Kit Hevron Mahoney

This image just spoke to me. When I painted it for the Daily Painters I knew I had to paint a large version of this amazing fall reflection found practically in my backyard along the Highline Canal here in Denver.

Here are some more recent works. "Golden Days" was a painting I did by challenging myself to paint with 4 colors and 1/3 tube of each color used for the entire painting. It was fun. I will be doing more of those!

All of these were painted last year but I am now getting organized for this year! The Boathouse and Barn were painted en plein air last fall.

Painting China has been such a fun new adventure where I have discovered a new culture, people and lands. I went in search of images to portray the rural life which is being replaced with today's technology. It was such a dichotomy to go from the big, modern cities to the old ways of the small villages. I am so excited about interpreting my experiences on canvas! If you would like to pre-purchase any of these paintings please contact me. You can call Brushstrokes Studio or email me personally at kit@brushstrokesstudio.com

My latest works include the Paris painting that is in the Gilcrease Musuem's American Art in Miniature Invitational opening in November. Spring Meadow and Glowing August Day will be in an opening at the Evergreen Fine Art Gallery here in Evergreen, Colorado. I am off to China for new ideas for Brushstrokes upcoming show November 6,2009 entitled "Artist's Focus".

Here is what I have been working on in between trips to Crested Butte and my Daily Painting endeavors. Pet portraits have been an exciting addition!

This great scene was found in North Park, Colorado when the Wild Iris were blooming.

I have so many fall scenes waiting to be painted that I had to start with this one.

Of course, I cannot resist painting man's best friend!

Here is an inventory of everything I have on hand at present:

Brushstrokes Oil Painting Inventory 4-09

Here are a few new paintings added to my gallery repertoire done in addition to the daily paintings that keep me busy!

I have been inspired by the class I am teaching on Wednesday night. Here are the results from the excitement generated from class that I carry back into the studio.

I finally made time to post my most recent paintings. It seems easier to paint them than to post them!

I have finally finished a small book of my 2008 Small Works-Great Wonders painting journey.

Click Here to Preview and Purchase

Small Works - ...

A Year's Painting ...

By Kit Hevron Mahoney

Book Preview

Here are my final pieces for the show. I had to do one traditional poppy painting as I must be honest and say that so many paintings of the same theme began to get tedious. It was a fun and educational challenge from which I have a new ideas in which to approach my paintings!

Here are my first three paintings for our upcoming show. I am stepping outside the box for this show: The Power of One" and doing semi abstract paintings. Our challenge is to paint 7 paintings from one reference source!

This is a commission I did for an incredible collector here in Denver. I am so honored to be a part of his collection: the likes of which I have never seen before. It is such a vast collection of so many artists that I could spend days upon days soaking in the incredible beauty of each piece.

Rex was another fun dog portrait painting commission. He too was a challenge to photograph as the camera was interesting only for the first shot and I had to shoot a bunch more than one to get the right look. Thank heavens for the advent of the digital camera!

Josie is a Portuguese Water Dog that I was commissioned to paint. She is 8 months old and full of life and enthusiasm. She was a challenge to photograph for the painting portrait as she had far more interesting things to look at besides the camera!

These are two paintings that I was commissioned to paint of these two wonderful Goldens as a Christmas surprise which was well received by their loving owners

This is a painting that will be for sale in the upcoming 2009 Colorado Governor's Invitational Art Show and Sale that opens on April 11, 2009 at the Loveland Museum in Loveland, Colorado

I did a small study for this for my daily painting blog, but loved the image so much that I had to paint it large. This tree is so magnificent in the late day glow of light casting a long shadow beyond.

I have been wanting to do these paintings for a long time. Being passionate about flowers and gardens I wanted to go close up to see the individual beauty of these various flowers.

I have been busy painting for our holiday show at Brushstrokes Studio Gallery here in Denver. This is one of a series I am doing for the gallery, hence the size and price which are different than my daily painting offerings. I have been looking for new ways to see and express myself and have gotten really excited about viewing reflections of people in art museum floors where the final painting tells the story of the moment without defining all of the elements. I will be offering some as daily paintings again when I get caught up!

Here are 3 more show images. I have been fascinated with skies recently but also broke from my tradition and did a still life of some sunflowers that John brought in from his yard.

Here are 3 paintings that I painted for Brushstrokes "Intimate Perspectives" show. I am influenced by the seasons and have felt inspired by the warm and colorful Colorado fall.

I was immediately drawn to this scene because of the luscious colors created by the sage interspersed with the vibrant red Paintbrush and Penstemon wildflowers. This was found just at the end of the town of Crested Butte, walking distance from the motel where we stayed. Ironic find after doing some amazing 4 wheel driving in search of just such a scene!

