Diamond Jim's

"Diamond Jim's"

11"x 14", oil on panel

This is a road side painting I did a while back.  Done in the comfort of my car.

Diamond Jim's liquor and gifts, is on your way out of town... heading down the Seward Highway, just outside of Anchorage, Alaska.  

Super cool sign!

This sign at night, is lit up, and that's another painting waiting to happen.

This is the warm up to that painting.

I love neon and really ....any lit sign at night...glowing in the dark.

(My 'Vegas' background shinning through)

If I was a bug... I'd get zapped. 

 On that note, goodnight.....it's late.

Thank you for looking and reading!

December First Friday at Pink Raven Studio

Abstract 

12"x 12", oil on canvas

December First Friday is tomorrow night at Pink Raven Studio!

From 5pm until 7pm, there will be refreshments and fresh art by myself and artist

Stephanie Zuck!  Come visit us, we would love to see you!

Downtown  Anchorage, Alaska

135 Christensen Dr., suite 1B

on the corner at 2nd Ave

Pink Raven Studio Facebook page...

Pink Raven Studio

New Floral Painting

Floral

20" x 20", oil on canvas

Thank you for looking!

Abstract

Abstract

36" x 48", oil on canvas

This past month, I've been experimenting with just smearing some paint.

Usually I have colors in mind when I set out to paint something.  So I thought, wouldn't 

in be cool to just start playing with the paint?  No direction in mind, just let the painting 

steer itself.  This was fun, engaging and relaxing ...almost like a meditation.  

Funny, I went into it this with the idea that I wouldn't have to "Think"....turns out, 

I was aware during the whole process.  There was no auto-pilot with this one.  If I wasn't working the colors, I was playing with shapes, contrast and textures.  And I love that each person that stopped in front of it, means something different to each of them.  

No one asked me questions about it, they just began telling me what it reminded them of, or what it looked like to them.  I LOVE that!!  Something so vague....it lets people interact with it in such a personal way.  I'm not imposing MY interest on them (well....except for colors)

They can relate it to anything they love or are interested in.  

It doesn't have to be a big statement about me and what I'm trying to say or what I'm interested in.

I really love that part.  

So...expect to see some more of this.  Every now and then, I'll have to take a brake from old stuff and girls wearing goggles!

Thank you for looking!  Enjoy the day! 

We're alive!!  That's something to be very grateful for.

The dream isn't over yet.....get out there and play!

The Boxer

"The Boxer"

Another example of my letting go and allowing some truth to come through.

I had a master plan on this painting.  This was the quick beginning that I was planning to add to.

I had an image of someone already in my head ....kind of a "Bring it" moment... courage, in the moment....no fear.  An idea that kept presenting itself, and I wanted to capture it, in a painting.

So a friend of mine graciously said yes to model for the painting. 

(even though it was totally out of his comfort zone)

This quick beginning, the part I thought was just a rough draft to what was to come....well, this was the "jewel".  This was the gift I was given that day, but I threw it away!!!   I painted over top of this....and let's just say, it was an epic fail.   After this start...I tried to paint a look that wasn't there.  I tried to paint a person that wasn't there....ignored the kindness, playful nature, more vulnerable look coming back at me.

I'm so glad I took a photo of the painting... before I began my painful effort of "Trying" to paint something that wasn't there.  

This is a painting of the person that was in front of me.

I was so lost in my "idea", that I didn't see.... 

I got what I'm usually after, I tapped into a tiny piece of the guy in front of me.

A good lesson for me, 

stay open...let go...things may not go as planned, and that's a good thing!!!

Thank you for looking!

and reading ...

Drawing people

Drawing someone in front of me....I find it difficult, but of course......  the challenge is still fun.  

Most of the time, I'm trying to capture a tiny essence of who I saw.  My quick, rough gesture drawings capture so much more than a can get when I have time to think and "try" to draw correctly.  I like the drawings I've created in less than 20 minutes.....the most success I've had, in my opinion, are the 1- 5 minute sketches.  They might be only a few lines, but they can say more than a drawing that I've worked the technical aspects. What I win in technical points, I usually lose in emotion, capturing movement or their personality.

The more I go on pure instinct, leave my inner critic back at home, the more "life" there is in the drawing.  That inner critic...she's such a pain!  

She's always hanging out with me, but she doesn't get to vote as much as she used to :)

Thank you for looking!

Have a great weekend! 

