10 x 10 Portrait in Oil by Mary Hughes

"English Street Performer"

10" x 10" Oil on Canvas

A former classmate of mine came back to the states after an extended stay in the U.K. with wonderful photos of people on the streets of England. This man in particular captured my attention. After toying with the idea of painting people for years this man's face settled the inner debate. I just had to paint him. 

This painting is available for purchase. Contact me for details. 

Website 

e-mail

Pet Portrait by Mary Hughes

"Buddy"

20" x 16" Oil on Canvas

Commission

Buddy's portrait will be an Easter surprise this Sunday to his parents. He's a beloved and missed member of the family. He was a joy to paint. Such a sweet face!! (the giver has given permission for this posting)

website

e-mail

10 x 30 Parakeet & Cocktail Umbrella Oil Painting

30" x 10" Oil on Canvas

"Keets and Cocktails"

Click on the image to get a larger view. 

This painting is of 10 white baby parakeets standing in front of a wall of cocktail umbrellas. I painted it so that the birds on both sides are in shadow so only the center birds and umbrellas are highly lit. One bird is showing off for his friends. The size of the painting makes the birds slightly larger than life. This one took a while to complete. I didn't have any umbrellas or white parakeets that would sit still long enough, so most of this is imaginary. 

Contact me for purchase information. 

Website 

e-mail

Spinach Tree

Just completed: 6" x 12" oil on canvas. "Spinach Tree". Sold

Incredulous Budgies face the truth. Having been told spinach doesn't grow on trees, the evidence is overwhelmingly contradicted.

In Flight

A beautiful female hummingbird hovers over summers bright flowers. Painted in oil on a stretched 6" x 6" canvas. The sides are painted, though framing would provide a more finished look.

This sweet painting is just finished and will be ready to ship on Sat. Oct. 4, to give it time to dry properly. Reserve it today by clicking the PayPal buy link below!!

Shipping is free in the continental U.S.
Contact me for shipping quotes if you live outside the continental U.S.A.

SkyWatch Friday

Wow this week went fast. I mark it now by when it's time to think about SkyWatch Friday. We're currently under what's left of hurricane Gustav so things are very gray and very wet. This posting is from a rainy July evening.

Click on the SkyWatch symbol to see more beautiful photos of the sky worldwide.

My New 2009 Bird Calendar

Available Now! Just click on the photo!

12 full page images!



Bird Art 2009 Calendar by Mary Hughes

Apples In A Bowl

Just Finished: Green Apples In a Bowl:Sold

Catchy title I know.... I'm whistling "Strangers In The Night" as I sit here wondering what to call this painting and that doesn't help a bit. I'll come up with something better. I hope.

Funny thing. I had this drying in a sunny window yesterday and the light was hitting it so that there was a distinct highlight that I had not painted in. I had to cast a shadow to be sure. I liked it so much I took a picture and then painted in the additional highlight today.

Washed

Just finished: "Washed" 12" x 6" oil on canvas: Sold



This is the second Granny Smith Apple painting finished. It's of three apples that have been washed and are sitting on a kitchen towel waiting for the next part of their journey to pie.



The paintings have been slow going as I've been doing custom work in between. It's a nice project to return to when I have an hour to spare.



There is something homey about kitchen towels for me. I suppose we each have a memory or a place in our home that feels comforting. For me it's the kitchen. When I want to unwind I do some project in the kitchen no matter how mundane. Fixing dinner can be very relaxing to me.

These will all be nice individually or as several small groupings, or even as a large grouping. Green is a calming color.

Ode To Granny Smith

Just Finished: Yet unnamed green apple and tea towl 4" x 4" oil on canvas.

I'm doing a small series of 6 paintings featuring green Granny Smith apples. I found when I started working with them I couldn't make up my mind which pose to paint so I'll paint a bunch of them! :)

This tiny treasure is available on e-bay. Click here to go to the auction. This painting is even better in person.

Sunset Sundae

Just completed and ready for sale...

"Sunset Sundae"
6" x 12" Oil on Canvas: Available

A beautiful bubble goblet (bubbles in the glass) holds ice cold fudge and cherry laced ice cream. Ribbons of whipped cream take in the bright sunset and provide a shady cover for the juicy cherry.


This is a fun painting to have in the kitchen, dining area or any place you want to just admire how pretty food can be!!

Two Scoops Please

Just finished: "Two Scoops" 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas:

Sold

Simple pleasures are the best aren't they? With all the exotic flavors of ice cream on the market today this painting shows off a simpler variety. Strawberry and Chocolate topped off of course with whipped cream and beautiful cherries.

Oh and the delectable chocolate sauce and peeking up from the bottom is a banana. I didn't do sprinkles this time. I got hungry.


The ice cream paintings continue.... :) yummmmmmmmm

Just A Bite

Just finished: "Just A Bite" 4" x 4" Oil on Canvas:

Sold

Just a bite of cold Cake Batter ice cream with fudge, topped off with ribbons of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. All this on a little silver sugar spoon. It's just a bite... so no big deal, but oooo so tasty!! Though small in size, this little 4" painting shows the little bite in oversize! Off centered shadows add a little drama and punch. What's ice cream without a little drama. What's punch without a little ice cream.

This is the first of three ice cream themed paintings to be offered in the next few days.

Coming Soon....

to a website near you... "Stargazer Lily": Update: Sold.

The (story) painting of a Stargazer Lily that survived against all odds. This lily had been trampled on and it's stalk lay on the ground for over a week. Bent over by a dog or human it's survival seemed sure enough anyway. It was ignored for the most part until one morning this lily lay open in full beauty. As it was rescued to be put in water and enjoyed it was discovered that it's stalk had in fact been severed completely. How this lily managed to survive and flourish unattached to anything seems amazing. It's beauty will be appreciated for years to come.

This painting is an 8" x 8" x 3/4" thick oil on canvas. A bowl of green apples in the background provide nice color in the water glass.