were based out of Annacortes.  I painted 6 small oils in 5 days and the weather was perfect. I brought my paints in a large suitcase and purchased solvent in Seattle.  We experienced the turquoise clear waters of Deception Pass State Park and took the Washington State Ferry to Orcas Island one day.  The San Juan Islands are nothing short of enchanting.  The last night I painted a sunset view quickly of the orange and blue waters of Puget Sound.  Email me for current availability of these original oil paintings.

You can see more of my artwork online: 
Facebook page (open to the public) 
(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)
MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Friday, October 30, 2015

Lines Into Shapes 2015

Serenity

My oil painting "Serenity" was accepted into the 2015 National show "Lines Into Shapes" held at the Art Center of  Estes Park Gallery.  The opening is October 30, 2015 from 5-7pm and runs for two weeks.  This original oil  painting is inspired by one of my favorite hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.  The Loch is a peaceful alpine lake  surrounded by mountain peaks and climbs to over two miles above sea level. I've painted scenes from this hike many times.

Both of these paintings were from a gorgeous Fall hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

You can see more of my artwork online: 
Facebook page (open to the public) 
(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)
MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Monday, October 12, 2015

Oil Painting classes

Moose Camp oil

Rocky View oil

Blushing oil
     I teach weekly oil painting classes out of my home studio on Thursday mornings.   My classes are small with a limit of 6 students so everyone gets plenty of individual attention.  My goal as an art instructor is to teach you the basics of painting and how to paint your vision.   These are some examples of paintings that I demoed and painted in class last Spring and Winter.  
     "Moose Camp" was a lesson in learning how to paint objects that had some sentimental value to each student and compose a painting.  We started with painting with just one monochromatic value (Transparent Earth Red by Gamblin) to get our drawings realistic at first.  After these were completed we added a thin layer of paint and kept the realism as the style of for this project.
    The lesson when I painted "Rocky View" in class was how to create depth in a landscape.  We played with just foreground and background I taught them how to exaggerate atmosphere by graying down the cool colors of the background.  I taught them in the final layer how to use a pallet knife and leave plenty of impasto. 
     "Blushing" was painted realistically with a monochromatic underpainting.  I kept the background a cool grayish blue to accent the pinks & greens of the rose. With this project I taught how to draw what you see, values, how to use complimentary colors and grays to accent the focal point.
    For more information about joining this group, you can contact me by clicking on the link.

Both of these paintings were from a gorgeous Fall hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

You can see more of my artwork online: 
Facebook page (open to the public) 
(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)
MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Monday, September 7, 2015

Home studio art classes: Watercolor


 Starting in October, I'm once again teaching an Adult watercolor class.  This class is intended for beginners to intermediate students.  No experience is necessary.  We meet on Wednesday mornings from 9-12 starting early October 7, 2015 in Loveland, Colorado.  I currently have one opening with a maximum of 6 students per class.  We learn all kinds of new things during the year:  color experiments, playing, drawing lessons, value, composition, textures, types of paper, cropping, critique, themes, glazing, wet on wet, purple underpainting and the list goes on.  My goal is to teach you to achieve your goal of painting what you want to.   For more information, contact me.
"Shades of Gray"
  In this class we used an Ansel Adams photo to inspire us to use only one dark color to achieve distance.

We had a fresh bouquet of flowers in this class and splashed fresh watercolor quickly.

Layered hydrangea
We used stencils and a limited pallet to 'layer' this hydrangea to life.

Tropical Escape
We used lots of tropical pure colors for our sunset & added dark purple palm trees and a beach.

Loveland Art Studio Tour 2015


The Loveland Art Studio Tour is coming up!  On October 10-11 & 17-18, 2015 from 10-4 I open up my art studio to the public.  You can see where I and other artists create their art by following the included map.  I will also have paintings, framed & unframed and prints available for purchase.  I open up my studio once a year and this is the chance to come and see my art.  Bonus this year: they selected one of my paintings (The Loch) for the brochure and all promotional  materials.
There is a meet the artists opening at the Loveland Museum Gallery September 11, 2015 from 6-8pm. and an opening reception October 9th from f6-8pm.  You can pick up a free brochure with map at the Loveland Museum Gallery or at my studio.  I look forward to your visit!