I am continually drawn to the warm afternoon light. I was fortunate enough to be out with my camera last summer in Montana to capture this scene as the sun was low in the sky lighting the grasses on the hillside.

I often find scenes from nature walks that I can put into the abstract on canvas. That is how I came to create this image, from a walk along the river at our mountain place here in Colorado. What was originally a concrete reality to my eye is now a place on canvas where the viewer can choose be anywhere he wishes.

It is stimulating and challenging to create new abstract paintings but a pleasant change from the daily routine I have of doing the small daily paintings that are posted to my blog. I loved the contrast of graphic and organic shapes in this painting along with the singing complimentary colors.

Here are some of my most recent paintings showing a fun variety of subject matter found in various excursions throughout the year.


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What fun to do a tall vertical composition, this from a scene at our own Denver Botanic Gardens an incredible gift to anyone who visits.

This painting is an abstracted landscape that was an absolute joy to paint. I am having so much fun working in more simplified shapes and colors to represent findings in nature.

I did a vertical of this scene of wild poppies but loved the subject so much that I wanted to do a horizontal composition as well. These poppies were photographed as a tribute to life after the forest fire of 2000 here in the Rocky Mountains

I loved the light in this scene found here in Denver, Colorado at our Botanic Gardens late one summer when the bloom was almost done, the light is getting lower and the warmth from the sun is welcome.

This painting has a wonderful feel of nostalgia, with the poppies growing unattended by an old fence. I found this scene in Telluride, Colorado a few summers ago.

South Park, Colorado in June can bear an abundance of purple from all the Wild Iris that grow. This was an incredibly abundant year that I found to paint this luscious scene

Another great story told by the ominous skies and incredible light that happens before the afternoon thunderstorms fly over in the Colorado summer afternoons. This too was outside of Crested Butte on Kebler Pass.

I never grow tired of the incredible scenery in Colorado, nor the area of and around Crested Butte which is where I found the scene painted here. One can get lost in the infinite views from every direction and brought back to earth with the beautiful wildflowers abundantly lining the hillsides.

This painting was inspired by the incredible scenery found in Glacier National Park when I had the opportunity to visit last August. Saint Mary's Lake is awesome with the turquoise waters against the majestic glacier carved mountains.

Spring and poppies, my ever favorites!

When in St. Remy in Provence France I was with my great friend and travel companion Pat and we were walking at day's end with our cameras (surprise!) .This atmospheric scene with the light dusting the tops of the grasses in an old olive orchard was just beautiful and a delight to attempt to paint the feeling I got when there.

This scene from a spring morning here in Denver was too irresistible to pass by both with the camera and then to paint. I have painted it to be shown in the 2008 Governor's Invitational Art Show and Sale: http://www.governorsartshow.org
Saturday, April 12, 2008 at the Loveland Museum in Loveland, Colorado.
I have 3 other paintings there that will be in my next post.

Don't miss seeing this painting at our show. It is one of my favorites!

This is an abstracted image of aspen trees. I am always looking for new ways to express myself. Come see this painting on March 14 at our opening reception at Brushstrokes.

This scene is from an area near Crested Butte where I photographed wild flowers at the tail end of the wildflower bloom. The aspen are such a delicate looking tree that are such a compliment to the wildflowers that grow in and amongst them.
This is one of my new paintings for our th Anniversary show Friday, March 14.

This vibrant poppy garden is from a scene found here in Denver last spring. It is one of my
paintings for our upcoming 5th Anniversary Show. Stay tuned for more works that are coming off the easel! This floral painting is 24"x30".

I took the photo that I painted this from up at our family mountain place that burned down in the 2000 High Meadow fire here in Colorado. This painting reflects the marvel of nature and what came back a year later.

For years my Dad lived on Tilloo Cay an island in the Bahamas. I painted scenes there over and over and over just wanting to melt into the aqua blue waters of the Carribean. In fact, that is where my painting career started, hauling pastels across the country and into the Bahamas to wile away my time on the island. How fortunate for me to have had my Dad and the opportunities he gave me.
This scene was an inlet we passed on the boat everytime we went to the next island-Elbow Cay where we bought groceries and gas. There will be more of these to come as I have lots of reference from my years down there.

While visiting Tuscon, Arizona several years ago I photographed the blooming Ocotillo. They are one of my favorite desert blooming cacti with their brilliant red orange flowers just sitting atop the long stalks of the cactus. The blooms may be small in size but not in the attention they bring to themselves with their luscious color.

