Stupid Pear Tricks

"Stupid Pear Tricks" 10x8" Oil on stretched canvas

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You've been seeing these showy fellows closer up over the last couple of days. Here they are all together a larger 10x8" family portrait. The obnoxious pear rolling around on the ground is trying to get a laugh out of 'em. The Gerber's have turned their heads in disgust of his childish behavior. Some of us just never want to grow up!

Thanks for viewing my work!

nancy

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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 are based on actual weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping cost. 

A Pear of 'em

"A Pear of 'em" oil on canvas panel

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This pretty pair of pears were major players in our Thanksgiving Day salad. However, they were too perfect to be sliced, simply to adorn the top of spinach leaves, until they first served time as models for my painting. The one on the left was very sweet and cooperative, but that other one was tired and grumpy; she laid her head down on the floor, pouted and moaned all morning long. Oh, the things I have to put up with! 

This painting, along with the red Gerbers posted yesterday, were actually both sections of a larger still-life setup. I started off trying to paint the whole enchilada but quickly became overwhelmed, especially listening to the constant complaints of that whiny produce. As an alternative to donning ear plugs, I decided to simplify the larger composition by breaking it down into a couple of partial paintings first. My plan worked, I finished just in time to make the salad. Tomorrow's post will be the whole shebang.  

Here's the recipe which was quick, easy and very yummy!!!

SPINACH, PEAR & SHAVED PARMESAN SALAD

Have the cheese at room temperature, shave it with a vegetable peeler, then wrap it in plastic until ready to use. 

8       cups fresh baby spinach

2       Bosc pears, quartered lengthwise, cored and thinly sliced

2       oz. Parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, shaved

2       Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1       Tbsp. whole grain mustard

½      cup extra virgin olive oil

Combine spinach, pears and cheese. For dressing, whisk together vinegar, mustard, 1 tsp. each sugar and salt, and ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper. Whisk in oil. Drizzle on salad and pass remaining.

MAKES 8 SERVINGS

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:  Shipping charges are based on actual weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping cost. 

Pocketful of Posies

"Pocketful of Posies" 6x6" Oil on canvas panel

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I bought this bright colorful little gathering of Gerber Daisies in the discounted section of the grocery store for $.99, hoping they would hold up for a few more days, to paint over the holiday weekend.

Like most all of my work, this was painted alla prima, that is wet onto wet. In case you are unfamiliar with that term, alla prima is a style of painting where, instead of building colors up with layers or glazing over an underpainting, the painting is completed while the paint is still wet. This painting style was used by some of my favorite painters: Paul Cezanne, John Singer Sargent, Caravaggio and Mary Cassatt. 

I love the clean fluid, watercolor-like effects I can get but with the vibrant, richness of oils. If I am lucky, I can find sharp edges or soft ones that blend and melt into other areas. 

I have a long way to go and a lot to learn in oil painting, so I have to be careful or things can get ugly and muddy very quickly. I try to work fast and on small canvases cause once it all dries, the party's over...the clock strikes midnight...and Cinderella has to leave the ball.

Thank you for viewing my painting!
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:  Shipping charges are based on actual weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping cost.

SOLD - An Admiring Audience

"An Admiring Audience" 6x6" Oil on canvas board

This colorful group of flowers were captured here, swooning and fainting during the sold-out performance of an enchanting green starlet in a crowded-to-capacity theater. Okay...so maybe that's not exactly right...Actually these flowers are what remains out of an arrangement from a recent dinner party, but the green apple did bully her way onto the stage.

Imagination and creation are so much fun...that's the best part of being an artist. Anything and everything is possible in a world filled with possibilities. All we have to do is to open our eyes and hearts to the wonder, and then feast at the banquet spread before us. What a gift!

In humble gratitude to the Master Creator of it all...Happy Thanksgiving.

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:  Shipping charges are based on actual weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping cost.

Sweet Spot

6x6" oil on canvas panel

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Last week was busy on so many levels that I wasn't able to carve out much time for painting. Then we spent the entire weekend in Fort Worth for more of my husband's poetry readings. I had hoped to paint a landscape en plein air but with the prediction of thunderstorms opted to paint this cozy indoor scene of the corner of our room high above the Trinity River and downtown Fort Worth with its nostalgic stockyards. 

 

The highlight of the weekend was the "Caravaggio and His Circle in Rome" exhibit at the Kimbell Art Museum. Caravaggio, a highly-influential figure in the history of art  (1571–1610), overturned the artistic conventions of his day and created stunningly dramatic paintings, both sacred and secular. A powerful exhibit!!! If you get the chance to go...you won't be disappointed.

