art, music & travel.
Hello! I’m back. I’ve been busy livin’, workin’, and painting! I also revamped my art website and started to spend some quality time on Instagram doing stories and reels. Come see the latest there. Below you will see a glimpse into my latest series, dedicated to women, our hair, and our stories of strength and individuality. Do visit my new art website sometime and let me know what you think.
My phone just reminded me of these gorgeous Australian ceramics I saw during our trip in 2015.
Hallelujah! 😆 I was able to finally find a moment of peace and spend a week painting this summer. Painting is truly my therapy and I really enjoyed it. Below you’ll see the piece in progress with the final painting at the end.
I gifted it to my mother-in-law for her birthday. She’s a special lady and I’m lucky to have her in my life. ❤️
Ferns, 18x24in, acrylic on canvas.
It’s almost 2 years to the day since I’ve written. In these two years, I had my second child, quit my advertising career, got my master’s in education, got my first teaching job as an ENL teacher, and we’re currently dealing with the covid-19 pandemic. Needless to say, I’ve not been painting nor traveling much.
I did just purchase a painting to add to my collection of important pieces of art that hang on my studio walls. I will be writing about this painting next. I can’t wait to share.
Starting the shoe series again!
Many years ago, I took photos of my friend’s awesome shoe collection. So far, I’ve done a couple of paintings from these photos and I’m getting started again with a new batch. Hoping to have a small art show at a local bar in a few months! Today I busted out this pair of original Nike Air Jordan 5’s. I’ve had this 10x10in linen canvas hidden in storage for over 5 years, and loved the orange background I had painted back then. thought it was a good one to start with. Hoping to have 5-8 pieces on the show, so will post as I have them done.
Finished my latest commission. Acrylic on canvas portrait of a rescue Pitbull named Yolanda. My client wanted a ‘nautical’ theme so I opted for an anchor wallpaper and added sailboats to her bowtie. I did use some spray paint for the background for texture. Really enjoyed this painting and can’t wait to see it at its new home.
I’m so excited to have found a local gallery that provides a figure drawing night for anyone to enjoy. I was transported back to my art school days. It seriously has been 16 years since I’ve drawn a nude model. God I feel old. After a few quick sketches, I felt back into the groove. I was so happy to be there and sketching again. Can’t wait to make this part of my routine.
© Mari Keeler Cornwell
It’s been awhile since I’ve seen a live show. Grizzly Bear has been a favorite of mine since I saw them open for The National back in 2009 in NYC.
They recently released a new album after 5 years, Painted Ruins, which was recorded not far from Kingston, NY. Grizzly Bear decided to ‘warm-up’, start their tour & showcase a few of the new songs at Kingston’s BSP. What a great venue. Wherever you stood, whether in the very back, the far left or smack in the middle, it was a great view and exceptional sound.
With opener Delicate Steve, the mood was set. We settled to the front-side of floor and watched Grizzly Bear set off their latest tour. I loved every song. Every harmony. Even the trapeze girl twirling around while Ed Droste serenaded us.
Go see them. They are a great, great band. They will be back in the US in November for a few shows. Selling out fast.
hello! It’s been awhile since I’ve posted on my blog. I’m awaiting our daughter’s arrival in a few days, so I’ve just been a bit busy…and pregnant. I did want to share my attempt to decorate our baby’s nursery. Hope it inspires other little girls rooms out there. Room is 8×10 with a window facing west.
Items list: JoyBird Rocking Chair, Hot pink pillow by West Elm, nuLOOM moroccan rug, ‘AVA’ letters, wooden wall stumps and bronze shelf brackets by Anthropologie, Animal prints by Society6, RH Baby&Child Airin Spindle Crib & Marcelle Dresser, Mirror and Kallan storage furniture by IKEA, Land of Nod lamp, 3 Sprouts storage boxes.
I hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 8 years ago and carried 3 cameras in my bag, including my 1978 Hasselblad. Cut to 2015, where I have a fridge full of film that I’ve been ‘working on’ for a few years (I do double exposures and re-shoot rolls at different countries and times of days, see an example here). I had a few 120 rolls of film that I shot recently and took them to get developed. To my surprise, one of the rolls was from my trip to Peru!
I remember taking these pictures, specifically ’cause I had found the courage to ask locals for a photo. I remember being disappointed when I didn’t get these images back when I developed all my film from that trip. Here are a few images from this roll, I’m planning on gathering the full series again and updating my website with them 🙂
Photo by ©marikeeler
Photo by ©marikeeler
Just finished the latest pair of my shoes series. Need to sign it but not sure how I want the painting to be oriented! Hmmm….
For all shoes visit my painting site.
The discovery of Vivian Maier’s work a few years ago was such an incredible surprise for many, including myself. Her life is so mysterious, and her photos hint of long lost stories. I really love seeing how she captured these moments in time. There are a handful of links out there about this amazing urban photographer of the 50’s. Artsy.net’s Vivian Maier’s page has a wonderful compilation of her images, a bio, and other great information on the artist. There’s also a website dedicated to her. I recommend diving into her life and be inspired.
Photos by Vivian Maier (1926-2009)
