Hello!
Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to visit my site.
Fun Fact ... Did you know I used to be an art teacher? I also used to write a blog for parents, teachers, and caregivers of young children called Pink and Green Mama. I spend my time here now, making art in my studio and sharing my work with the world, but I would like to invite you to look at my Art Lesson Ebooks in my shop if you have young children in your life and want to share art and creative experiences with them. They are packed with all kinds of hands-on ways you can CREATE, PLAY, and EXPLORE with them!
xoxo MaryLea
HDAL group show up at St. Charles Bend Hospital for October - December 2016
My fellow High Desert Art League members and myself were honored to show our work in a group show this fall/winter at the St. Charles Hospital Bend location. We hope that our work brought some comfort and light to the patients and staff there. Our show was located in the hallways around the cafeteria and got lots of traffic.
My painting Summer Pond fit perfectly in the big hallways! 48"x60" $2200 Available.
"Wherever You Are" MaryLea Harris 48" x60" $2200 Available.
Super excited that my painting "Map of My Heart" SOLD at my Natural Edge show and found her forever home here in Bend. She's my favorite but don't tell the other paintings, I don't want them to get jealous.
"Map of My Heart" SOLD 36'x36', 2016.
Saying Hello to my big painting at Franklin Crossing. Does this painting make me look short?
It was a beautiful First Friday art walk in downtown Bend this month. I was a busy bee visiting my art in three different locations downtown and making the rounds to see the work of all of my local artist friends! Geoff and I started with my First Friday show at Sage Gallery and Framing downtown by the Tower Theater. I was part of a group show there with the High Desert Art League. Then we made it over to see my big painting hanging up at Franklin Crossing for Art in the Atrium hosted by Billye Turner a local Bend art manager and legend. I just adore her!
We had a nice turn out at Sage!
Hanging with my High Desert Art League lady friends at our reception! L-R Joren Traveller, Vivian Olsen, Pat Clark, Barbara Slater, JM Brodrick, MaryLea Harris
A few of my paintings up at Feather's Edge Finery on Minnesota Avenue in Bend.
Then we made it over to Feather's Edge Finery a locally owned business that my friend Stephanie owns - her shop is so cute and loaded with awesome PNW goodies. It's my go-to spot to find unique, local gifts for birthdays and holidays. After visiting other shows we went to our regular, favorite date spot, The Blacksmith restaurant and ended the evening at the grocery store picking up a few necessities for the weekend with our kids and really what date night is complete without a stop at Fred Meyer?!
First Friday date conclusion at Fred Meyer!
Was honored to show my work with the High Desert Art League ladies for September First Friday at Sage Custom Framing and Gallery in downtown Bend by Tower Theater this month. It was a nice space and I sold one of my happy little trees to an out of town visitor!
So great to have my family here to support me for my show at Natural Edge Furniture.
The opening reception for my show at Natural Edge Furniture was a smashing success. Despite the heat, we had a full house! I set up a kid's activity station, Natural Edge provided refreshments and I sold three (!) of my paintings. Thank you to everyone who came out to support me and toured the show. We had a great time at this Family Friendly event. I appreciated the write up in my favorite local blog Living the Bend Life. An extra special thank you to Natural Edge for hosting my favorite show of the year. I love your space and can't wait to come back next fall for my September 2017 show!
"Breathe In Love" 10" x10" 2016 by MaryLea Harris
One of the show's youngest fans!
Thank you Mike for buying my Map Series painting. I hope you love it!
My oldest daughter made Lavender Sachets with organic lavender from our garden and sold out! Thank you to everyone who bought one from her and supported her!
Thank you Billye for buying this painting. It will look fantastic in your home!
I'm so excited about my upcoming show at Natural Edge Furniture in Bend.
“Layers & Edges” Art show will have it's opening reception this Friday, July 29th from 5-7 pm at Natural Edge Furniture (135 NE Norton Ave in the Maker’s District in Bend.)
Drinks, Food, Music, and all new art by MaryLea Harris will be on display.
Plus gorgeous furniture made here in Bend! Win. win.
The show will be up through late September.
The reception on Friday will have a free hands on craft (maker station) for the kids. Because I have a background in arts education, I enjoy providing hands on art opportunities for kids at my art shows. Sharing art experiences with our children is such a great way to make memories. The lack of arts programs in our public schools makes exposing kids to local artists, art shows, and cultural events even more important. I was an elementary art teacher before I decided to focus on my art career, I have a passion for sharing the arts with kids and developing their taste for art museums and cultural institutions.
