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Sunday, December 23, 2012

My First Oil Painting, "Still Life Fruit Painting" by Marina Petro

I've posted this bit of nostalgia before but felt like I wanted to share it again.
I wonder whether I would have discovered oil painting or painting at all if my mother hadn't followed her intuition...

My First Oil Painting
12" x 16"
Still life oil painting on canvas board, by Marina Petro

Only one in the entire universe, but you can't have it...

Once upon a time, when I was 14 years old, my mother bought me one of those large paperback step-by-step oil painting books and a set of basic oil paints. She must have been  following her intuition because I don't recall expressing an interest in oil painting. Up to that point, I was fooling around with charcoal portraits. Boy do I wish I had those to show you now. I think I threw them out or lost them in one of my many moves...gypsy that I was.  They were excellent if I must say so myself. 

This still life is my first attempt at oil painting. When it was completed, I placed it, still wet, on a chair and my father promptly sat on it. I left the painting as is but his slacks went into the trash. 

I've had it stashed in my storage room upstairs. I am probably not going to give it a title, but if one pops into your mind, I'd like to know....I might change my mind. I plan to give it to my 18 year old granddaughter as a symbol of persistence in developing innate talents....as I continue to persist in developing my innate talents...

I am recalling the years when my 3 daughters were little....We lived in a small apartment in Flushing, NY. I would set up my canvas and paints on the kitchen table between meals and paint when I could.  There was no other place available and nowhere I could leave my equipment set up. Anyway, I thought I'd share a bit of my history and nostalgia with you today....

Today's Quotation: "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."
 -Calvin Coolidge


Monday, December 17, 2012

Angel Art, "Angel Art Prints" by Marina Petro

Angel Art Prints 
From the original oil paintings by Marina Petro

©Marina Petro

Evidence Of Angels
11" x 14" Art Print
$35


©Marina Petro

A Gift From Heaven
11" x 14" Art Print
$35

©Marina Petro

The Guardian
11" x 17" Art Print
$35
Available at my Etsy Shop here

All prints are shipped from my studio. 

Today's Quotation: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
-Martin Luther King



Sunday, December 16, 2012

"The Healing Angel"...OOPS..

I forgot to include the Coupon Code for my Etsy Shop...Type in THANKYOU20 at checkout

"The Healing Angel" 
With healing quotation from Plotinus

For download right from here...You might even be able to just click and drag it to your desktop and print it out.

"The Healing Angel" is a high resolution 8" x 5" JPG image that can be printed on standard size 8.5 x 11 inch paper and framed. Click on the image above for a larger view and the ability to read the beautiful quotation for healing. The angel is a reproduction of my original oil painting.

You have my permission to forward this along to your friends as well. It makes a beautiful gift when printed on photo paper... Email Me with any questions about downloading it...
+
Valid until Friday, December 21 at Midnight

Just type in THANKYOU20  at checkout

That's it for now...

Thank you all for your friendship and support.
I wish you the Merriest Christmas ever and the most Beautiful Holiday Season and New Year.


"Healing Angel" Download My Gift For You

"The Healing Angel" 
With healing quotation from Plotinus

For download right from here...You might even be able to just click and drag it to your desktop and print it out.

"The Healing Angel" is a high resolution 8" x 5" JPG image that can be printed on standard size 8.5 x 11 inch paper and framed. Click on the image above for a larger view and the ability to read the beautiful quotation for healing. The angel is a reproduction of my original oil painting.

You have my permission to forward this along to your friends as well. It makes a beautiful gift when printed on photo paper... Email Me with any questions about downloading it...
+
Valid until Friday, December 21 at Midnight

Just type in THANKYOU20  at checkout

That's it for now...

Thank you all for your friendship and support.
I wish you the Merriest Christmas ever and the most Beautiful Holiday Season and New Year.


Friday, December 14, 2012

Holiday Original Paintings Sale

Holiday Original Paintings Sale
Original Art Makes Great Gifts For The Holidays!

