Solvent Free Oil Painting

The Kimono  16 x 12" Oil

Ethereal  18 x 14" Oil

I attended a figurative workshop in March at the Masters Easel Art Academy taught by Bryce Liston. Bryce taught a wonderful workshop where I learned to use the Zorn pallet and Gamut mapping.  These limited pallet techniques were an interesting challenge.  I am intrigued and am exploring them further. 

 In the workshop we had limited use of our OMS-Gamsol which helped keep the air clean with a dozen artists oil painting.  I decided to take it to the next level and eliminate the use of all solvents in my studio.  I have done some online research and was floored to find that the OMS of choice, Gamsol is far from non toxic.  I have had students complain of headaches even though I keep an exhaust fan in the window and an air filter running.  Those headaches are now gone.

For cleaning brushes, I found there are plenty of safe options.  I wait until I am done with a painting session to clean the brushes I used that day.  I use Viva paper towels, or lint free rags to get as much paint off as possible.  I found that Murphy's Oil Soap straight from the bottle cleans my brushes just fine.  I have also used Gamblin's Solvent Free Gel,  Walnut Alkyd medium, Art Treehouse BioBased Thinner, Spike of Lavender and Linseed Oil but I keep coming back to the Murphy's because the cost is lower and it cleans just as well.  I do rinse my brushes out with water after cleaning to remove any residue.

For toning a canvas, I use the Walnut Alkyd medium or Spike of Lavender with a little oil paint to knock out the white.  I am still experimenting with the BioBased thinner to make sure it's archival.

I offer a Thursday morning Oil Painting class that is now Solvent Free.  I just wish I would've made the switch years ago.

Wild Life Drawing Sessions

Channeling Ingres.  This is one of my favorite classes poses that we recreated for our group.

 I am a strong believer in developing drawing skills from life. In 2007 I started drawing with a portrait and figure drawing group weekly with a group we formed "Loveland Wild Life Sessions".  We always work from life, usually in a long pose which is somewhere around 3 hours long (with breaks).  We hire professional models and have interesting poses some of which are nude, some clothed.  I have captured the human form in charcoal, conte, pastel and oil but the last few years have enjoyed bringing my toned warm paper pad and drawing exclusively in graphite with a little white charcoal.  I enjoy bringing the figure to life focusing on just value and capturing likeness.  I treasure the sketchbooks I am filling up.

This model posed for Valentine's Day complete with wings.  The studio kitty kept trying to steal 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

Western Spirit Art Show

Mesa Arch watercolor (Canyonlands National Park)

I had 3 of my paintings accepted into the  2016 Western Spirit Art Show at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum in Wyoming.  The opening is on March 5 at 6pm and you can see the show through April 17.  The features over 100 western artists from across the country.  Tickets for the opening may be purchased through the Museum.  I will also have 2 miniature paintings for sale in the Vandewark Miniature Art Exhibit.  The opening they put on never disappoints and I am looking forward to the show.  Join me!

Pikes Peak Panoramic Oil (Colorado) 

High in the Rockies Oil (Colorado State Forest)

      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

Impressions of Life, Love & Passion: a show of Art for Valentine's Day

I am participating in the  Cultural Arts Council of Estes Park's (Colorado) February (2016) art show "Impressions of Life, Love & Passion" this month.  I brought in a variety of original art that fit this theme.  "Love is in the Air" is a little mixed piece piece taking off on Lake Loveland & Valentine's day.  Every year Loveland celebrates Valentine's Day just a little more & has become quite the fun, loving event.  "Recharge" is a large oil with impasto of two Adirondack chairs with a bottle of red wine & two wine glasses in front of a perfect view of the mountains.

Love is in the Air (mixed media)

Recharge (oil) 24 x 30"

 I included "Escape" and "The Trumpet", two figures painted from life because they both depict a passion:  reading, enjoying the beach and playing the trumpet.

Escape (oil)

The Trumpet

              What can be more of a gift of love than a painting of 'friendship' yellow roses?

Peaceful Pair (oil)

                                        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

Progression of a painting

I drew horizontal lines for the horizon lines & perpendicular lines for the trees and reflections in charcoal.  With painting reflections it's important that the reflection is directly under the object.

I blocked in my darks

At this stage local  color is added. I also reshaped the canoe.   I used glazes with  for a medium to give me enough time to blend.

"Silence" (Gateway to Wabakimi) 20 x 16" Oil

Here is a progression of my newest painting "Silence".  The scene is from Northern Ontario, close to the Wabakimi Provincial Park.   There are numerous pristine lakes with forests and few people in this part of the world.  Canoes fit in perfectly.  This Canadian  wilderness is something to cherish.

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

A Villa in the Mist

A Villa in the Mist (7.5 x 18")

 One thing I learned about plein air painting in Tuscany is you don't have to get up at the crack of dawn to paint.  I'm used to brilliant morning sunshine in Colorado.  On my first day of painting in Italy I woke up to heavy fog.  I set up my pochade box anyway and started to paint a villa on a neighboring hilltop.  I kept completely losing my subject!  I  had taken a photo, but mostly I learned to just paint quickly, from memory.

Islands in the Sky (9 x 12") plein air oil

 This is an example of the creation of a studio painting.  I start with being there to photograph then paint my inspiration.  I can then use both of these 'props' to create what I had in mind with enough time to develop the scene the way I envisioned it.  I always tell my students how important it is to use your own photos for reference.  Having a plein air piece of the same place is extremely helpful with color and mood. Both of these original oils are currently available for purchase.

My reference photo from a Tuscan morning

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

"Rocky View" was painted during a class as I demonstrated how to create depth in a landscape.

I currently have an opening in my Thursday morning oil painting class.  I teach out of my studio West of Loveland, Colorado.  All levels are welcome, including those with no experience.  I keep my classes small (6 students) so everyone has plenty of attention.  We cover a wide range of subjects and painting styles to help you find your own 'style'.  If you are interested or have questions, please feel free to contact me. 

First Show 2016

"Bud" watercolor

"Nymph Lake" pastel

Both of these paintings are currently hanging at the Cultural Arts Council Gallery in Estes Park, Colorado. "Nymph Lake" is a pastel landscape of Longs Peak with the Keyboard of the Winds over a snowy Nymph Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.  "Bud" is a new watercolor  of a young moose that I had fun painting.  I am honored to be invited to hang paintings in this gallery in the Colorado Rockies through January 2016.

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 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)

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) 

fineartamerica.com    

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

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

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

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