Addicted to Art

Happy Holidays

2011-12-24T18:47:00.001-07:00

Here's hoping that you all have a very Merry Christmas and the best New Year! Thank you for taking an interest in my art!
Love,
Gretchen

A pose for Jackson

2011-11-20T13:55:00.001-07:00

'A pose for Jackson' 8x8" oil on canvas panel

I love old pictures, music and things from the 1950's, think I was born too late. When I saw a similar image of Elizabeth Taylor there was no background, just pure white, so the idea of coming up with what space to put her in was an opportunity for something fun. Being a realist painter, I've never been interested in painting an abstract painting...my thoughts on that are changing. So behind Liz is a little slice of abstract artist Jackson Pollock's painting 'Number 8', it was created in 1949. The idea of putting this modern iconic woman on a black modern couch, in front of what was considered in 1950 a modern painting, seemed like it would be a good fit and I just had to paint it. How many times have I said that in these blog posts...I had to paint it. Probably a lot.

This painting is available in my etsy shop, click here for details

Shoes & Purse exhibit

2011-10-21T16:30:00.001-07:00

As I was putting the finishing touches on my new painting (on the right) I was contacted by Terri Stearn, director of Janice Charach Gallery, outside of Detroit, asking if I would include my 'Vintage Accessories' painting in their upcoming exhibit. Of course I said yes! Then sent her a picture of the painting I was finishing & she loved it and said to send it also! If you are in the area (6600 W. Maple Rd. West Bloomfield, MI 48322) please go and visit the gallery for the exhibit. The exhibit opens October 30 and runs until December 22.

Vintage Accessories

She'll be Swanky in Blue

Contact Terri Stearn if you are interested in either of these paintings

Painting a classic car

2011-09-16T14:46:00.001-07:00

After working like a dog to get this painting finished for an upcoming car show that will go on every saturday evening at Mesa Riverview, I'm ready to reveal! You can also watch the video I put together of the painting process, turn up your speakers and enjoy the music!

Vintage Accessories

2011-08-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

I see a woman from the 1950's getting ready for an elegant evening out, picking out all her accessories, she lays them out perfectly then puts on a Tony Bennet record and goes to her routine of hair and makeup.

This could easily turn into a series of paintings since I love 1950's vintage fashion, especially the hats!

'vintage accessories' 8x8" oil on canvas panel available

Please click here to purchase on Etsy

Desert Crown

2011-07-27T10:04:00.000-07:00

'desert crown' 14"x 11" oil on canvas sold

Every year when the saguaros are in bloom I break out the camera (even though there are so many picture already in my files) just waiting for that perfect photo opportunity. This giant saguaro cactus stood out from the crowd with its 'crown', there were way more flowers on it than I painted. I'm still amazed that so many cactus produce the most beautiful flowers! For those of you not familiar with the desert, after the flower blooms, closes & falls off, whats left is a green nub which the birds then peck at because there's a bright red fruit like substance inside.

There's a type of prickly pear cactus with red thorns next to my garage, most people don't pay attention to it, but I look forward every year for it to bloom. It has such beautiful red & orange flowers that blanket it! I've seen probably 50 blooms at a time on it. There's a future painting for sure!

(I've been a crazy painting woman lately...there's another painting coming up soon)

Since this painting is already sold I will have prints available soon, keep checking my website or email me if you are interested in one.

very superstitious

2011-06-17T15:47:00.000-07:00

'very superstitious' 11x14 oil on canvas $700

The Superstition Mountains, which is a view from my studio, has been the subject of 3 of my paintings now. They're so beautiful and everytime I look I see something different. I'm sure this won't be the last painting of these mountains.

This morning I hung this painting along with 7 others at Matta's Grill & Cantina in Mesa, AZ. They are all for sale! All 8 of the paintings are framed and ready to go. Email me if you have questions: art@gretchenmatta.com. If you happen to be in Mesa, stop by and take a look.

Oh, and a happy Father's Day to you Dads out there!