Happy Friday!

"Cold One"

11"x 14", oil on canvas

Happy Friday out there!  Here's a cold one on me!

Beer enthusiasts ....do you know what kind this is?  I didn't work at any 

letters or words....but, I did try to be accurate with the color shapes and it's surprising

 how many people knew just what brand of beer this was!  

I bought a 6 pack of these about a month ago...trying to bribe a few guy friends into 

posing for a portrait painting.  Shameless....I know...I'm not proud of it.

I have a lot of practice painting women, but not so much practice painting men.

I have a few of my husband and son...but I was curious to see what venturing out 

and painting others would be like.  It was a nice experience, and it was fun to hear their stories and

 to try capturing these kind people in paint.

Thank you for looking and reading!

Have a great weekend :)

Show Time

"Show Time"

24"x 24", oil on canvas

Did I tell you I was born in Las Vegas?  I was.  

Neon, music, live performances, fashion...it's deep inside me, 

and sometimes a little needs to come out.

I like circus stuff too.... clown paintings, I like velvet clown paintings.

Okay, confession is over.  You know too much.

Thank you for looking!  

"Speak Up"

"Speak Up"

11"x 14" oil on canvas

I just love old things.....and I absolutely love shiny metal/ chrome old things.

So, needless to say...gazing at this old microphone was just hypnotizing

 for me.  It makes me think of old theaters, velvet seats, popcorn and my date's hand on my leg

in the dark (public... but somehow private)  space.

When I'm in my own world, painting..... it's transporting.

Good stuff.....mini vacation. 

Thank you for looking and reading.  :)  

Painting lessons

Would you like to learn to paint with oils or acrylics?  

Would you like guidance with color mixing and painting in a loose, colorful and expressive manner?

I am offering a low-key, personal teaching approach for those interested in painting, but aren’t sure how to get started or how to go about it.

The lessons would be in my art studio downtown at

Pink Raven Studio

135 Christensen Dr, Suite 1B, Anchorage, AK

On the corner of 2nd ave and Christensen Dr

First session is  2 hrs, easel and materials will be provided, cost is  $50

For the 2nd session and beyond.... you bring your materials to paint with

2 hour painting session, cost is $40 

or if you prefer more time,

3 hour session, cost is $60 

My studio is open Tuesday thru Friday from 12-6pm, if you let me know a good time, I’ll try to accommodate you.  Only 3 students or less at one time.  

Beginners welcome!  

email me with questions at  Marianne@MarianneElson.com

or...stop by and say hello at Pink Raven Studio! 

The Artist's Magazine 33rd Annual Art Competition

I feel so honored ... 

5,900 applicants and one of my paintings made it as a finalist in this competition.

Thank you Artist Magazine!  I really appreciate you!!  

"Congratulations! Your artwork, "Race to the Finish", has been selected as a finalist in the Still Life/Interior category of The Artist's Magazine 33^rd Annual Art Competition. " Your name will appear among the lists of finalists published in the Jan/Feb 2017 issue."

Pinch me!! 

Hello Kitty

11"x 14", oil on canvas

Just a still life ....with fun stuff I happened to have around.

I've loved Hello Kitty since I was old enough to collect stickers, about 8yrs old.

She was the coolest sticker in my collection.....a puffy sticker, plastic...shaped like a vanilla wafer cookie (another passion of mine)  

Stickers and cookies, sometimes I feel like I've never grown up.  I'd still love to sort through an album or shoe box of stickers ...while munching on vanilla wafers.  

Maybe I'll start my collection of stickers again .....hmmm.

Hope your weekend is awesome!  Make time for fun!

Charming

"Charming"

12"x 12", oil on canvas

I love a good skull painting now and then!

This guy's still working it....some men don't know when to stop ;)

Enjoy your day out there!!

Thank you for looking!

Fierce

"Fierce" 

11" x 14", oil on canvas

I love to see others owning their individuality....cultivating it, creating it, nurturing it and last but not least....Enjoying their uniqueness. 

This young lady is beautiful....and embracing who she is.  It's a big part of her charm.

 I loved painting this one....focusing for a moment... only on her.

Thank you for looking!

Make sure to let "You" shine today! 

Charcoal drawing

Charcoal drawings have such a natural tendency to create a mood.  Reminds me of black and white photography....which is where my artistic cravings started.   

