Oil painting class opening

 I have an oil painting spot open in my home studio class on Thursday afternoons!  I teach 6 students weekly and rarely have an opening.  I would prefer someone with some experience but is willing to keep learning.  We meet 1-4pm most Thursdays in west Loveland, Colorado.

The above picture is an example of one of the many things I teach: underpainting.  This oil painting isn't finished but it gives you the idea of what an underpainting does.  By painting monochromatically with a transparent paint you figure out the drawing and values then apply oil paint. This way you have a more accurate image.  I was painting this clay sculpture as a still life.  This month we're painting animals or birds.

I earned a BFA in Fine Art many years ago but continue to learn more about all the aspects of painting.  If you are interested in learning to increase your painting skills, please contact me before the spot fills! I paint somewhere between realistic and impressionistic and we have themes in our classes which are student led.

Ongoing Adult Art Classes

After my classes visited Monet's art at the Denver Art Museum, we were all inspired to go Impressionistic.    This is an example of some of the new work I've created from Monet inspiration.  I'm playing with underpainting, loose brushwork, pallet knife and scraping.
I teach 3 classes out of my home studio just west of Loveland, CO.  On Wednesday mornings my  watercolor class  come for class from 9AM-12PM.  I currently have two spots available for Dec 4  and 11th.  I have a limit of 7 in this class so all levels are welcome.

Oil; I have a Thursday morning  oil class (currently full) and an afternoon class from 2-5PM that has one spot left.  The next project we'll work on  capturing running water. My oil classes are limited to 6 per class. Dropins are allowed if there is room.   One thing I do is not paint with petroleum solvents which is much safer!  I have had some of the same students for years and it's my absolute pleasure to see their growth as artists.

See more of my art and inquire about available paintings at MaryGiacomini.com

Mary M Giacomini's Artwork                   

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Regional Fine Art Show 2019

Bear Berries

"Bear Berries" was accepted into the Lincoln Gallery's 2019 Regional Fine Art Show.  I had lots of fun painting this cutie in my oil painting class.  Thanks to a great reference from a good friend I was able to make this bear cub in Rocky Mountain National Park realistic. 

See more of my art and inquire about available paintings at MaryGiacomini.com

Mary M Giacomini's Artwork                   

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4th St Gallery Experience

This summer I'm doing something different.  I'm participating with a group of 6 other professional artists from Loveland in a pop up gallery that lasts all summer (through August). Pat Saunders-White, Marc Jones, Shannon Kaye & Sally Hartshorn, Donna Gordon,  Susan Jecminek and myself will be showing our art, offering classes and doing demos.

Cooling Down
oil

  The 4th St Gallery is in downtown Loveland, Colorado across the street from the Rialto theatre.  Our business hours are Wed-Sat 11-7 & Sunday 12-4.  We are also open until 9 pm on 2nd Fridays for  Night on the town.
I am offering a wine glass painting class on July 20th from 12-6pm.  Email me for more info. I'll be doing watercolor and oil painting demos on July 11 & 14th.

See how I create a painting!  I will be 'changing' out artwork every month.  June's theme is landscapes & Colorado scenes.  Stay tuned to what I come up with for July.

Lavender Impasto

Lavender Impasto 16 x 20" oil

I had more than a little fun creating this new oil painting.  I was inspired by a Van Gogh workshop taught by Dena Peterson this winter.  I started with Van Gogh thick strokes of paint but turned them into pallet knife swirls.  The oil paint is quite thick with impasto.   I found this scene just outside of Glennwood Springs, Colorado last year and knew I would have to paint it.  I fell in love with the lavender, the view of the Roaring Fork Valley and Mt. Sopris.
This painting was recently accepted into the Lincoln Gallery's 2019 National Show.  The art opening is May 10th from 6-9.

Oil Painting Class; without the toxic solvents

I am offering a brand new oil painting class in my studio (just west of Loveland, Colorado) on February 21, 28 & March  7th, 2019.  We will meet from 2-5 PM Thursday afternoons.  I will cover the basics of oil painting, color mixing, underpainting and how to safely use traditional oil paints.
The cost is $105 with your own supplies (given at registration) or $120 all supplies included.  My classes are small (Max 6) so you will get plenty of attention. This is your opportunity to give oil painting a trial run!  If enough students want to continue after the 3 class intro, we will.

Learn about color; get to know your paints and create a cohesive pallet for each painting.

Learn about color mixing, values and grays.

Learn how to compose and create an underpainting

"Impending" (oil) -demo finished in class
Contact me for more info

See more of my art and inquire about available paintings at MaryGiacomini.com

Mary M Giacomini's Artwork                   

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Instagram; mmgiac

Equinox

'

 I recently had a client that liked my "Last Call" (pastel) painting so much that he commissioned me to paint an oil of the same scene.

The reference I used was from a photo I had taken in late Autumn, right after an early snow. The  snowy pines with  Aspen trees  reflective scene is just outside of Estes Park, Colorado. 

I created an underpainting using Alizarin Crimson so I could have a warm undertone in the relatively cool landscape.

I painted in my darkest darks & lightest values so I knew what my value range was.

This is how I progressed on this painting. I tweak until I feel like I'm getting what I like.

I decided to let it snow and also added swirls in the water from the falling snow.

