“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” Aristotle
Who doesn’t like a rose, I’ve loved them for as long as I can remember – they hold a special meaning for me and that is why I’ve decided to do a series of paintings with a concentration on red roses, the symbol of love ~ thank you Aristotle!
Red Rose Series, #1, an oil pastel (5×5) painted on Mi-Teintes pastel paper (poppy red). I was looking for a way to really warm the background of this first painting that would soften the appearance of the rose. Sennelier oil pastels were used because they are the creamiest of oil pastel brands and spread very easily on pastel paper; my fingers and clay shapers were the tools of choice to paint this piece.
This particular rose was from a dozen that I received from my husband. Hope you enjoy your weekend. Thank you for checking in ~ click onto the image for a larger view.
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Oil Pastels by Mary 
I just wanted to ask if it was okay for me to use your image in my a level art sketchbook.
Thank you
Thank you for asking to use my art Simran. Please feel free to use the image for your school art project, but do provide credit and recognize me as the owner/artist of the painting. Thank you for asking – I appreciate it very much.
Exquisite, love the dark red!
Much appreciated, thank you for being so generous!
I love the mood you create with this one. The colours are rich – it creates atmosphere.
Enjoyed your description Heath – mood and richness is what I was out to accomplish with this painting. Thanks so much.
Beautiful! ~Rita
Thank you Rita!!
Ah, such a romantic, velvet color ! ❤️❤️❤️
Love all the series of red roses dear Mary. Your paintings are always awesome!
Hi Violet, thank you for your lovely comments – it’s always special to hear from you.
Absolutely beautiful art!!
Thank you Tammi, much appreciated!
Love the rich, sensuous feel of this rose Mary. Those sepals almost look real!
Hi Madhu, thanks so much for your response to the single red rose. It was a special painting that started as an experiment on red poppy paper and half-way into the painting it become one of those pieces that felt timeless. Your description is just the reaction I was hoping for. Thank you!
Very romantic.
Thanks Brenda – the rose does have that bit of passionate romance about it.
Wow Mary. This is done with oil pastels? Hard to believe. It’s stunning. Rich. Red. Velvet. The light and dark on the stem. Stunning. I’ve always enjoyed your work. I’m really looking forward to this series. 👏
Hi Joanna – thank you so much for your generous comments and compliment! Sometimes the oil pastels can get this beautiful dark, rich feel to them and in this case the red poppy pastel paper helped to set the warm atmosphere I was looking for in this painting. Appreciate that you noticed the details – thanks again.
it is like velvet! In french “velours” (velvet) rhymes with “amour” (love)!
Thank you very much Dsaquarelles for your comments on this painting – loved your thoughts on velvet! Have a wonderful week ahead.
I thought this was a photograph at first glance. The colours are so rich and vibrant.
A previous commenter remarked on the mysterious quality in this work, and I agree. I love how the rose is sideways, and it suggests a romantic candlelit setting. Stunning!
Thank you for your kind and generous words Ruth – I’m so glad that you enjoyed the painting. I’m looking forward to develop a whole series around these special roses, hopefully they will compliment my vision for the project. Thanks again ~
Very lovely marry and your painting always awesome
Thank you so much Preeti!
With the darkness there seems to be a mystery about this work and presenting it horizontally is interesting. You say it is 5×5. I presume that’s inches. Why not try 5ft square?
Hi Graham, thank you so much. 5ft square, if only! The largest I have ever painted was 16″ x 20″, but I’m very tempted with this rose series to perhaps use an entire sheet for one of the paintings that would measure 19″ x 25.” This rose painting was more of a study for the paper to see if I could get the both warmth and darkness that I was looking for. Thanks again – I really appreciate your encouragement.
Yeah, go for 19×25 and see what happens – it might be the start of something big. I think the image will be quite arresting.
Thank you for the encouragement Graham. Right now I’m painting an 8×10, of another in this rose series – you could say I’m slowly working up to a larger size. I also think that the single rose would work well on the 19×25, so it might get put onto the list. Thanks again ~
This is no country rose…definitely a city rose, a velvet rose, inadvertently dropped into the endless night by Dracula as he was making his Transylvanian rounds….
I love your description Cynthia, so perfect with Dracula hosting the night rounds! Thank you so much, ah yes a city rose it is ~ hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Oh, I love your series of series, Mary! And #1 is a petal-pushing stunner. Yes, I agree with the others. Like velvet! Very-dramatic looking. (I recently read a story about the re-opening of the Ritz Hotel in Paris. Bartender Monsieur Field is still serving the “Chanel Cocktail.” According to the reporter, it’s a blend of gin, Lillet, and Champagne—served with one long-stemmed red rose. And I bet it costs a fortune!)
