Are You Ready to Win an Art Print?

It’s been a nice year and I am very happy with the support received from all of you. As a thank you here is an Art Print giveaway!

I am planning to have various giveaways during this holiday season of 2011 and this is the first one!

This week’s giveaway is for a print of  ”The Birch Tree Road”, the artwork size is approximately 7.5″ X 9.5″ and the matted size is 11″ X 14″. The mat color is blue.
To enter, send me an email to mwilliams@marglezartstudio.com with the subject “Birch Tree Road Art Print” and include your full name in the message.

The winner will be chosen randomly on Friday November 11th, 2011.  Last day for entry is Thursday November 10, 2011 midnight EST.  Only one entry per person. The winner will be notified on Friday (by email and the name will be posted on this page) and will have 72 hours to reply with postal address for mailing.  If a reply is not received by then, another winner will be drawn from the list.   The art print will be sent to the winner by First Class  US Mail.

Thank you for participating and your support!

UPDATE!

The winner for this giveaway was randomly selected. And the winner is Amber Thomas.

Congratulations to Amber Thomas who won the “Birch Tree Road” Art print.

Stay tuned for future giveaways!

Visit my Facebook Fan Page for information about  my art, events, giveaways, paintings progress and more!

November 7, 2011 at 5:43 pm | Giveaway | No comment

3rd Annual Uncommon Art on the Common Festival

Last Saturday August 6th was the 3rd Annual Uncommon Art on the Common Festival. I participated in the event and I had an enjoyable time with the all the people that stopped by my exhibit. It was also great to see  all the beautiful works from all the artists in the area.

The festival took place along Main Street in Goffstown, NH and featured the work of over 30 local and regional artists including works  in oils, pastels, watercolors, photography, jewelry, stained glass, fiber arts, beading, and sculpture.

I exhibited over 25 pieces of artwork including original oil and pastel painting. There were also reproductions and note cards available for purchase.

Thank you to all who came by!

Here are some photos of my exhibit:

August 9, 2011 at 9:10 pm | Art Events | No comment

Group Exhibition at Fox Forest

Yesterday, July 16th  was a beautiful day and it was also the 4th Annual Artist in the Natural Resources Exhibit; In the Wild Garden.  I participated in this group exhibition along with other NH artists which exhibited paintings and photography work. The exhibition took place at the Baldwin Environmental Center and some artists demonstrated their work during the exhibition.

I exhibited seven pieces of original oil artwork and 8 pieces worked in pastels featuring butterflies and flowers.  The artwork exhibit included:

• Iris Flowers
• The Queen’s Garden
• Blue Night Butterfly
• Beauty Upon the Flower
• Blue Flower
• Delicious Cherries

During the exhibit, I enjoyed some outdoor time demonstrating my artwork. I started working on a painting of a Rusty-tipped butterfly that is resting over some flowers.  The progress of this painting creation can be viewed on my Facebook page.

At noon there was a presentation called “Beautiful Backyard Habitats”; Marilyn Wyzga, author of Homes for Wildlife, co-author of Integrated Landscaping: Following Nature’s Lead and wildlife educator for the NH Fish and Game Department, talked about the process of including wildlife habitat concepts in homes, planning and plant suggestions.

Some visitors did the Country in the Garden Tour which was to  benefit the Fuller Public Library. This was a self-guided tour through some of Hillsborough and Deerings most stunning gardens.

It was an excellent time at the exhibition!

July 17, 2011 at 6:01 pm | Art Events | No comment

Puerto Rico, Island of Enchantment

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and am very proud of the natural beauty of the island. No matter how short the visit, I enjoy every chance I get to escape to my homeland.

During the fall of 2009, I wanted to share the beauty of the island with my in-laws, so we traveled to Puerto Rico and experienced a road trip to visit popular attractions and locations. The trip was extremely fun. This last fall, I returned with my husband and visited my parents, and I still can’t wait to go again!

I’d like to share with you some of the stunning places that serve as tropical inspiration for some of my artwork:

Puerto Rico possesses numerous breathtaking beaches – a combination of blue waters, sand, palms, and tropical flowers. The colors of many flowers on the island are not only vibrant, but also evoke happiness. With varying hues, the mountains offer astonishing shades of green. You will find some of the most popular beaches in the North and West area.

Old San Juan provides access to a great deal of old architecture and buildings, such as the fort, San Felipe del Morro (or for short, El Morro). This attraction was built in 1539 for the purpose of defending the port of San Juan. Situated in front of the ocean, the rooms and walls tell a story of Spanish occupation and the Spanish-American War. Not only does El Morro represent history of the region, but the site also offers beautiful views.