Honest Abe

2011-04-03T17:48:00.000-07:00

Honest Abe 8"x6" oil on canvas panel

Portraits are my favorite thing to paint, so when I read the Daily Paintworks challenge to paint good old Abe Lincoln I was happy...just had to make time to paint it. (started it at 8 in the evening) Knowing it would be painted in black & white I wanted the background to be bright, so I choose this bright yellow and thought it would add more depth if I let some of that yellow show through. I have to admit this painting went so smooth, makes me only want to paint portraits, but I feel the need still to paint other things.
This painting is available in my shop- click here for purchase info
Next I'm hoping to finish something for the Daily Paintworks Japan challenge, an auction created to raise money for the people of Japan. A bunch of artists have donated paintings for this cause, it's so wonderful of Carol & David Marine to create this auction! Please go check it out and bid on something you like. It has already raised $25,000 and that will help many of people in need!

Color challenge

2011-03-31T18:05:00.000-07:00

'spring flowers' 6"x8" oil on Raymar canvas panel

This painting was created because of the Daily Paintworks Challenge. The challenge was to paint a white object on top of patterned fabric with light directed to one side and show the reflection of the fabric in the white object. No problem. But the real challenge was to only use primary and secondary colors and white, no brown, black or neutral colors. I thought it was very fun because it took me back to the basics of using only those 6 colors + white. The fabric came from a beautiful apron my sister in law made me (had to change some colors though because of the challenge rules).

Now available as a print

2011-03-26T13:53:00.000-07:00

Many have asked me about this painting that hangs at our restaurant, so it is now available as a print in my Etsy shop online. Thanks!

Cup of Pepper

2011-02-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

'cup of pepper' Oil on canvas panel 6"x8"
Available in my shop click here

This is an original oil painting done in a completely different style than I normally paint. Each brush stroke was thought out and placed with a single color, no blending and no underpainting... completely unlike me! And I used only one paintbrush for the entire painting, again, completely unlike me! I took on the challenge to get involved in the Daily Paintworks blog. It was great fun and I might have to challenge myself like this again.

Orange Dessert

2011-02-11T15:39:00.000-07:00

'Orange Dessert' is now for sale on Etsy.

This is the second dessert I've painted recently...it's fun and makes me want to eat, and those who know me know I like my dessert!

Anyone have any suggestions on their favorite foods that need to be my next subject? Send me an email!

French Blue Chair

2010-12-05T16:38:00.007-07:00

Blue Chair 8x10 oil on canvas paper. This painting is for sale in my etsy shop.

Chocolate Mousse Cake

2010-11-29T08:29:00.008-07:00

Mmmmmmm, this makes me want to eat chocolate mousse cake

This painting is for sale in my etsy shop.

Please click here to see the listing

Everything is on sale in my shop right now!

Spanish Dancer

2010-11-26T15:12:00.011-07:00

I finally have a painting to show you! Yeah!

It's a 24"x24" oil on linen named 'Spanish Dancer'. There's a spot on the wall at our restaurant where it will be hanging. I painted 2 others & hung them already but forgot to show you. oops.

I'm currently working on another painting that will make you hungry. Well at least it makes me hungry painting it.

This painting is not for sale in my online shop but if you're interested in purchasing please contact me for the details.

Where I've been

2010-09-24T09:43:00.004-07:00

Wow, I actually ddin't fall off the earth! Let me explain...for the past year my husband and I have been busy building our restaurant. So I was building a website, working on artwork for the restaurant, restoring some old pieces & everything else. Whew! It finally opened at the end of July. Since most of the kinks are worked out, hopefully, I can escape a little and get back in the studio.

There were a few paintings I was working on that I will be posting soon. In the meantime here's something I did for the restaurant.

three times a lady

2009-08-31T12:08:00.008-07:00

Silly name for a painting. Does it make you think of The Commodores? Somehow I relate most things to music or movies. This painting has been hanging around on my easel for too long. It took three times and three different colors to finally make me happy with the fabric in this painting. I wanted these bright shiny green pieces of fruit to be in a fresh, crisp environment. Please click here for purchase information.

Elizabeth's Dress

2009-08-27T12:08:00.004-07:00

When I saw this dress I thought it looked like one Elizabeth Taylor had worn. It's fun painting fashion, you can sort of have the dress without really having the dress. Too bad no one really dresses like this anymore, it might be nice, standing up straighter, being more polite, etc, etc. But wait...there would be nowhere to put my blackberry...never mind.

For purchase information please click here

cafe mickey

2009-07-08T16:47:00.018-07:00

This happens to be one of my many coffee cups from Disneyland. Everytime I go there I have to buy a cup to add to my collection, it's an addiction. The coffee inside...also an addiction. Funny how it is probably 90 degrees here in the morning and I still have to have my hot coffee.

