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I am pleased to announce that I will be featured in the October 2016 Southwest Art Magazine Collectors Issue. Also, I just recently posted a new painting. WHICH WAY DID IT GO is a watercolor of a group of white chickens. They were looking every direction as I took the photo so the name instantly popped into my head. I truly enjoy art of all kinds. It's wonderful and peaceful to be able to create.

I love flowers of all kind. English Gardens, wildflower farms, bluebonnets , botanicals are some of my favorite . My mothers side of the family have English roots and I think the English love of the floral is within me. A few days ago, I gathered roses from one of my climbing rose bushes and set up a still life. It was a beautiful day to paint "plein air" and I was joyfully painting to my hearts content. Awww the smell of clean country air!!!! Wait, what is that smell? SMOKE, a big low hazy cloud headed my way. Turning to the left, I saw my neighbor had decided to burn brush on my painting day. Oh Misery !!! I gathered, quickly, all my painting supplies and headed to my studio. ROSES was created that day despite the interruption. And I still like my neighbor and painting roses outside.

ROSES newly posted on my website. Please check it out. Do you see any smoke on it?

I have painted many years with the traditional oil paints. I love the soft, buttery movement of oil paints. Unfortunately, like many oil painters, I can no longer paint with them because of health issues. I started painting with acrylics and although I do like them, I missed the soft, buttery paint, especially for my landscapes. I invested in a small set of the Holbein Duo Oils and started practicing with them. As with any new medium it took a few tries but finally I accomplished an oil I was happy with. I learned that the water based medium is the secret. It allows the paints to mellow out and go on easier. Also, although the paints are water based, I use very little of the water while I'm actually painting. The clean up with water is fantastic and there is NO ODOR. The painting being shown is VILLAGE FLOWERS. It is a 24x24 water based oil. Village Flowers will be featured in the October 2015, Collectors Issue of Southwest Art Magazine. Yes, I would recommend water based oils!

I am thrilled to be included in the March 2015 Southwest Art Magazine. I am in the Art Of Texas section with my painting "CHAPELL HILL COTTAGE". I just added three new paintings to my Fine Art America website. Please take time to view them and don't forget to sign up for my email letter. Thank you!

I recently received an email stating that my painting $3.96 was a runner up in the Southwest Art 2014 Artistic Excellence Competition. It will appear in the 2014 December issue.

Ok, so this is really a painting from a set up at the Wal Mart garden center. I wanted the Tuscan vibe so I fudged a little. Enjoy! 20x20 oil On my website.

I have posted a new painting. "Checking It Out"; a watercolor of three curious cows. Original for sale.

Plein air number six is a small group of cactus clinging to a rocky ledge. The shadows were a beautiful blue and the opposite side was lit with light. A delightful study of both. More paintings to come......

I recently committed to painting 100 plein air paintings by the end of this year. They will be 11x14 acrylics. This morning I started bright and early doing sunflowers in my garden and then did a potting shed painting of geraniums. I intend to capture the essence of a scene and will try my VERY best not to work a painting to death. Hopefully, at the end of the 100 paintings I will have acquired new info on light, shadows, and how to paint with less information but will have more to say. Wish me luck as I continue this journey! BTW, I have five paintings and started on June 15th.

I opened a new image gallery showing plein air landscapes . I've heard from many artists that painting outside, PLEIN AIR, is the greatest improver of ones art. I believe this is so true, so I have determined to paint 100 11x14 paintings by the end of the year. This is an experiment to cull out clutter and simply my paintings. I will continue to post as I create each new painting. It will be interesting to see what I learn. To be continued..... On this first painting I had to pay attention to the different values of green. I grayed most of them as they were too garish otherwise, I have painted in oils for many years and just recently switched to acrylics. I am learning how to tone down the brighter colors.

Yupo is a synthetic watercolor paper made of a plastic like substance. The watercolors sit on top of the yupo which allows them to run together and mix in surprising ways. Sometime the surprise is good and sometimes NOT. But, with this great paper, you can wipe back to white most of the time and try again. It is a little trickey to work with at first but worth it if you like watery watercolors. My small 14 x 18 painting of Fancy was fun and relaxing to do.

Oattie is a donkey but not just ANY donkey!!! Oattie stands and brays until he gets his well trained humans to give him tortilla's as a treat!!! He has a taste for Mexican food I guess!