Have a creative and productive weekend!
Theadora
Hi Theadora, thank you so much for your lovely and thoughtful comments – glad you like the painting. Wonderful story about the new cocktail, not surprising it’s call “Chanel Cocktail” and can only imagine the cost of such. Just starting the next piece in the rose series and hope that it too will remind you of the passion that so lives within the core of your most beautiful city. Have a lovely weekend my friend.
Mary…. wow…. le gasp!!! No words, only a wonderful physical reaction.
Resa you know how to make my day! Thank you so much for you enthusiastic response to the painting, I’ll treasure this as I begin #2 in the rose series!!
Wow, nice present from your husband 🙂 I really like your not conventional framing and the colors you used! And yes, Aristotle is right (how could he be wrong?)
robert
Very nice and special Robert. Thank you for your comments on this painting, they mean a lot.
Mary, wow! So dramatic and beautiful. Man, your work always blows me away. It doesn’t matter high key or low, outside or in, seaside or countryside, they are always gorgeous. Thank you for sharing with us.
Hi Laura, love your enthusiasm and appreciate it more than you know. Especially with this painting, it was amazing piece to work out on pastel paper (Senneliers is like lipstick and lays down so beautifully on the paper). Thank you for always being present and resounding support my friend. Have a fantastic weekend.
Wow! Way to start out with a bang, Mary. This is beautiful…can’t wait to see more!
Thanks Jill. I just had this very strong feeling as I was painting the rose and could see the continued series grow in my minds-eye. Appreciate your encouragement for the series!
so strong, so impressive. Fascinated me dear Mary. Thank you, have a nice day and weekend, Love, nia
Happy to see you Nia – thank you for your generous and lovely thoughts on this painting. Hope you are well and have a wonderful weekend too!
So gorgeous!
Thank you Fiona!
Fantastic! Simplicity and deep passion combined. Wonderful painting:)
Great to see you again, I love your description, “simplicity and deep passion” it’s exactly what I felt while painting this rose. Thanks very much!!
So glad to hear that! I appreciate your wonderful art:)
so rich, and lovely and deep!
and I do 100% Agree with Aristotle. 🙂 cheers, Debi
Hi Debi, thank you so much. Your reaction is how I wanted the painting to read, means a lot – thanks again!
Mary, you are very welcome!!! 🙂 and another smile too ! cheers, Debi
This is beautiful.
Thank you Nicodemas!
Great start to your series, Mary. Especially like the composition – not the usual rose or flower view – and your choice of a low key and warm dark background really allows the image to pop. The sepals and receptacle are beautifully rendered with perfectly placed highlights. Wonderful piece.
Thanks very much Tom for your generous reaction and analysis of the piece. The choice of paper really helped to create the warm background and that worked well in creating the look I was after – your read helped clarify this for me. I’m looking forward to continuing with the rose-series, several more designs to work through. Thanks again, I really appreciate it.
Really lovely, Mary. I love the glow you’ve created on these rich red petals . Stunning work.
Thank you Sylvia for your generous thoughts on this painting, glad you enjoyed it.
Mary. Reading this quote, I know why your paintings are so special and beautiful. \
Hi Amy, thanks very much ~ your words means a lot.
Wow! juicy red and beautiful, roses remind me of my mother, it was her favorite flower. While at the river today, I got this inkling need to get some oil pastels and give it a whirl. I need to save up because I want a good brand. I am tempted with Sennelier but will first try out another brand, at least I think for plein air something that isn’t so creamy and expensive!
Thank you so much Margaret and so glad that the rose reminds you of your mother, roses are my favorite flower as well. Can’t wait to see which brand you decide to purchase, Senneliers – creamy is really hard to control and if it’s warm out they’ll start to melt and get greasy in your fingers. Looking forward to seeing what you do with them!!
Stunning work, Mary! I hope you have a lovely weekend. 😀
Thank you so much Jackie – I really do appreciate it. Hope you have a wonderful weekend too!
Oh, this is glorious, Mary. I’m always trying to create something similar digitally but have thus far not succeeded!
Thank you so much Sarah – love your reaction. I’m excited about this rose-series project, I had a good feeling going in and this one painting helped me realize where I’ll be taking the rest of the roses. Seeing what you do digitally, there is no doubt in my mind you’ll succeed in creating what you envision – no doubt. Thanks again ~ hope you have a good weekend.