Watercolor Painting of a White Hibiscus, the change from a sketch to a painting. "My where abouts"

Watercolor Painting of a White Hibiscus, the change from a sketch to a painting. "My where abouts"

It's  going good, but must admit, still all over the place, have seen all the opportunities that are there for me to take, working on an artist, resume and also my statement. Probably have it ready by the end of this month, can i hear a whot, whot?

  I dream of the day where i can see my works hanged and displayed where many can see it and it will be even better to be able to make enough $$ for my three children, i love what ive been doing online, but relying solely in just it, is not enough, so it is time to move on.

Haven't seen a Hibiscus at least not as large as that one, so thanks to Helga O' for that beautiful picture.  paintmyphoto.ning  Someone asked me what is the difference between a sketch than a painting?,  i think the painting looks more complete.

For this painting:  Layered a simple color palette in to a smaller canvas and then randomly used of colors, going light on the background, it is very difficult to capture the whites in a flower.

Watercolor painting White hibiscus original Photo taken by Helga O'

12 X 16 Watercolor Fluid paper cold press. Close up...

Studied this one for quite sometime, brave enough to do the painting and the final result. I notice the folds where going to be a trip already, so wanted to convey rather than transparency thickness.

Recent paintings...

Marilyn Monroe on Fluid watercolor paper 12 x 16


Watercolor paper on the new Fredericks Canvas paper for Watercolors 16 X 20

New Art Prints and Watercolor Art on the way "Flowers and acrylic paintings. "

New Art prints and watercolor Art on the way... "Flowers and acrylic paintings"

Art print zoomed in ACEO 2.5 by 3.5" photo taken with cellphone camera.

Art print next to the original so you can see the difference in color and texture.

I am grateful to be able to do the prints of my original work, feel like everyone will be able to enjoy the work it self, instead of just one person acquiring one specific,  also feel that in case i want to do an art show it is essential to have instead the original. 

The artworks been waiting for me since December, it seems to get to Philadelphia i need to schedule my trips, which makes me a bit upset, my calendar is filled with appointments several of them during the week early hours, and after one appointment with the children it seems i become exhausted. My schedule seem to become tighter to the point of stretching out to the weekends. 

However, the time dedicated to my children is reaping out great results, and they are all doing excellent in school and other areas, so in a way, yes is difficult, but is worth it. That is one of the reasons to make the prints, and also made several in watercolors. Because the time to paint has been greatly reduced as well. 

Fear not, have to learn to be reasonable,  on my way to paint, at least one a day.

What have you done to paint or create? Comment below any links to encourage also those whom are following me as well.

Happy Paintings!

Robin bird "Waiting for winter to cease" Watercolor pencil sketch and watercolor painting. New artwork by vargasartstudio.

Robin bird "Waiting for winter to cease" Watercolor pencil sketch and watercolor painting, New artwork by Vargasartudio.

Watercolor painting bird 9 inches by 12 inches

Special Thanks to photographer: Dave Webb from Paintmyphoto, link below, for he's exquisite rendition and capturing the little fellow! 

Sing birdie sing!  happy to be able to redirect some of my followers from twitter to the blog, All this has been a trial and error for me and now after 6 long years i can say is getting better.  About the birdie: Found a great resource for photos which I'm using here: http://paintmyphoto.ning.com/  Still learning to navigate the site, but thought on doing something simple with the reference photo. Got some stamps from the near by Michaels and thought to use them with some of my paintings, on my way to the cashier.. stopped and right on the left, there they are!! the swirls of various of my paintings?, and saw a bunch of coloring books with them...giggles.. it says Art Nouveau!  yes that is true, incorporating  form and shape with architecture design in to a painting. Any ways more about that, later...So off to stamping it is!

While making the painting, noticed strong stamping was a bit too much, because wanted the main subject to pop, after all ..the bird is the super star! not the stamps, no offense Martha Stewart..

To be or not to be? ..is the question, Crafter or not a crafter?

