Marybeth Heikes » More Artwork

Fifty-Seven Chevy

mheikes — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:21:20 +0000

You don’t see many of these classic cars anymore! It’s as big as a boat and probably twice as heavy. I’d hate to think of parallel parking this baby! This was done as a pencil commission years ago and I had taken many camera shots of this gentleman’s car. I like the lemonade color he painted it! I tried to capture all the details that characterize it. This was a fun piece to work on, between my two larger watercolors that are in progress. It feels great to be able to complete a small piece in just a day.

Feather Hat

mheikes — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Decided to do something different — a small figurative work. I worked from my sketchbook using a head study and added the floppy hat with real feathers.

Bubba

mheikes — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 05:00:00 +0000

This is a watercolor painting of a Boston Terrier, a distinctive breed with black and white markings. It is my sister’s dog and I worked from her photograph.

Rapt Audience (Aurora, Fiona, Vincent, Jules & Saoirse)

mheikes — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0000

This was done as a sample portrait with five of our family’s cats. It is a labor of love, started in early August, and I didn’t think I’d ever finish. Five different photos of the felines were used, and while I was drawing the design I got the idea to have each of them looking in different directions — typical cats. They were entralled with a lady bug on my studio ceiling.

Pomeranians

mheikes — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 05:00:00 +0000

The watercolor was inspired by the recent dog show my daughter and I attended in Des Moines.

My intent was to photograph as many breeds as possible, which was a little tricky as most of the people were shampooing and brushing their dogs in preparation for the show ring. A young gal was holding three cute Pomeranians and rushing to get them to the show ring. The dogs were huge fluffs of fur and we watched as the trotted quickly in the ring with their trainers.

Centerville Drummers

mheikes — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 05:00:00 +0000

This is fourth in the series of the 1996 Pancake Day marching band.

Trombones

mheikes — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 05:00:00 +0000

This is part of my marching band series. I tried to paint one each day. That didn’t work out because of the format size — almost 11 x 14 — but considering I was able to complete 4 of these in about a week in time to display for Pancake Day, I thought that was excellent.

Flag Girls

mheikes — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 05:00:00 +0000

A piece from the series of the marching band on Pancake Day 1996. The girls were lining up before the big parade. I believe I captured the essence and likenesses — many people have recognized them.

Drummers

mheikes — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 05:00:00 +0000

These two young drummers caught my eye because they were wearing red artist “tams”. I think this drum group was from Iowa City and marched in the 1996 Pancake Day parade. I worked from one of my photos.

I had planned to do a series of these smaller paintings of the marching band, at least a dozen, but ran out of time. Perhaps next year I can finish these. Currently they are displayed at my Bradley Hall space.

Downtown Minneapolis

mheikes — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:00:00 +0000

I have been inspired by skyscrapers lately. For this piece, I worked from a photo taken in 2000 of Minneapolis. The design got a bit complicated, so I edited and kept adding shapes while working. My initial design was bare-bones. I attempted to harmonize the colors, but that kept changing too. I’m pleased with the final design. I intended to include the side of a building with music papers, but ran out of space — perhaps on the next composition.

Pugs

mheikes — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 05:00:00 +0000

This painting of two pugs, named Winston and Henry, was a commissioned piece. It is to be a wedding gift. Basically, I worked from the provided photo and tried to capture the very expressive faces of the dogs.

Mini Minne

mheikes — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 05:00:00 +0000

I read about artists completing a painting every day and wanted to try it. Although, since I had other things going on, it took a couple of days instead of one. This design is a smaller section of the Minneapolis cityscape I’m presently working on. I’m finding it’s a challenge to work this small with collage, although I like the results.

In The Distance

mheikes — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Continued inspiration of the urban landscapes. I used a photo take many years ago and loved the view from the parking ramp with all the intricacies of the city — the sky walk, rooftops, capitol dome — all the geometric shapes and shadows.

Rooftops, Des Moines

mheikes — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 05:00:00 +0000

In this view, I used a photo taken of downtown Des Moines a few years ago from the top of a parking garage. The architecture and building forms interested me. The panoramic view from above was inspiring! Of course, I took artistic liberty with most of the building colors and used a strong value pattern to emphasize the shapes. The rough texture of the heavy body acrylic paint adds interest too.

