Monday, February 27, 2012

Outside the Lines

"Outside the Lines" 6x6" oil on gessobord

Lost in a creative world all her own, Annie gets in touch with her inner artist. I painted this from a photo of my niece as she blissfully included most of her arm as part of her extended canvas. Children are so naturally uninhibited and unaware of boundaries including those thick black lines of coloring books that we were so terrified to cross outside of as children. Who decided that we had to stay within those lines anyway? I think most people got discouraged and gave up on art once the guidelines were imposed on us. We were even graded as to how perfectly we could stay inside the lines. Or for that matter, who told us that trees HAD to be painted green with brown trunks? I've always wondered if children don't see more than we do with our conditioned brains? Perhaps trees really are purple but we ceased to see the purple after someone unknowingly handed us a green crayon and basically told us what we WERE suppose to see, rather than allowing us to see what we were seeing? I wonder what else we once saw and heard that was filtered out? Hmmm... food for thought.

I usually simplify and edit unnecessary information in small paintings, however I included all the surrounding details here to show Annie in her magical world of toys, fun and bright colors. Draped across the back of the chair, Annie's golden fairy princess dress awaits her next adventure. Life was so simple and magical back then...what happened?

Thanks for entering my world of color today.
nancy

My graphic design: www.graphicdesigngroup.net
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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

In The Hood

"In The Hood" 6x6" oil on gessobord
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I have been having so much fun painting birds. I decided to buy a serious bird feeder, so I could get to know some of the locals in my hood. Sunday morning, I put the feeder up and filled it to the brim with bird seed and went inside to paint. When I peeked out the window several minutes later... to my total delight... there were were a pair of titmice munching down like they hadn't eaten for a week. Moments later these happy patrons became dining companions of this little Black Capped Chickadee; he was dressed to the hilt including his masked Zorro disguise. I nearly jumped out of my skin I was so excited!!! This was the first time I'd ever seen one that I recall? Funny how, until I started painting birds, with the exception of avifauna (cardinals, blue jays, robins, sparrows and crows), I was never able to recognize or identify any of the other birds. What a gift this has been as a whole new world has opened before my eyes. I wonder what other priceless treasures I am blind to in the world which surrounds me?

Today a cute cardinal couple discovered the free handouts and hung about most of the early morning. All was well until Suzy squirrel got wind of the grand opening of my fast food avian diner and made a total pig out herself...what a mess!

Thanks for dropping by for the feast today.

nancy

My graphic design: www.graphicdesigngroup.net
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Monday, February 20, 2012

Rainy-Day Sunshine

"Rainy-Day Sunshine" 6x6" oil on canvas panel

When did we lose the desire to jump into mud puddles in carefree reckless abandonment? This little girl's spirit captured my heart as she delights in the sheer joy of sloshing in mud and water in her pretty pink boots. Totally lost in the moment, she was captured in a photo shared by my friend Angela.

How sad we've lost that same sense of wonder, discovery and magic over so many simple things in life, like: climbing trees, finding pictures in cloud formations, making necklaces out of sweet clover, creating angels in the first snowfall of winter, or jumping into piles of raked autumn leaves. All of these brought the greatest and most satisfying pleasures. So what happened? Did we just grow up ... or have we just grown down?
Thanks for jumping into my puddle today.

nancy

My graphic design: www.graphicdesigngroup.net
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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

I Give You My Heart

"I Give You My Heart" 6x6" oil on gessobord
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As Elton John would say, "Don't go breaking my heart." This little crimson ceramic heart balances in the shadowy-well of a slippery spoon, precariously suspended over the deep, bone-chilling chasm of white china. One false move and Miss Scarlet could find herself plunging into the deep abyss, crashing and shattering into countless pieces at the bottom of the cup ... and just like Humpty Dumpty ... never be put back together again.

Ever wonder why hearts are so fragile and vulnerable? Such a dichotomy for a rough-tough organ saddled with the enormous responsibility of life and death. Perhaps today we need to pause for a moment to say thanks to our hearts ... even if they do break from time to time.

Happy Valentine's Day! 
Thanks for viewing my painting for today.
nancy

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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Birdie Want a Berry?

"Birdie Want a Berry? 6x6" oil on gessobord
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Although at first glance you may have thought this was a robin, it's really a beautiful Eastern Bluebird, a member of the thrush family. If you're like me, I thought only robins had red breasts?

While the early bird caught the worm, this one got up late and had to settle for a bright little berry for supper.  

I sure am loving painting these birds. Thanks for poke'n your head in today.
nancy
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Sunday, February 5, 2012

Orange Wars

"Orange Wars" 6x6" oil on gessobord
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Totally unsuspecting, I entered into this brightly-lit colorful setup thinking it would be a snap to paint. Wrong! It was an ambush as a three-hour battle raged in all out war. Blood and guts spilled everywhere. You can still see mangled and dismembered casualties laying around on the ground. Whew! It was a fierce encounter of the worst kind. The two lone survivors avoided demise only by the safety and protection of their blue tank and, of course, the white flag they waved. What cowards. 

Thanks for paying these unsung heroes honor today.

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Thursday, February 2, 2012

"Not One Step Closer...

"Not One Step Closer" 6x6" Oil on gessobord

...or I'll drill you full of holes." This tough looking mean guy is a Western Scrub-Jay, the Blue Jay of dry western lowlands. I certainly would hate to meet him in a dark alley. Maybe I am just jay prejudice, or perhaps suffering from post traumatic stress after being attacked by a mother blue jay whose baby birds had fallen out of their nest. I was only 10 years old at the time and wanted to rescue them from neighborhood cats lurking nearby. I had barely gotten within an arms reach before momma jay started dive bombing me. I thought for sure I was going to end up like those eyeball-less dead people in Alfred Hitchcock's, The Birds. Scared the living daylights out of me as she proceeded to drill my skull full of holes. 

I do love the rich deep blue color of these guys but I'll just do any appreciating from the safety of a photo.

Hope you enjoyed the bird watching? I've really have been having fun with these birds.

Thanks for viewing. 

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