While making the video of this painting in the making I naturally choose a song from Disneyland. Can anyone guess where in the park they play this song?

You can watch the video of this painting here or

please click here for purchase information.

Some old some new

2009-06-10T10:56:00.013-07:00

Usually I put one thing at a time on here, but I have been busy. So here's the new stuff and some old stuff. A few of the paintings you might have seen here before, but I wanted you to know that I am now offering them as prints in my Etsy shop. The Sunflower and Baseball are ACEO cards (Art Card Editions & Originals).

I am participating in a sale along with a group of people on Etsy June 10 through June 14. Come check out my store:

http://gretchenmatta.etsy.com/

Spidey

2009-05-20T16:45:00.004-07:00

I know I always say that a painting was fun to do, but hell I love what I do...so...this was a blast to do! This was the latest challenge from artist Karin Jurick 'Different Strokes from Different Folks'. The scene is NYC, around Madison Ave. and 39th Street. And what's New York City without Spiderman, right? I will have this one available for purchase, it is very wet at the moment. Click here to go to the auction page (should show up soon, just listed). Thanks!

Help!

2009-05-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

I have been working on several different things at the same time and it has affected my brain, I am at a loss with coming up with a name for this painting. If anyone has any suggestions feel free to email me. Thanks!

Happy Mother's Day!!

2009-05-10T12:51:00.002-07:00

Hope everyone has a great day!

Back to the drawing board

2009-04-29T16:22:00.006-07:00

When I saw the latest challenge from artist Karin Jurick for her Different Strokes from Different Folks blog I was very happy about it. I absolutely love to draw, it's where it all began for me. When I was a kid I carried my sketchbook and pencils everywhere and would draw anything I could. The more detail the better, couldn't get enough of it. Now most all of my time is spent using oil paints and it sure felt good to get out my charcoal pencil and get my fingers dirty. Go check out her blog to see all the other artists submissions, you won't be disappointed.

Georgia's slipper chair

2009-04-20T12:09:00.002-07:00

I saw this great slipper chair and thought would fit nicely in a little painting. The companion painting is inspired by Georgia O'Keefe titled 'Music: Pink and Blue' .

This will be available in my Etsy Shop. Click here to see the listing.

Recognition from Hong Kong

2009-04-20T10:38:00.006-07:00

I received a message from Jack So,the editor of the Hong Kong Art Review, and he asked if he could use a painting of mine in and article based on art he liked on Etsy. Of course I said yes, then checked out the article...only to find that I could not read it. He kindly translated it for me after I told him I wished to put that link in my blog. He said not much was written... but heck it's still exciting for me. Thanks Jack So for the recognition!! Here's the link : http://www.artreview.com.hk/etsy-surfing-city-art

Custom Pet Portraits

2009-04-08T11:14:00.000-07:00

These 2 adorable furry friends are Skip and Bitsy. They are already spoken for, although if you would like your own custom pet portrait, please visit my ETSY shop or email me for purchase information.

eldorado

2009-02-13T08:04:00.009-07:00

I have been wanting to paint an old car for a while, they have so much character. Maybe it's the curves... or the chrome...I don't know but there's just something about old cars that I really like. My husband gets credit for taking the photos at this car show, I gave him specific instructions on what kind of pictures I wanted him to take since I could not go. He's actually a pretty good photographer, has a good eye for things. A few of my paintings have come from his photographs. Please click here for purchase information.

Pepper bowl

2009-02-05T15:45:00.007-07:00

I have to admit, I did grow this pepper myself (which is a miracle, since I seem to kill plants). It was the first one I picked. Unfortunetly did not get to eat it because it sat in my little still life setup area and started to shrivel, but the others that got picked right after sure tasted good! If you're interested in purchasing please click here.

Old Master Copy

2009-01-27T18:19:00.011-07:00

I came across another challenge for artists and this one is just right for me since I love to study and paint from the Old Masters work. It's called Old Masters Copy. If you've seen my website then you know that I really like to recreate paintings from the Old Masters. I submitted one painting in it last month, my version of 'Girl with the Pearl Earring'. As soon as the painting is dry and varnished I will have it available for purchase. If you are interested, please email me.