The Loch (sold, pastel)

Tranquility (oil)
Both of these paintings were from a gorgeous Fall hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

You can see more of my artwork online: 
Facebook page (open to the public) 
(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)
MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Monday, August 31, 2015

Paint the Poudre 2015


For the third time now, I participated in the Paint the Poudre Plein Air event.  The art is all plein air original paintings from the Poudre River, Larimer County in Northern Colorado.  The opening for this show was July 24, 2015 at Colorado State University's Morgan Library and it ran for a month.
I painted two new paintings for this show plus I showed two from last year.  I led two paintouts for the group.   I was interviewed by Christina Vessa for CSU's  school newspaper. I also had a radio interview  while painting on the Poudre River by Stacy Nick of KUNC (Colorado Public Radio) that was broadcast for a few days over the radio waves but still can be heard and seen online.


Perch

Poudre Rapids

 
Polished (sold during the show)

You can see more of my artwork online:
Facebook page (open to the public)

(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)
MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Fall 2015 Adult Classes at the Loveland Museum Gallery


I am teaching these classes for adults at the Loveland Museum this Fall:


Botanical Watercolor Painting
Tuesday, September 22, 1 – 4 pm
Learn to draw and paint what you see using purple underpainting and transparent watercolor paint. Instructor: Mary Giacomini
Fee: $45 ($36 Museum Members)


 


Colorado’s Golden Aspens
Tuesday, September 29, 1 – 4 pm
Learn to create depth in your mountain landscapes by graying down your paints. Building upon a thin layer of acrylics, we’ll use large brushes and palette knives to create an autumn aspen forest in the foreground. Instructor: Mary Giacomini



Sketchbook Journaling: Fall Harvest
Tuesday, October 13, 1 – 4 pm
Learn to start your own sketchbook journal with watercolor & ink. Draw inspiration from the fresh color and shapes of the seasonal bounty. Instructor: Mary Giacomini






 Falling Leaves
Tuesday, October 20, 1 – 4 pm
In this easy watercolor class, we’ll use a limited palette of transparent watercolors with leaf stencils to create a beautiful pile of leaves. No drawing required.  Instructor: Mary Giacomini


A Walk to Remember
Tuesday, October 27, 1 – 4 pm
Using pastels, we’ll create an impressionistic fall walk through an Autumn forest. Instructor: Mary Giacomini

 

Canyonlands
Tuesday, November 3, 1 – 4 pm
Use a masking fluid, a limited palette, and salt to create a scene from Canyonlands National Park. Instructor: Mary Giacomini








Monet’s Haystacks
Tuesday, November 10, 1 – 4 pm
Create an impressionistic version of one of Monet’s famous haystacks with pastels. Instructor: Mary Giacomini


  • Snowy, Starry Night Tuesday, December 1, 1 – 4 pm
    Create a dramatic starry night scene with watercolor. Instructor: Mary Giacomini
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  • More info online.  You can register starting August 21, 2015 at 970 962-2410 

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

People's Choice!


I was quite please to hear that "Tree Yoga" (24 x 18" pastel) won the  People's Choice award at the Lincoln Gallery's Regional show in June.  This is especially an honor as it is voted by the people that come to visit the show.



Longs Peak from Trail Ridge Road
(oil)

 The other good news is that "Perseverance" (oil) won a merit award at the same show that runs until July 2, 2015.  Come and see the paintings!

(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees) 
#MGiacominiart

Rose paintings

Peaceful Pair

Blushing
Here are a couple of realistic rose oil paintings I've completed.  Both of these were started as class demos for my oil painting class.  I started with an under-painting to get the value and drawing correct then added the local color.  These original oil paintings are currently available for purchase.


(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees) 

#MGiacominiart