Estes Valley Plein Air

I finished a total of 10 paintings during the Estes Valley Plein Air.  The show is up at the Art Center of Estes Park until September 27.  Don't miss it!.

Roaring (oil with impasto)

"Roaring" (oil with lots of pallet knife) fresh on the easel while plein air painting in Rocky Mountain National Park.

While painting at 11,320 above sea level I painted this miniature of Longs Peak from the Forest Canyon lookout in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, (oil, sold)

The shadows were striking early morning in the mountains so I painted 'Hayden's Spire'. (oil)

I had a toned warm linen panel and blocked in my purple shadows because I knew I would loose them as the time went by.

One of the categories we could paint in was a Nocturne.  I painted " Estes Glow" with a headlamp on the shore of Lake Estes. (Colorado)

The last painting I finished for Estes Valley Plein Air 2019 was 'Coffee's On' (oil with impasto) .  This sweet cabin sat above Moraine Park with a view that was nothing less than stunning.

Joy Ride; the journey

Joy Ride  Oil  12 x 24"

"Golden Blankets"
9 x 12"
 Oil

 Last Fall when I was plein air painting in Rocky Mountain National Park, a couple of horses & riders actually rode through my scene of Hallet Peak and the surrounding mountains.   I quickly grabbed my camera to get a reference photo and knew this could be an amazing painting.  The Aspen Groves were in their Autumn glory and it was a perfect, sunny Colorado morning.
I was happy with the finished "Golden Blankets" with it's thick impasto oil and warm Fall colors but in the back of my mind I wanted to make a studio painting with the horses.  I decided to try gamut mapping to create the new scene.  Gamut mapping helps you make a more cohesive painting by using a limited pallet.  I decided ahead of time what portion of the color wheel I would use, then made some color swatches from it to use for another reference during painting.

This is the portion of the color wheel I used for this image.  I examined my reference photo and narrowed down the colors I needed to make a more cohesive painting.

Once I had my gamut mapped out, I figured out how to mix my primaries which were orange, green & blue.  All of the colors had to fall within the gamut map but I could add white and black.

 I asked my oil painting students if they wanted to try to learn gamut mapping and they were game so this was painted almost entirely in class.  Although this is a challenging way of painting, it's also a learning tool that most did great at and appreciated knowing how.  I am starting up my solvent free oil painting classes on Thursday mornings mid September.   I do currently have an opening if you are interested in joining us.

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

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Calming

I painted "Calming", a 16 x 16" original oil of a clear stream in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, in my Oil Painting Class this past Spring of 2016.  I worked on the painting almost exclusively in front of my students during class.  Our theme was 'running water' and  I had each student pick an image they wanted to paint.  We started with an underpainting which is in essense the drawing under the painting.  The next step is to nail those darks as it's easy to loose them in oil painting.  I slowly added the local color and tweaked until I felt it was finished.  This painting sat on my easel almost done for a couple of weeks.  This helped me review what was needed.  "Calming" is currently  available, but contact me to find out the current status.

I am starting up my Solvent Free Oil Painting class September 15.  We meet from 9-12AM on Thursdays.  My classes are small at  6-7 students and I  have an opening.

Stage 1; Underpainting drawing

Stage 2; getting those darks in

Stage 3: on my easel progression

Stage 4: Done!

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

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Loveland Library show

Tranquility (oil)

 The Loveland (Colorado) Public library has a program in which they showcase juried art to be displayed in their glass cases.  This not only gives the artists more exposure and a chance for sales but also gives others  a chance to view their artwork.  I applied last Fall for this program and have had several pieces accepted.  For the 3rd Quarter, my two originals, "Tranquility" and "A Walk to Remember" were chosen.  "Tranquility" is an original oil painting of The Loch, a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park.  The beauty of the alpine area high in the mountains is unsurpassed.
"A Walk To Remember" is a pastel done of an Autumn hike in Northern Minnesota.  I had fun with all of the Fall reds, maroons, golds and greens of the midwest.  Both of these original paintings are available for purchase although they must remain with the library show through September 2016.

A Walk To Remember (pastel)

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

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

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) 

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

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) 

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

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) 

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Loose Moose

Loose Moose 

I have a love of pallet knife painting.  When my oil painting class requested a lesson on 'Van Gogh animals" I jumped to the task as I love his loose, swirling strokes.  When I start a painting I know will have very heavy impasto, I start with a good drawing and don't add the thick paint until I have a color theme and good composition in place.  When I'm ready to lay on the swirls of paint with a pallet knife, I get brave and ad more brilliant colors that the reference photo portrays.  I do ad up to a 50% dilution of either Gamblin's Solvent Free Gel or Resingel to my oil paint to speed up the drying time.  "" is 12" x 16", oil on linen.  Contact me for current availabilty.

Vincent Van Moose

I painted 'Vincent Van Moose' in 2014 in a similar style.  This painting sold the day I posted it on the internet.