One of my favorite places to find peace in nature is El Yunque – a national rainforest that extends beyond various municipalities of Puerto Rico throughout the north central region. It is here that you’ll find gorgeous waterfalls and rivers. Many exotic plants and birds call this forest their home.

In Arecibo, you’ll encounter the Arecibo Lighthouse and Historical Park, which offers an amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean and access to historical objects. The Arecibo Observatory is also found in the city, which houses the largest single aperture radio-telescope in the world. This place is a favorite amongst scientists and astronomers. Interestingly, the Arecibo Observatory has been featured in various movies, such as Contact with Jodi Foster.

The Camuy River Cave Park (one of the largest cave systems) is another noteworthy attraction. When I visited, a small trolley transported us to where the caverns are located. Temperatures start to decrease the farther you ride down. It is quite refreshing. The main chamber of the cave is open to the general public, and we were able to walk inside and explore the beauty of the stalagmites and stalactites. Many bat species live in this place. A large opening in Clara Cave allows the sunlight to come in, which creates a rather exciting experience.

Known as “The Pearl of the South,” the city of Ponce is full of stunning sights as well. The views of the Caribbean Sea in Ponce are impressive – especially when you visit the La Guancha Boardwalk, where you can catch a glimpse of Coffin Island in the distance. Providing spectacular views of Ponce, visit “La Cruzeta El Vigia” to take advantage of the cross-shaped observation tower. This attraction was originally used to view incoming ships traveling through the area.

Located in the city of Lajas, La Parguera is the perfect place to plan a boat trip (day or night) because of its eye-catching sea life and scenery, such as mangroves. During the day, the mangroves and floating houses come alive. By night, you can enjoy a spectacular treat.

La Parguera is home to Phosphorescent Bay. There are microorganisms in the water that light up as part of their defense mechanism. The result is a bioluminescence that intensifies if a swimmer goes into the water. You can truly experience this incredible phenomenon during a night trip, as they sometimes create shapes as they swim.

Puerto Rico has inspired many of my tropical-related works of art, including:

• “Tropical Paradise”
• “Red Amapola”
• “Iris Flowers”
• “Morning in the Tropics”
• “A Walk Through the Plantain Field I”
• “A Walk Through the Plantain Field II”

July 5, 2011 at 12:26 pm | Traveling for Inspiration | No comment

Florida, a truly beautiful state

At the beginning of this year, we had the pleasure of traveling to Florida, a truly beautiful state. For anyone who has ever visited Florida, it’s easy to see how the natural beauty can inspire art.  As we approached, shades of emerald green from the land and the various ponds caught my attention, even from the plane. More awaited me on the ground!

Nearly ever home I visited in Florida had their own orange tree, and the lines of citrus trees that bordered the roads as we drove were truly majestic. There were oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits hanging heavily from the branches, their scents mingling in the January air.

Another thing I noted about Florida was that it has amazing sunsets; blazing orange and purple streaks across the sky in the afternoons.

One of the most interesting and fun things we were able to do while in Florida was visit Disney Animal Kingdom. I was able to snap some amazing photos of the wildlife, mostly during our safari trip. Completely surrounded by nature, both wild and beautiful, on all sides!  During the safari, we were able to visit the Savanna on a truck tour.

This allowed us to get very close to some of the animals in their natural habitat. I captured some truly awe-inspiring sights; a baby giraffe and it’s mother, a lioness resting majestically at the top of a hill, an ostrich we were forced to stop for as he crossed the road, and an elephant drinking at a pond as his own reflection stared back at him.

The sights and experiences were so full and rich that I can still pull those memories up and be inspired by the amazing things that I saw.

We visited Seaworld during the trip and I was able to see the whales, dolphins, and other marine life. I was actually able to feed and touch them, enjoying their beauty in such an intimate way!

I’ve been able to put my vivid memories into paintings inspired by the Florida trip, including Flamingos and Floridian Sunset. More artwork based on the Florida scenes, flowers, and animals will be available soon!

June 30, 2011 at 12:23 pm | Traveling for Inspiration | No comment

Upper Village Hall Arts & Crafts Fair

Last Saturday June 25th was the Upper Village Hall Arts & Crafts fair. The event was held at the Upper Village Town Hall in Derry, NH. The fair had the participation of various artists in the areas of fine arts, jewelry, knitting, wood working among other crafts and live music.

I exhibited a selection of original artwork including my recent works featuring butterflies and tropical flowers. I also exhibited a various seascapes, landscapes and animal paintings. Although it was a rainy morning, arts and craft lovers still came by to appreciate the artist’s work and support the local artist community.

This fair was to benefit the restoration and preservation of the Upper Village Hall which was Derry’s first town hall and was established in 1875.

Thank you to all who visited my exhibit, for the kind words and for the support!

