This design was specifically done for the annual Mardi Gras celebration. I used my reference photo of garden sunflowers. I love the big, bold shapes of the flowers! I cannot resist painting them because they are happy flowers and my favorites. After drawing the design directly on the archival foamboard, I begin with specific shapes […] more »
I find that painting in a series challenges me to create more dynamic designs using the same elements, and to capture a day in the life of an artist. For this piece I used a reference photo taken many years ago. Sometimes I use more than one photo when I initially pencil in the composition, […] more »
It began with a drawing from life of a beautiful Amaryllis, but I did not want to paint just an ordinary flower. Instead, I divided the paper into fractured planes, drawing around my initial design of the flower. The quilt-like shapes and value changes adds depth and interest to the flower. As I began painting, […] more »
My inspiration with sunflowers is limitless! I started a loose contour sketch using my photographs of our garden flowers, but the design changed from the initial idea. I cut and arrange the shapes and let it evolve on its own. I usually decide on a background hue first (here a limited palette of teal and reds) […] more »
Marybeth Heikes is pleased to announce that her watercolor painting Soldiers & Sables has been accepted in the 2016 All Media National Exhibit at the Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames, Iowa. The opening reception will be January 29, 2016 and continue through April 7. This particular painting was previously exhibited in the Rockies […] more »
For me, the challenge is to continue this series and expand on the teapot designs. My goal is to do at least twenty unique designs. Originally the focus for this background was to be a crossword puzzle, but it evolved into the arrow-like shapes. I also wanted to use a different range of colors than […] more »
I have decided to continue with my Teapot Series still lifes after reviewing some of my past work. This subject matter still intrigues me and I wonder where the future designs may lead. That is why I continue to paint — the surprise ending is well worth it! I do know that once I start […] more »
This painting was inspired by my garden flowers and antique bottle collection. Still lifes are one of my favorite subject matter to paint, and I love the bright colors of summer flowers! I decided from the start to use some of my flower sketches of our larkspur plants and fire engine red petunias. I began […] more »
Two of Marybeth Heikes’ original collages have been selected for the 22nd annual Greater Des Moines Exhibition. Her collages, RAGBRAI, depicting a close up of a bicycle wheel and pieces of Iowa map of the Mississippi river towns, and Supreme Sunflowers with Red Stems, a floral bouquet, will be part of this exhibit featuring Iowa […] more »
My challenge for this piece was to create a large sunflower design in a square format. I used my sketch of a vase in my collection and worked from my sunflower sketches done from life. I worked the warm colors against the cool colors and contrasted light and dark values. I decided early on not to […] more »