Marybeth Heikes

Paintings in Watercolor & Mixed Media

Stunning Still Lifes

Stargazer Lily

Stargazer Lily

April 16, 2013

Every time spring rolls around, I am eager to paint my garden flowers, and this year is no exception. However, the weather is unseasonably cool, so I am relying on some of my old photos until some of my perennials bloom. This particular lily had been in my garden a while ago. New flowers are added every […] more »

Grace

Grace

March 13, 2013

These glorious blooms were painted from my garden. I worked from my reference photo and sad to say I no longer have tulips in my garden, as the deer have destroyed them.  Tulips are one of my favorite flowers and a sure sign that spring has arrived.  These graceful blooms were wonderful to paint.  The […] more »

License to Paint

License to Paint

March 12, 2013

This is a petite composition done specifically for an upcoming show with size limitations. I found it difficult to crop my reference photo and even more of a challenge to paint a six-inch-square format. So it is just a piece of the larger design I had planned originally — I may get to that another […] more »

Pastel Beauty

Pastel Beauty

March 6, 2013

Flowers are one of my favorite subjects to paint!  I am anxious for spring to come so I can paint more flowers from our garden.  I used a photo from my reference files, a great big luscious peony.  I am also a big fan of Chinese brush painting and have learned that in China, the Peony […] more »

Spouting Off

Spouting Off

February 25, 2013

These teapot shapes continue to  interest me. I set up part of my favorite collection outside on a glass table when it was nice and sunny outside. I also put some mirrors behind the teapots to capture their reflections and add depth to the composition. It was tricky setting the mirrors up against the chairs, as they […] more »

Metalscape 9

Metalscape 9

February 9, 2013

I’ve painted another design of the crushed and mangled cans that I viewed at the recycling center here in Centerville. I find the abstract metal shapes fascinating and have to simplify the elements as there are too many details within each can.  In this design, the round bottoms “frame” the larger can with ridges and […] more »

Ruby Vase & Pears

Ruby Vase & Pears

February 4, 2013

I’m back doing a still life with my favorite glassware. I recently purchased the round, ruby vase that I thought would be great in a set-up. The other challenge in this still life was using an abstract acrylic collage in the background behind the glass. The pears added interesting shapes and color changes in the design. A piece of […] more »

Lift Ring, Pull Tab

Lift Ring, Pull Tab

January 31, 2013

I’m continuing my metalscape series with all the interesting ridged cans and circular lids.  This is the eighth design, and I used a limited palette of burnt sienna and various blues. It took me about a week to paint.  I began by doing a couple thumbnail designs in my sketchbook since I worked from my […] more »

Brushwork

Brushwork

January 22, 2013

What could be more simple than a design of brushes?  I chose a variety of sizes and drew the shapes directly on the paper. Leaving the background for last, I discovered the interesting triangular patterns between the brushes and used different pigments for each one: naples yellow, violet and sap green. The triangles emphasize the angular pattern […] more »

McCormick Metalscape

McCormick Metalscape

January 20, 2013

Seems like the possibilities are endless in my quest of metal landscapes. Besides noticing all the junk people recycle. The little snips of red break up the gray-striped pattern of the soup and fruit cans. The round lids add interest to the reflected patterns. It is a challenge to mix different shades of gray, warm and cools. […] more »