New Work Wednesday: 48 WIPs! 05/16/2012
Can I just say how much I love my new Matisse Background Colors! 
I treated myself to these 250ml jars of colored gesso to create tinted grounds for new mixed-media map paintings. I primed 48 canvases ranging in size from 2” x 3” to 8” x 10.” Of the 39 available colors, I chose 8 – mostly subtle blues and greens with a jar of turquoise and caramel color thrown in the mix, too. My favorite is Winter Blue. I would highly recommend these – they are richly-pigmented, apply easily with a paintbrush, and clean up with soap and water. I like that they are low-tooth, too…perfect for collaging my maps to! In my grief over my sweet dog Daphne died suddenly last week (read about what happened by clicking here), the process of painting background after background after background has both grounded and soothed me. Thanks so much for visiting my blog! Hope you're having a wonderful week! Mary^ 10 Comments A Bittersweet Week 05/14/2012
Last week was bittersweet. I lost my beloved Daphne suddenly to kidney failure.  Tuesday evening the vet told me that her kidneys were failing. Thursday, Daphne died. She was an extraordinary companion to me. Only 2 weeks ago, I posted 12 Important Things I’ve learned from my dog Daphne. And although it feels like my heart is breaking, I am extremely grateful that she went peacefully.  Sole Survivor Art Gallery On a brighter note, last week Sole Survivor Art Gallery reviewed my artwork and invited me to be one of 18 artists represented there! Saturday, I returned to the gallery with 8 more map paintings (for a total of 12 paintings) – to be displayed in time for Art on the Square May 18-20!!  The weather was so lovely Saturday that I decided to walk along Main Street after dropping off my art. Just a few doors down from Sole Survivor Art Gallery, I was pleasantly surprised to see a display of luggage and maps in the windows of My Vintage Addiction! Inside were even more maps and globes! It was such an unexpected and delightful visual treat.  Though I miss Daphne immensely, I’m remaining positive, embracing my fond memories of her. And I’ll continue looking for and finding inspiration along the way...just as I did Saturday. Mary^ Friday Favorite: Rebecca Garcia 05/11/2012
This Friday’s Feature artist is Rebecca Garcia! I’ll take one of each from her Etsy shop, too, please! 
Happy Friday! Mary^ Mother's Day 05/07/2012
My mother and I share a wonderful tradition each spring. We visit Wiethop Greenhouses together and choose flowers to plant. And this year was no exception...except this time, I brought my camera!      Card by Paper + Pip Abraham Lincoln said it perfectly. Happy Mother's Day to my angel mom! Mary^ Friday Favorite: Amy Rice 05/04/2012
This Friday’s Feature artist is Amy Rice! I’ll take one of each from her Etsy Shop please! 
Needless to say, I love the way she uses maps and the positive messages her artworks convey. After reading more about her, I was also deeply touched by how her dog Ella was her greatest muse and continues to inspire her art. TGIF! Mary^ New Work Wednesday: Green Sand Beach 05/02/2012
My new painting this week is entitled Green Sand Beach. 
©2012 Mary C. Nasser, Green Sand Beach, mixed-media/acrylic on canvas, 5 x 6 inches
This painting layers Hawaiian maps, decorative paper, typed text, olivine, metallic tape, metal ephemera and acrylic paint and media on a small stretched canvas. I adhered a tiny piece of olivine at Green Sand Beach's location on the center map. The metal compass needle points to the location, too. Green Sand Beach (Papakōlea Beach) is one of only two green sand beaches in the world. (The other is at the Galapagos Islands.) Green Sand Beach gets its distinctive coloring from olivine found in the enclosing cinder cone. Olivine is a common mineral component of Hawaiian lavas and one of the first crystals to form as magma cools. Green Sand Beach is located near South Point, the southernmost point on the Big Island of Hawaii and of the 50 United States. Because I didn’t have a 4 Wheel Drive, it was a 2 ¼ mile hike one-way to the Green Sand Beach…but worth every step! 
