Art by Mary Rochelle Burnham

Autumn Kitty, 10x8", oil,  Available I was feeling pretty low and thought a colorful friend would brighten my day.

Hope , oil, 14x11",  Available I could not of asked for a better group of students at my workshop hosted by Blue Morning Gallery of Pensacola, FL. Hope was an excellent model and sat for us the first two days and then the students worked from a photo that I provided on the third day. The time just flew by so quickly! I have found for myself, that I rarely have time to finish a portrait from life in a couple of hours. I usually will finish from reference photos that I take during the session. That is why I like to incorporate both working from life and photos in my workshops.

Portrait of Suzy , oil, 10x8" SOLD   Please say a prayer for Suzy's owner as she is very ill.

White Maine Coon Cat, oil,  7x5"  Available I decided to participate in Leslie Saeta's " Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge ". I had fun painting this cat! I hope each and every piece I create will teach me something new.

Desert Rain At Sunset, 8x10" , oil, $249 Oh my, I have been having a good ol' time. I have been so busy with hiking, biking, off roading and yes, painting! I have lost a ton of weight, had to replace my wardrobe 3 or 4 times and now I am ready to start anew! So, I apologize for neglecting my blog, but I promise to start posting my work from the last few months and new stuff as it comes along. Here is my hubby with my off road jeep to hit the trails with for plein air and fun with my guy: This is a trail in Sedona that the jeep tours take. It's only accessible with something that can climb rocks. Rich is teaching me to do just that. Whoa, is that a rush! Here's me from the same day:

Myself painting our model, John Today's Portrait Studio in Scottsdale Portrait Studio Come paint or draw with us!!!  Portrait Studios are a benefit of PAOA (Portrait Artists Of Arizona) membership and there is no additional cost for the model.  Portrait Studios are a great way to get to know other members, observe, and improve your portrait skills by working from life! It is also an opportunity for non-members to "check us out" before joining.  Members may invite artist friends to drop in and observe and find out more about our organization. John was our model and he was fantastic and very professional. 2013 - Portrait Studios Upcoming - MAY, JULY, AND AUGUST! MAY Saturday, May 11, 1:30pm - 5pm Granite Reef Community Center - Room 6, Art Room Map/Directions Just North of McDowell on Granite Reef JULY Saturday, July 27, 1:30pm - 5pm Granite Reef Community Center - Room 6, Art Room Map/Directions Just North of McDowell on Granite Reef AUGU

Headed for the Light , Oil on RayMar panel, 6x6", SOLD My entry into this week's Daily Paintworks "the Bright Path Challenge".

Garden Green Peppers , oil, 5x7" available I grew these peppers in my garden last summer. I painted them from life and enjoyed their presence in my kitchen hanging on my wall. Its time now, to release them out into the world.

Her Gaze, Oil, 10 x 8", available Adrienne is a petite young woman with the most compelling gaze. The shadows are painted very thin and the light values, especially in the face, are impasto. My intent was to show some interesting brush work in this 2.5 hour sketch from life.

Lost in Thought , Oil on Panel, 12x9"   SOLD Heather was our model at Open Figure Studio. I was quite pleased with the outcome from the dramatic backlighting. I was working on a fairly dark toned panel. This piece just flowed without much pressure. I am not sure who was lost in thought more, myself or the model?

Gar's Shoes , Oil, 5x7" available A simple still life that I set up for my students. Gar provided the shoes. I did this as a demo.

Art Center Coffee Mug , Oil on panel, 5x7, SOLD Last Thursday, I had some time in between classes to eat my dinner and set up this simple still life. I teach an oil class for beginners and I like to keep it simple. "what the hey", I thought, "I'll knock this puppy out myself before class". Well, I am very pleased with the results.

Sedona Bound , Oil, 11 x 14" SOLD I love this guy! He's so funny, talented, easy going. He kind of has a bit of a nut job for a wife, but hey, nobody's perfect. Rich was our model yesterday at our Open Figure Session. I have painted him a time or two and every time I do, I think I get a little better at it. I love the far away look in his eyes and the shadow on the wall. The unfinished shirt with the red underneath, seems to point the viewer straight to the face while giving a nice texture. What do you think?

Ben , Oil, 14x11" Ben graciously accepted my request to be our model for Open Figure Studio. I bet his mother wishes that she could get him to sit as quiet and as still as he did for us! I had not touched my oils in about 4 or five weeks due to many other commitments. I do, however, draw, sketch or paint almost everyday. I had a little trepidation and had actually given myself permission to not push myself. Well, from the moment my brush touched my panel I got totally lost in the joy of what I was doing. Mmmmm, maybe that is what I need to practice everyday. Just letting go and having fun in the process of doing!

Two of a Kind , Oil on panel, 9 x 12" SOLD I was fortunate to be able to take my mother to Bermuda several years ago, prior to her illness that took her from me. I photographed these intensely colored flowers growing on an old stone wall. A apt metaphor for our relationship. I can hear her now, "Mary, I like your flowers...they will look great on my wall!"

Elvis Is In The House , Oil on panel, 5 x 7",  a vailable Last year while visiting some friends, I took photos of their chickens. I figured that one day I'd get around to painting chickens because they look cool and taste great! Well, as you can see, our friend had some rather plain, drab hens and then this magnificent bird. I don't know what breed this is, but he really reminds me of 70's Elvis, in his white jumpsuit, a bit bloated and really strutting his stuff! Those chicks are his adoring fans.

The Road Less Traveled , Oil on RayMar panel, 5 x 7" SOLD This is the companion piece to Headed Toward the Light. This was actually toward the beginning of our hike and in near proximity to my pastel painting, 'Around The Bend'. As you can see, we were still on relatively level ground. When I paint these little pieces, or even gaze at them, they take me back to being there. But, most of all, walking hand in hand with my best friend, my heart, my husband.

Brian , Oil, 14 x 11" This was the second time that Brian modeled for us. He is a student from a nearby college. A handsome young man and an enjoyable model to paint!

Dominique , Oil, 14 x 11", available Wednesday was our portrait session in Tecumseh, and Dominique was our wonderful model. I spent about two hours minus breaks on this study. Dominique was a very energetic girl and this was her first time modeling. The arm resting on her head was her idea and although a difficult pose for her and for us, everyone did a fantastic job! I took some good photos and perhaps will develop this into a more finished piece.

Chinese Tea Strainer on Silk Chiffon , Oil on Panel, 7 x 5" SOLD    The strainer cup sits on a little hand, held in place by the thumb and fingers. Its part of a beautiful tea set that I received as a gift from China, brought to me by my brother who travels there often. Tea was also part of the gift, vacuum packed and enough to enjoy for years to come. The fabric of the chiffon is very diaphanous with subtle variations in color and pattern. The inspiration for this piece is from the The Color of White Challenge.