A sneak peek at my Natural Edge Furniture Show in Bend...now thru September in the Maker's District.
Hard at work installing my work at Natural Edge earlier this month!
"Wherever You Are" 2016, MaryLea Harris 48" x 60"
Artist's Statement from my latest solo show:
Local contemporary artist, MaryLea Harris, specializes in mixed media and painting. Her whimsical and colorful images of leaves and trees are outlined in creams and whites to analogize the interplay between positives and negatives in space and life. Her abstract work features brightly colored backgrounds created by layering paint and scraping it away with disposable plastic gift cards. While useful tools, the plastic cards also symbolize our consumer-driven society polluted with man-made waste. From this ironic use of waste comes her light-filled and whimsical imagery, emphasizing the beauty of “nature in its still state. Her latest Map Series is meant to explore our relationship between physical place, connection, belonging, and our collective personal journeys.
"Summer Pond" 2016, MaryLea Harris 48" x 60"
The Journey Home by MaryLea Harris, 2016
The Tour of Homes was a huge success with tons of foot traffic both tour weekends. The Simplicity Model in Shevlin Estates that I displayed my painting in won 7 out of 8 awards in it's category. You can view photos of the home here.
The feedback about my painting, "The Journey Home" has been very positive and I'm honored to have been asked to participate again this year.
This is the largest painting in my new Map Series so far. With the map series I'm exploring our relationships with physical place, connection, belonging, and our collective personal journeys. You can find more of my map series and watch it evolve on Instagram with the hashtag #mapseries16.
I've been a busy bee working away in my studio for the past two weeks getting this big painting finished for this year's COBA Tour of Homes '16. This giant painting is my third painting in my brand new "Map Series." (I will share more on that soon!) It is entitled "Inward Journey" 2016. It measures 48" x 60" and is filled with creamy neutral tones and soft metallic golds and copper. Below you will see a sneak peek of some details, the painting in my studio in progress and a fun selfie. I'll share more photos once the painting is installed at the tour home in Shevlin for Simplicity Homes (Tour home #1 on this year's tour - hooray!)
Detail 1 from "Inward Journey" 2016 by MaryLea Harris
Detail 2 from "Inward Journey" 2016, MaryLea Harris
Detail 3 from "Inward Journey" 2016, MaryLea Harris
I am honored to have three of my paintings on display all summer at the Sunriver Lodge as part of a group exhibition "Art In A Series" with my fellow artists in the High Desert Art League (HDAL for short.) For this show I am displaying three acrylic paintings of abstracted nature. I create bright backgrounds by layering colorful acrylics then, to create texture and depth, scrape the painted surface with unwanted, disposable plastic gift cards. While useful tools, the plastic cards also symbolize our consumer-driven society polluted with man-made waste. From this ironic use of waste comes my light-filled and whimsical imagery, emphasizing the beauty of “nature in its still state.” I frequently outline my whimsical and colorful images of leaves and trees in creams and whites to analogize the interplay between positives and negatives in space and life. Our show will run May 27, 2016 - September 2016 in the Sunriver Lodge at the Betty Gray Gallery located at 17600 Center Drive in Sunriver, Oregon.
"Fall In Technicolor" 2015 MaryLea Harris, available for sale on display all summer at Sunriver Resort in the Main Lodge. 24 " x 30"
"Beautiful Mess" 2015, MaryLea Harris 16" x 16" available for sale and on display at Sunriver Resort, Oregon. Summer 2016.
"Fiona's Apple Tree" 2015, MaryLea Harris 36' x 36" Sold Private Collection, Bend, Oregon.
I'm so excited to announce that I SOLD my painting, "Fiona's Apple Tree" to a dear friend and neighbor here in Bend Oregon. She purchased it as a birthday gift for herself and I had the honor of delivering and installing the painting in her beautiful home on her birthday weekend. The new owner of the painting loves trees and we discussed the symbolism of this particular painting. It is a predecessor to my Map Series with stained glass-like elements hidden among the branches. The tree symbolizes growth, renewal, roots, family and rebirth. This painting was based on a photo of a tree I took by my grandmother's house in Colorado following a wild fire at the Royal Gorge in Canon City. It was standing blackened and alone in the mist, silhouetted against a stormy sky with new wildflowers starting to emerge at it's feet. Trees have always been powerful personal symbols for me and I felt a deep connection to nature while working on this piece. I also happened to be listening to Fiona Apple songs while painting it, hence the play on words in the title.
