Two more to frame and it's showtime!

'Salvia and Columns' pastel, 8 x 7.5, © Mary McHugh 2010




'Peonies and Fence' pastel, 7 x 7, © Mary McHugh 2010


Instead of being out on the water or in the garden on this fine Saturday, I was down in our cool basement finishing up the paintings for the show. I did it! I finished all the paintings I started last summer and fall, plus three more new ones. Shown above are two of my favorite gardens. 'Peonies and fence' is a view of my friends' Laurie and David's place and 'Salvia and Columns' is at the MN Landscape Arboreteum.

I will be showing twelve of my recent paintings at the Washburn show and two "encore" paintings at the Black Cat show. Please stop by if you are able! (more information top right)

Washburn Show will be hung tomorrow, Black Cat on Monday

'While the Kids Were Biking' pastel, 6 x 6, © Mary McHugh 2009

Only a three left to finish up and mat and frame. The one shown above is a plein air piece I did last summer while the kids were biking in Seeley (hence the title). I was set up next to the Namakagon River on Cook Rd.

I am sore today. I think I overdid it yesterday by working on my paintings, working at school for a few hours helping my sub Marilyn and getting the Student Voice news paper finished up in time for graduation on Sunday, and going to Jenna's haircut appt. and grocery shopping in Hayward with Neil as our driver. I am still not supposed to drive anywhere. I didn't wake myself up with my timer to take my pain meds last night every four hours and really was in a lot of pain when I woke up at 4 A.M. and couldn't get back to sleep until about 6 A.M.. I slept in until 8, in time to take more pain meds. I need to take it easy today but also need to get the paintings finished. Fortunately it is another gorgeous day. Good day for gardening also. I will need help with that.

"Complete remission"

'Iris Garden' pastel, 17.5 x 10.5, ©Mary McHugh 2010

Shown above is a painting of a lovely local garden. It really appealed to me.

"Complete remission". Those were the surgeon's words today! I am stunned. She said it is like in the Wizard of Oz when the wicked witch dies and all that is left is her hat. All that remained of my cancer in the pathology report was where the fight took place between the chemo or herceptin and the cancer. So I am cancer free! Just recover from the surgery and go through radiation and then it'll be time to move on with my life.

Thanks again to everyone who has been so supportive. I really think it is all the prayers and good vibes that killed the cancer, not the chemo.

Still home recovering

'Time to Come In' pastel, 12 x 8, © Mary McHugh 2009

Shown above is the prequel to 'Bliss', which I started last summer and finished this winter, taking a photo of it today outside in the sunlight.

My energy level continues to improve each day. My sister headed home today. Thanks Claire for helping out! Thanks to everyone who has been helping feed my family. What wonderful friends I have.

Summer weather in May

'Lilacs' pastel, 6 x 6, © Mary J. McHugh 2009

Shown above is the third in my trio of spring flowers.
I am home recovering from surgery and spending time with my sister who came to help out. We had a warm, humid, windy day here in northern Wisconsin. The kids had a big regional track meet today and now I am waiting for them to come home. My blog is a good way to spend the time when you are waiting late at night.

I haven't worked on any paintings for a week but hope to get back at it soon, finishing up and framing my recent work. Steve started some new frames for me today. What a great husband!

Please mark your calendars for the reception Thursday June 3, at the Cultural Center in Washburn WI from 5 to 8 PM

Spring is really here

'Daffodils' pastel, 7 x 7, © Mary J McHugh 2009

What a day. It is beautiful now that we have had some rain and the temperature is warm. Almost too warm maybe! I had to take my hat off!

I didn't paint tonight, instead went to the big annual Charac event at Lakewoods. Saw lots of my favorite people. Even debuted my new short haircut without a hat in public. Pretty daring of me.

Surgery is on Wed. Want to thank everyone for their constant support and hugs and love. Family and friends are amazing.

I am posting another of my spring trio of flowers above. I will post my newest paintings tomorrow if I can. Otherwise, I'll check back in after surgery.

Rain

'Snow on the Mountain' pastel, 6x6, © Mary J.McHugh 2009

It's raining today! I am posting a photo of the painting that will be at the Spring CHARAC show at the Rookery restaurant near Lake Namakagon (Cable, WI). It is the first one in a series of three spring flower paintings. This one features narcissus and snow on the mountain flowers! The other two will be at the Washburn June show.

Another Monday night

'Inviting Bay' pastel, 8 x 12 © Mary J. McHugh 2009

Here is another painting that will be in the show. It's my idea of a perfect summer day.

A week has gone by since my last painting session. Busy weekend with the family. I met with my doctors last Thursday and have my surgery date set for May 19. Only 9 more days to get ready emotionally and mentally. I also have only 9 more days and nights to get these paintings done. I think it will be hard to lift my arms after the surgery and you need to lift your arms when you paint, even with pastels.
So downstairs I go to work. Maybe there will be some nice blues on the radio again.

Monday Night

I worked again on another painting for almost an hour. It's a June garden with iris.
This is going well. I was listening to WOJB to some really good blues music and the time just flew. Didn't even feel tired. I'll have to take some photos when it is light out.

Sunday

'Camp Shore' pastel, 23 x 10.5 © Mary J. McHugh 2008

Shown above is "Camp Shore, one of the paintings I delivered this afternoon to my favorite gallery in Cable: Firefly ! Stop by and see them sometime after L.J. opens up for new season this Friday.

It was another gorgeous morning and I worked on another painting for an hour. Yes!
This one was started last summer but hadn't finished it since I couldn’t decide what kind of light to use. So today I made the decision to make it take place at dusk. Featured in it are my sister in law’s kayaks on the shores of Lake Superior at the beach in Ashland, WI, during summer vacation visit with my in laws. Jenna and her cousin Gina are out in the kayaks. It is a prequel to a previous painting called "Bliss". I think it’ll be titled “Time to Come In”. It is almost finished and will post it soon.