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:  Shipping charges are based on actual weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping cost.

Lunch Bunch

"Lunch Bunch" 6x6" Oil on gessobord

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Today's painting is a recent challenge from DailyPaint Works. The photo of the crowded German restaurant above is what we were given to paint. There is a lot going on in the scene, so the instructions were to select and paint just a section of it. I chose the two shady characters on the right who are disguising themselves in sunglasses...and trying to look oh so innocent! But I am on to them. The green shopping bag the lady's guarding between her legs is stuffed full of stolen euros from a heist they just pulled off from the bank on the corner. Just look at his shifty eyes and how nervous she is puffing away on that cigarette. The whole town is swarming with cops, so the punks ducked in here to wait for the coast to clear before they make their break for the border. 
...And that's my story and I am stick'n to it!

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:  Shipping charges are based on actual weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping cost.

Tree and My Shadow

"Tree and My Shadow" 6x8" Oil on canvas panel

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This is a scene I pass by most every evening, as I take my little dog for his daily constitutional. We walk by about the same time each day, just as the sun is setting behind the lush, sprawling grounds of a Memory Care facility.  

I love the play of light and dark, and how the trees create giant shadows which lazily stretch their way across the road. As if to the beat of a silent melody, sleepy shadows seem in pose for evening salute to the drooping sun. However, these same shadows could also be seen as the bars of a prison cell, metaphors for the expanding darkness in the minds of residents sheltered securely inside...brains held captive...blocked from the light of fading memories.

Light shines on us all but like trees, we can block the light to only see darkness lying before us. How do you see this painting, light or dark? 

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:  Shipping charges are based on actual weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping cost.

Double Trouble

"Double Trouble" 8x6" Oil on canvas panel

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Snips, snails and puppy dog tails...that's what little boys are made of. 

Meet Oren and Andrew, two of my nephews when they were much younger. I snapped this photo of them as they stood on the rocky banks of Emerald Lake in Montana, one summer long ago. They must have taken a break from hooking slimy worms to devise a plan to overthrow and regain control of the raft containing all the little girl cousins who outnumbered them three to one. Or, perhaps they were searching for turtles, frogs, or big sticks to fend off Nettie, or some other lake monster who could suddenly emerge to devour them whole. Who knows what lurks about in the minds of little boys?


Thanks for viewing my painting!

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:  Shipping charges are based on actual weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping cost.

Rio Grande Harvest

"Rio Grande Harvest" 11x14" oil on canvas

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The other day my photographer friend Angela sent me a photograph of this hostage image, captured in New Mexico. Knowing I love reflections, she knew I'd want to paint it. Then she asked me what my big attraction was for reflections?

I've never really put it into words before, but do freely confess to being obsessed with reflections which lay in wait, to mystify and delight me everywhere. Like Alice Through the Looking Glass, I can be casually gazing at a seemingly flat surface of water or wet pavement, when suddenly something shifts in my head and in a nano second, I slide down into the hole of right brain dominance.  

My husband confessed to me last night that he is almost afraid to walk into the house when I am painting reflections. Like out of an episode of Twilight Zone, he's sure he will find that I have been sucked into a painting, standing up to my waist in reflections, and waving back at him. He probably isn't far from the truth here... I'm sure the entire house could burn down around me while I stand in oblivion, trapped in the spell of the moment.

If you don't believe me, next time you are driving on a busy, rain-soaked street at dusk, I double-dog-dare ya to turn your focus on all the long red-trailing limbs of taillights and sudden explosions of red and green bombs at stoplights. Be careful not to have wreck but it's an incredible light show. Hum, maybe I need to paint this sometime?

Thanks for viewing my painting!

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:  Shipping charges are based on actual weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping cost.

Strolling Sicily

"Strolling Sicily" 8x6" oil on canvas panel

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Overview of Taormina

Today's painting was taken from a photo while strolling along the streets of Taormina, Sicily. This was a stop along the 10-day Mediterranean cruise I recently mentioned in my blog. A region of Italy, Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. I fell in love with this charming little city, its quaint streets, and Mt. Etna looming in the background.

Believing that less is always more, I decided to simplify this painting by leaving out several overhanging balconies adorned with window boxes overflowing with colorful flowers. There was so much going on in the busy scene already, I wanted the viewer's attention to be drawn to the couple walking along in the drizzling rain, creating those magnificent reflections in the cool illuminated cobblestone walkway. 

Taormina why, must we say goodbye? My family and I only had one day to spend in Taormina, I would have loved to have stayed longer, but as you can see, I have not forgotten thee. 

Thanks for viewing my painting!

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:  Shipping charges are based on actual weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping cost.