Well,.. as you will learn later on, if you have decided to commit in to art making and have decided to make your carrier as your business, you will have to mingle with all kinds of crowds, shoot your art in every website, And like it or not, have your very own special space in the craft section, actually some of the tags i use in both stores ebay and etsy is arts and crafts. Thank me later..  I know how some of us feel about it, but that is the truth. 

 Back to the bird...with several stamps, which where added to the background and i am of course giving you the idea for your own work, because i think it is important to give part of the technical progress.  And you will also learn how to mix and match your work with different craft ideas etc. This will take you out of your comfort zone, and from one simple or single idea, many will come,

  all artsie,... fartsie me... wanted to do the swirls, by hands and the stamping in the beginning..or cut up my own, but i wanted a quick result. And if they are available why not?. 

Some of the materials used:

Happy paintings!

If you are interested in this or other artwork, contact me maryartstudio@gmail.com

Stores: vargasartstudio.etsy.com

follow me @Vargasartstudiob Twitter.com 
drop me a line..comment below!

"Red Flowers" Passion for red flowers, my parrot tulips a Journey" Oil painting by Mary Vargas

"Red Flowers" Passion for red flowers, my parrot tulips a Journey" Oil painting by Mary Vargas

work in progress of the parrot tulip in red.

When spring gets here, what is the first thing that pops in to your mind? Trees in different colors, the new smell of flowers blooms, many beautiful things sprouting, delicious new veggies, fruits, we let go slowly of our coats,  we come out to the sun!  like we never seen light before. People are much more happier on this season as well,  and we live in a air conditioning setting that is to envy..or just my experience as a generalized parable...

For us painters is also our favorite time of the year, because we get to see and smell and Paint! all those colors, or those flowers, and  landscapes...we get to experience at first glance beauty, a new color, yep, i got it! mixed in to our palettes...ahhh' we say:  ~this is life and life it self, we work hard, all day! 

This painting however, was painted in the coldest month of the winter, December, with a photo as reference...my want,.. is spring! and is very pungent and colorful, looking at the painted canvas the other night, and said wow.. look at you, zoomed in to the flower,  wanted to convey a cozy, well round bulb of red, and all that pollen, ... good thing tho, this flower is allergy free.

When painting, yes you can do that, you can go as far as spring, and enjoy yourself in all those colors, and imagine all those flowers...

This, is the final result: colors are red, green, purple mixed in various whites, and darks burnts. The blue is my must favorite a mix of prussian blue..

List of materials used: Long bristles square, round, flats, 1,4,6 for the background a bit of ochre

also: I use several brands. Rembrandt, Gambling, Grumbacher and blick oils. using a sheet of canva cotton wrapped, usually steady with several clamps.

Here is a photo directly from my easel, side ways for better lighting and you can see the details.

 

If you are interested about this and  or any other work feel free to contact me: maryartstudio@gmail.com

Follow me @vargasartstudio

I am back on etsy! vargasartstudio.etsy.com

"Lemon and Orange" Batik look in watercolors and more about me"

"Lemon and Orange" Batik look in watercolors and more about me"

Is lemon season at least on my head, is been long since i haven't done a blog post, it was due time, wanting to do a video for the process of each paintings coming soon. Some people might think that we just paint for the hek of it, but reality is that goes beyond that, Have you heard the expression, When life gives you lemons...make lemonade.? " is a very common one, yet, is better said than done.

This is what that is, I'm making lemonade with everything life has thrown my way, i have to learn to say no, to advocate and to be my own counsel and my own pro me, to be careful not everyone has the best intentions and when they might give something they might ask you in return, from those i have learned to stay far away.  Anyone that tries to manipulate in this way is despicable, period. I have met so many great people as well as many, many bad people, learned a lot about peoples roles in their jobs and have a keen sense when they don't like it, or not wanting to help, and what not to say or what to say,  that there's always a solution to our problems and yes that urgent so called thing can wait, learned that those curves are beautiful every inch of them if you where wondering I am an average size 12. to love my self, had to reload all this in my head. To be able to survive with my three children.

