Monday, October 31, 2011

Flower Power

"Flower Power" 6x8" Oil on canvas panel

I snapped the photo for this painting in my garden several years ago but never painted it. That's probably cause I didn't feel comfortable painting flowers back then. However, now that I have been painting most everyday for over a year, I am getting braver. I can't remember if these are Black Eyed Susans or Rudbekias, so I am calling this one Flower Power. Must be the influence of a book I just finished reading about the sixties. "Those were the days my friends..."

Thanks for viewing my work!
nancy 

FREE SHIPPING WITHIN USA
I am offering FREE shipping within the U.S. on all paintings in my Daily Paint Works and Etsy stores. These small paintings work great in groups of two or more, and add interest and charm to an entry, kitchen, bath, sitting on a bookshelf, or other small areas.

INTERNATIONAL PURCHASES AND SHIPPING:  S
hipping charges are based on actual weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping cost.


Thursday, October 27, 2011

Willow Don't Weep for Me

"Willow Don't Weep for Me" 6x8" oil on canvas panel

This has been the first fall in many years that I haven't gone into mourning, missing out on the show of color that annually tours most everywhere north of Texas.

Today's painting is one last witness of fall from our recent trip. I have had so much fun painting from all the visual memories recorded in my heart. Nothing feeds me with such feverish delight as to witness the glorious transitioning of life to death in such stately dignity. It's kind of how I feel about gray hair.

Nothing pains me more, than to spend all spring and summer: planting, watering, fertilizing, pruning, waiting, watching everything grow and green into landscape; only then to stand witness to a sudden death as it all withers, turns brown, and drops with a silent thud. It's like baking a cake from scratch for a cake walk and never getting to take a bite.


To the north, each autumn event becomes a magical performance of light and color as maple, oak and elm—just a few of the star performers—each reveal illustrious crowns of jewels. Then, as if on key, each prima ballerina one-by-one, takes a final jete...floating and drifting on currents of Indian summer winds to a graceful final bow. Willow don't weep for me this year. 


Thanks for viewing my work!


nancy

FREE SHIPPING WITHIN USA
I am offering FREE shipping within the U.S. on all paintings in my Daily Paint Works and Etsy stores. These small paintings work great in groups of two or more, and add interest and charm to an entry, kitchen, bath, sitting on a bookshelf, or other small areas.

INTERNATIONAL PURCHASES AND SHIPPING:  S
hipping charges are based on actual weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping cost.


Wednesday, October 26, 2011

House Fire on Centre Street

"House Fire on Centre Street" 6x6" oil on gessobord
Click to bid

Crowing like a rooster, this tiny house in Concord stopped me dead on my trek. Looking more like a tidy Christmas present wrapped in a shiny red bow, it beckoned me to sneak-a-peek. Numb to my gawking stare, the quaint little doll-of-a-house nestled in among slumbering neighbors, snoozed on in cool shadows of morning as the first light of day began pulling on her feathery golden fleece of fall. 

Out of somewhere, Mr. Rogers' song of old comes to mind, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood....would you be mine...won't you be my neighbor?"

Thanks for viewing!
nancy

FREE SHIPPING WITHIN USA
I am offering FREE shipping within the U.S. on all paintings in my Daily Paint Works and Etsy stores. These small paintings work great in groups of two or more, and add interest and charm to an entry, kitchen, bath, sitting on a bookshelf, or other small areas.

INTERNATIONAL PURCHASES AND SHIPPING:  S
hipping charges are based on actual weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping cost.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Best Seat in the House

"Best Seat in the House" 12x16" oil on canvas
Under the brightly-lit marquee of New Hampshire, the annual premier is underway. Please take your reserved, front-row seat for another stunning performance by the masterful conductress, Mother Nature and her bountiful production company. As the curtain rises, both of my favorite actors, fall color and watery reflection burst onto the stage in an alluring and compelling display of sheer artistic genius. Grab your popcorn, sit back in the cool early-morning shade and enjoy the show.

Special note: this outdoor stage is on a larger 12x16" playground.

Thanks for coming!
nancy

FREE SHIPPING WITHIN USA
I am offering FREE shipping within the U.S. on all paintings in my Daily Paint Works and Etsy stores. These small paintings work great in groups of two or more, and add interest and charm to an entry, kitchen, bath, sitting on a bookshelf, or other small areas.

INTERNATIONAL PURCHASES AND SHIPPING:  S
hipping charges are based on actual weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping cost.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Who da Momma?

"Who da Momma?" 6x6" Oil on gessobord

I haven't painted a not-so-still life in the past couple weeks and was searching for subject matter, when my husband...who loves to grocery shop...steps in the door toting this gorgeous juicy tomato. She was donned in a long twisting stem resembling a witches hat. I was not about to let that red beauty get diced up into a taco salad or gazpacho, until I had a chance to paint her. So I placed her in the fridge to chill.

