Bowl of Oranges

I setup this still life in my studio and didn't finish it up until a few months ago.  I don't setup and paint a lot of still life paintings but I enjoy them when I do.  I love painting fruit!  I don't know what it is about fruit...maybe because of the uneven shapes and variance in the color and textures.  I chose this little bowl because it has some warm earthy colors in it and I have placed it in some of my other paintings in the past.  The bird statue also throws a little twist in there that I like.

I took a workshop at the Lafayette Art Association from Qiang Huang about a year ago and setup my still life using some of the techniques I learned in that workshop.  If you have a opportunity to take from him, don't miss the chance.  He is an excellent teacher and explains in detail about composition, lighting and color mixing.

"Bowl of Oranges"

11 x 14 - oils

This painting is for sale and can be purchased through my website:

http://mariarandolph.com/workszoom/1842349

Home on the Vermilion River in Abbeville, LA

I took a photo of this house while wandering and scouting out the streets of Abbeville, Louisiana.  I was actually headed down the street to take a picture of a work boat docked across the river when I noticed this house.  There was something mysterious about this house that drew me in.

"Home on the Vermilion River, Abbeville, LA"

18 x 14 - oils

Antique Shrimp Boat

This boat painting was from a photo taken on the Vermilion River near Intracoastal City, Louisiana.
This old boat looks as though it had a huge gaping hole in the side and was in desperate need of repairs.

Between shrimp seasons, the shrimp boat owners dock their boats where they can perform maintenance and repairs on their boats.

"Antique Shrimp Boat"

12 x 12 - oils

Lunchtime Walk

This painting was from a photo taken in Apalachicola Florida, of a worker having a walk after his lunchtime break.
I loved the mood of the place with the old boat in the background that was probably washed up on land and thrown up against that building during a past hurricane.  As I took the photo, behind me was some sort of warehouse, possibly a shrimp processing facility, that I assume he was working at the time.

  "Lunchtime Walk"

14 x 18 - oils

Deepwater Tug

This painting was from a photo taken of a Deepwater Tug docked along a canal in Morgan City, Louisiana. I love these massive and powerful boats.  The amount of power and weight they move is so fascinating to me.

Wikipedia states that "The engines are often the same as those used in railroad locomotives, but typically drive the propeller mechanically instead of converting the engine output to power electric motors, as is common for diesel-electric locomotives."

"Deepwater Tug"

18 x 14 - oils

This painting is for sale and can be purchased on my website...www.mariarandolph.com

Carpe Diem! Gelato-Espresso Bar, Lafayette, LA

This painting was started en plein air and finished in my studio.  I spent the day this past spring with a friend painting in the downtown area of Lafayette, LA.  Carpe Diem is such a lovely Gelato & Espresso Bar.  The afternoon I was there painting, artists gathered and played music outside.  It was such a delightful experience being in the area, enjoying music and visiting with people passing by.

"Carpe Diem!"

14 x 11 - oils

Annual Lafayette Art Association 6 x 6 Fundraiser

It's time again for the Lafayette Art Association annual 6 x 6 fundraiser to be held Sunday, September 27, 2015.  Ticket sales began August 4, 2015 and can be purchased at the Lafayette Art Association, 1008 E. St. Mary Blvd., Lafayette, LA (337) 269-0354.  Office hours are Tuesday thru Friday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. CST.  Please call the office for more information.

This is such an exciting occasion each year!  Buy a ticket which gets you in the door but also entitles you to choose a 6 x 6 painting when your number on the ticket is called, thus "Buy a Ticket Take Home A Painting".

This year I decided to paint a few of the local iconic establishments in Lafayette.  Below are the paintings I have donated for the event:

Agave Mexican Grill & Cantina

Downtown Lafayette, LA

6 x 6 - oils

Antler's Restaurant & Bar

Downtown Lafayette, LA

6 x 6 - oils

Borden's Ice Cream Shoppe

Downtown Lafayette, LA

6 x 6 - oils

Twelve artists were asked to paint a 12 x 12 for a silent auction which will also be going on during the event.  I was one of the artists invited to donate a painting (see below).

"Waiting and Watching"
12 x 12 - oils

We have a lot of talented local artists who have donated for the event.  It should be a fun time!   

Waiting and Watching

This artwork was painted from a photograph I took while on vacation in May of this year. We stayed in Cape San Blas, Florida but visited Apalachicola while there.   The photo is of a cove in Apalachicola where the working shrimp boats rest after their runs.  There were several pelicans perched up on pilings, taking a break and waiting for food, I imagine.

"Pelican Perch"

14 x 18 - oils

This painting is for sale and can be purchased on my website, www.mariarandolph.com.

Tug on the Vermilion News

I'm very excited and honored my painting "Tugboat on the Vermilion River" has been purchased and will be featured on this year's Bayou Vermilion Preservation Symposium poster.

"Tugboat on the Vermilion"

The mission of the Bayou Vermilion Preservation Association, as stated on their website, creates awareness of our natural environment by providing education and outreach to the general community about ways to conserve, protect and enjoy the Bayou Vermilion Watershed."   (A watershed is an area of land that drains into a lake or river.)

They work in conjunction with other local organizations to promote beautification of our Vermilion River that runs through our area.

This year's symposium, September 10-12, 2015, will be promotion of the Vermilion River as a usable waterway for commerce and for people to enjoy nature as a whole. More information is available on their website: www.bayouvermilionpreservation.org