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

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) 

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

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) 

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

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) 

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

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)

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

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 

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!

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

#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.

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

#MGiacominiart

Plein Air Artists of Colorado National Juried Show

I'm pleased to announce that my oil painting "Cliff Hanger" was accepted into this prestigious show!

19th Annual National Juried Exhibition

July 30 to August 30, 2015 at Mary Williams Fine Arts of Boulder

Please join us for our opening reception and awards Thursday, July 30, 2015 5-8 PM at Mary Williams Fine Arts, 5311 Western Avenue, Suite 112 Boulder, Colorado 80301.

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

#MGiacominiart #pleinairColorado

Loveland Museum Classes Spring/Summer 2015

I have been teaching art classes at the Loveland Museum Gallery since 2003.  Over the years, I have built up a following.  This season I am focusing mostly on adult classes.  New this season (starting in May):  My classes are now 3 hours (instead of 2) long to give you more time to finish!!

All of these classes will give you an introduction to a painting medium doing the same project.  All supplies are included.  This is great way to try out a medium before you buy the supplies. The classes are limited to 6 & generally fill up quite quickly.  You can register through the Loveland Museum Gallery by visiting or calling  (970) 962-2410

 

 

 Paint a Moose

Thursday, April 16, 4 – 6 pm

Fee: $40 ($32 for museum members)
Learn a simplified technique to paint an acrylic moose and have fun with thick paint and palette knife swirls.

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Impressionistic Gardens

Tuesday & Wednesday, May 5 & 6, 2:30 – 4 pm

Fee: $50 ($40 for museum members)
Using soft pastels, paint beautiful gardens in an impressionistic style reminiscent of Monet. No experience required.

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Vertical Landscapes

Tuesday & Wednesday, May 26 & 27, 2:30 – 4 pm

Fee: $50 each ($40 for museum members)
Learn to create depth in your landscapes by graying down your paints. On top of that thin acrylic layer, we’ll use large brushes and palette knives to create a forest in the foreground.

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Under the Sea

Tuesday, June 2, 1 – 4 pm

Fee: $45 each ($36 for museum members)
Using transparent watercolor, we’ll layer sea life shapes to make a cool and calming underwater scene. This easy project requires minimal drawing skills.

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50 Shades of Gray

Wednesday, June 3, 1 – 4 pm

Fee: $45 each ($36 for museum members)

Make monochromatic but strong compositions with Ansel Adams as our inspiration. Create a vibrant painting with one dark-value watercolor. 
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Tropical Escape

Thursday, June 25, 1 – 4 pm

Fee: $45 each ($36 for museum members)
Create vibrant sunsets over the ocean with brilliant colors, then paint dark silhouettes of palm trees when it’s dry. This is an easy project, and you’ll be pleased with the final painting. Instructor: Mary Giacomini

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Botanical Watercolor Painting

Tuesday, July 21, 1 – 4 pm

Fee: $45 each ($36 for museum members)
Learn to draw and paint what you see using purple underpainting and transparent watercolor paint. 

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Sketchbook Journaling: Fresh from the Farmer’s Market

Wednesday, July 22, 1 – 4 pm

Fee: $45 each ($36 for museum members)
Learn to start your own sketchbook journal with watercolor and ink. Draw inspiration from the fresh color and shapes of the seasonal bounty. 

An example of a watercolor plein air sketch (La Costa Spa)

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Van Gogh’s Sunflowers

Wednesday, August 26, 1 – 4 pm

Fee: $45 each ($36 for museum members)
Paint big, bold, bright, beautiful sunflowers! Look at some examples of Van Gogh’s art. Then, create your own rendition using a lot of acrylic paint to swirl on the canvas with a palette knife.  Instructor: Mary Giacomini

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For the Birds

Thursday, August 27, 3 – 6 pm

Fee: $45 each ($36 for museum members)
Create sweet little studies of a variety of birds using pastel. Learn how to draw by simplifying. Feel free to bring references of specific birds you’d like to paint.  Instructor: Mary Giacomini