A couple days later, I discovered she had adopted a trio of abandoned young grapes looking for a place for trouble to happen. Momma-mato gathered them into a green cluster and bribed them to sit still long enough for this first family portrait. She later rewarded their good behavior with a trip to the local Hydrator Roller Rink. Oh, the things that go on in my house!

Thanks for viewing my painting.

FREE SHIPPING WITHIN USA
I am offering FREE shipping within the U.S. on all paintings in my Daily Paint Works and Etsy stores. These small paintings work great in groups of two or more, and add interest and charm to an entry, kitchen, bath, sitting on a bookshelf, or other small areas.

INTERNATIONAL PURCHASES AND SHIPPING:  Shipping charges will based on weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Fall is in the Air

"Fall is in the Air" 6x8" Oil on canvas panel 


On my second day in New Hampshire, the sun finally muscled its way through high banks of clouds to reveal patches of promising azure. This was my big moment! I packed up all my painting gear and hiked back to White Park to plein air alongside the footpath surrounding the lake. 

By the time I had set up my easel and squeezed the myriad of little puddles onto my palette, the sun had already gotten the ball rolling. Filtering in through deep-shadowy sentinels of limbs and trunks, she masterfully brushed brilliant lime-green in wide sparkling streaks across the cool viridian slopes. The seasonal ticket holders crimson, burnt orange and harvest yellow—all fluttering in the crisp morning breeze—went wild in applause at the stunning performance.

Unaffected by any of the commotion, a flock of hungry Mallards cruised the lake in silent single-file order—weaving their way through dried reeds, cattails and low hanging Willow tresses—perhaps in search of a tasty minnow or a breadcrumb left by a child....Ah, the gift of it all!!!

Thanks for tagging along for the ride!
nancy
 

FREE SHIPPING
I am offering FREE shipping within the U.S. on all paintings in my Daily Paint Works and Etsy stores. These small paintings work great in groups of two or more, and add interest and charm to an entry, kitchen, bath, sitting on a bookshelf, or other small areas.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Take It All Off

"Take It All Off" 8x6" Oil on Canvas Board

Talk about brazen behavior! Can you believe this outrageous redhead caught in a quiet neighborhood of Concord in decadent flamboyance? That's right! Baring herself in a showy burlesque, she literally flaunted herself at the curb attracting the attention of every passerby. Despite the chilling rain, she exposed one long slender limb after another in an ostentatious display. A shocking performance!
 
Thanks for viewing my work!
nancy
 


FREE SHIPPING
I am offering FREE shipping within the U.S. on all paintings in my Daily Paint Works and Etsy stores. These small paintings look great in groups of two or more, and add interest and charm to an entry, kitchen, bath, sitting on a bookshelf, or other small areas.


Monday, October 17, 2011

The Sky is Falling

"The Sky is Falling" 8x6" Oil on Canvas
Click to Bid

We arrived in Concord, NH last Thursday too late to do anything except nurse a glass of Pinot Noir, dive into a plate of New England mussels, clams and pasta...which knocked my socks off...and collapse into bed. 

Up bright and early the next morning, I stuffed 25 lbs. of tripod, panel box, paints, brushes, paper towels, canvas, painting medium, poncho, water bottle, camera, snacks into my backpack, and scouted out the closest park to our hotel about a mile away. Hiking up a steep hill, I arrived at White Park just as the gray clouds overhead began delivering...what must have been... all the siphoned rain meant Texas for the past year. The rain continued all day, so I decided to spend the time photographing the park, quaint houses, the Sate Capitol, old brick buildings lining the streets of downtown Concord, and every brilliant water-colored tree I met along the way. Fall color was exploding everywhere! Even the apple trees—gracing front yards of the typical clapboard New England homes—had dropped leftover wares into wasted puddles of red, yellow and green. 

Rain soaked and chilled to the bone, I returned to the hotel to download all the images onto my computer, and set up a make shift studio in front of a north light window in our room which opened onto Main Street. This painting is of the reed encircled White Lake reflecting a ghostly colored sky on its mirrored surface. What a picture perfect day!

Thanks for viewing my work!
nancy



FREE SHIPPING
I am offering FREE shipping within the U.S. on all paintings in my Daily Paint Works and Etsy stores. These small paintings look great in groups of two or more, and add interest and charm to an entry, kitchen, bath, sitting on a bookshelf, or other small areas.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

"Italian Stoop Sitters"

"Italian Stoop Sitters" 8x6" oil on canvas panel


Okay, yesterday I lied about that being my last post for the week. Against all odds, I was able to squeeze in one last painting late last night. This one is another DPW Challenge piece, so I am posting one last time before we leave for New Hampshire. 