All the paintings below are still listed at my Etsy Shop at their original prices and can be sold at any moment.
If you are interested in purchasing one, please EMAIL ME


FANTASY GARDEN - 6 x 12 -on panel $90
Regular Price $125

CLEMENTINE - 6 x 6 on canvas panel- $65
Regular Price $100


APPLE and PEAR - 6 x 6 on canvas panel - $65
Regular Price $100


GOLDEN PEAR - 12 x 12 on 1.5 deep canvas - $150
Regular Price $175

STARS and STRIPES - 6 x 6 on canvas board - $65
Regular Price $100

SACRED MOUNTAINS - 20 x 24 on  canvas - $350
Regular Price $425 

ILLUMINATION - 5 X 7 on canvas - $65
Regular Price $100

HANG IN THERE - 6 x 6 - $65
Regular Price $100

TIDAL MOON - 22 x 28 - $550
Regular Price $695


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Compassion, "Angel Art, Oil Painting" by Marina Petro

©Marina Petro

"Compassion"
11" x14"
Original oil painting on canvas
Angel Series
Commmissioned - SOLD

View all my available paintings here


The collector who commissioned me to paint this piece requested an angel painting in black and white. I hadn't  painted anything in black and white before and was curious about how it would turn out. We are both happy with it...

Compassion is the virtue of empathy for the suffering of others. It is regarded as a fundamental part of human love, and a cornerstone of greater social interconnection and humanism —foundational to the highest principles in philosophy, society, and personhood.  Read More Here


Today's Quotation: "I have been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let it keep me from doing anything I wanted to do."
-Georgia O'Keeffe



Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Fire On The Mountain, "Abstract Landscape" Oil Painting by Marina Petro

©Marina Petro

"Fire On The Mountain"
20" x 20"
Original oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas
Does not need a frame

Abstract Landscape Series
Only one in the entire universe...and it could be yours!


Details and purchasing information HERE or EMAIL me for other purchasing options and inquiries. 
Certificate Of Authenticity provided with every original painting.


View all my available paintings here


This painting was actually painted upside down with the moon toward the bottom of the painting.  I intended it to be a celestial painting. At one point when I felt it was finished, I turned it upside down and liked it much better. Don't strain your neck trying to see how it looks that way...

SPECIAL HOLIDAY COUPON AT MY ETSY SHOP
HOLIDAY15
Valid until Sunday, December 9 at 11:59 pm. 
Just type in HOLIDAY15 at checkout.

I am offering a storewide 15% discount (over 174 items) HOLIDAY DISCOUNT COUPON at my Etsy Online Shop for a limited time.

What you will discover there are my original paintings, large and small, prints and greeting cards. 
Here is the link to my Etsy Shop


Join me, Frankie Flores, equine photographer Connie Bush and a wonderful group of art lovers and creators of art at the FLORES GALLERY HOLIDAY SHOW Open House..... 
Friday, December 7 from 6-9 pm at 492 Broadway in Saratoga Springs, NY. I am featuring my original oil paintings and a large variety of fine art prints and greeting cards. 

Today's Quotation:  A moment's insight is sometimes worth a life's experience. 
-Oliver Wendell Holmes


Saturday, December 1, 2012

Autumn Glow, "Autumn Landscape Oil Painting" by Marina Petro

©Marina Petro

"Autumn Glow"
11" x 14"
Original oil painting on canvas
Landscape Series
Only one in the entire universe...and it could be yours!


Details and purchasing information HERE or EMAIL me for other purchasing options and inquiries. 
Certificate Of Authenticity provided with every original painting.


View all my available paintings here


This beautiful scene was painted from the deck of my home last month. Once again, I thought I'd finished it on site, but when I brought it indoors, it didn't look right and I began to make changes. There was a road in the lower part of the painting which I didn't like so I painted more foliage and obliterated it. I added more green too, and the foliage in the immediate foreground... and now I am happy...very happy. 

I'd like to invite you all to visit my online ETSY SHOP. I've added some small framed and unframed and signed prints at very reasonable prices. Just click the link on the left that says 'Cards and Prints'. I'll be adding more between tonight and the next day or two. 

Today's Quotation: "The painter's mind is a copy of the divine mind, since it operates freely in creating the many kinds of animals, plants, fruits, landscapes, countrysides, ruins, and awe-inspiring places."
-Leonardo Da Vinci


Friday, November 30, 2012

Moonlit Evening, "Landscape with Moon Painting" by Marina Petro

©Marina Petro

Moonlit Evening
11" x 14"
Original oil painting on canvas
Plein Air Landscape Series
Only one in the entire universe...and it could be yours!


Details and purchasing information HERE or EMAIL me for other purchasing options and inquiries. 
Certificate Of Authenticity provided with every original painting.


View all my available paintings here

"Moonlit Evening" is a partial paint over of a painting I began and thought I'd completed outdoors in one of my recent painting excursions at Saratoga National Park. It was a cold and windy day...too windy. It looked good at the time but when I brought it back into my studio, I wasn't happy with it so began to 'fix' some things. I kept painting and it began to look more like an evening landscape so I painted in the moon and it went from there...

