"There is nothing like finding "yourself" in the midst of a studio clean-up, figuratively as well as emotionally! This self portrait was part of a series done about ten years ago. It was really one of my first "large size" attempts of collage, paint and found objects. I loved the experience, and it has benefited me in my artistic journey. 
Today, I am working further with my mixed media approach.
My current series includes "paintings within a painting."
The compositions begin with studies or small images on paper that
I am incorporating into interior and exterior spaces that I have connections with.
I hope you, the viewer, feel comfortable in stepping into my world. 
My new pieces will be on exhibit during February at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, along with work by two of my studio mates.

Mary Massoud Behnam, Hilary Brady and Cree Scudder
sharing new paintings
at
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
5627 La Jolla Blvd., Bird Rock, CA,
February 1-28 6am-6pm.

Here I go, celebrating a fabulous year as mother, grandmother, wife, friend and artist. This year has brought great change to my approach with almost everything I do. I've learned to treasure relationships with family, friends and artists that has helped me grow spiritually and personally. I have found peace in helping others -- via a great group of women who love to make floral arrangements, others who love to paint, and those who simply hold my hand as encouraging friends and family members just because I am me. I am blessed!
This photo shares a few pieces I recently completed for pre-holiday show  my participating with a gracious group of artists in a pre- Holiday Show, that has passed by. But, the memories of being in a private home overlooking the La Jolla Shores, exhibiting my work with some fun artists brought more friendships into my life, and support from friends who I have known for years.
My color exploration and my movement from large to small images, paint to collage and abstrations to more realisitc representations has challenged my  

One more day left for the Del Mar Fair, and I just discovered that both of these paintings received Honorable Mention prizes -- one in landscape and the other in still life! I am deeply humbled, thrilled, and delighted that the judges appreciated my work. WOW!!!

The La Jolla Library
has another wonderful show
​opening this weekend from 2-4pm!
This juried show includes two of my paintings, which makes me very excited. And,
​it also includes many other wonderful artists like Hilary Brady, Scottie Brown and Dorothy Wexler. All three of these lovely friends were amongst the first artists I met when I moved to La Jolla. I am honored to be included in this show and looking forward to meeting many more artists and guest! See you there!

​During 1997/98, I had the delightful opportunity to live in the mountains of North Carolina, right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, in the home of my Miami pediatrician and his wife, my summer/holidays boss of a stylish women's dress store, The Proud Peacock, Coconut Grove, FL. (probably too much information, but a must for me to share!)
My husband, Ned and I had a great time in Blowing Rock. We made delightful friends and weathered the cold of the winter high in the Blue Ridge Mountains!
During this period, I found the Art Mart Academy in Boone, NC. This great art academy was exactly what I needed for continuing with my art explorations. I programmed myself to paint (at least) four days a week and attend classes
two of those days. I gained great insight for defining a path of creativity for the
rest of my life.
I thank John Bond, the owner and navigator of art classes, who included exercises, homework assignments, critiques and opportunities to challenge oneself while painting in his studio. 
Please think about a stop at the Jones House in Boone, noon-5pm Monday-Friday during the month of June 2016. There are several of my classmates included in the show!!!

There is really never a dull moment in my painting process.
In this particular piece I was not connecting with the composition I had originally painted. (See my post on 5/11). I had to do something to rescue the entire painting.
​I simplified, I added color galore and I reinvented the scene, adding whatever dropped into my mind at the time -- i.e. the pedal car and the swimming hole!
Now, I can invite you to jump into the scene.

Week after week painting is my number one priority. And, sometimes, the weeks drag by when I can't find my mojo or if I have taken a detour to dabble with another desire -- i.e. participating in an abstract art class with Pia Stern. Gosh...it has been years since I challenged myself so directly -- a painting a week. And, the net result has been loaded with too much thinking.. 
I thought I would be "in like Flynn" but....NO! I started his 40 x 40" painting with the concept of working from a 12 x 12" collage...and goodness gracious what a set of road blocks. From scale, to detail, to color and texture I opened up a can of worms. I have a long way to go to discover the best outcome, but I am a glutton for punishment and I continue to work through this process. Right now, I have to step back and work on another painting.

Sometimes returning to something one loves is much more difficult than expected. And, my returning to abstraction is offering up road blocks and self doubt, plus more. But, in the process of painting, there is something that happens that builds hope, and requires letting go.
Gosh, this painting has been morphed and re-morphed and one friend even said she would have purchased the piece in it's first round! But...I couldn't stop noodling and re-noodling and mainly now I have a much more realistic landscape.
Oh well...go figure.
​I will try again for an abstraction!...fast forward I have done more editing...but that edition will have to wait. Thanks!

The most fun in selling art is the fact that clients share with me when they are most happy! Aren't I lucky...
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