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Trailing along with the pigs & cows, here comes the goose and hens…Framed up and ready to find new homes next Saturday, April 5th at the MBAA Crestline Spring Show!

The old goose cared for the ducklings and led the ducks around the lake, never bothering that they were different fowls…

Goose, 4x4 pastel

Goose, 4×4 pastel

 

The old gray hen was a force to be reckoned with. She stood alone and kept constant watch…

Hen, 4x4 pastel

Hen, 4×4 pastel

 

She was always a very nosy bird, unafraid to stop and stare…

Here's Looking at You, 8x8 pastel

Here’s Looking at You, 8×8 pastel

Stately Moos

Mary Liz Ingram —  April 1, 2014 — Leave a comment

Berenice was adored by the other cows for her poise and beauty. Her rich color strikingly marked with white made her a cut above the rest…

Berenice, 8x8 pastel

Berenice, 8×8 pastel

 

Bootsie loved to stop and watch the world go by…

Bootsie, 4x4 pastel

Bootsie, 4×4 pastel

 

Beulah was the matron of the herd, sitting proudly on the hill in all her splendor…

Beulah, 18x24 pastel

Beulah, 18×24 pastel

 

Meet these new bovines in person next Saturday, April 5 in Crestline at the Mountain Brook Art Association Spring Art Festival…they would love to come home to a wall near you!

Feathered friends are coming up next…

A Muddy Introduction

Mary Liz Ingram —  March 31, 2014 — 1 Comment

Debuting at my next show, coming up Saturday, April 5th in Crestline, here is the first bunch of new buddies ready to come home to a wall near you…

Pinkerton was a curious, eager little pig, always looking for his next adventure…

Pinkerton, 4x4 pastel

Pinkerton, 4×4 pastel

 

 

Francis ruled the pen with kindness and mud…

Francis, 8x8 pastel

Francis, 8×8 pastel

 

Matilda was a fun loving swine who was always laughing at her own jokes…

Matilda, 8x8 pastel

Matilda, 8×8 pastel

 

The three little pigs were always jostling for attention, but one was more shy than the others…

3 Little Pigs, 10x20 pastel

3 Little Pigs, 10×20 pastel

A peek into the process of creating the 3 Little Pigs:

 

Stay tuned to meet the newest members of the herd…

Retro Icons

Mary Liz Ingram —  March 30, 2014 — Leave a comment

I’m gearing up for my art show next Saturday, April 5th in Crestline! Over the next few days I’ll introduce you to the pieces making their debut and ready to find new homes.

My newest series “Retro South,” is all about history, color and icons of the South, and even more specifically the city I call home: Birmingham.

Take a look and follow the links to read more about each piece:

Yellow Truck

Vulcan

Penny

Sloss Furnace & Airstream

Rusty Train

 

 

 

 

Spring Prelude

Mary Liz Ingram —  March 19, 2014 — 2 Comments

Morning 1

In the Mist, watercolor & ink

In the Mist, watercolor & ink

It is a gray spring morning, damp and cold, when new buds are barely making a show.

Branches like gnarled claws, grasping into the mist that shrouds my morning drive.

The air is still and heavy, a floating moisture clings to my hair and coats the ground, muffling and capturing the sounds of waking birds.

A calm beginning, a waiting quiet, resting before the bright burst of spring.

 

Morning 2

Cherry Blossoms, ink doodle

Cherry Blossoms, ink doodle

A sleepy morning takes its turn, as warm rays burst through the heavy clouds.

Yesterday’s fog is lifted and I close my eyes to the renewing glow.

Cherry blossoms turn their face to the sun, opening bit by bit as winter fades.

Hope arrives as dreary days pass away and nature drinks in the light.

A Rear View

Mary Liz Ingram —  March 17, 2014 — Leave a comment

It’s been nine years since I sat on the cool marble bench, in a brightly lit room, surrounded by people.

One of my dearest friends by my side, we stared at a very nice, very shapely rear end.

We had quite a conversation about this certain rump, exposed and shining in the overhead light.

We laughed and closed one eye, pretending to give it a pinch from our seats.

We even took a few pictures.

Michelangelo knew how to sculpt a butt. David has quite a nice tushy.

That was not the only time I’ve been mooned by a statue.

We residents of Birmingham, Alabama can be mooned any day of the week by our resident Roman god of the forge, Vulcan.

Sloss Furnace, 12x14 pastel

Sloss Furnace, 12×14 pastel

Vulcan watches over “the Magic City,” which grew so fast in the early 1900s due to the abundance of materials and ability to make iron and steel (hence Sloss Furnaces!). He has a pretty cool story. We had to write reports all about him back in my early school days. Here’s a snippet about Vulcan, but you should really check out Vulcan’s full story.

“Vulcan, Birmingham Alabama’s colossal statue is the world’s largest cast iron statue and considered one of the most memorable works of civic art in the United States. Designed by Italian artist Giuseppe Moretti and cast from local iron in 1904, it has overlooked the urban landscape of Alabama’s largest city since the 1930s.” (source)

So in my pursuit of capturing iconic landmarks and pieces of the “Retro South” with my pastels, I of course am obligated to give homage to Vulcan.

Now, Birmingham residents may notice what I chose to depict in his hand. Vulcan, restored in 1999, now holds a spear. But when I was growing up, he held a lighted torch. It glowed green on days when there were no traffic fatalities, and red when someone had died in an accident.