I have become tenacious in the things i can acquire and also learned to let go when is out of my control, had to stop for a while and think, if i keep running? where do i actually go? Can't run from problems, but each one of them tackle in it's own time. Can't also take in, every single opinion from others, or you will go completely nuts, Yes, there's always suggestions, but you have to make the final decision, learned that if it sounds right in my guts, i must go for it. To let go of doubts, to understand every time i look in the mirror, there's an amazing women, yes, a great artist, a mom, a beautiful intelligent person staring right back at me, that all this will come to pass soon. and that God will grant me the well deserved peace i want, i know the journey or rough puzzle is not over, but i am able to completed. 

If i look back in life, i will described my self as a low self esteem individual, with out the ability to express her self, completely under the control of another individual that was creating chaos in he's own life, full of lies and deceit. Oblivious to what was happening and in real danger! At this point i can speak out loud and i have no issues or problems with whom reads it, because is my past, and i have learned to overcome and to be free from all this. I knew i waited too long, i was afraid about what others might think, i was afraid about people next to me, i was so concerned about each and everyone's opinion, i often beat myself up because i thought  i wasn't good enough, smart enough,creative enough, not able to do absolutely anything with out someone next to me telling me what and how, i was used and abused,victimized, terrorized, because people know this things and can see when someone is easily managed, people with abusive and control issues can see that. Also we have to be careful because we can become the same ourselves if we don't seek help.  It is in our best interest to flee from that and to regain our own freedom. 

Yes, painting is more than just a subject, than just a still life, is a subconscious thing, an inside matter, an letter to ourselves saying at least in my case, it will get better, beautified by a grandiose sense of I can and create. The best therapy that one can have, my outlet to what surrounds me, the freedom of expression and what makes me a better person..

My goals for the upcoming years, are many, i think have been able to accomplish more in this year than in the past 10 years, i am back on twitter @Vargasartstudio, both of my stores ebay and etsy are back, i am also taking several courses, i have read several books, i have powerful tools to become better. 

If you are interested in this or any other paintings, you can contact me trough email for more details: maryartstudio@gmail.com 


Abuse is abuse and not necessarily needs to be Physical learn the facts. And feller''s treat your ladies right, however it can go both ways. A lot of women including myself stay in this situation because well let's face it "love" we love and think is okay also can be because a man can do much more physically and economy, but this puts ourselves in even greater danger, like i said there's no need to go trough it, also for those whom know whom they are...talking about you!!!!, who likes to push others peoples buttons there's a tone of resources out there for you too!! but you need to want to be a better person!! stop the excuse tho', no one deserves to be treated like dirt, because you have had past issues. :) There's help for both the victims and the other peoples..lol

Books might be worth reading or have read recently Thrive by Arianna Huffington and also the Body Book by Camerom Diaz with Sandra Bark

If you or someone you know, is a  Domestic Violence victim please contact: 1-800-799-7233

follow @NNEDV on twitter resources and empowerment for domestic violence victims nnedv.org/

Women we are beautiful, no matter the size, no matter what you gone trough in life, love yourself this is an important rule when you do, everything else falls in to place.

Watercolor painting apples Still life with Parrot Tulip in watercolors New Painting

Watercolor painting apples Still life with parrot tulip in watercolors New Painting 2014

It's been so long  haven't been able to do a blog absolutely trilled in how art collectors and people that have followed the work has responded after an entire year of oblivion consumed in my personal life and not been able to blog frequently. Now more than ever have observed and  know the importance of having art in my life in our lives in general, want to take this moment to thank of all you for your immense support. 

Every time there's a decision to make a painting it  gets super exciting, like a child, and when is finished we want to share it with the world. But all this  accomplishments talking in a more personal level, can not by any means be possible with out the support of Great People in my life.

So now, about the work, the artwork it's what's called using negative space to your advantage, where you can apply paint to a desire form, leaving white paper as guidance a very cool way to approach in watercolors. Getting awesome results and a oil like painting although that is not the goal, because watercolors has been proven to be an fantastic medium.  

