Head to Head Bliss

Posted on February 5, 2016 by MaryALivingston

For the past several years, Tim has created a piece of art for the Education Auction at the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference Education Lumberjack Dinner.

This year we’re doing something different. We’re both creating art for the auction to go head to head raising funds for forestry education.

Here are a few images of “Food Chain” as a work in progress.

I’ll save the final piece for when it’s framed.

WIP – 1
“Food Chain”

Food Chain – WIP
Getting some paint on paper.

Food Chain WIP

Squirrel Appreciation Day – WIP 1

Posted on January 21, 2016 by MaryALivingston

WIP – 1
“Food Chain”

In honor of Squirrel Appreciation Day, I’d like to share a work in progress. This year, I’m donating an original watercolor to the SCLC Lumberjack Banquet & Education Auction They raise funds for much-needed resource education programs.

I’ll keep you posted on the progress.

My Husband’s Mother

Posted on November 22, 2015 by MaryALivingston

Six boys in under seven years. The fact that she still has her sanity is proof she has been sneaking bliss.

Everywhere I look, I see evidence of naysayers being cast aside.
Little expressions of what brings her joy are on display in this corner or that.
Mementos from family trips.
Her family wall of portraits, young and old.
A shelf full of children’s books.
Her garden is a masterpiece transformed to greatness by her culinary prowess. Yes, she is that good.
Perhaps the greatest evidence of bliss is a beautiful trillium painting, her painting, hanging in the den.

The most recent picture of us. She graciously tagged along while I was shooting research pictures at San Francisco Zoo. Tim snapped a few shots with his phone.

I treasure her presence in my life. Not only because she is the mother of the man who holds my heart, but the woman to woman wisdom she brings to our relationship is immeasurable. I have benefited greatly from her experience.

It is only fitting that every so often her birthday occurs on Thanksgiving.

Happy Birthday Mom,
Love,
Mary

“Trillium” by Norma Livingston

Art to Beat Cancer for Children’s Research Institute

Posted on April 20, 2015 by MaryALivingston

Fellow artist, Doyle Glass, put a little bug in my ear about some wonderful work being done in Dallas. Doyle’s wife Kim passed away from breast cancer this past December at the young age of 46. Because of this, he has devoted his life to helping find a cure for cancer. Cancer touches so many lives in such a profound way, I know you’ll all be pleased to learn about ART TO BEAT CANCER.

Doyle has organized the inaugural ART TO BEAT CANCER for Children’s Research Institute, which will occur on May 8, 6-8 PM at the Miller Event Center at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.

ATBC for CRI is an art auction in which all proceeds benefit the “Kim Hazelwood Glass Endowment for Cancer Research at Children’s Research Institute.”

ALL PROCEEDS, INCLUDING TICKET SALES, WILL BE MATCHED, thereby doubling the donation to cancer research at CRI.

How can you help?

Spread the word. The more people reached, the better.
Buy tickets and attend the benefit. Individual tickets are only $35 and couples $50.
I can’t attend, but I have family in the area so I gifting them tickets.
Bid on artwork.
Donate cash if you can.
Spread the word. The more people reached, the better.

Bids on artwork are underway at https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?auctionId=230666008

You can help out by purchasing ticket to attend, making a donation or bidding on artwork. (You can bid on artwork now at the link below). Individual tickets are $35; couple tickets are $50.

Art to Beat Cancer on Facebook

Please spread the word.

Ducks Ahoy

Posted on January 18, 2015 by MaryALivingston

Saturday Night RedTail Ducks Ahoy – Sailor

Behind the Scene: Making a Splash

Posted on January 14, 2015 by MaryALivingston

Timing, timing, timing…anyone who’s a photo shooter knows how important timing is. Years ago, I only shot manual cameras without an auto-winder and my shot timing benefitted from the experience. Fast forward to today, there’s no film advance lever on modern digital SLR cameras. (I’m not so sure the younger generation knows what a film advance lever is.) We have single shot and continuous modes. I find that with continuous shooting, I just start shooting…and miss that fine tuned finesse of catching just the right shot.

Sailor offers reference photo for Making a Splash.

Here’s a reference photo that missed the mark.The water splashed up, right before Sailor locked his gaze in on the retrieve. I was hoping for the lock. The next shot has the lock, but not the dynamic splash.
Solution, an artist interpretation of the not so right shot. Thus was the beginning of the Making a Splash series of Sailor.
Here’s the process to the final piece of Making a Splash part 1.

Sailor’s always ready to go!

Sailor says,
“Let’s go again!”

Making a Splash

Posted on January 11, 2015 by MaryALivingston

Sailor on the retrieve in watercolor.

Dr. Jean’s Callie – A Vet’s Pet

Posted on July 17, 2014 by MaryALivingston

I remember when I first met Dr. Jean. A one-week-old little puppy wriggled his way from his mama’s warmth. When I found him, he was cold and too lethargic to nurse. I tucked him under my shirt, against my warm skin, and drove to the vet’s office.

Dr. Jean was new to the practice and in all truth, she didn’t look old enough to be in college, let alone be through veterinary school. Her youthful appearance was soon shadowed by her knowledge, skill and compassion. Thanks to Dr. Jean, a few months later, the healthy little pup went home with his forever family.

Over the years, we’ve shared joys, laughter, and tears as she has cared for our pets.

I’d like to introduce you to Callie. The faithful companionship Callie gives to Dr. Jean shows in the way Dr. Jean cares for family pets.

When I learned that Dr. Jean was to move from our area, I knew I wanted to give her a painting of Callie. It wasn’t easy to sneak Callie from her office so that I could take reference pictures, as Dr. Jean often checked in on her girl. With the assistance of the office staff, I was able to get the pics.

Although we miss Dr. Jean and Callie, we know her new community is blessed to have her skill, wisdom, and compassion.

The Livingston household and pack wish them much joy and success.

The final watercolor of Callie. Dr. Jean’s Welsh Corgi

Sweet little corgi, Callie poses for reference photos.

The first layers of paint.

Bringing out her eyes.

All framed and ready for Dr. Jean.

Stalking Butterflies

Posted on March 28, 2014 by MaryALivingston

I wrapped up Kinta stalking butterflies. Try as he might to catch them, the pipevine swallowtails were too quick for him. He is now six months old, a gawky age for a pup. His rabies titer is done and he will be clear to go home in September. We’re going to miss him around here. He’s full of play and snuggles.

Stalking Butterflies

Whimsday Bliss – Stalking Butterflies WIP

Posted on March 19, 2014 by MaryALivingston

As I started to wrangle my week under control, I slipped out on a break to snap some shots of the pipevine swallowtails. I had company. Neither of us got what we were after. Here’s a start to Kinta stalking butterflies on newly blossomed Blue dicks.