The Texas longhorn is a great animal to behold. Although they look tough, they are often very gentle . The painting is "Under Texas Skies".

Jud is a young Texas cowboy.

The painting is named DINK AND DONK! The detail I put into this pencil drawing took me two weeks and hour upon hour to get it all done. The thing is...I enjoyed every minute of it. I have already started a new pencil drawing of a donkey. Isn't being an artist GREAT????

My favorite flower is a Geranium. I think it all started when I WON FIRST PLACE years ago with a geranium painting. In fact, it was my first win of any kind!

I just returned from a wonderful vacation in Gunnison, Colorado. I painted the aspen trees in the cool light of early morning. Of course, I was on the lookout for the neighborhood bear that roamed the area!!!!

OH MY is a pencil drawing of a young girl who is watching something with great interest. Wonder what it is???

This painting is plein air and done early. The light was just beginning to come up and only the chickens and myself were awake. Rise and Shine is the paintings name. Enjoy all you early risers.

This a a new pencil drawing of Taylor. I liked the eyes upward look she gave me when I called her name.

Posted July 4th. Garden Treasures is an oil that depicts a little piece of my heaven. Every morning I sit out in this area, drinking my coffee, chickens running free, kitty playing, and my two boxer dogs lying around. I am truly blessed to live in a wonderful country. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Sunny Sunflowers is an oil painting of the sunflowers in my garden. Sun flowers are such happy flowers and somehow they just make ones day brighter.

Old John II is my second attempt to paint a watercolor painting of my brother John. My first attempt was not watercolorey (my word) enough!! Anyway, John is an outdoorsman and has the weathered look to prove it. He is fun to paint.

I just finished this 24 x 30 oil of pentunias. I love the freedom of lines in which they grow and I wanted to capture this in the painting Petunia Riot".

I am pleased that I received third place in the FAA "Pathway" contest. My winning painting is "Garden Walk". Please view this painting on my FAA web page.

New watercolor "Poppy".

New watercolor of Blue Hummingbird posted.

I am pleased that two of my paintings finished in the top finisher in the FAA Flowers in Watercolor Contest. Mama's Flag is shown in the photo.

I just recently finished this commission piece. It is Doc's Place.

Recently I received second place in the FAA contest-Impressionist Flower. The painting is Wild Iris.

Two paintings made it into the top finisher in the garden flower contest. Geraniums on a chair and Wild Iris (picture shown).

Two paintings made it into the top finisher in the garden flower contest. Geraniums on a chair and Wild Iris (picture shown).

My painting Mini Geranium made it into the top finisher catergory in the FAA ABSTRACT FLOWER contest.

Top Finisher in the FAA Purple Flowers Contest.

I have posted a new pencil drawing. I practice daily...hoping to improve.

OLD ORCHARD, was a top finisher in the FAA Tree paintings contest.

Hello...I posted a new acrylic painting today, "Wild Iris". Please give me your feedback on it. Thanks

Four of my paintings were voted as top finishers in the FAA contest "COTTAGE WITH A GARDEN". Country Living is the painting that is shown on this blog.

Mama's Flag was a top finisher in the Spring Flowers Contest

Geraniums on a Chair is available as a 8 x 10 gallery wrap for $45.00 for the next ten days. Please check the FAA Promotional Page.

I have two paintings that made it into the Top Finalists in the FAA contest IN PRAISE OF THE IMPRESSIONIST. The paintings are ACROSS THE WAY and MINI GERANIUM.

Coolblue Water is an oil painting that is being promoted for the next 10 days at a price of $55.00 for a 11x14 gallery wrap. Only 10 prints will be offered for this price. This painting is a top finisher in the FAA contest THE GREAT OUTDOORS.

Today I sarting painting an acrylic landscape with a GREAT PLAN in mind. I painted, painted, and painted. After several hours I decided it was time to view this magnificent painting from a distance. Boy was I disappointed......my values had all run together and the painting was flat and uninteresting. BUT, I did not give up, I went back to the painting table and repaired the weak values. I pulled it out and now as I set here with a large glass of tea, I feel that the day and PAINTING went well. JUST STAY WITH IT, you can repair your mistakes. By-the-way, the painting will be posted in a few days. I am too pooped out to take a photo and get on FAA tonight. This blog is to encourage all painters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Top finisher in FAA contest BORN OUT OF BOREDOM. Painting is GERANIUMS ON A CHAIR

I am happy to announce that my painting Black N White was voted as a finalist in THE GREAT OUTDOORS contest.