New Artwork Oil painting Landscape "The South" Original hand made on canvas

New Abstract Art Original Modern on Canvas "Rouge"

New Abstract Art Original Modern on Canvas 16" by 20" 

"Rouge"

The history about the work,: The use of cosmetics and the different grounds to make it, Rouge for cheeks comes in powder form or pastes, glossy and can also be mixed,  just like in paints, also  has a chemical compound, say to make it stay longer or to give a natural complexion to work better with the skin,  Hope you enjoy the work, which was created with that concept in mind giving natural form to a composition.

This is my new Original painting tittled:  "Rouge" here is a small link that will direct you to the work http://r.ebay.com/a2W5P9 , in eBay, its easier to introduce work on auction this way, although the more important thing is to introduce the work rather,  for this one, the experimentation of textures and grounds came to play, the use of soap and foam, the use of different pastes all incorporated to give a natural design and natural form on a canvas. 

@VargasArtStudio Twitter 

online Stores: Vargasartstudio.etsy.com

myworld.ebay.com/vargasarstudio

vargasartstudio.blogspot.com

Abstract painting Original Art New

Abstract painting "My Life"

 

This is my life, like watching the TV after 12:00 am.  remember? that's how it felt... with all it carries my pains, my gains, my sorrows, in each line my story, this is the only thing that... came out of me, wile I kneel and cried  each line, done with pain in my chest the worst pain you could find the worst kind of sorrow as in with death.

It's okay to die, it's okay to live again and to gain strength! for now on.. this is my story, because...I know I've been rescued out from the pit and have been saved again, from whom tried to kill my art and must importantly my life.

Photo taken of Art miniature titled: "Best friends"
made in oils, measures 2.5" by 3.5" Art Card on canvas paper,

One of my favorite works, titled: "No play no game" it will be displayed here later on,  it's about the importance to rest and give our selves time, the importance to play, to write, to walk, to run, because an cranky artist is not very happy and hence creativity flow, won't go trough.

Artist after all, yes we are indeed selfish in that matter, if we can't draw we become constipated emotionally and we can't think straight, we get depressed, we don't function, we don't react like others do, I'm sorry we  just don't, so the way to be happy and be better is by letting us do what we should, which is to paint!

Mary Vargas | Gallery | Artist Portfolio | ArtWanted.com

Have you visited ArtWanted.com? 

Conversing with a friend, she told me sometimes it is hard to find a place for the artworks bought, or simply the work doesn't go with a specific decor, so thought hmmmmm, What if you can print them and make them in to cards for your friends or as a gifts? even more...What if you can print it on a phone case? This idea of  art prints have been going on for a while, but of course finding a resourceful and trustful website  was a must. 

Sometimes because of time or pesos ...buying the original pieces is not possible, With an Art print you can customize it to your liking or sizes, and find interesting ways to show case your art. . This is and awesome opportunity to support other artist as well.

Print them on to anything, ordering your own prints at a lower cost. 

My experience online has thought  me  the possibilities are endless when it comes to Art. 

Your Welcome! Stop by and say hello

visit: Mary Vargas | Gallery | Artist Portfolio | ArtWanted.com

New Watercolor rose simple sketch painting

 

 

Watercolor Flower simple sketch rose painting 9 in  by 12 in

 

Titled: "Vintage a rose"

 

 

 

Simple watercolor sketch of a flower, used a simple approach, to start, you may need a number 3 bold, you can either use a graph or a tracer if you like,  The watercolors are diluted once applied in the paper on a dry surface and then dragged in with a second brush. The aim for this one was to apply shadow in the middle and extend to the rest of the background, it gives more flow, and even if is two subjects rather than one, using a triangular setting works well... it is important to know the basics.

 

 

Even though this is the practical part of a painting, I think is important to tell the history behind what we do, life's lessons on seeing beyond of what is in front of us and concentrating in what really matters, I'm starting to see the work growing  and been less controlling just letting it be...