Colorado is spectacular year round. This scene combines the Colorado State flower-the Columbine with our incredible Aspen. The Columbine grow in many places in the mountains but you are sure to find them among the Aspen Groves.

This painting was done from a photo taken in France. While driving some back roads I screeched on the brakes when I saw this foreground of wild and vibrant poppies with the old stone European architecture in the background. Out of the many, many pictures I shot on that trip, I couldn't wait to come home and paint this scene. I have painted several versions of this scene.

This portrait is of my little dog Farley. I am now doing pet portraits for anyone who is interested. Please contact me if you would like a portrait of your pet!
Dogs are such incredible energy and Farley who is only 1-1/2 years old is a constant reminder to stop, play and smell, well..... in my case the flowers!

Back to the poppies! I can't resist painting them. This one is 24"x24" with a textured background and painted with brush and palette knife. I especially was drawn to the abundance of vertical stems in the painting. They seem so tiny for the size of the flowers they carry, yet they hold the vibrant poppies as they hold their heads high and sway in the breezes that whisp them about.

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Here is a commission of Duke, an incredible Australian Shepard rescued from a shelter by loving parents to whom he gave so much love in return. He visited our mountain place here in Colorado every summer and was quite the loyal herder, keeping track of all the people that ever went hiking or walking. It was a big job as the hikers never stayed together, but Duke got lots of excercise as he kept track of each every person until they returned home.

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This small commission was done for a dear friend who recently lost her kitty, Abbey.
I have known Abbey for many years and she was a sweetheart; warm, cuddly, talkative and always joining in on anything we were up to. She is greatly missed, and I hope this painting will keep here spirit alive.

This gentle fawn was enjoying a morning meal grazing in the town of Waterton in the Canadian portion of Glacier National Park. I was there last August as noted in previous posts and you will see more as I took lots of great pictures that are waiting and screaming to be painted. Stay tuned!

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Every spring I seek out new places where the poppies are growing. I am drawn to the wilder gardens that have little structure letting the poppies and whatever is growing with them decide the textures, patterns and compositions that I may then photograph and put on canvas.

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I suppose my title for this is a bit redundant as poppies are naturally vibrant which is part of the reason I am drawn to paint them again and again. They are just nothing but a joy to paint as much as look at and keep me in such a good feeling place. I only hope they do the same for all who view my interpretations.

As with all my small paintings, I am approaching subjects that have always tantalized me but that I put off painting for a variety of reasons. This scene was in Florence, Italy on a trip with my great travel companion Pat. She too is passionate about seeing all of the world and is responsible for finding and taking me to the many places I have seen and photographed. We were on our way to Ponte Vecchio when the sun was setting leaving a warm red orange glow to the city and just a hint of light shining through the archway. It stopped us in our tracks and begged to be photographed and then painted.

The Colorado mountains are so incredible in every season. I go to Kenosha pass every summer in July to see what flowers have come out for the year. This particular year my Mom had died a few weeks before finding this meadow. It was filled with flowers of every variety in purples, yellows and whites. It is amazing that since that summer I have never found the abundance that was present that particular July. It was, to me, a tribute to my Mom in her passing and a message to always remember to stay joyous and colorful. This 7"x5" little painting was a joy to paint.

This is Farley, my little Schnoodle dog and best friend. You will see more of him in my miniatures as he has a different look for every one of his moods and I love painting pets and want all the experience I can get painting all the different expressions. I also hope to add pet portraits to my repertoire of subjects to paint. This look is one of a bit of devilness as he looks at me implying that he is looking for trouble.

Here is an unusual subject for me, a bird! I am finding it so enjoyable to tackle new subject matter that I have photographed throughout the years but have put off painting for whatever reasons. Birds are such a wonderful part of our world. I love the symphony of music they sing in the spring and am sad to hear the quiet come late summer. I am now anxious to add more birds of many varieties to my painting subject matter.

While on my daily walk with my little dog Farley, I saw this scene in the park where we go often. He was bored as I spent time taking pictures to help me remember the incredible mixture of warm oranges, reds and yellows contrasted by the more muted mauves. I am anxious to create a large painting of this piece in a more abstract interpretation rich with texture.

Another little oil painting from my Greece reference photos. On one of the many sunny days we had last May we were traveling on one of the Greek Islands off the town of Napflio where we stayed. I was intrigued by the lone pot of geraniums along the way. They were brilliant in the morning sun and loved play of light and shadows as well.

What is about baby animals? Have you ever met or seen one that didn't melt your heart. This little fox just spoke to me to be painted. I could spend the whole time that I was putting this to canvas in a joyous state looking at the face of innocence, playfulness and no sense of time. Am I lucky to spend my days as a fine artist or what?