Biking

mheikes — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 05:00:00 +0000

This piece was inspired by an old bicycle I saw at Bradley Hall. I took a variety of pictures, including the interesting shadow shapes, and then did a preliminary watercolor painting. After this, I did some loosely sketched contour drawings of this bike and didn’t plan a design to work with, as I usually do. I started by cutting out some of the basic shapes of the wheels and spokes, allowing the design to flow and let things happen. Halfway through I decided to add map pieces, as the annual RAGBRAI bike ride across Iowa starts in a week or so. Many of these same colors were used for the previously-finished guitar collage.

Split Strings

mheikes — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 05:00:00 +0000

I was inspired by the shapes of the classical and electric guitar taken many years ago. I previously completed a realistic drawing of these and decided it would be fun to do one using abstract shapes.

I began with a very loose contour drawing and no previous design — just arranged shapes and let things happen. The same process with the colors: each color I cut out affected the previous hues and worked towards a harmony of purple, green, blue, and yellows. The main objective was a dynamic design with bold colors.

Moravian House – Turret

mheikes — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 05:00:00 +0000

I took a photo of this interesting house about ten years ago, so it has been in the back of mind for a long time.

It’s hard to explain what triggers the emotional need to paint old structures like this. Previously, I have complete a drawing of the completed image, which was sold. When looking back at the photos, I chose a close-up of one section with the interesting sunlight shadows. The challenge was mixing the grays for the rooftops, porch and shadow patterns while bringing out the value shapes.

View From East Village, Downtown Des Moines

mheikes — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

This is a more recent view of downtown Des Moines from a photo I took last summer (2009) while visiting the city. What impressed me was the skyline with the taller buildings set against the shorter ones and the lampposts leading the eye into the city. You can see the perspective of the rounded bridge over the river, the parked vehicles and parking meters all converging into the heart of the city.

It was a cloudy day and I decided to do something different with the sky color, painting it a special lime green instead of a gray. I have done another, but different, view and decided the trees added a fresh, natural element to contrast with the building shapes and perspective leading into the painting.

I also used the textured paper with pink oil pastel for the road, which I feel adds some linear opaqueness to the foreground. To the people who live and work there, the view is immediately recognizable, with the red umbrella of the insurance company represented if you look closely. This painting can also be personalized; your license plate number can be added to the parked vehicle in the foreground.

Polk County Courthouse, Des Moines

mheikes — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0000

This design was inspired by the architecture of the big city, reminiscent of growing up in the environment surrounded by tall buildings, different windows shapes, rooftops, bricks and other building details. It is exciting to have so many varieties of architectural elements crammed into a large metropolis; such a contrast from the quiet country life I live now. The hustle and bustle of people working in the city among the skyscrapers and boxy shapes fascinate me.

I’m attracted by the different shapes and have no general plan on colors before I start. During the thinking process I’m concerned on the relationships of warm and cool colors and the way they vibrate against each other. In this painting I began with the dark pinkish building and greenish windows. I started this last August and put it aside for a few months because I wasn’t sure how to proceed with the courthouse shape, because it was so detailed. I wasn’t even sure if it was something to continue with and finish. After these months slipped by, I took it out and looked at it with a sample mat and glass and decided it looked terrific and chose the beige colors for the light bricked courthouse and that I would simplify the shapes — that is one of the things that working in collage offers: not getting hung up on details; suggesting them.

I worked from a photo taken in 2002 from the top of a parking ramp in the downtown area. This view commanded a large area and I condensed it a bit and zeroed in on one view.

German Shepard

mheikes — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:00:00 +0000

This piece is part of an ongoing pet portrait series I’ve been working on this year. This is a smaller size than I usually work on, at an affordable price for the general public and great gift.

My idea was to paint all the most popular breeds, so it will take me a while for this project to be completed. I’m always on the lookout for pets!

Naughty or Nice?

mheikes — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0000

I created this piece because I wanted a Christmas-themed cat. It is a close-up of Aurora, a black & white kitty.

Isis

mheikes — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0000

This is a picture of my brother’s Great Dane, Isis. I was given the photo and worked from that. He is kind of a speckled dog, with a Christmas hat that he was dressed in, besides the velvet collar.

Winslow & Fiona

mheikes — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0000

I paint cats because they’re cute and adorable! This pair is for cat lovers everywhere!