Today's Quotation: "Tell me what you feel in your room when the full moon is shining in upon you and your lamp is dying out, and I will tell you how old you are, and I shall know if you are happy."
-Henri Frederic Amiel

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Fishin'Around, "Still Life Fruit and Fish Painting" by Marina Petro

©Marina Petro

Fishin' Around
6" x 8"
Original oil painting on panel
Still Life Series
Only one in the entire universe...and it could be yours!


Details and purchasing information HERE or EMAIL me for other purchasing options and inquiries. 
Certificate Of Authenticity provided with every original painting.


View all my available paintings here

I love the play of color between the red-orange and the turquoise background. The background of this painting was inspired by a fabric I found at a local fabric shop. I've been considering painting fruit and creating the background from my imagination...but, this will have to wait until sometime after the holidays. This is an older painting I've had hiding in my studio...

Today's Quotation: "Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames."

Note: I usually rely on myself to fan my own flames...I suppose being an Aries helps...


Sunday, November 25, 2012

"Autumn Landscape-Saratoga National Park" Oil Painting by Marina Petro

This is an Oops...I linked the first one incorrectly

©Marina Petro

Late Autumn Landscape- Saratoga National Park
11" x 14"
$200
Original oil painting on canvas
Plein Air Landscape Series

Only one in the entire universe...and it could be yours!

Details and purchasing information HERE or EMAIL me for other purchasing options and inquiries. 
Certificate Of Authenticity provided with every original painting.


View all my available paintings here

This painting is the result of another beautiful afternoon of painting outdoors at the Saratoga National Park. I think this is the only place I want to paint en plein air from now on. There is so much beauty. I can't wait for spring when there will be lots of wild flowers. 

As you can see by photograph of the actual scene below, I took a lot of creative liberties with representing this landscape. I find it difficult to 'get back' to where I was looking and...what I've noticed is that I jump around (not physically) and begin painting things I see at random and not where they actually are...colors included. I'm so happy to have found a great painting buddy to go out on these excursions with. 

We are trying to come up with a way to paint landscapes in the winter without freezing to death outside. Thinking about the possibility of restaurants or hotels with a view that might let us set up indoors by a window...we'll see...


Late Autumn-On my easel at the park

Photo of scene I was working from


"Autumn Landscape-Saratoga National Park" by Marina Petro

©Marina Petro

Late Autumn Landscape- Saratoga National Park
11" x 14"
$200
Original oil painting on canvas
Plein Air Landscape Series

Only one in the entire universe...and it could be yours!

Details and purchasing information HERE or EMAIL me for other purchasing options and inquiries. 
Certificate Of Authenticity provided with every original painting.


View all my available paintings here

This painting is the result of another beautiful afternoon of painting outdoors at the Saratoga National Park. I think this is the only place I want to paint en plein air from now on. There is so much beauty. I can't wait for spring when there will be lots of wild flowers. 

As you can see by photograph of the actual scene below, I took a lot of creative liberties with representing this landscape. I find it difficult to 'get back' to where I was looking and...what I've noticed is that I jump around (not physically) and begin painting things I see at random and not where they actually are...colors included. I'm so happy to have found a great painting buddy to go out on these excursions with. 

We are trying to come up with a way to paint landscapes in the winter without freezing to death outside. Thinking about the possibility of restaurants or hotels with a view that might let us set up indoors by a window...we'll see...


Late Autumn-On my easel at the park

Photo of scene I was working from


Friday, November 23, 2012

Psychedelic Pear, "Abstract Still Life Painting" by Marina Petro

©Marina Petro

Psychedelic Pear
20"x 20"
Original oil painting on canvas
Still Life Series
$475
Only one in the entire universe...and it could be yours!


Details and purchasing information HERE or EMAIL me for other purchasing options and inquiries. 
Certificate Of Authenticity provided with every original painting.


View all my available paintings here

View my new portfolio here


I love this painting and the pattern of the fabric. It cheers me up when I look at it. The pear looks pretty happy too. I will be getting around to painting more still life pieces with this fabric and hopefully finding some others that strike me this strongly. Lemons and oranges might be the next models...