Dear neighbor friends, now clients and collectors of my work.
"Fiona's Apple Tree" is right at home in her beautiful new home!
FURNISH Modern Store in Downtown Bend, Oregon
I'm so excited to announce that FURNISH Modern Store in downtown Bend, OR will be carrying a few of my paintings. This new painting, "Color Study" 2016 measures 24" x 36" and was a perfect fit in their store with all of their gorgeous contemporary furniture and accessories. FURNISH is located at 761 NW Arizona Ave, Bend, Oregon 97701.
"Color Study" 2016, MaryLea Harris 24" x 36" available for sale at FURNISH Modern in Bend, OR.
Geoff and I enjoyed attending this year's TED talks in Bend.
I had the honor of showing some new paintings at the TEDxBend after party bash this year with some other local artists: Christian Brown, Michelle Lindblom, Paige Barnes, and Lisa Marie Sipe. Our theme was "Reverie" and we all shared work that was our interpretation of the theme. Our show was up from April 22-24, 2016. Just a quick weekend pop-up show in the Old Mill district in the old Orvis building.
"Back To My Roots" 2016, MaryLea Harris 30" x 48"
New Painting for the "Reverie" exhibit, Bend, Oregon
"Stripes #3" 2015, MaryLea Harris 36" x 36"
You can see my big painting, "Alive Again" 2016 48" x 60" hiding in the corner by the coat check.
Here's a fun peek-a-boo taken by my dear friend and very talented local photographer, Kimberly Teichrow of me with my "Alive Again" painting to give you a sense of scale.
Close-Up from "Inner Awesome Tribe" portrait by MaryLea Harris, 2016.
" I have been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do. " - Georgia O'Keeffe
I showed a mixed media, life size, self portrait piece entitled "Inner Awesome Tribe" at the MUSE Art Show during the 2016 MUSE Conference in Bend Oregon, March 4-6 at the Jenny Green Gallery in downtown Bend. The juried show featured the work of 24 female artists from across the Pacific Northwest.
This was a very personal and powerful piece for me to create. I opened myself up to vulnerability and truth telling with this piece and explored my own "Inner Awesome Tribe" of female MUSES who have made me the artist that I am today.
"inner Awesome Tribe" in progress in my art studio in Bend, by MaryLea Harris 2016.
MUSES | Georgia O’Keeffe b. 1887, Frida Kahlo b. 1907, Louise Nevelson b. 1899,
Clarice Tomlinson b. 1913, Cleo Martin b. 1922, Jill Martin b. 1950
Lisa Soong b. 1965, Alena Henessy b. 1977,
Emma Harris b. 2003, Claire Harris b. 2007
How Does Your Muse Inspire You? |
My tribe consists of powerful feminist women artists who have helped cultivate my creative life and who have encouraged my daring adventures in painting and motherhood. Each member has influenced my work in different ways and can be seen in everything I create. Georgia O’Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, and Louise Nevelson became my role models during art history classes at my all-women college. They inspired me to stand up for myself as a woman artist. My Grandma Clarice painted flowers, sewed, traveled fearlessly, and danced her way into her late 90’s. My Grandma Cleo is a gardener, lover of nature, and a staunch feminist; we got our driver’s licenses on the same day. My mother, Jill, paints flowers and nature scenes, volunteers selflessly, and taught me unconditional love. Alena Henessy inspired me to combine my mixed media and painting styles with layers of personal symbols in brave intuitive paintings. Lisa Soong, was my best mommy friend; she had a wicked sense of humor and was one of the kindest women I have ever met. She broke my heart when she died of cancer in 2012 at the age of 47. She taught me my mantra, “We Can Do Hard Things.” My own daughters, Emma and Claire make their own art. Every day they demonstrate limitless creativity and imagination; they inspire me to make art that is vulnerable and honest.
Part of the "Love Wins" series by MaryLea Harris, 2016.
I recently completed a series of mixed media heart paintings that I'm calling my "Love Wins" series. Each heart represents a word related to love because I believe that love is a verb. It requires action to move forward and really is one of my very favorite things on this planet. Inspired by the people I love most in this world, my husband and my kids. These whimsical mixed media pieces incorporate many layers of texture and color. I wanted to create a series of original paintings that are affordable because there is nothing like the gift of an original piece of art for your special someone. My heart is full of love, rainbows, and art and my wish is for yours to be filled with the same!