Lunch Break

"Lunch Break"

12"x 12", oil on canvas

I finished this one in my new studio in downtown Anchorage, Alaska.

I'm loving my new space....the door is open and I get to talk with the coolest people!

Tonight is my first "event" in my new place... I'm having a First Friday event from 5:30 - 7:30.

I'll have goodies to eat...if you're in the area, come say hello!

135 Christensen Dr, Anchorage

at the corner of  2nd avenue and Christensen Dr

Downtown Studio

I have a new studio in downtown Anchorage, Alaska.

A small space to show my paintings and other possibilities.

I'm going to just go with it...see what happens, let it shape it's self.

If you would like to come say hi, or take a look....

The address is 

135 Christensen Dr.  Anchorage, Alaska

More paintings at Modern Dweller's

"Floral Still Life"  12"x 12", oil on canvas

"Dandelion"  12"X 12", oil on canvas

"Into the Wind"  12"x 12", oil on canvas

A few more paintings hanging at 

Modern Dweller's until the end of this month  :)

Show at Modern Dweller's Chocolate Lounge

"Branches with Blossoms"

16" x 40", oil on canvas

I just hung a show at a wonderful Chocolatier in Anchorage, Alaska.

16 Paintings in all....they will be on display and for sale during the month of April.

Go down and take a look and sip on some wonderful liquid chocolate ....or bite into a delicious truffle, you won't be disappointed :)

Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge

530 East Benson Blvd, Anchorage, Alaska 99503

phone # 907-677-9985

Flowers...

This is a detail of a larger floral painting I just finished.

I'm painting flowers for an upcoming show!

It feels great focusing my eyes and mind on color, warmth and nature waking up from 

a long winter of sleep. 

Spring is right around the corner....but in my studio, its already here!! :)

Thank you for looking....and reading!  :)

Mike

"Mike"  16" x 20", oil on canvas

A Sunday painting of my husband. 

I'd love to do a series of paintings of him... maybe once a week.

I feel a bit rusty at painting people, but I'm happy with how it turned out  :) 

Thank you for looking!

Lunch Together

"Lunch Together"

18"x 18", oil on canvas

Another diner scene  :)

This is just before a waitress, with a southern accent, brings me a juicy hamburger with a side of crispy french fries.

Wait.... I forgot to paint the mustard and catsup!

Thank you for looking!

Diner

"Diner"

16"x 16", acrylic on canvas

I paint with acrylics once a week now...the rest of the time I'm very happy with my oil paints.  This is the still life from today's lesson.

I have a student that wants to learn to paint... in acrylics.  I warned her that it would be an experiment... the paintings she likes of mine are all in oils.  She thinks I can do anything.  It's so nice seeing someone have that kind of confidence in me, so I have to rise to the occasion.  I'd hate to spoil the illusion.  

It's great practice...all that color mixing..over and over... 

I'm learning a lot myself!

The upside side is....The painting is already dry!

How cool is that?!

It's really cool  :)

Thank you for reading!

Tuesday night drawing sessions

There is a Tuesday night drawing session in downtown Anchorage.

From 7:00 ~ 9:30, nude model, 18 yrs of age minimum....bring your own supplies....no instruction, 

just a group of us 

working on our drawing skills, 

all levels welcome! 

The session takes place at  ACAL, 225 E 5th ave, Anchorage.  Entrance is in the alley. 

Cost is $15 per session, or you can purchase 5 sessions for $50.

It's a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow!  

Come draw with us!

Warm winter day

Oil on canvas …size 16" x 20"

The temperatures have been so mild lately, the snow has melted and old dry grass is everywhere.

This time of year, that yellow, dry grass looks like gold to me.  Its so dark and grey at times in the winter, that my sensitivity to colors gets intensified…what I need to see comes to life.

I'm not sure if the day was quite this brilliant when I went out to paint, but to me it was…

that's what painting is all about…painting what we see, filtered through our eyes, heart and mind.

I used a new plein air painting box, well, its an old one, but new to me.  It's quick to set up and I can paint bigger now, outside.  Its called a yarka, and so far…I'm loving it!

Too fun!!  Thank you for looking!!

Night painting...

Night painting

 12"x16", oil on panel

Night painting is fun.  There's something really great about being out painting, at night in the dark.

It reminds me of childhood….playing outside in the winter, after dinner…it was always dark.

I used a book light this time.  I pointed it at my canvas and palette…worked great!

Thank  you for looking!!