I’ve been making mixes on 8tracks.com, so I decided to dedicate a page here too.
I listen to all kinds of music when I paint, depending on my mood. It can really enhance the creation process by energizing you, keeping you focused, and relaxing you if needed. I have hand-picked songs that have helped to inspire me and that I personally enjoy.
If you have any requests, please refer to me as DJ MC. What music do you listen to when you create? Have any suggestions for me?
In honor of Mother’s Day (May 12th!), Mariana, Mother and Child is May’s painting of the month. Click here for more information on my website. Prints also available.
Newsletter
Put your kiss on my list! <3 I send out a free monthly email newsletter. Subscribers get previews of my painting of the month and special offers on art.
It has been a while since I have been able to attend our local monthly meetings. The Creative Kickstarters, founded by Mari McNeil and husband David Lundy, are a group of people (writers, musicians, artists) ‘who want to spark their creative endeavors and get encouragement to keep on working’. I am thankful to have the facebook group to keep in touch and stay inspired every day. Read this recent post by Michelle Wlosinski about seizing the day and not passing up the opportunity to try new things and you will see why.
This is the fourth painting in my new series Family Trees. The dust has been flying off of my paintbrushes! Although this last painting took a lot out of me, I so enjoy the larger scale! Damn me! I’ve decided to include the 18 x 18″ size canvas in the series and will roll them out in between the 4 x 3′ paintings.
Blossoming Tree by Mary Claire 2013 Acrylic on canvas 48 x 36 x 3/4″
For mountain and stream, tree and leaf, root and blossom, every form in nature is echoed in us and originates in the soul whose being is eternity and is hidden from us but none the less gives itself to us for the most part in the power of love and creation.
Happy Tree by Mary Claire 2013 Acrylic on canvas 18 x 18 x 1.5″
Favorite Tree
Do you even have a ‘favorite’ tree? I do!…Vote for your favorite tree and I will paint the one (in my style) with the most votes. If you vote for the tree that is the most favorited, your name will be entered into a giveaway of the tree painting! It will be done on an 18 x 18 x 1.5″ canvas…and the winner will own a piece of my Family Trees series! I’m keeping the poll open and the results hidden for two weeks. I will post the results and announce the winning tree on March 31st.
Trees Beautiful Trees
Oak tree
Maple tree
Willow tree
Birch trees
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
The Celtic Tree of Life (Crann Bethadh)
Trees have a special significance in popular Irish folklore. Although there are actually seven noble trees in Celtic mythology: oak, apple, alder, birch, hazel, holly and willow – each with its own spiritual meaning – it is the oak that is considered to be the most wise and sacred. Spiritual Celtic Meanings of Common Trees:
Ash – surrender, wisdom, connection
Alder – endurance, courage and perseverance
Apple – beauty, love, generosity
Birch – birth, energy and spontaneity
Blackthorn – discipline, control, perspective
Elder – transition, evolution, continuation
Fir – clarity, achievement, energy
Hazel – creativity, purity, honest
Hawthorn – contradiction, consequence, relationships
Holly – action, assertion, objectivity
Ivy – determination, change, patience
Oak – the soul, strength, nobility
Poplar/aspen – victory, transformation, vision
Willow – intuition, imagination, vision
Yew – transference, passage, illusion
An Irish Blessing For You
I wish you not a path devoid of clouds
nor a life on a bed of roses.
Not that you might never need regret
nor that you should never feel pain.
No, that is not my wish for you.
My wish for you is:
That you might be brave in times of trial
when others lay crosses upon your shoulders,
when mountains must be climbed
and chasms are to be crossed,
When hope can scarce shine through.
That every gift God gave you might grow with you
And let you give your gift of joy
to all who care for you.
That you may always have a friend
who is worth that name,
whom you can trust
and who helps you in times of sadness and
who will defy the storms of daily life at your side.
One more wish I have for you…
That in every hour of joy and pain
you may feel God close to you.
This is my wish for you and for all who care for you
This is my hope for you…now and forever.
What music do you listen to when you create? Have any suggestions for me?