This small oil painting is a looser interpretation of one of my favorite flowers-the poppy. I have painted many of these red European poppies and each time I do I like to look for new ways to interpret them. This floral was painted in a more abstract manner leaving the background loose in shape and form and letting the brilliant color of the flower to carry the composition. The painting is 7"x5" in size, oil on a gessoed board.

While on one of my travels abroad I always photograph any of the animals I come across.This little lamb was one of the curious ones who was willing to come up and let me take his photo. Of course, he was the only black sheep in the herd. They can be a challenge to photograph as they are shy and usually run away when I approach. This oil painting is another of my small pieces that I am doing on a daily basis.

While in wandering he narrow streets on the island of Hydra in Greece last May, school had just let out. I spotted this little girl in standing secretly in a pose that leaves the viewer wondering what she is up to. Is she hiding from someone or waiting to surprise another little friend. I want this painting to keep the viewer guessing as to what was happening.
Enjoy

Dream Mist II is a square composition of Dream Mist which I painted several weeks ago. I had such fun painting the 30x40 and had a vision of it as a square format and felt the need to render it so. This original oil painting has a dream like quality which I hope will engage the viewer to dreams of their own. It of course has a sense of reality with the floral shapes.

This is the finished painting of Sassy Stern. I posted the beginning of this piece a few days ago. I am painting miniature paintings on a daily basis which allows me to create paintings of all my favorite pictures taken throughout my career. I have many favorites and can paint many more in small format to determine if I want to do them larger in the future.

Here is another small oil painting that was painted on a 6"x4" board with linen canvas. This little floral makes a big statement with its cheery, bright yellow colors and the flowers looking up to the sun, seemingly in a poetic dance. Such a joy to paint!!!!

Flowers are of course one of my favorite subjects to paint. I have been fascinated with painting more intimate views by looking close up and giving importance to the individual flowers I see. This viewpoint is created with vibrant color and texture to reflect some of the wildness in the garden.

This is the start of a painting that I have been anxious to paint for quite a long time. The subject is from a photo I took while traveling in Amsterdam. I love the sassy stern of the this boat docked in a canal in Amsterdam. This little waterscape is 7"x5" and is the beginning composition showing my painting process. Stay tuned for the finish that will be posted tomorrow.

This little painting is one of my favorite subjects: flowers and especially poppies. I have never met a flower I didn't like! Poppies are so cheerful, bright and rich, just a feel good flower.

This is a small study of a scene here in Colorado outside of Crested Butte. I an enamored with the Colorado landscapes and Aspen trees here, and this scene encompasses both. Stay tuned as I am starting to paint a series of small wonders that I plan to sell only online. Details will come as I do more preparation for this endeavor. Please feel free to leave comments about my postings

This is another original painting that I finished the other day for our show opening Friday, Nov 2, 2007.
This is an abstraction of a scene from a Colorado Fall day, one of those days we experience here that my mother used to call "champagne days" which are days where the weather is the perfect temperature and you just want to melt into the warm alluring golds and oranges. Enjoy

I photographed this kitty while in Greece last May in the town of Napflio. It was dusk and the shadows were long on a warm spring evening walking along the boardwalk. Greece has cats everywhere which was heaven for me as a cat lover and they are all friendly, usually joining us for our meals as well as walks. I have been wanting to paint this kitty from the moment I crossed his path and knew that I captured him in a successful photo. This is another painting for our upcoming show here in our studio gallery. Please come join us!

This contemporary abstract painting was inspired by my love for deep rich colors combined with the astounding wonders of flowers. The painting holds a lot of mystery but allows the viewer be drawn into the colors and shapes that can inspire the imagination take the viewer wherever they like. I want my paintings, especially my abstracts to engage the viewer and keep their interest for as long as they want to stay engaged. It will be shown as part of our show opening on Friday, November 2, from 5-9pm. Come join us to see an array of landscape, abstract, floral urban and much more.

This painting is from atop Kenosha Pass on a delightful Colorado Fall day. I wanted to immerse myself in the colors that recede into infinity. This is one of my paintings for our show coming up on November 2.

This little painting is a subject that is one of my favorites: Colorado wildflowers. The Columbine and Paintbrush are two of my favorites that I seek out during the wildflower bloom. Painting these little gems in my Denver studio gallery brings back fond memories of the colorful wildflower bloom we get in July.

Last May while in Greece, I probably photographed every poppy that was blooming. They were not as prolific as I had hoped but such a beautiful contrast to the ruins where they would sprout and decorate the centuries old cities

"Gazing" is another inspiration from my trip to Montana, but this little guy was found when we went up to the Canadian side of Glacier National Park. The town we stayed in is Waterton and the deer are part of the small town that is surrounded by water and nature.