June 27, 2011 at 5:49 pm | Art Events | No comment

Niagara Falls, Canada & NY

Last fall, we visited Niagara Falls. Upon arriving in Canada, I encountered plenty of opportunities to appreciate the beauty of local gardens, flowers and trees.

To enter the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, we crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Even as you pass through in a car, the view of the Falls from the bridge is amazing. Niagara Falls is truly an impressive manifestation of Mother Nature. The Falls not only represents beauty, but also possesses strength and power that commands respect.

It doesn’t matter if it is day or night; the view of the Niagara Falls is stunning. The sound of the waterfall is also quite relaxing. When the sun sets, an illumination show projects different hues that transform the waters of the falls into a rainbow of colors. On some nights, fireworks are held.

Niagara Falls includes a “Canadian side” and an “American side”. It’s very interesting to see the different views of the Falls.

Our tour of Niagara Falls started on the Canadian side at Clifton Hills Ave with the Sky-Wheel. This attraction reaches about 175 feet above the Niagara Falls and offers a spectacular view of the waters.

We got a closer look at the falls during the “Journey Behind the Falls” tour. With ponchos on, we took an elevator that traveled down about 150 feet. The elevator weaved us around a series of tunnels that led to various observation decks.

Even with the ponchos, we got wet, but it was an unforgettable experience. It was beautiful viewing the water from the falls at different angles, and seeing rainbows suddenly appear and then vanish.

As we headed to the American side of Niagara Falls, we entered Luna Island in New York. It was here that we got a closer view of the Bridal Veil Falls and American Falls by walking across the island.

After the walk, we headed to the Cave of the Winds tour on Goat Island. To reach the “Hurricane Deck,” we took an elevator down before encountering a series of wooden walkways. The water from the Bridal Veil Falls showers this deck with torrents of water. The sounds are both wondrous and impressive.

The next tour we took was the Maid of the Mist, which used a boat to navigate closer to both the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. We used a poncho to avoid getting wet, as tour boats sit at the base of the falls. Once again, we got soaked, but it was a memorable experience.

During our visit to Niagara Falls, I really liked hearing stories about the daredevils. Interestingly, the first person to conquer the falls was a woman – Annie Taylor survived a ride over Horseshoe Falls in a barrel.

Upon returning to the Canadian side of the falls, we visited a butterfly conservatory. As an artist, this was an ideal place to gain inspiration. The winged creatures were very friendly and often approached visitors. They came in many different sizes and colors. The variety of flowers on the premises was also quite inspiring.

We also visited Marineland. There, we got close to beluga whales and even had a chance to feed the gentle giants. At the park, we also viewed other wildlife, including deer and bears.

The Bird Kingdom provided a tropical adventure at the end of our visit. Here, I got the opportunity to enter a cage filled with lorikeets – small to medium parrots that come in many different colors. As I held a cup of nectar in my hands, it didn’t take long for me to make friends with the birds. The friendly, gentle lorikeets flocked over to me – walking all over my head, shoulders, and arms.

The memories and photos from this trip have inspired some of my recent paintings. The “Blue Night Butterfly“, “A Visit from a Blue Postman” “Tropical Beauty – Red and Green Heliconia“, “The Queen’s Garden” , “View under the Rainbow Bridge” and “View of the Falls”.

I am still working on artwork associated with my Niagara Falls trip, as the destination continues to inspire my work

June 23, 2011 at 1:06 pm | Traveling for Inspiration | 1 comment

A Visit to Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

The Yucatan Peninsula is known for its deep culture and history, as well as its breathtaking Caribbean sunsets. I was inspired by both when I visited Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico during the spring of 2009. As we neared the coast of Playa del Carmen, my senses began to explore the beauty and tranquility of the tropical beaches. The warmth of the sun mingled with the cool saltwater, glistening across the waves and creating the perfect playground for the native sea birds along the docks.

Once home to the ancient Mayans, archaeological zones and pieces of history are scattered throughout the Yucatan region. When we arrived on land, we immediately boarded a bus to visit one of these intriguing sites. En route to the Ruins of Tulum, our guide told us more about the Mayans and their culture.

Situated atop sea cliffs that are nearly 40 feet above the sparkling Caribbean water, Tulum once served as a popular Mayan marketplace and an important commerce center. Known as ‘the walled city’, an impressive 16-foot wall surrounded the landward side of the village and provided an effective defense system. The architecture and structure of the ancient city was truly amazing!

El Castillo is the most prominent structure in Tulum. Sitting on the edge of the steep cliffs, El Castillo is similar to other Mayan temples but also resembles a fort when it is viewed from the back side. The open windows across the back may have served as lookout points to protect the city from a sea invasion.