Perhaps a little strange, a little morbid, a little heavy for kids, but my sister and I were obsessed with seeing if anyone died or not each day. I confess I was a little disappointed when this quirky signal was changed. But hey, my kids still love to see if they can spy Vulcan atop Red Mountain whenever there’s a chance.

And they thought it hilarious the day we were at Vulcan Park, standing on his pedestal overlook, high in the air, looking up at his big naked booty.

Vulcan, 8x13 pastel

Vulcan, 8×13 pastel

Penny

Mary Liz Ingram —  March 14, 2014 — 1 Comment

Quick snap of downtown B'hamWe load up in our late ’80s Dodge minivan, wearing floral dresses stitched by our Granny’s tight hands, with our long hair tied in ribbons. Heading down Red Mountain Expressway, we see the city as we turn the corner.

Nearing the 2nd Avenue exit of downtown Birmingham, my sister and I plaster our noses to the window, waiting for our weekly glimpse of Penny the dog wagging her tail.

Growing up, my family attended the beautifully historic 1st Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, Alabama. We had certain landmarks to look for with each 12-minute journey from our suburban home into the heart of the city.

We always watched for Vulcan, Sloss Furnace, Penny the dog, the castle apartments, and on the way home we loved stopping for a Pete’s Famous Hot Dog.

So here’s my tribute to one of the many Birmingham icons, the Gold Seal Dog Food, and later Birmingham Hide & Tallow Company’s “Penny the Dog.”

Recently restored and moved to the new Region’s Park, home to the Birmingham Barons baseball team, Penny will continue to be a childhood memory for even the smallest Birmingham residents, like my three funny kids.

Penny, 11x12 pastel on card

Penny, 11×12 pastel on card

Upcoming Art Events!

Mary Liz Ingram —  March 13, 2014 — 5 Comments

artreach_baapostcardArt Supporting Art in Birmingham

Four Seasons Gallery in Homewood, AL is hosting ARTreach for the Birmingham Art Association with an opening gala April 3rd, 2014 from 5-8 PM.

Thanks to festivals, elegant galleries, The Birmingham Museum of Art, and affordable living, the Birmingham art community is thriving. Art has been painted into the roots of the city and since 1908, the Birmingham Art Association has been there to guide the art movement along while supporting local artists. Now, Four Seasons gallery in Downtown Homewood has the opportunity so support the Birmingham Art Association.

Birmingham Art Association artists will be the featured guest artists at Four Seasons Gallery. Read More…

 

mbaa33rd Annual Mountain Brook Art Association Spring ART Festival, April 5

Join some of the region’s best artists at the Mountain Brook Art Association’s Spring Show in Mountain Brook, AL on Saturday, April 5th from 9:00-4:00.

This is always a great show at the beautiful Crestline Sports Field, located in Crestline Village.

Food, music, activities, fun and of course great art!

I will have a booth this year and am looking forward to returning after a few years off! (ahhh, babies!!!)

Check out the MBAA website for more info: http://mountainbrookartassociation.com/

 

Sign up NOW for my pastel workshop at Forstall Art Center in Homewood, coming up April 12th! 

Visit Forstall’s workshop page or my website for more details, and give Forstall a call or stop by to sign up! Forstall Art Center: 205/870-0480

Soft Pastels: Out of the Box Continue Reading…

Sign up NOW for my pastel workshop at Forstall Art Center in Homewood, coming up April 12th! 

Visit Forstall’s workshop page for more details, and give them a call or stop by to sign up!

Forstall Art Center: 205/870-0480

Soft Pastels: Out of the Box

Beulah, 18x24 pastel

1-day workshop at Forstall Art Center, Birmingham, AL

Saturday April 12, 10:00-4:00

$85, supplies needed, lunch included

Moving beyond the traditional light and smooth pastel drawings to vibrant, textured soft pastel paintings, you will discover a new side to working with soft pastels.

Join us Saturday, April 12 from 10:00-4:00, and learn how to beautifully layer soft pastels, achieving great results that will have people guessing your medium!

We will work on techniques for both large and miniature pastel paintings, creating two finished pieces.

With minimal supplies, this class is perfect for beginners and experienced pastelists. For best results with these techniques, high quality soft pastels and a textured surface are recommended.

Subject matter will be provided, but feel free to bring your own references.

Muddy Pig, 8x8 pastel on card

Recommended Supplies:

Charcoal pencil
Kneaded eraser

Minimum of 24 SOFT pastels (most highly recommended: Sennelier soft pastels, or a similar type)

11×14 Ampersand Pastelbord or 11×14 piece of Sennelier La Carte pastel card

4×4 – 5×7 Ampersand Pastelbord or piece of Sennelier La Carte pastel card

Visit Forstall’s site for more information: http://www.forstallartcenter.com/workshops.html

Upcoming Workshop

Mary Liz Ingram —  March 2, 2014 — 1 Comment

Out of the Box with Mary Liz Ingram

Quack, 8x8 pastel on cardCome discover a new side to working with soft pastels!
Join award-winning pastel artist Mary Liz Ingram, and learn how to paint stunning landscapes. Mary Liz will demonstrate techniques to move you beyond traditional light & smooth pastel drawings to pastel paintings alive with brilliant color. We will be creating two finished pastel landscapes, large and miniature. You’ll achieve great results that will have people guessing your medium! Click here for details, and visit Forstall Art Center’s website for more info.
Saturday, April 12, 10-4pm.
Forstall Art Center, Birmingham, Alabama
$85, supplies needed, lunch included.