Jefferson Memorial

2009-01-19T17:09:00.005-07:00

A night scene of the Jefferson Memorial was the challenge for this week from artist Karin Jurick. Painting a night scene is pretty fun, the dark blues with a hint of light glowing in the night sky. The architecture of old buildings is fantastic, of course it was modeled after the Pantheon of Rome.

Portrait Challenge

2009-01-05T09:05:00.005-07:00

This is a portrait of an artist I do not know. The challenge was from artist Karin Jurick from her blog Different Strokes from Different Folks. 130 artists participated, we were given photos to paint from and this artist was to paint my portrait. What a fun challenge, never meeting someone and then trying to capture their personality by painting them. Whew, I hope she likes the finished piece.

Avocado

2008-11-17T10:51:00.004-07:00

Mmmmm this avocado sure tasted good. I'm not sure if people appreciate the beauty and color of their food, so I thought I would capture some of it on canvas. It's funny that sometimes the swirls of colors will get my attention and I find myself starring at my food. This little beauty went to a good cause...a recipe my husband was working on for our new restaurant. I love being a test rat!

Click here for purchase information

Moohawk

2008-10-28T15:43:00.007-07:00

What fun it is to paint a cow! I joined in again on the challenge by artist Karin Jurick to create a painting from a photo she supplies. This Alabama cow was so cute with it's 'hairdo' I decided to name it 'Moohawk'.

Please click here for purchase information.

flower

2008-10-23T15:34:00.008-07:00

I don't normaly paint many flowers, but this one wanted to be singled out. Maybe I'll find some more to paint. Hope you enjoy! Click here for purchase information.

cosmopolitan

2008-10-16T14:53:00.008-07:00

After my last painting paying tribute to James Bond, I thought I would throw in something for the girls...a Cosmo. This is the glass I like to drink mine out of. The tall martini glass with the stem is just so wide on top that the slightest move and some spills out, such a tragedy. This painting is available, please click here for information.

shaken not stirred

2008-10-09T13:15:00.013-07:00

“A dry martini,” he said. “One. In a deep champagne goblet.” “Oui, monsieur.” “Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?” I'm sure just about everyone knows where this came from...James Bond. The coolest (and the hottest) of the martini drinkers! Every bar that serves martini's should have his photo hanging somewhere. I thought I would loosen up with the brushstrokes on this one instead of the very tight, detailed work I normally do. It's actually more difficult than it sounds, for me. For purchase information, please click here.

Cloudy Bean

2008-10-06T13:17:00.019-07:00

This was fun to do, reflective, cloudy, colorful. It is another of the weekly challenges of artist Karin Jurick. She created a community for artist to join called 'Different strokes from different folks' where we all work from the same photo. Cloud Gate, also known as 'The Bean', is in Millenium Park in Chicago.The sculpture Cloud Gate is by British artist Anish Kapoor, it is among the largest of its kind in the world, measuring 66-feet long by 33-feet high. Cloud Gate sits upon the At&T Plaza. Please click here for purchase information.

empty

2008-10-03T14:51:00.013-07:00

This was a lonely little empty mason jar that just looked great in the sunlight. The shadows almost look like a couple of pieces of bread sneaking up on it. Silly, I know. It's surprising how many colors you can see when you stare a long time at a clear jar. I hope you are all enjoying my new little paintings, I am having fun with them. Please click here for a larger view. Or for purchase information, click here.

famous portrait

2008-10-01T17:27:00.008-07:00

This lovely little girl, known as the Infanta Margarita, is taken from the very famous painting by Diego Velazquez called 'Las Meninas' painted in 1656. She glows when you look at the entire painting. A larger version of my painting and the original can be seen here. For purchase information, please click here.

Burned Out

2008-09-22T20:06:00.004-07:00

I was changing a lightbulb in my kitchen and my son and I thought the colors and swirls in this burned out bulb looked cool. Since I had not painted a bulb before, why not do it now. I also opened a new shop on Etsy, the all things handmade online place. It's awesome, if you have never seen it please check it out. There is no bidding like ebay, just set prices. To see my Etsy shop, click here

Nightbeach

2008-09-16T11:13:00.006-07:00

This beach scene is another weekly challenge (Different Strokes From Different Folks) from artist Karin Jurick. The original photo she posted was a daytime scene of Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, but I decided to paint it as a night scene. For purchase information, please click here

sunshine on a cloudy day

2008-09-12T14:25:00.009-07:00

It was such a beautiful day looking out my studio window I decided to paint what I kept starring at. And yes the name came from the words to the Temptations song...go ahead, sing along, you know you want to.