The time and attention to detail that went into the construction of the structures is unbelievable! Forgotten murals give a glimpse into life during the Mayan Civilization. Intricate carvings still adorn the structures and columns, and are evidence of the remarkable craftsmanship that abounded during this era.

The tropical paradise below was just as awe-inspiring! We enjoyed the panoramic view. The turquoise Caribbean water gently danced across the warm white sand, as the palm trees swayed in the breeze to the same rhythm – a truly beautiful place. No wonder so many of my paintings are inspired by scenes like this!

My trip to the Yucatan Peninsula was a remarkable experience! I really enjoyed learning more about the Mayan Civilization and I had a wonderful time exploring the ruins at Tulum. Before we left, we visited a nearby marketplace and browsed the handmade creations of  local artisans. Most of their work was influenced by the Mayan culture and was extremely unique. My favorites were the jewelry pieces made using the Mayan alphabet!

June 20, 2011 at 11:09 am | Traveling for Inspiration | No comment

Fun Trip to Grand Cayman

In March of 2009, my husband and I took a Caribbean cruise that included a visit to the Grand Cayman Island. The colorful island infrastructure greeted us as we approached the coastline to begin our adventure.

When we arrived on land, we were surrounded by bustling shops and the savory smells of Caribbean cuisine. Unfortunately, we only had about 2 hours to explore the island before departing for our Stingray City excursion. Accompanied by a couple dozen other tourists, we boarded one of the boats waiting along the shore and sailed away from the island.

The sun sparkled across the deep blue water as we glided across the open sea. The dark sapphire color suddenly lightened to a pristine aqua, revealing the crystal waters of Stingray City. Comprised of several shallow sandbars, the calm waters of the North Sound are not very deep – only about 4 to 5 feet – and are the perfect home for the intriguing southern stingray.

The stingrays here are very friendly and interact with humans almost every day. Still, it was a bit intimidating to see the gigantic creatures swim so close by.  Female southern stingrays are nearly 5 feet wide! They were not at all afraid to swim even closer to me, brushing my skin as they passed.

I was mesmerized by this majestic sea animal and its willingness to explore my presence! Slowly I lost my fear and found myself playing with them. I think it is so incredible that an animal can be so friendly, so beautiful, and yet at the same time carry such a lethal weapon on its tail.

Stingray City was an unforgettable experience! Before heading back to the island, we traveled a little deeper into the ocean and had the chance to explore more underwater life along colorful coral reefs – it was beautiful! On the ride back toward the sights and sounds of Grand Cayman, I captured some inspiring  pictures of old boats, rocking back and forth in the gentle waves while tied to the docks.

My adventure in the Grand Cayman Islands has ended, but the memories will inspire me for many years to come!

Some artwork inspired by this beautiful place includes “Red Coral“.

June 14, 2011 at 8:43 pm | Traveling for Inspiration | No comment

England, a trip through beauty architecture and history

In September of 2008, I had the opportunity to visit England with my husband. Before we landed, we were able to see a spectacular sunrise from the plane.

We drove to Retford, which is a small market town with Victorian-inspired architecture. Here, we spent some time with family, soaking up the city and sights. I captured pictures of the majestic gardens, flowers, birds, lakes and even a rainbow!

A few days later, we took the train to London, where we were greeted by the amazing and historical architecture. London’s historical buildings are a hodgepodge of different architectural styles, and scattered throughout the city are mansions, cathedrals, and awe-inspiring skyscrapers. One of the most popular landmarks in London is the Westminster Clock Tower, also known as Big Ben.

Big Ben is the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world! We visited the London Eye, eager to get a magnificent view of the city.

The London Eye (also known as the Millennium Wheel) is a giant Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the River Thames. It’s about 443 feet tall, and allows you to see the beauty of the city, with views that stretch about 25 miles in every direction. It was an absolutely breathtaking sight.

The Jewel House was next on our list of places to visit, located inside the Tower of London. Here, the crown jewels are kept and protected, along with other precious objects belonging to the Royal Family. The architecture of the tower itself is very charming. Once inside, each item tells a story, some of these beautiful pieces are still used today.

While we sailed on the River Thames, I was able to see and appreciate many ships including the Queen Mary next to the Waterloo Bridge. The boat passed under the famous London Bridge. A bridge has existed at this site since the Roman occupation, about 2,000 years ago! The modern one was completed in 1973.

Although I didn’t go inside the Buckingham Palace, it was a very impressive and majestic structure. Art and beauty surrounds the building, including many sculptures and fountains. One of the funniest things I remember from the trip is walking in front of the palace when suddenly it began to rain. I don’t think a single person was surprised, as everyone had umbrellas on standby. Luckily, I had mine as well!

June 13, 2011 at 8:58 pm | Traveling for Inspiration | No comment

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