Art by Mary Rochelle Burnham

Stop and Smell the Roses 2, pastel, 12x9" SOLD I took the photo reference for this painting on a sunny evening as the light was low in Cambria, California. I love the dramatic lighting and how the use of complementary colors really pop in this piece.

Stop and Smell the Roses , pastel, 9x12", SOLD I took the photo reference for this painting on a overcast day at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. I love the soft lighting and the complementary colors that glow, but still convey a sense of peacefulness.

Roses and Teapot , oil, 8x10", available This was from my last day of Qiang Huang's workshop. I am very happy with this piece which took about two hours of concentrated work.

October Nightscape , Oil, 5x7", SOLD My first night painting. My aim was to capture the mystery of the full moon rising on an October eve.

A Cry for Freedom , Oil 7x5", available Inspired by the Daily Paintworks Challenge, "A Cry for Freedom" is my small painting, that reflects my deeply held personal conviction. I thank God every day that I am blessed to have been born in our great nation, with our multitude of freedoms. I am proud to be an American.

Broken Egg II , Oil, 5x7", SOLD I don't know why I decided to use a different technique to paint this egg. I tend to be an intuitive artist, allowing my unconscious to direct me. I was very happy with yesterday's direct approach and I am equally happy with today's result using layers. Following are photos I took of my process: Stage One: I toned the panel with a combination of cadmium red light and yellow ochre. I added a small amount of indian red to draw with and to add shadows. I lifted color using my brush and mineral spirits for the lights. Stage Two: Here I added darks with ultramarine blue, manganese violet and Van dyke brown Stage Three: I begin the mid-tones of the background scumbling with ultramarine blue, manganese violet, prussian blue, white, naples yellow and alizarin crimson. Stage Four: I add cadmium red light, cadmium yellow light and zinc yellow primarily in the yolk of the egg. I combined these colors with yellow

Broken Egg, Oil, 5x7", available It has been awhile since I have done a DPW Challenge. This was engaging for me on so many levels. I look forward to doing another.