This painting is available, for information please click here

Remembering Jack

2008-09-09T08:50:00.005-07:00

A wonderful artist, Karin Jurick, lost her adorable dog Jack last week. In remembrance of him, many artists have painted his photo that she posted on her art blog. This is my little painting of Jack. Lets all send good thoughts her way. By the way she has also challenged us artist to paint a photo a week that she will post every Wednesday. Since I am almost finished with setting up my new studio, this will be a great way for me to get motivated to paint new things...did I mention moving stinks? I am so glad that Jack was the first painting to come out of my new studio.

painting video - 'Hooch'

2008-05-05T21:13:00.018-07:00

This is it... my first painting video, I hope you enjoy it!

This painting is available. Please click here for information

*I will be donating a portion of the money from this painting to Autism Speaks. So please be sure to pass the ebay link on to everyone you know. You can read more on the upcoming fundraiser here. (Hi little Kenny!) It is so important that we all support the research of Autism, too many children are diagnosed every day!

The beautiful bottle in the painting is actually an old liquor bottle filled with Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Hhhmmmm, is it empty or full?

'It's good to have buds'

2008-04-14T11:51:00.005-07:00

I am happy to say I have created this painting specifically for an upcoming auction to directly benefit a terrific group called Arizona Blankets for Kids. The 'Wine, Women & Jazz FUNdraising' event will be on April 26th at the Arizona Culinary Institute in Scottsdale and is being held by the Arizona Women's Partnership.

The oil painting is 9"x12" painted on Italian Pintura linen and is framed in a silver plein air frame

If anyone lives in the area, please consider attending this fundraiser. If not for the auction, for the wine and food! I will be there...so look for me and say hello.

'The Hand of God'

2008-01-04T07:49:00.000-07:00

Hi All! Well, this painting completes the trio of 'The creation of Adam'. You can see all three paintings here. It was fun working on a Michelangelo painting, I might just have to do another someday. The reason for the long absense between my postings is the long hours I am putting in on working on our house remodel. We have a 30 year old adobe brick house that was in desperate need of a transformation, thank goodness we don't live in it yet. So my job these days has been laying tile, refinishing cabinets and painting walls. One great thing about all the work is that I also get a new studio with great views, right next to the house.

The Creation

2007-11-16T21:09:00.000-07:00

As part of 'my famous paintings' series, which I started off with my version of Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring', I thought it would be fun to paint something from Michelangelo. And what better place to start than at the begining... 'The Creation of Adam'. I am taking portions of the original fresco and cropping them down and zooming in on the image I think is the most interesting. I've painted these 2 small paintings so far for 'The Creation'...hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed painting them. To see individual larger images of these paintings click here

Snow in Arizona?!

2007-10-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

Last winter it snowed here in Arizona, yes, snowed. I grabbed my camera and tripod and took off driving into Tonto National Forrest. The Four Peaks mountains in the background were covered in snow. Now I know it’s not such a big deal for most of you to see snow, heck I grew up in it, but we’re talking about snow right outside of the Phoenix area! It was quite a sight seeing it with all the Saguaros. I just had to paint it. I just might have to paint more snow, I took some great photos that day as I hiked up the hills looking for the perfect shot.

Joining the blogger at ludicrous speed

2007-10-16T14:15:00.000-07:00

( If you have not seen the movie 'Spaceballs', then disregard the title of this post.)

Well I've done it...I've joined the artists blogging life, and I have to say I'm a little nervous about it. I mean who the heck cares what I have to say. I do hope that putting my thoughts down will help me as an artist. Or it may prove that I have no thoughts (scary) and all I want to do is paint. In any case, hopefully some of the fantastic artist that I have been following will see my work and give me their input to help out a new comer.

The photo here is my self portrait titled 'The Dreamer'. I first thought painting a self portrait was silly, but my husband convinced me to paint it. I will try to post here as often as I can, new completed paintings and sometimes projects I am working on, but being a full time mom as well as an artist means that I might not add things here everyday.

Thanks for looking!