Open Studios Tour 2011

Busy, busy, busy!

Creating new works and organizing the studio!

This weekend is Open Studio Tours!

MJ Burtch Studio 3296 Somerset Street, SW (off Avenham)540-345-9316

Stop by to see Gail, Gina, and Tom, as well as my new constructions!

http://www.openstudiosofroanoke.com/

Orchids in Winter

Flowers, there is nothing quite as beautiful as a flower.

Today, I wanted to share with you these wonderful Orchids.

On a winter day, they sure do enlighten your heart and spirit towards the coming spring.

Orchids (C) mjb oil

Kindred Spirits

Kindred Spirits Show,

through November 1st, 2010

Market Gallery, downtown Roanoke.

Here are the works of my Kindred Spirit, Tom Lawson and myself.

What a wonderful show.

I hope you can stop by to take a peek!

Scenes from the opening!

Bathtub

I know it has been quite a while since my last post. I have been busy with my granddaughter, Maddie. She is such a joy.

This construction is called, "Bathtub. Some days you just need a long hot bath and time to relax! I hope I get in the bathtub soon!

Spring is Springing

Vase of Flowers (C) MJB

Thanks to everyone who came by at Open Studios! It was great to see so many folks return and also the many new faces who had never done the tour before! Thank you, thank you!

As you know, Bill and I own Marizel's Florist and we were busy over Mother's Day, now with proms and graduations. As soon as things calm down a bit, I plan on getting into the studio to build constructions, or paint!

For now, I am enjoying all the spring splendor!

Busy As Can Be

I am just busy as can be.

Open Studios is Next weekend! (April 24th and 25th).

Much to do.

Please stop by and see the new constructions I have been working on!

Look for the Open Studios signs and flags!

http://openstudiosofroanokeva.blogspot.com/

Flowers

Violets monoprint (C) MJB

I can not believe it! The pansies I planted last year in the window boxes have come back! I am looking forward to what this spring will offer in the way of flowers. I am itching to paint them! The violets, also, are blooming indoors!

The Difference A Week Makes

April, the fascinating month of April. I am sure you have been, as I have, captivated by the changes Mother Nature is making! I have always been drawn to the orchards in spring. Part of my love of living on a farm growing up always comes back to me when I see the orchards coming alive again!

The color, the contrast, texture and the one things I can not paint, the way it all smells. Somehow, painting orchards and making them visually alive also brings back all the memories I have of all my senses. May you enjoy Mother Nature's wonders as she blooms!

Busy, busy...

Elmwood Park (C)

Seaquarium (C)

Open Studios is coming up fast. In just a few weeks many will come to my studio on Somerset to see what graces the walls! In the meantime, I have a lot of work to do!

Jim Yeatts

'Jim' assemblage (C) mjb

Not only was Jim Yeatts a marvelous artist, he was a

dear friend to me. We shared many things, including a birthday!

Happy Birthday Jim Yeatts!

Daylight Saving Time

Daylight saving time...the coming of spring! Sitting here at the window, I can see the changing lights on the landscape around me. As Bill usually fills the house with flowers, I do look forward to all the new growth and color in my yard. Spring is just seven days away!

Jennings Creek...Waiting for Spring

Reflections of Jennings Creek monoprint (C) MJB

Today, well, I am downright tired. Exhausted. While I love snow and winter...this season has been lingering just a bit too long and it has been a bit too hard. Over Valentines Day, I braved the elements to deliver flowers for Marizel's Flowers, which my husband and I own. I traveled down the highway off towards Buchanan and up a road that headed into another time and place. Typically, those are the kinds of places I like to go in the spring, summer, and autumn, to paint.

I think I will feel much better once I can get out again, get out and travel down those country roads to paint. Traveling easily without the slipping and sliding.

Ah, Relax...

As many of you may know, Valentine's Day is not one of those 'romantic moments' for me, nor for my husband, Bill. We own Marizel's flower's and we sure have been busy passing the romance and love all around town.

As for us, well, a time to rest, and perhaps a cup of coffee or tea to wind down.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Yellow Iris-Monoprint

Ah, the 'Yellow Iris'.

This image is a monoprint. I use monoprinting when I desire bold expressive color and texture.

I chose to post this particular image, because, as you well know (especially if you live in Virginia), most of the land is covered in many inches and feet of snow. This piece exudes the very essence of springtime, which we all are longing for about right now.

I hope the 'Yellow Iris' brings warm thoughts of spring to your mind.

Snowy Days

Snowy days are great painting days. One of my most favorite things to paint the scenery on the other side of the window. This view is from my old house. A view I loved and painted over and over. Perhaps I will paint out of my new kitchen window during this snowy season. There is a wonderful hill out there with dried hydrangeas topped with snow. Snowy days are great days for painting...

Welcome!

Land of the Rising Sun

construction

Being that 2010 is a new year, I thought I would 'blog'. I have gone through the transition of moving to a new home and I am just now getting my studio organized and set up just right. I recently found my classical music collection which I had thought lost in the move. My studio is always filled with music to which plays wether I am painting with oils or pounding out some of my various found and recycled objects to create a construction. Music is as essential as creating, to me. With my music found, I feel a creative surge coming on!

I hope you will enjoy reading my blog and find joy in the creations I will share with you.

Please feel free to email me or leave a comment. I would love to hear from you!

Thanks for stopping by!