The goal of this new challenge was to "select a portion of the picture above that interested me, crop it and play with the values and colors to determine what would result in a good composition." I can see several possibilities but here was my submission. I really liked the photograph which reminded me of many similar sights I saw in and around the Positano/Amafali coast and Sicily several years ago while on a Mediterranean cruise. I love this part of the world and had such fun painting this scene. I am thinking I will have to revisit my photos and paint from more of them. I hope you enjoy!

Thanks for viewing my work!
nancy



FREE SHIPPING
I am offering FREE shipping within the U.S. on all paintings in my Daily Paint Works and Etsy stores. These small paintings look great in groups of two or more, and add interest and charm to an entry, kitchen, bath, sitting on a bookshelf, or other small areas.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

"Water's Edge"

"Water's Edge" 6x6" oil on canvas panel
Click to bid

This may be my last post for the week from Texas but hopefully I'll soon be posting some new landscapes of the bright fall colors of New England. Dave and I are heading to New Hampshire on Thursday and I have been praying the leaves will cling tight to their branches for just a few more days. I can hardly wait to hopefully catch the tail end of the leaves changing colors. I grew up in St. Louis and this is the one thing I literally mourn for every fall. Nothing I have ever beheld in this world makes me feel more alive and humbled to our Creator, than to stand in awe at the finale. To witness, if only one crisp autumn day, at the brilliant golden light of fall as it ignites leaves, branches and entire trees into blazing infernos of shimmering glory.    
 
I've been trying to bone up on some landscapes in preparation for our trip. This painting of deep cool blue water, with fallen leaves resting on its quiet early-morning surface, was taken from a photo on a trail in Huntsville State Park. It was sent to me by a friend who meandered along its gentle paths.
 
Thanks for viewing my work!
nancy

FREE SHIPPING
I am offering FREE shipping within the U.S. on all paintings in my Daily Paint Works and Etsy stores. These small paintings look great in groups of two or more, and add interest and charm to an entry, kitchen, bath, sitting on a bookshelf, or other small areas.

Monday, October 10, 2011

"Creeper Crawlers"

"Creeper Crawlers" 6x6" oil on canvas panel
Click to Bid


Did I fool you? I'll bet you thought this was going to be a painting of worms or bugs? But nothing creepy here, just a close up on a group of performers from that magnificent Rangoon Creeper vine that's crawling all over my back fence. 

These little gals are in a tizzy of utter euphoria after dancing around in the glorious gift of an all-day rain we received yesterday. Can you see the smiles on their faces? I love how they daily adorn themselves in soft billowing gowns of purest white, blushing pinks or rosy reds. The hummingbirds are wild winged with applause over these flaming clusters.
 
Thanks for viewing my work!
nancy

FREE SHIPPING
I am offering FREE shipping within the U.S. on all paintings in my Daily Paint Works and Etsy stores. These small paintings look great in groups of two or more, and add interest and charm to an entry, kitchen, bath, sitting on a bookshelf, or other small areas.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

"Went to a Garden Party"

"Went to a Garden Party" 8x6" oil on canvas panel

This painting was taken from a photo my son snapped of our grandson Max at his birthday party surrounded by friends, Abbey and Zach. I was intrigued with the bright colors and engaging composition but was majorly challenged by all the figures and hoopla, especially on such a small canvas. I usually don't paint figuratively and was afraid to try but then thought, what the heck "can't never could", so I jumped in full steam ahead..."to go where this (wo)man has never dared to go." It was a learning experience on many levels but a very fun party!  
Thanks for viewing my work!
nancy

FREE SHIPPING
I am offering FREE shipping within the U.S. on all paintings in my Daily Paint Works and Etsy stores. These small paintings look great in groups of two or more, and add interest and charm to an entry, kitchen, bath, sitting on a bookshelf, or other small areas.

Monday, October 3, 2011

"Jeepers Peepers"

"Jeepers Creepers" 8x6" oil on canvas panel

Click to Purchase
Rangoon Creeper


Where'd you get those creepers? I took my easel out early Saturday morning to paint the soft morning light cutting through pines and oaks across the sleepy surface of our backyard pool, and spotlighting the tips of my favorite vine, a Rangoon Creeper. Also known as Chinese honeysuckle, this stunning plant grows along our fence producing fragrant blossoms ranging in hues from white to red all summer and stretching into fall. It literally makes me smile every time I see it. 
One of the joys of owning a pool is watching the reflections on a motionless glassy surface. It seems almost magical as the world around me flips totally upside down in mirror-like quality. An interesting fact about painting reflections on water is the fact that light colored objects appear darker and dark colored objects appear lighter. I know it sounds impossible but I challenge you to keen your peepers to witness this subtle phenomena. 
Thanks for viewing!
nancy