This is the finished 40"x30" oil painting that I did a study for last week. It is the piece from Montana, late day in August with that magical light you only find for a few moments before the sun goes down. I hope this painting brings the warm feelings I get when the day is late and quiet and the world is slowing into silence.

This oil painting on canvas was inspired by our glorious Colorado Aspen just asking to be painted on a tall vertical canvas. I went out photographing a few weeks ago and found this scene on a hike in upper Chicago Creek. Colorado fall scenes just call me to the canvas to paint the majestic colors and scenes.

I painted this little guy from a photograph that I took in New Zealand while traveling with my husband a few years ago. I have so many photos from my many ventures abroad that I am planning a series of small paintings that are from all my favorites. It will be a challenge just to sort through my vast collection of photos, but stay tuned!

This little oil painting is a warm up study for a larger version to be shown here at my art gallery, Brushstrokes Studio-Gallery here in Denver, CO. It was painted from a picture I took while in Montana last August at the end of the day when the light is magical.

I am continuously inspired to paint from the beautiful Colorado landscapes. This oil painting was created from a trip to Crested Butte during the Wildflower Festival. Columbines are such glorious delicate flowers that give me such joy to paint in their surroundings.

I am finally getting back into the right side of my brain with some warm up paintings. This little gem of an oil painting can be seen in our art gallery, Brushstrokes and will be part of our upcoming November show. It was inspired from a scene while traveling in Montana last August.
Keep an eye out, there will be lots more small gems to view in the upcoming weeks.

All Glorious was painted for the 2007 American Art in Miniature Invitational Show. I am honored to be a part of this show for the third year. http://www.gilcrease.org/cal_details.aspx?ID=299

This painting is my donation for the 2nd Annual Art & Artifacts Benefit for Project Education Sudan: http://www.projecteducationsudan.org/
Every brushstroke used is with hope that through my painting I can make a difference for this incredibly worthy cause.
I chose to paint this child, for he seems an inspiration to me carrying a load I never knew as a child.

This painting is my donation for the 2nd Annual Art & Artifacts Benefit for Project Education Sudan: http://www.projecteducationsudan.org/
Every brushstroke used is with hope that through my painting I can make a difference for this incredibly worthy cause.
I chose to paint this child, for he seems an inspiration to me carrying a load I never knew as a child.

This is an abstract image that I have done as a commission.
It is challenging when working with color and shape to create a pleasing design and composition.
Balancing the strong dark on the right against the lighter elements on the left took some time to keep the painting visually pleasing where the viewer will remain engaged and in a world of discovery.
I really enjoy the change in doing abstract work as it calls upon my previous life skills as a designer where I work only with shape, color and composition.

This is an abstract image that I have done as a commission.
It is challenging when working with color and shape to create a pleasing design and composition.
Balancing the strong dark on the right against the lighter elements on the left took some time to keep the painting visually pleasing where the viewer will remain engaged and in a world of discovery.
I really enjoy the change in doing abstract work as it calls upon my previous life skills as a designer where I work only with shape, color and composition.

I photographed this burro resting along a wall in the shade while in Monemvasia, Greece. Monemvasia was one of my most favorite of the places we visited.

I am showing how I began the painting along with the finish. This fellow was in deep meditation as I walked by allowing me to get a great photo to paint from.

These are new paintings that I have done for Sacred Dancing Gallery in Bigfork, Montana. I am excited that I will be doing a demo at the gallery next month and am part of the 5th Biennial Montana Land Reliance show that is being hosted by Sacred Dancing Gallery.

Here are pictures showing my latest work of some poppies I have painted from a photo that I shot at Delphi while in Greece last month.
I have the beginning of the painting process followed by the finished work.
It is 24"x30" and I rendered the foreground and background in brushwork and the flowers with a palette knife. This creates a soft background for the more textured flowers to stand out on.

Hi Jay and Jeannie,

Here is the painting entitled "Cotswold Morning"

Simply click on the image to see it larger.

It was painted from a scene I came upon in Chipping Camden while visiting England a few years ago.

I am starting a series of paintings from my recent trip to Greece. We stayed in Nafplio on the Pelopennese.
The city of Nafplio was the first capital of the modern Greek state. Named after Nafplios, son of Poseidon, and home of Palamidis, their local hero of the Trojan war and supposedly the inventor of weights and measures, lighthouses, the first Greek alphabet and the father of the Sophists.
Here is my first small warm up study. I loved the colorful boats against the blue sea.