Wedding commission

what could be more fitting for

a sea side wedding than . . . . a pair of lobsters!

here's to the bride & groom!

(initial color blocking on canvas and color palette)

(if i were choosing a wedding dress to compliment the painting,

this would be it! -sourced from Pintrest)

(commissioned painting, "Two Lobsters", 2014, M.Elliott)

-M.ELLIOTT

"allegro ma non troppo"

for those (including myself) not versed in musical terminology,

what does "allegro ma non troppo" mean?

fast, quick and bright, but not too much

the perfect description for my latest painting!  although i did

consider the title "slow and steady", it just didn't have quite the 

same charisma. this painting has been on the easel for a while,

a lot of stop and go with the brush- some days with a lot of 

quick and bright energy and other days not too much.

although there has been good reason for the change in rhythm

(no pun intended!) to my painting process with this piece, 

i will wait to share that in another post! :)

enjoy the images!

a pencil sketch starts the process

working color palette

blocking in dominate colors

a few final brushstrokes . . .tah-dah!

(Allegro ma non troppo, 30"x40", acrylic on canvas)

M.ELLIOTT

You are my Lobster-

wishing YOU 

SWEETness on this day!

-M.ELLIOTT

(mini lobster, 2014)

(sketches on canvas)

(mini lobster series, 2014)

(image from ETSY.com)

One of my favorite events in NASHVILLE!!

I am so honored to donate again this year to such a

wonderful program.  If you have never been, 

I highly recommend getting tickets this year!

'Birdhouse Thing Event'

5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18

at W.O. Smith Music School

1125 8th Avenue South     

Click here to get your $40 early bird ticket by January 31.

Admission is $60 at the door.

"Birdie" painting by M.ELLIOTT 

***for auction the night of the event ***

Today is the final opportunity to get discounted pre-sale tickets!

Enjoy hors d'oeuvres from Nashville's top caterers during the live auction of wooden birdhouses designed and decorated by Nashville celebrities, renowned artists and professionals alongside other unique art works and gift packages to local businesses. Returning again is the silent celebrity online auction through www.mclemoreaution.com.

"cottonwoods"

did you know, that Georgia O'Keeffe's "cottonwood" paintings 

were inspired by the surrounding landscape of the 

Chama River valley; which just happens to be the view from 

her home and studio at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico.

it truly is incredibly breathtaking!

i had the privilege of seeing this same view firsthand a little

over a year ago while in SANTA FE for my sister's wedding. 

a tour of O'Keeffe's home, gardens, and studio are worth the visit!

. . . . .

why am i going on about Georgia O'Keeffe? well, 

i have my own special "cottonwood"

more humble than majestic and breathtaking, 

but never fails to catch my gaze, and so it deserved to be painted!

(painting in progress)

(can you find my "cottonwood" in this view?)

-M.ELLIOTT

2.0.1.4

one of my favorite things about january 

is the clearing and the cleaning that 

takes place both physically and mentally. 

the holiday decor is stored.

the shopping is finished.

and the festivities give way 

to quietness, reflection, and new beginnings.  

in this quietness my thoughts begin 

to shape feelings into words

intentions for the new year are formed

SERVE  .  NOURISH  .  COLLABORATE

SERVE

breathing in, serving out

NOURISH

fruitful, bearing fruit

life giving

(*see photos below of my new herb garden)

COLLABORATE

alternate art forms

art in unexpected places

((*exciting  things in the works, stay tuned!!!))

(thanks Kyle for the best gift!)

(my new herb garden)

(flat leaf parsley, sweet basil, oregano, onion chives, cilantro,

cherry tomatoes, and a poblano pepper)

snowy owls

guess "whoo whoo" created these charming "snowy" OWLS?

. . . 5 young emerging artists at FEAR NO ART

i had the privilege of spending a misty grey saturday morning with 

5 talented young artists.  we spent the first part of our morning 

sketching and drawing before working with tempera paints on 

canvas paper to create our "snowy" OWLS.  

i love how their creative differences stand out!

their favorite part was creating "snow" with the tempera paint

creative minds hard at work

detail of young artist's rendition of an owl

young artist's rendition of an owl and moon

collection of work

young artist's rendition of an owl 

-M.ELLIOTT