I've been hard at work...a little bit here and a little bit there...reorganizing the PORTFOLIO at my website. ...Click the link and take a look. It has been a daunting project, but I've finally gotten it into a more organized state with galleries for each category of my paintings. One of the most difficult things I encounter with representing myself and my artwork is the wide variety of work I produce. Artists who work in one recognizable style have it much much much easier...It makes me crazy...

Today's Quotation: "Let yourself be drawn by the silent pull of what you really love."
-Rumi


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Starlight, "Skyscape Celestial Original Oil Painting" by Marina Petro

©Marina Petro

Starlight
6" x  8"
$100
Original oil painting on canvas
Celestial Skyscape Series

Only one in the entire universe...and it could be yours!

Details and purchasing information HERE or EMAIL me for other purchasing options and inquiries. 
Certificate Of Authenticity provided with every original painting.


View all my available paintings here


Another painting from memory one of my frequent trips out there...

Today's Quotation:  "Don't fight darkness. Bring the light, and darkness will disappear."
-Maharishi Mahesh Yogi



Monday, November 19, 2012

Cosmic Journey, "Skyscape, Night Sky Painting" by Marina Petro

©Marina Petro
Click on the painting for a larger view

Cosmic Journey
12" x 24"
$295
Original oil painting on canvas
Celestial Skyscape Series

Only one in the entire universe...and it could be yours!

Details and purchasing information HERE or  EMAIL me for other purchasing options and inquiries. 
Certificate Of Authenticity provided with every original painting.


View all my available paintings here


I painted this piece spontaneously from my imagination. It's always such a surprise to see what I have created in this fashion as I try to keep my mind clear of structuring the work and let my intuition guide the process. 

Today's Quotation: "I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being."
-Fin
Hafiz of Persia 

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Lemons On Persimmon, "Still Life Fruit Painting" by Marina Petro


©Marina Petro

Lemons On Persimmon
20"x 20"
Original oil painting on canvas
Still Life Series

Only one in the entire universe...and it could be yours!

Details and purchasing information HERE or EMAIL me for other purchasing options and inquiries. 
Certificate Of Authenticity provided with every original painting.


View all my available paintings here


Can you imagine this striking painting in your dining area? The background for this piece is a sheet of decorative paper I found in my local craft store. I saw it and immediately thought ...what a wonderful painting some bright yellow lemons placed on it would make. I originally painted this piece in a small 6x6 inch format which sold quite quickly. I was curious to see how it would look as a large painting. I am happy with it...

Today's Quotation: "The painter's mind is a copy of the divine mind, since it operates freely in creating the many kinds of animals, plants, fruits, landscapes, countrysides, ruins, and awe-inspiring places." -Leonardo da Vinci


Saturday, November 17, 2012

Evidence Of Angels, "Angel Art Oil Painting" Original Art by Marina Petro

©Marina Petro

"Evidence Of Angels"
20" x 24"
Original oil painting on canvas
Angel Art Series
Only one in the entire universe...and it could be yours!


Details and purchasing information HERE or EMAIL me for other purchasing options and inquiries. 
Certificate Of Authenticity provided with every original painting.

Installment payment arrangements are available


View all my available paintings here


This beautiful painting depicting two graceful angels, descending from Heaven among the clouds, was painted from my imagination. I wasn't sure what I was going to paint when I began this piece. I simply dipped my brush in the first color that I was attracted to and it went from there...brush to canvas until the painting was completed...

Today's Quotation: There is an ancient Persian belief that the creation of art endows the maker with Divine powers that are transmitted to the viewer...


Thursday, November 15, 2012

"Angel Art Book" by Marina Petro

"Angels"
Guardians From Heaven and Their Habitats
From the original oil paintings by Marina Petro

Art books make great holiday gifts


"Angels" Guardians From Heaven & Their Habitats is an 80 page book containing images of my angel paintings, gardens, and celestial paintings with a truly inspiring quotation on each page to correspond with the image. I don't like mushy quotes, I get queasy. These quotes are not mushy...

One of my favorites, by Ranier Maria Rilke, is the one I chose for the angel "Apparition 11" on page 18. No matter how many times I read it, it never fails to bring chills throughout my body. Here it is...

"God speaks to each of us as he makes us
then walks with us silently out of the night.
These are the words we dimly hear:

You, sent out beyond your recall, to go the
limits of your longing. Embody me, Flare up 
like flame and make big shadows I can
move in. Let everything happen to you:
beauty and terror.

Just keep going.
No feeling is final.
Don't let yourself lose me.

Nearby is the country they call life. You will
know it by its seriousness.

Give me your hand."
-Ranier Maria Rilke


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