olivine
Thanks so much for visiting my blog! Hope you're having a wonderful week! Mary^ National Specially-abled Pets Day! 04/29/2012
 Thursday is National Specially-abled Pets Day! This holiday is recognized and celebrated annually every May 3rd! National Specially-abled Pets Day encourages adoption always and for people who would like to bring a new furry family member home, to consider a specially-abled pet.  Daphne and me! Many of you already know that I brought home my specially-abled, one-eyed dog Daphne nearly 7 years ago! But what most of you don’t know, is that Daphne lost her sight completely and suddenly last month. I had a much harder time adjusting than Daphne, so was unable to write about it until now. I will be eternally grateful to Karen Goodale and her wonderful website BlindDogs.net. Her dog Lucy is a Jack Russell Terrier that suddenly went totally blind the same way Daphne did – from SARDS (Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome) in September 2004.  Lucy! At the time, Lucy was just 2 ½ years old. Karen created her website after learning how often blind dogs that are otherwise perfectly healthy are put to sleep. Her hope is to make people aware of what happy and fulfilled lives blind dogs can still have! The website offers support and information to help other dog owners that are adjusting to life with a newly blind dog, or a dog that may slowly be losing their sight – and let us pet-parents know we are not alone! Most importantly, BlindDogs.net reminds us that blind dogs see with their hearts! I am also so very grateful for friends like Liz Thoresen. Liz is a wonderful portrait artist, and she created this beautiful pastel painting of Daphne for me.  ©2012 Liz Thoresen, Daphne I was so afraid when I first suspected that Daphne was losing her sight, but had only talked with family about my concerns. Yet somehow Liz seemed to know; that week in the mail I received a wonderful magazine article and note in the mail from Liz. The article was entitled Outta Sight! from the Winter 2010/11 issue of Modern Dog magazine. The note from Liz and magazine article really lifted my spirits. Since becoming completely blind, Daphne has adjusted quickly and amazingly well! She is such an inspiration to me…she always has been, but even more now than ever! Daphne’s blindness has been another journey, another learning experience, and the bond between us has only grown stronger, the trust between us even deeper. I wanted to share with you a few things Daphne has taught me. 12 Important Things I’ve learned from my dog Daphne: 1. Never give up! 2. Live in the present. 3. Never be embarrassed of showing enthusiasm and excitement. 4. Go for lots of walks. 5. Take lots of naps. 6. Don’t hold grudges. 7. Stick close to the people you love. 8. Find joy in the little things. 9. See with your heart, not just your eyes. 10. Listen carefully. 11. Do the things you love. 12. An old dog can learn new tricks! Have a great beginning to your week! Mary^ Friday Favorite: Robbi Lindeman of saltlabs! 04/27/2012
This Friday’s Feature artist is Robbi Lindeman of saltlabs! Her map pillows bring back wonderful memories for me of my travels. I love the look of the vintage maps! 
And you know I could just daydream the day away on her lovely geology pillows! 
New Work Wednesday: Solitude 04/25/2012
My new painting this week is entitled Solitude.  ©2012 Mary C. Nasser, Solitude, mixed-media/acrylic on canvas, 2 x 3 inches This painting layers Hawaiian maps, typed text, mica, olivine, metal ephemera and acrylic paint on a teeny-tiny stretched canvas. As an artist and an art educator, I frequently balance both solitude and community. Although I enjoy working closely with others – encouraging and guiding their creativity, I also love my solitude to paint! Thanks so much for visiting my blog! Hope you're having a wonderful week! Mary^ Berlin or bust! 04/23/2012
 Berlin gripped me with its unique combination of both history and newness. Historical accounts are manifest in ancient art, contemporary architecture, and structures from the past laden with 20th century history. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to visit; it was such an unparalleled, captivating and moving experience for me. Wishing you all the best, Mary^ | About Me
I am a painter and art educator living in the Greater St. Louis Area. I love creating mixed-media paintings layered with maps and geologic drawings. This blog is a place for me to share my work and what inspires me. Read more here.  Follow me? Interested in buying my art?
You will always see my most recent paintings here on my blog, so you are in the right place. If you are ever interested in a piece, feel free to contact me. You can also find my work at Wood Icing, The Little Gallery at Art Saint Louis, Artlandish Gallery, and Etsy!     Grab my button  
CategoriesAll ArchivesMay 2012 
 
|
RSS Feed