Each painting has a word and quote to go along with it. This series of paintings is currently available for sale in my Etsy shop, please message me if you'd like to discuss a bundle deal because these paintings really do look great as a grouping.
"Love Wins Series # 1 - Faith" (2016) by MaryLea Harris
"Love Wins Series # 1 - Faith" by MaryLea Harris, 2016 (Mixed Media, 8" x 8")
"Faith is the cure that heals all troubles.
Without faith there is no hope and no love.
Faith comes before hope, and before love. "
- Paul Torday,
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
"Love Wins Series # 2 - Hope" (2016) by MaryLea Harris 2016
"Love Wins Series # 2 - Hope" by MaryLea Harris, 2016(Mixed Media, 8" x 8")
"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. "
- Desmond Tutu
"Love Wins Series #3 - LOVE" by MaryLea Harris, 2016.
"Love Wins Series #3 - LOVE" by MaryLea Harris, 2016 (Mixed Media 8" x 8")
Come ti vidi
M’innamorai,
E tu sorridi
Perchè lo sai.
"When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew. "
- Arrigo Boito
"Love Wins Series #4 - Equality" by MaryLea Harris, 2016
"Love Wins Series #4 - Equality" by MaryLea Harris, 2016 (Mixed Media 8" x 8")
"My religion is simple. My religion is peace, love, passion, and equality."
-Notes from Nora
"Love Wins Series #5 - Trust" by MaryLea Harris 2016
"Love Wins Series #5 - Trust" by MaryLea Harris, 2016 (Mixed Media 8" x 8")
"Trust dreams. Trust your heart, and trust your story"
-Neil Gaiman
"Love Wins Series #6 - Promise" by MaryLea Harris
"Love Wins Series #6 - Promise" by MaryLea Harris, 2016. (Mixed Media, 8 " x 8")
"Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it disappear"
- John Lennon
Love wins. Every time.
Close-Up from "Citizen of the Planet" 2015 by MaryLea Harris
I've been so humbled and loved by the support of friends and family with my recent winter sales. I've kept the local shipping store on their toes with my odd-sized painting boxes across the United States.
"Brushstroke #4 - Growth" by MaryLeaHarris
My first painting shipped to a dear friend, Sallie D. in Virginia. "Brushstroke #4 - Growth" (Mixed Media 10" x 10" 2015) was meant to be hers and will soon be traveling with her as she starts the next chapter of her life in North Carolina. She and I met while teaching art in the public school system in Virginia and have been friends for over 15 years.
"The Unreliable Narrator" by MaryLea Harris
My second painting went to the home of my in-laws in Texas. Bev and Bill H. have been two of my biggest cheerleaders since my first art show. They have collected several of my paintings over the years and I was so excited when they said they wanted to add "The Unreliable Narrator" (10" x10" Acrylic on Canvas, 2015) to their collection.
"Chasing Starlight" 2015 by MaryLea Harris
My third painting sale was a big one, "Chasing Starlight" is a gorgeous rainbow filled 36" x 36" piece I completed in 2015 that traveled to live in Maryland with Helen and Clark R. Once upon a time, another lifetime ago, we were neighbors in Aldie Virginia. We have kept in touch via social media and the internet and I was so happy to see my painting travel to live in their lovely home.
"Citizen of the Planet" 2015 by MaryLea Harris
My fourth painting, "Citizen of the Planet" (Mixed Media, 24" x 30", 2015) went to live in her new home in Virginia with another former neighbor of mine, Barbara T. I was so flattered when Barb reached out and added my painting to her collection in her home.
Collage of Current Work on display at Athletic Club of Bend
Winter isn't just coming, it has arrived in Bend Oregon! We've had weeks of fresh powder, wintery mixes, and a few rainbows just for fun! I've been staying warm and dry working on several volunteer projects this month and my work has been happily on display at the Athletic Club of Bend upstair in the offices of the Therapeutic Associates group located at 61615 Athletic Club Dr, Bend, OR 97702. Everything is available for sale. If you see something you're interested in please don't hesitate to contact me via email or socail media. You can also visit my Etsy shop to purchase current work. I'm looking forward to spending the holidays with my family and getting back into the studio in the new year to work on some new ideas I've been marinating in my sketch books!
Wishing you and your family Good Health, Happiness, and Creativity in 2016!