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

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Reserved: the process

Reserved 30" x 30" oil/sold

 I recently finished "Reserved".   I worked on this oil painting commission for many months.  My client had an idea for a painting that she wanted for above her fireplace. She really like my painting "Recharge" but decided to commission me to paint  an original oil of exactly what she had in mind. 
 She provided a good reference for Longs Peak (taken from the Peak to Peak Highway in Colorado adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park) but wanted to include the Adirondack chairs that I have painted frequently.  I composed the two chairs with the Longs Peak Autumn photo and painted the small "Table for Two".  I included the bottle of red wine and two  wine glasses to make the painting that much more inviting.  I wanted to make sure I was portraying what she had in mind before I went to the actual large square format.  She loved the small painting so I started "Reserved" on oil primed linen on gator-board (my favorite surface for oil).  I was pleased with the outcome of the painting and more importantly my client absolutely loved it.
"Table for Two" sold recently at the Grand Lake Art Gallery.     "Recharge" is still available for purchase.  To inquire about current availability, contact me.  Fine art prints and giclees of  "Reserved" can be ordered through Fine Art America.

Recharge  24" x 30" oil

Table for Two  10" x 10"  oil/sold

Longs Peak reference photo

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

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Plein Air Rockies: The Stanley Hotel

"The Stanley"  12 x 12" oil

On my last day of Plein Air Rockies 2014 during the 'Paint the Town' event I decided to paint the historic Stanley Hotel.
I once again painted out of the shelter of my VW Vanagon as the wind was a little brisk.  The light changed completely as I worked on this painting but I always try to keep in mind that this is my impression of a scene only.  I try to capture the color as I see it in person. I can always use a photo reference with my plein air piece to enlarge a painting.  I was pleased the way this fairly complicated plein air oil turned out though.  It is currently part of the Plein Air Rockies show at the Cultural Art Council gallery in Estes Park, Colorado.

This original oil painting is for sale. Inquire for availabilty. 
You can see more of my artwork online:
Facebook page (open to the public)

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Plein Air Rockies: Longs Peak Thunder

Longs Peak Thunder (oil)

I drove up Trail Ridge Road during the Plein Air Rockies 2014 event to see if I could capture some high mountain peaks.  The weather was unstable though.  I found a parking spot for my Vanagon in the Forest Canyon parking lot on top of Rocky Mountain Park, Colorado. I literally painted out of my van to be safer from the storm.  I had two short painting sessions to capture the peaks as a few violent storms came through. When the lightning got too close I ducked inside the van to wait it out.  It was another plein air adventure.  I painted quickly, with a pallet knife and enjoyed swirling impasto strokes in this original oil.

This original oil painting is for sale. Inquire for availabilty. 
You can see more of my artwork online:
Facebook page (open to the public)

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Plein Air Rockies: Moraine Park

The 6AM view from Moraine Park

"Alpenglow"

 I camped for several days in Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado) for the Plein Air Rockies 2014 event.  Since it was literally out my back door from the campground I created 4 different little oil paintings from this gorgeous area.  I painted "Alpenglow" first after experiencing glowing pink mountains very early in the morning.  I light lasted maybe 5 minutes but I decided to keep the glow in my painting anyway.  These were all done alla prima with quite a bit of pallet knife and impasto.

This was another little 6" x 8" pallet knife painting that I had a ball creating.

Sentinel 4" x 6" oil

 "Sentinel" is a late afternoon view looking up the alpine meadow that is currently for sale in the miniature show at the Cultural Art Center Gallery in Estes Park, Colorado.

I literally walked 20 steps from my campsite to catch this morning view looking SouthEast in Moraine Park at the Rocky Mountains.

These original oil paintings are for sale. Inquire for availabilty. 
You can see more of my artwork online:
Facebook page (open to the public)

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Plein Air Rockies: Bear Lake

"Altitude"  14" x 11" oil

Painting Plein Air at Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

For the Plein Air Rockies 2014 event I spent several consecutive days painting in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.  On my first day there I headed up to Bear Lake to snag a parking spot as they fill up quickly.  I wheeled my plein air supplies to scenic spot on the lake, just off the very mild hiking trail that circles the alpine lake at 9,450 feet above sea level.  I painted most of the day to be able to finish it Alla Prima even though the light changed dramatically. My finished oil painting, "Altitude" is now part of the Plein Air Rockies 2014 show at the Cultural Art Council Fine Art Gallery in Estes Park through October and is for sale.
This original oil painting is for sale. Inquire for availabilty. 
You can see more of my artwork online:
Facebook page (open to the public)

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Plein Air Rockies 2014

The next big show on my horizon is "Plein Air Rockies 2014".  I was juried into this plein air event along with about 40 other artists from various places around the country.   Artists will paint  from Aug 9-21, 2014 outdoors, in areas within a 50 mile radius of Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park in Northern Colorado.

Currently there is a 'preview' show for the event where samples of each chosen artist is showcased at the Cultural Event Council Gallery downtown Estes Park.  I have a pastel "Tree Yoga" and and an oil "Serenity" in this show.   Both of these pieces were created in my studio but are from images of Rocky Mountain National Park.  Artists are permitted to paint where they choose within the boundary but there will larger groups to observe during the scheduled paint outs. The final reception and show is held on August 23 from 5-8pm where the public can view and/or purchase these freshly made masterpieces.  Tune in to my blog for my latest creations.

 

"Tree Yoga"

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

"Serenity"

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

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Verticle Aspens

These two new long tall (24" H X  8" W) original oil paintings of Aspens in Autumn are brand new.  They were inspired the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.  I have hiked in the nearby mountains on many gorgeous Fall days and look forward to it every year.

These paintings both have an atmospheric thin layer of oil paint for the blue mountains with heavy impasto pallet knife strokes for the foliage and foreground. They can be sold separately although they make a striking pair.  customize prints visit Fine Art America. Contact me for current availability.  






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

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com