Welcome to the magic of Sedona artist Mary Dove

Friday, July 6, 2012


Follow this Bald Eagle oil pastel to a finished painting.

Day 2: Spent time on developing the beak and the eyes; started to bring up the value of the white feathers. The process I use in oil pastels is layering. Sometimes a great deal of work will go into an area that seems not to change very much. As the process moves forward the texture of the board also creates a condition to be dealt with – the background board is not a smooth texture. The challenge become interesting as the color is built up. In this case the texture of the white feathers. You can see the rough texture of the board starting to show.


He needs a name.

I am lucky if I can get a good 4 to 5 hours of work completed on any given day. Most days I take however much time I have to focus on the project.

With the oil pastels, and the Arizona dry weather, the oils start drying out on the board and are no longer workable as I need to work over the previous layer. Between work scission, the mounting board is kept wrapped in plastic. The pastels are also kept in a plastic container.

End of work day 2. See you in a couple of days. Keep thinking about a  name for this guy. Take care. Mary Dove

Wednesday, July 4, 2012


Follow this Bald Eagle oil pastel to a finished painting.


Each summer a new animal or bird is selected for an oil pastel painting. 

Last summer the subject was a Young Desert Ram; won two awards.


Young Desert Ram


Two summers ago the subject was a Red-tailed Hawk; also an award winner. 


Red-tail Hawk


He needs a friend. A Bald Eagle would make for a good buddy. So, this painting has about two years of thought before the first stroke of color.

Day 1:  The first stage is where the subject is blocked in and under painted. 

The focus of my blog is Value. The selection of the subject and background color is the beginning of my value system for this painting; a high contrast painting because of the drama expressed by the subject.


In this first day, my guy is becoming a personality on the board. We are starting to communicate. We’ll see which of us will win in the “do it my way" game.


 Names for my painting usually arrive after the painting is finished. As this piece develops, suggested names are welcome.

Monday, July 2, 2012


June – BoldBrush Painting Competition

June 30th my entry was sent in to the BoldBrush monthly artist competition. Included is a link to the June entries. You will enjoy perusing all of the entries.


The last time I looked my "Barred Owl" pen and ink drawing, is the first image
in the 2nd row.


Barred Owl


“Barred Owl” pen and ink drawing was designed to maximize the use of negative space and still capture the attitude of the subject. This effect is a different expression of this beloved owl. My intent was accomplished. Enjoy!

The "Barred Owl" is also available as a limited edition lithograph.


A question to ponder. Where did the month of June go? The summer is flying. Enjoy your July 4th.

Thursday, May 31, 2012


May – BoldBrush Painting Competition

Last night my entry was sent into the BoldBrush monthly artist competition. Here is a link to the May entries. You will enjoy perusing the diversification of Art.   http://faso.com/boldbrush/paintings/82

My pen drawing, of a Texas Whitetail Deer, is entered this month.
35% from the sale of either the original or a limited edition lithograph will be donated to the Texas Bighorn Society for the Texas and Mexican bighorn sheep habitat preservation. Enjoy!


Texas Whitetail Deer
Pen Drawing



Monday, May 21, 2012


Yeah! Great NAWS Reception on Friday

The NAWS juried watercolor show look wonderful hung in the gallery. It was another award winning evening. The juror Paul Jackson, selected “Sedona Rabbit Brush" to receive his personal JUROR’S AWARD. For me this is a special award because the juror likes this painting. Congratulation to all of the NAWS award winning artists.


Sedona  Rabbit Brush




Pictures from the show at Northern Arizona Watercolor Society

I am in the 3rd row, 5th image.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012


Last Juried Show of the Spring Season

Today was delivery date for the Northern Arizona Watercolor Society Spring Juried show at the Sedona Art Center “Barn” Community Gallery.

Paul Jackson was the juror for the show this year. He is one of America’s greatest contemporary watercolorists. Paul is a Signature Member of AWS, NWS, graced the cover of dozens of magazines and books. In 2008 he was the featured speaker at the International Watercolor masters Invitational in Lushan, China and in 2009 he served as the invited juror for the American Watercolor Society’s (AWS) 142nd international exhibition.

Paul Jackson selected the follow two watercolors for the NAWS show:



Sedona Rabbit Brush, watercolor painting




Hollyhock Garden La Pasada Winslow AZ, watercolor painting


Here is the ad for the show in the Sedona Kudos Guide for the Arts


Look forward to seeing some of you at the reception on May 18th

Thursday, May 3, 2012

SAGA’s Open Exhibition Juried Show at Amara Resort and Spa

Sedona Area Guild of Artists experiences a most successful Open Juried Exhibition for Sedona area artists. SAGA received 96 entries with 29 wall art pieces and 4 three definitional pieces accepted. I was fortunate to have 2 pieces juried into the show with my “Young Desert Ram” receiving a 2nd place award.

Jerry Smith, curator of American and Western American Art at the Phoenix Art Museum, was the juror for the show. Dedicated to the task at hand, it took Jerry two hours to select the awards for the show.

All of the photography and some of the artwork are framed with glass – pardon the glass reflections. Here is an overview of the show:




Award Winner Oil Painting


Oil Painting


Black and White Photography


Photography 


Acrylic Painting


Clay Releaf  Scuplture



Weaving Wall Decor


Award Winner Watercolor


Photography 1st Place Award and
People's Choice Award


Photography


Both Photography


Photography Award Winner



Watercolor Painting


SAGA Treasurer Barbara Ragalyi
Acrylic Painting - one of 2 pieces in the show


SAGA President Jerry Buley Photography
One of two pieces in the show


Jerry Buley Photography - Show Raffle Gift


Photography Best of Show Csaba Martonyi


Acrylic Painting


Photography


Mary Dove Watercolor
One of two pieces in the show


Oil Painting - One of two pieces in the show


Watercolor - One of two pieces in the show



Award Winner Mixed Media 


Mix Media Weaving


Photography


Textured Painting



Mary Dove, Oil Pastel Painting, 2nd Place



Award Winner


SAGA VP Csaba Martonyi Wood Carving
One of two pieces in the show



Jerry Buley Ph.D, SAGA President


Csaba Martonyi, SAGA VP


Hope you enjoyed the tour of the show. Would love to hear your comments on the experience. Thanks for your time. Have and incredible day.   

Mary Dove
Sedona Artist
Original Founding Member of SAGA