My painting Coolblue water was voted as a finalist in The Great Outdoors contest sponsored by FAA.

I posted a new painting of Country Living.

I am happy to announce that I was one of the finalists in the COLOR ME ARTISTIC 3 FAA contest. My painting is APPLESAUCE.

My painting ABBEY BY THE SEA was a top finisher in the recent FAA watercolor contest.

Finalist in the Art from the Heart FAA Contest. Painting is Little Misses. It is a watercolor and was juried into the Texas Watercolor Society 2010 National Show.

I am a finalist in the Ships and Boats FAA juried contest. The painting is SAIL AWAY.

I was pleased to be in the top finishers in the FLOWERmania contest. There were 589 entries and it was juried by the general public. My painting is Mama'a Flag.

I am pleased to be a Top Finisher in the FAA contest And She Moved. My painting is Angel Girl

I am pleased that I am a top finisher in the PICK ONE FAVORITE FAA contest. My painting is LIGHT REFLECTIONS.

I just finished this 12 x 12 gallery wrap oil painting. The name is COOL BLUE WATER. This a mood painting, which I hope makes the viewer feel calm and serene. Comments are very welcomed!!!

Check out my new acrylic floral series. Mary-ScottFineArtAmerica.com

I was so excited to finish in the top finalist in the Blue World FFA contest.

New painting posted. This is two young ladies having a FUN day. Look at the smiles!!!

I recently began to teach students drawing and acrylic painting. My age group is from the ages of 12 yrs. through 17 yrs. The students are soooooooo eager to learn and I love to see the "ah ha" moment when they have a breakthrough on something I have taught them. They leave class with new information and sometime during their busy week give it a try at home. The next class period they come in with their beautiful drawings, eager to show the teacher what they can now do on their own. Does it get any better than that!!!!!!!!

I have an article about the winning painting, RED IS MY COLOR, in the Informed Collector Online Magazine for Dec. This painting is an abstract and placed as a Finalist in the October 2010 Juried contest. Canvoo Boldbrush Juried Art Contest is sponsored by Fine Art Studio Online.

I am so excited to have been awarded an honorable mention in this year's Blossom II Juried Art Show (2010-2011). My painting "Mama's Flag" will be included in the show catalog as well as on the Blossom II website in the virtual gallery.

Check out my web page on Fine Art America to view the painting RED IS MY COLOR. It was chosen as an abstract finalist in the Canvoo Boldbrush Online Art Contest. This was for the month of October.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and we are all about to partake of wonderful, fattening meals!! How often do we realize that Poultry is the mainstay of the Thanksgiving meal. Turkeys, hens, chicken and a million ways to cook them!!!! Last night as I watched the commercials on tv about all this, I decided to pull out my watercolors and do a painting of poultry. It just seemed fitting to honor these critters in a painting. So Two Steps Forward One Step Back is my salute to the lowly ole chicken. Hurrah for them!!!!

I recently was invited to a rancher's home by a friend in hope of capturing early morning photos of cattle. This was accomplished but ....I also took photos of my friend and the rancher as they were deep in conversation. The FUNNY thing is that I have painted two paintings of them and none of the cattle so far. Who knew!!!! Painting ideals crop up everywhere, so be on the lookout. Lol Mary

I have been in a cow painting mooooo-d. Check out my new painting. Miss Lucey Lacey.

Check out the new paintings I posted yesterday, August 6th. As you can see, they range from watercolor, oil too acrylic. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!

AS I PROMISED>>>>here is another abstract and I loved painting this painting. Red is my color and most of the colors in this painting remind me of the hot days of July....maybe in November I will do a cool tone painting. Who knows?

I have had a desire to do abstract for a while, so here recently I just let my hair down and painted several. I love color and in this particular painting I went with the earth tones. I was like the harmony in Free Spirit. I will be posting more as time goes on.

Today 7/28/2010 I opened up my new account with Fine Art America and it is so thrilling to see the comments that have been made on three of my paintings. I think that this is a good thing!!!! By-the-way, the comments were GOOD! LOL