 

 

 



Watercolor paintings, sketch live model session March

Watercolor sketches and the finished paintings. 

Live session Model resting pose 40 min and 10 min painting , "Tori Afternoon nap"  study sketch for color schemes, pears still life. 

Size 10 in by 14 in 

Original Watercolor paintings, humming birds on new paper fluid a quick review

 

 

1st painting on watercolor Fluid Paper Wet in to Wet on the background, and on the bird’s chest, light wash on the bottom part a color scheme of oranges and yellows. The only thing ~ some broccoli effect, when using a lot of water, which I love, also noticed though the water washes need to be controlled, the paper goes back to its size and is already made in a block for you.

Titled: “Waiting”

The  new paper called fluid watercolor paper, is an acid free cold press finish, I am using 140lb not sure if the company has 300lb yet, but I see a great tool for all of us who dap in watercolors. The surface is smooth and allows you to pick up even, darker pigments or opaque, used a variety of techniques, like scratching, water dropping, lifting and color scheme to see transparency and opacity, and its has stand the abuse, I am posting the recent paintings done in this paper for you to view and compare.

Painting 2 Color scheme of blues, for this painting a dry in to wet technique was used and the background was made in wet in to wet. The white of the paper seem to  make a smooth transition between the watercolor, creating an dimension on the two, this is great for action paintings like in the bird. A must, for on the go quick sketch paintings.

Titled: “Free”

The sizing is smaller than other traditional watercolor papers, so it makes it feel like in between cold and hot press, the price is a joke compared with what the paper promise, and I am very happy to give a good review about an all made American watercolor paper. 

3rd painting The lifting technique on a wet in to wet. The lines are made with a dry brush as you can see in the bottom part.

Titled: “The sideline”

 

4th painting A combination of all, wet in to wet, scrubbing, dry in to wet, and leaving the paper white to convey action.

Titled: “Landing” 

Oil Painting on Canvas panel Girl Holding Bear

 

 

Titled: “protecting my child”

 

The phycology  part of painting is like a child, and you must nurture and protect, keep it safe, entertained and rewarded, the happier your child is, the more productive, you are as an artist!

 

 

New Modern Abstract painting

 

 

Original New Oil Painting Still Life Lemons on Canvas Panel

 

 

 

Titled: “Lemons in Red”

 

The use of analogous color in your paintings, like in the case of this still life, is perfect for those beginning or more experienced in painting, you can create the feeling of a  variety of color with just a few.  When creating your paintings, you will have a better understanding of color and it’s relationship with each other.

Using a limited palette is not only great to do practice in oils or any medium but will train your eye as well. The still life, the lemons even tho part of the artwork are not the main subject but the background, used a combination of impressionism and abstract to make a relationship between the old and the modern.

Original Oil Painting Giraffe

 

 

 

 

Artwork measures 16” by 20”

 

The artwork symbolizes all that is Art and love, there's a special child in each and every one of us artist, that makes you continue moving forward, where there's happiness, despite whatever opposition you encounter in your life or sorrow, that child that loves to dap in paint and continue to love nature as well as people, the child that sees the world full of wonder and beauty, that does not seek competition, but laughs and shares it with many friends, cheers them up as well,  the giraffe is friendly and beautiful, some spots are made of cooper, light ochre and Vandyke brown.  A lot of earthly tones, the artwork even though looks decorative at the same time, tells you a story, this time, endurance, love and perseverance, You the viewer can embark in an adventure wile looking at it, and that was the aim, ass well a 3 d effect that pushes the artwork forward as it is done with some of the other artworks.  Hope it brings a smile to you, good memories and happiness!

Artist for my inspiration?

Freud

van Dyck

African folklore

and Naya

Art original oil painting seascape on canvas

 

 

16” by 20” titled:  “tempest”

 

k viva la impressionisme

 

New ACEO Watercolor, painting, Kitten miniature

 

new ACEO for the year 2012

titled: “Bonny”