"Equinox" 20" x 16" oil (sold)

See more of my art and inquire about available paintings at MaryGiacomini.com

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Loveland Art Studio Tour 2018

 

It's studio tour time again!  This year I'm setting my artwork up at the Gressiwick 426 N Lincoln Av in Loveland, Colorado.    The talented Marc Jones & I are sharing this space downtown during the #LovelandArtStudioTour   We will be open for a preview Friday, Oct 12 from 6-8PM and Oct 13, 14, 20 & 21 from 11AM-5PM.  I am bringing a large selection of original watercolors, oils, pastels and acrylic paintings.  Stop by!  You can pick up a free book at our location or download one at Loveland Art Studio Tour.

Summer 2018 Art Classes

Art classes Summer 2018   Mary Giacomini

OIL:    Monet series; learn to see the way Monet did

#1 June 21 (Thurs) 9-12,   Home studio, Copy a Monet or be inspired to paint a painting in his style (9 x 12 or smaller)

#2 June 28 (Thurs) 9-12, Sweetheart Winery plein air.  Create a painting of your choice with the morning light.  Critique at 12pm on their patio with wine & snacks (not included in price) Since the winery does not open until noon, bathrooms available at Sandys Conoco or Devil’s Backbone trailhead.

#3 July 12 (Thurs) 5-8pm ***, Sweetheart Winery plein air. Recreate painting from class #2 in evening light to learn to see the difference time of day makes.  Meet at 4:15 for a glass of wine.

***watercolor class is welcome, also pastelists

WATERCOLOR: Sketchbook journaling

#4 June 13, 9-12 home studio  Learn to capture small, quick paintings with small watercolors in a watercolor sketchbook

#5 June 27 (Wed), 5-8pm, Sweetheart Winery plein air.  Sit by the Big Thompson river with a glass of wine to capture the scenery.  This is great practice for bringing along a sketchbook on vacation.  Meet at 4:15 for wine on the patio (wine not included in price)

I also teach classes through the Loveland Museum & have open spots in some but not all classes. https://www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org/programs-events/art-classes/adult-art-classes/

 June 11^th Sweetheart Winery wine glass painting class (tropical theme). $40

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wine-glass-painting-tickets-44496485185?aff=efbeventtix

Spring Glow

I recently finished painting "Spring Glow", an original oil painting.  I painted this as a demo in my oil painting class when our project theme was 'acrylic under painting'.  When you play with complimentary layered colors, you will get a glow in your paintings.  I was skeptical about putting the yellow under the sky but it worked out better than I had hoped.

I found this scene near Kalispell, Montana in the Flathead Valley.  This scene is of Peter's Ridge.  I spent a cold, rainy day in June but when the sun cleared, the fresh snow on the Swan Mountains and the end of day sunlit  pine trees inspired me. "Spring Glow" is available for purchase.

Under painting with complimentary colors

Spring Glow
Oil
16 x 20"

My inspiration of Peter's Ridge in the Swan Mountains of Montana.

See more of my art and inquire about available paintings at MaryGiacomini.com

Mary M Giacomini's Artwork                   

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Hawaiian Blue

Hawaiian Blue
Oil

One of the new oil paintings for 2018 that I have created is "Hawaiian Blue".  My goal was to capture the unique blues of the  tropical Pacific Ocean surrounding the islands of Hawaii.  I found this scene on Makena State Park Beach in Maui.  The waves were breaking at the beach which created a dramatic atmosphere and a riot of blues, lavenders and greens.  The surf was difficult to swim in but lovely to be inspired by.

I start with a small black & white thumbnail to work out the composition & value.  I then figure out a 'recipe' card so I know what I will paint with using a limited pallet.

I decided to paint a warm pink under-painting for Hawaiian Blue to bring out the sparkle. I painted the majority of this as a demonstration in my oil painting class.

The debut of "Hawaiian Blue" will be at the Lincoln Gallery's 2018 National Fine Art Show.  The opening is May 11 in Loveland, Colorado.  Join me!

Na Pali Coast Cruise

I recently finished "Na Pali Coast Cruise", a 10 x 20" original oil.  This was a commission and a surprise.  I did some photo shopping with my reference pictures to get both the couple and the beautiful Hawaiian coast of Kauai in the scene.  I enjoy painting 'figures in  a landscape' and would gladly accept commissions for a keepsake that will last a lifetime.

See more of my art inquire about available paintings at MaryGiacomini.com

Mary M Giacomini's Artwork                   

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Solvent free oil painting classes

 In my Thursday morning oil painting classes (Loveland, Colorado) I cover a variety of material.  In this project we were studying clouds.  We started with a simple black and white value scale and painted a gray monochromatic thumbnail proportional to the canvas we planned on painting.

Learning about composition, value & underpainting

 In my classes we play with different subject matter, techniques and color theory/experiments.  My goal is to teach you how to paint on your own.  We use traditional oil paints but do not use the dangerous or even odorless solvents as I find they are just as toxic as the rest.  I will teach you to safely paint without the use of them.  I currently have one opening in my class that has a maximum of 6 students.  Contact me for more information.

Impending (10 x 20" oil)

See more of my art inquire about available paintings at MaryGiacomini.com

Mary M Giacomini's Artwork                   

Order prints, products & cards!

Instagram; mmgiac