REAL Life Drawing: My Eye On Washington DC

REAL Life Drawing: My Eye On Washington DC
Photo- Gessoed Hand of MG Stout holding her favorite paint while prepping paper

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Saturday Night in Columbia Heights

Stop By BLOOM BARS  
Painters, Poets, Musicians & Art Lovers Unite
(3222 11th Street NW, Washington DC 20010) 
A two story building that is oozing with creative juice.  

I was one of four painters to be invited to participate in a live art show last night.  We were each given two quotes to interpret into paintings.  It was really exciting to watch art being born while masterful musicians crooned and tickled their instruments.  A truly INSPIRED evening.  At the end of a long week Bloom Bars is truly a place where people can unwind and let their creative selves blossom.
  
FYI- Video was shot and I will post the footage as soon as it is received.
Happy Sunday

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Watching the Smurfs

Wow...  I forgot how much I love Gargamel and how annoying Smurf lingo is!  I've been painting all day and my allergies are driving me crazy.  The area behind my eyeballs itches like mad and I desperately want to stick a baby bottle scrubber up my nose just to give it a scratch.  Additionally, my nose is packed with pastel dust and I am filthy.  It has been a very productive day.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Where I will be on Saturday?


Quotables: A Live & Surreal Art Show (Part 1) from AyindeFactory on Vimeo.

You'll find me at Bloom Bars from 6:00 to 10:00 creating Quotable SurREAL Art!  Come out and join me.   Check out the promo video... the song is DYNAMITE!!!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Five Paintings Painted Today

I am a painting machine.  The REAL Life Drawing Project has transformed me into a painting maniac.  I have to get all the images done by the end of this week for my publisher.  Here is a sneak peek...
Homeless Hero   Acrylic, Pastel & Charcoal on Washington Post by MG Stout

Saturday, May 22, 2010

The National Botanical Garden

 
Here I am setting up my telescopic travel easel (say that three times fast).  Observe the Washington Monument is behind me. Isn't my photographer swell?  Can you believe that she is only eleven!

What a perfect evening.  The weather behaved and the National Garden is GLORIOUS.  You would think with a name like Mary that my I could make a garden grow...well think again.  I am the worst!   What's even funnier is that not only do I loath gardening and tending to weeds I also hate painting flowers.  So what did I paint? 
 

Wall Flower 10.5 x 10.5 Acrylic Pastel Charcoal on the Washington Post

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

An Unlikely Location

The rain has been a pain.  It has kept me out of the DC for the early part of the week, but NO more.  I am packing my palette and paper and will be in the District from 10am-2pm tomorrow.  Where will I be you ask?  Remember where Reagan was shot?  (I don't but I was alive when it happened) It is an oft overlooked site so I am going!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Racing the Rain

The smell of a looming storm was SMELLY. (Yes. I know I could have used a more descriptive adjective, but the one I chose is funny!)  I was sketching frantically.  For I knew that my work would be ruined by the rain.  Note my determined posture and be aware that my stomach was in knots.  NOthing could be stinker for an artist than to have your materials and paintings destroyed by precipitation.


I managed to complete two works and opted to pack up and take photographs instead.  I intend to work from the photographs in my studio.  However, I will be back net Friday evening(weather permitting) because the energy of the capital is intoxicating.

Friday, May 14, 2010

FYI Fair Weather Artist



Mary Gallagher Stout Archives
I just want you all to know that if it is storming this afternoon I will postpone my visit to the District and be there tomorrow instead.  You see pastel, news print, and charcoal don't fair well in the rain.  I also have been known to melt.  Keep your fingers crossed and "don't be MAD at me".  I really want to paint in DC TODAY.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Blinkin' Lincoln I've Been Thinkin'

 
Reflection Acrylic, Pastel and Charcoal on the Washington Post
by Mary Gallagher Stout

Me thinks thou has not been helpful in suggesting a bustling location.  I fear I will have to rely on myself, yet again to pick a new sketching hot spot.  I'm thinking... that I may find a thrill on Capital Hill.
I'll be there from 4:00 to 8:00.  I hope you stop by.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

REAL Life Drawing Series Translated Into a BOOK

The Drawing Board Acrylic, Pastel and  Charcoal on the Washington Post
by Mary Gallagher Stout

BIG NEWS
 REAL Life Drawing: My Eye on the District 
Is book worthy!  I am working with Sunbury Press and we are shooting for a
 July 4, 2010 Release Date. 
Oh Joy!

I am so excited I have to tinkle!  

Monday, May 10, 2010

Quack Quack Quack

I still haven't decided where to sketch this week.  I need a location. A spot that just screams Washington DC.  Maybe I'll plant myself on the Hill and observe all the "movers and shakers" of public policy.
I'm open to suggestions... and invite you to make a few.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Park Rangers Get My Respect

Follow Me Acrylic, Pastel, Charcoal on the Washington Post
Available for Purchase

I dig those brave Rangers.  They walk the same paths, lead the same tours, deal with rude & smelly people EVERYDAY.  Yet there they are... smiling brightly eager to enlighten and guide guests of the National Mall.  I just wanted to say thank you Mr. & Mrs. Park Ranger for all that you do for the District.  Your infinite knowledge of our nations monuments and your dedication to education and hospitality are greatly appreciated.

Friday, May 7, 2010

I Wish I Were An Elephant

Extremely large nearly hairless herbivorous mammals that have a snout elongated into a muscular trunk and two incisors in the upper jaw developed especially in the male into large ivory tusks and WOW can they shit!  I'm hopeless when it comes to toilet humor.  Please forgive me.  I was raised NOT by wolves, but by men so it really isn't my fault.  Point your boogie picking finger at my dad!
Needless to say I was completely at home drawing at the Zoo.

Kandula, the magnificent elephant, sashayed across his pen as if he were the president.  He went onto shimmy and munch on a delicious bale of hay.  What a gorgeous beast. I have quite a few renderings, but I have to keep them under wraps for the moment.  Until tomorrow...TTFN


Thursday, May 6, 2010

Freddy Frog Visits The National Zoo

The National Zoo houses spectacular flora, fauna and froggies.
Freddy came to visit a few of his grand-tadpoles and other cold blooded kin.
It was a great day.  I learned that I really hate to draw landscapes.
I waited for this blasted zebra to walk toward me... turn it's head... lay down... and that little fart face just stood at me ASS first!  I was forced to sketch the landscape and felt dead inside.
You really do learn something new everyday.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Location Status: UNdecided - World War II Memorial or National ZOO?

I am planning to be sketching in DC tomorrow.  I am leaning toward the WWII Memorial, but I thought it might be nice to change things up a bit and visit the ZOO.  I am inviting you to chime in and vote on a location.
I don't know who took this photo, but I think it is AWESOME.
You might recall the story of the Mama Tiger who adopted and nursed a litter of piglets.
Isn't NATURE GRAND!