YMCA of the Rockies workshop

I will be holding a workshop at the YMCA of the Rockies in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado on March 28 & 29, 2009. Even though is it scheduled for next year, it is something to look forward to and is not too early to reserve your space. The workshop has just been added to their website. Check it out for the class description.
The YMCA of the Rockies borders Rocky Mountain National Park and couldn't be a more inspiring place to create art.
http://www.ymcarockies.org/resources/files//PDFs/EPC/Art_in_the_Rockies_2008/Paint%20the%20Rockies%20with%20Pastels%20PDF.pdf

More hearts from Loveland...

This photo of 3 of the Loveland hearts (mine is in the middle) is posted online at the Loveland connection. http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=G2&Date=20080712&Category=LOVELAND&ArtNo=712002&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=2

Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction

"Montana Blues" will be in the 2008 Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction held August 31, 2008 at the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department's art auction.
http://www.rcvfd-richard-schmid-art-auction.com/Mary%20Giacomini.html

Plein air painting

Painting Loveland’s Past : Historic Buildings and Sites
Wednesdays; August 6, 13, 20, 27, 9 am – 12 noon


Paint like the Impressionists
did – in the great outdoors.
Take some time for yourself and
join these plein air classes this
summer. Participants will paint
at a different location within
Loveland each day and learn
something new about painting
outside. Painting in a group
outside is more fun and safer.
Some watercolor experience is
recommended but not required.
Supplies are not included. A list of locations and suggested supplies will be available at the time of registration or for advance consideration.
For ages 18 and above.

http://www.ci.loveland.co.us/cultural_services/images/Summer%20newsletter%20web%201-11.pdf

Award

"Appeasing Pele" (pastel) was accepted into the 2nd 50 Paint the Parks 2008.
http://www.paintamerica.org/winners08ptp2.html
I painted this piece from visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where some Hawaiians still offer gifts to appease the Volcano goddess, Pele. This location is no longer accessible due to volcanic activity.

Award

"A Walk To Remember"was accepted into the PSNR National Pastel Extravaganza and was awarded an honorable mention. I won a Jack Richeson $100 gift certificate and picked out a beautiful set of Unison portrait pastels. Here is their newsletter about the show.....
http://www.psnr.net/Assets/newsletter%20and%20events/psnrnewsletter.pdf

Lake View before delivery...

Lake View Unveiled!

The heart titled “Lake View” was created by artist Mary Giacomini and sponsored by Columbine Health Systems. It will be placed at 1365 W. 29th St. Loveland, Colorado.
Engaging the HeARTS: Long-awaited heart-art project unveiled in Loveland

By Sarah Bultema
Loveland Reporter-Herald

After years of planning and months of work, the Loveland: City with HeArt’s completed sculptures were unveiled Friday at Civic Center Park.
The 5-foot-tall fiberglass hearts — which follow the lead of other cities’ sculpture projects such as Chicago’s Cows on Parade — were commissioned by local sponsors and decorated by local artists.
It was a project headed by Engaging Loveland, a not-for-profit group that also heads up SummerFest in the Rockies.
Soon the symbols of the Sweetheart City will be sprinkled around Loveland for public viewing and will remain on display through December.
In February, the hearts will be auctioned off, with proceeds supporting Engaging Loveland.
http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=17851

Live Interview

Here is a shot from the live interview on Denver's Fox 31 Good Day Colorado show this morning. Yes, I was nervous!

I am off to set up for the Oregon Trail Days Art Show In Gering, Nebraska which opens tonight and runs through Saturday. For more info on this invitational show, check out this website....
http://www.starherald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19829590&BRD=484&PAG=461&dept_id=553251&rfi=6

Hearts.....

Watch Fox 31's Good Day Colorado show this Thursday July 10 for a special on the City of Loveland. I will be interviewed along with my friend Pat Saunders-White about the hearts we painted for Engaging Loveland. We will have a LIVE interview at 7AM.

I also was interviewed by our local paper about the project. It is posted at:
http://reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=17548

The BIG thing not to miss is the unveiling of the hearts on July 11 at the Foote Lagoon in Loveland with Summerfest of the Rockies. I will post a picture of my finished heart after the unveiling so as not to spoil any surprises....

Plein air painting

I was able to enjoy some watercolor plein air painting among the luscious lupines in full bloom in Northwestern Colorado last weekend. What a treat!

Pastel Society of the Northern Rockies 2008 National Juried Show

"A Walk To Remember" is a pastel painting of mine that was accepted into the "Pastel Extravaganza." This national, juried show of the Pastel Society of the Northern Rockies will be held in 4 different galleries within Loveland, Colorado.
The opening is Friday, June 13, 6-9pm at the following galleries in Loveland:

Independence Gallery
Art of the Rockies Gallery
both located at 440 N Lincoln Ave
Sage Moon Originals
116 W 4th St
Gallery of the Masters
343 E 7th St
*all are easily within walking distance and the opening is the same night as 2nd Friday Artwalk.

I recently joined the Pastel Society of the Northern Rockies. My webpage on their website is http://www.psnr.net/GiacominiMary.html

Timothy's proposal

I recently finished this 12 x 16" pastel. The scene is from Central Park in New York City. My nephew proposed to his bride there and commissioned me to paint a wedding present for him to give to her.
Since I didn't have a photo of the exact moment, I used several different reference photos to compose the scene he had in mind.