Warmly, MaryLea
I was honored to be the Last Saturday Artist at the Old Iron Works, The Workhouse in Bend.
Getting my work into The Workhouse in Bend has been on my art bucket list since we found out we were moving here two years ago. I was such an honor to be the featured artist for Last Saturday on September 26th. We had a great time and a great turn out of over 100 people with live local music, locally made cocktails served in hand made, locally thrown cups while we all enjoyed some great local art. The Workhouse is located in the Old Iron Works next to Sparrow Bakery in Bend, it features the work of 50 local artists and has live studio spaces for 8 local artists. It's my favorite show venue and must go to shopping spot in town. Get ready for lots of pictures because that's what's coming. I didn't get my camera out all evening to take photos during the actual show because I was so busy talking to people but I took plenty while I was setting up. My show will be up thru the month of October.
All of the paintings shown are available for sale. Please contact me if you're interested or visit the Workhouse this month if you're in Bend! That gorgeous Frida Kahlo painting at the top is the original painting by the very talented Katie Daisy, a local icon.
"Put A Bird On It" 2014 Diptych by MaryLea Harris 36 " x 48"
Late afternoon sun at the Workhouse with Frida Kahlo painting by the talented Katie Daisy, motorized kinetic Hummingbird Statue by local artist Chris Cole, Steel planter trays by PNW artist Shop Steel Life and you can see two of my paintings in the corner, "Waiting for Spring" on the left and "Fall(ing) Leaves" by MaryLea Harris.
A fun selfie taken by my dear friend and fellow artist, photographer, Kimberly Teichrow, at my Last Saturday show. Proof that I really was there!
New painting, "Fall(ing) Leaves" 2015 36" x 24" by MaryLea Harris (available for sale)
"Waiting For Spring" 2015 24" x 36" by MaryLea Harris (available for sale)
Ever wonder what actually goes on in an artist's studio, or what their process is like? Wonder no more. I've made a mini video to show you how my painting process works. It's not the best quality, I plan to make more in the future with better lighting but you get the idea. Enjoy!
I was so honored to be included in a small group show, "Making A Mark" this past weekend during Art in the High Desert at the Lubbesmeyer Art Gallery and Studio in the Old Mill District. The show featured 7 local women artists were represented with 6 different mediums. We had a great time meeting people during our three day show and it was so fun bonding with my fellow artists. We did get a little silly by the end of day three and may or may not have taken final photos with our name tags on our foreheads!
Other artists represented at the show included my friends and colleagues:
Lisa Marie Sipe (Encaustic)
Chloe Raymond (Wood Carving)
JM Brodrick (Paint)
McKenzie Mendel Fine Jewelry
Maeve Grogan (Mixed Media)
Lisa and Lori Lubbesmeyer (Fiber and Paint)
"I Like Big Leaves" acrylic on canvas, 2015, 36"x36" by MaryLea Harris
Yep...it was that kind of a party!
COBA '15 Simplicity Model Home in Aspen Rim Neighborhood in Bend, OR
I was so honored to be chosen as the featured artist for the showcase home by Simplicity Homes for this year's COBA '15 Tour of Homes. I created a custom 4' x 6' piece for the family room called "Anticipation", it is such a bold statement piece when you walk into the home and it's still available for purchase so contact me if you're interested! One of my stripes series paintings, "Pink Stripes #3" (36"x36" 2015) was on display in the bonus room/loft upstairs and one of my oldies, a mixed media piece called "The Path Is a Circle" (2006, NFS) was in the master bath. I also made this cute little birdie series of paintings for the show that SOLD the first weekend and will be shipping to Virginia to live in their new nest. My "I Like. Big. Leaves" painting also debuted at the showcase home, it was later shown at the Lubbesmeyer Studio for Art in the High Desert weekend and The Workhouse in Bend for my Last Saturday show and the month of October.
Series of Bird Paintings by MaryLea Harris (SOLD and headed to Fairfax Virginia)
"Anticipation" 2015 4' x 6' by MaryLea Harris (available for purchase)
"I Like. Big. Leaves" 2015 36"x36" MaryLea Harris (available for purchase)
My cards were on display in this cute basket. I wonder if I can convince the decorator to let me have it?
Another view of "Anticipation" 2015. I told you it's big!
"Pink Stripes #3" (2015) 36"x36" by MaryLea Harris on display in the bonus room at the Simplicity Homes Tour Home.