The Pier

mheikes — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0000

This horizontal design consists mostly of ultramarine blue papers. The added texture of the rice paper gives it some depth by subduing the under-layers and adding a soft quality to the darker shapes. It is a low-key painting, consisting mainly of darker values. The lighter orange and pink shapes connect and interlock the design patterns.

Completed on 300# paper and mounted on foamboard.

Cinnabar Opus

mheikes — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0000

This artwork was made using both torn and cut paper shapes — triangles, circles, and rectangles in bright red with yellows and greens. It took me a while arranging, then re-arranging, pieces for a pleasing design. Texture plays an important role too. It reminds me of some musical passages I’ve listened to in classical music while working in my studio.

Done on 300# hot press paper and mounted on archival board.

Ladder Cats

mheikes — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:00:00 +0000

I’m using this painting as a sample of pet portraits that I can do. The cats on the ladder are my daughter’s cats Saoirse and Doyle. It’s always a challenge to paint a black animal — I just indicated the black-mop shape of him.

Brownstones & Balconies

mheikes — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:00:00 +0000

This is a view of the background buildings by the Farmers Market as seen from the red pedestrian bridge. Some of the vendors’ canopies are evident near the brownstones.

Mondrian’s Des Moines

mheikes — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:00:00 +0000

I created this piece because I had an interest in completing some cityscapes from 2000. We visited Des Moines in early spring and I walked around the capital and downtown area, taking lots of photos. I’ve completed a few paintings since then and recently visited and took more photos of the Farmers Market and surrounding areas. I’m planning to do more of a series of cityscapes.

Ninth Street Bridge

mheikes — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:00:00 +0000

I first encountered this cityscape earlier in summer and I had forgotten my camera! The buildings captured my attention and the smooth rounded angles of the sloping bridge. I’ve completed many sketches of this.

I love all the geometric shapes! My favorite shape of this is the road — this paper was painted a few years ago with oil pastels scribbled on the surface first, then a watery wash of dark gray. The pastels show through the wash lightly and give it an interesting texture.

Cowgirl

mheikes — Sun, 03 May 2009 05:00:00 +0000

A cowgirl with an attitude, decked out in her western gear. Recently, I have been interested in more figurative works, especially costumed figures.

What’s Up?

mheikes — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Our three cats discovered a ladybug overhead in my studio. They were quite intent and I grabbed my camera and took a lot of interesting shots.

Classy Lady May

mheikes — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

This was done from one of my figure sketches. I was interested in the curved shape of the hat and ribbons.

Wedding Hat (Josephine)

mheikes — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

This is a painting of my paternal grandmother with a beautiful big hat and lacy dress.

Golden Retriever

mheikes — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:00:00 +0000

I love animals and was asked by a customer to paint this breed, as I hadn’t done one yet. “Goldens” are a lovable breed with a beautiful tawny coat. I believe I captured that well in this portrait.

Downtown Des Moines #3 (Skywalk/Civic Center)

mheikes — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:00:00 +0000

Catnap

mheikes — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:00:00 +0000

Colt (Awesome August Moon)

mheikes — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:00:00 +0000

Broadlawns (Montage #1)

mheikes — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 05:00:00 +0000

This is one of two watercolor paintings I completed for the Family Health Clinic at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines. For this commission, I visited the Broadlawns campus and took various photos before designing the two montages. The pieces are composed of parts of Broadlawns buildings, including the distinctive white tower near the front entrance.

A percentage of the profits will go to Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines (www.broadlawns.org).

Broadlawns (Montage #2)

mheikes — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 05:00:00 +0000

A percentage of the profits will go to Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines (www.broadlawns.org).

Whiskers

mheikes — Tue, 27 May 2008 05:00:00 +0000

A line-up of four irresistible kittens!

Brotherly Love

mheikes — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:00:00 +0000

Painted our 6 month old kittens — Jules, the grey tabby is licking Vincent, the ginger. Irresistible!

Golden Boy

mheikes — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0000

I originally started this to be a pet portrait sample.

Des Moines Skyline

mheikes — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 05:00:00 +0000

Iowa State Capitol

mheikes — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 05:00:00 +0000

Downtown Des Moines #2

mheikes — Mon, 21 Feb 2005 05:00:00 +0000