While I’m parading pet portraits, here’s one more I did as a Christmas commission. In this pastel, I put two friends together from separate photos, two beloved pets who passed away recently. I was touched to hear on Christmas day that the gift was treasured, thoughtfully given and happily received!
This Christmas, I was honored to draw a very old cottage located in Americus, Georgia.It was an old civil war doctor’s office that was moved and restored into a one bedroom cottage.
It’s so fun to be a part of meaningful and lasting gifts!
Twas the weeks before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse…
I was quite the busy bee, but all my art had to stay hushed so as not to ruin Christmas surprises. I had lots of commissions, lots of gifts to create. Over the next few days I’ll catch you up on a few of the pieces that found new homes for Christmas!
Below is one of the first pieces this “commission season”…a very large, majestic white lab. Can I even tell you how much I enjoyed this piece?
Looking for a unique gift that just seems to speak to you? These quirky, textured pastel farm animals are just the thing…a gift that will last and bring fun to any room! Check out some of my newest pieces that will be available for sale at my upcoming art shows. Contact Mary Liz if you’re interested in a special piece, or one of the farmyard friends below: marylizingramart@gmail.com
Coming up is the always fabulous Mountain Brook Art Association Holiday Show at Colonial Brookwood Village. On the lower level of the mall, this huge show is full of wonderful art, perfect for gift giving! Join us for the opening reception on December 5th from 4:00-8:00, catered by Cocina Superior. The show will be up from December 5th through the 19th, 10-8pm daily. Grand Finale party 5-8 on December 19th. Lots of fun, lots of artists, lots of shopping! Hope to see you there!
Another great gift idea for your holiday season, these original pastel cotton bolls are symbols of the South. Drawn from actual pieces of Alabama cotton, this handmade local art is available in various sizes, from 4×4 to 16×20. Proving most popular, the small cotton bolls make fabulous gifts, affordably priced at $40.
Contact Mary Liz today to purchase your own! marylizingramart@gmail.com
Looking for a cool gift for the holidays? Why not share a local, handmade “piece of the South”?! These small, framed and original oyster shell pastels make inexpensive and thoughtful gifts. Affordably priced at $35 each.
Eight of them have already made their way into wrapping paper!
Contact Mary Liz today to purchase your own: marylizingramart@gmail.com
On Thursday, December 12, join me at Andrea Lucas Studios from 5:00-8:00pm for a Holiday Open House, where I am so grateful to be the featured artist! Lots of art for sale, and fun to be had!
1910 1st Avenue North, Irondale, Alabama 35210
The Dawn of Grace, charcoal & conte sketch on paper
On the twelfth and final day of Christmas sketches…
The corner: It’s in the kitchen by the hallway. It is a terrible place of dread and woe. Sitting in this horrible place elicits tears, the stomping of feet and the gnashing of teeth. It’s where we put the naughty children.
In the corner, you have to think about how you can act better: how should you treat your brother? Why don’t we yell and scream at mommy? Why do we not cheat at Candyland? The hard questions in life…
Throughout these 12 days of Christmas sketches, I’ve worked to be “better”…to live in greater peace, to show more kindness, to daily recognize the treasure of my family and the life I am so lucky to live.
The chance to begin anew, second chances in small moments and in great mistakes. Grace to me is the recognition of our humanity, that we are a mess, but it’s just part of it. We get the wonderful gift of making innumerable changes, of “making it better.”
We aren’t perfect; we yell at our mommies and push our brothers. We ignore the hungry, and harbor hatred. We are selfish, and angry and ungrateful; impatient, intolerant and rude.
But we are also capable of great love, of profound kindness; of making peace, of helping others, of always improving; of living in response to the dawn of grace, and using our one small and precious life to make this world a better place. To bring peace on earth, goodwill to men.
-Clarence, It’s a Wonderful Life
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
12 Drummers Drumming
Mr. Grinch, charcoal & conte sketch on paper
On the eleventh day of Christmas sketches…
Today I think my shoes must be too tight…or maybe my head isn’t screwed on just right.
More likely, it’s because I went shopping on a very windy day with a baby sans-stroller and a mischievous little boy. I am feeling a bit Grinchy…enough of the presents, the ribbons, the wrappings, the tags!
Now back at home in my store-free haven, (where I still may be a bit testy…), I’m trying to shake it off and rekindle my Christmas spirit!
“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
11 Pipers Piping
I'm a self-taught pastel & watercolor artist and instructor, raised and based in Birmingham, Alabama. I constantly collect stories and pieces of the world around me, turning them into works of art. Inspired by nature, I love to share what I've learned and build connections and community. I invite you to browse and join my site. I hope you find something that inspires you!
Voted one of Birmingham's Best Local Artists 2013, Birmingham News & al.com
Featured in Birmingham Magazine, March 2018
Visit the Commissions page on the top menu to find out more about my pastel & watercolor portraits. Portraits are drawn from photographs in a timely manner with the highest quality materials to ensure they will be enjoyed for generations!
Thanks for visiting my site! I am an awarded pastel artist and instructor based in Birmingham, Alabama. A self-taught artist, I have been working with pastels for over 6 years, selling in shops, galleries, shows and by commission. I teach pastel workshops for adults, and love to help emerging artists on their journey into the art community.
