Shedding Light

In case you are wondering what I've been up to lately, I've taken a break from painting to advertise and frame the paintings for my upcoming September show, and to publish my new book "Shedding Light". If you haven't already done so, check it out to the right. You can thumb through the entire book and even purchase a copy.

If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by to see all the paintings from our recent trip to New Mexico and Colorado, along with other recent works. I'll be there on Saturday, Sept. 22nd for the Artist Reception from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and would I'd love to meet you. Hope to see you there.

Thank you for following my blog and my work.

_____________________________________________________
To see more of my art or to contact me:  

Gallery  •  Blog  • NEW Website • E-mail  • Graphic Design Studio

"For The Love of Color"

I'm back home after a month on the road, trying to catch up with work and prepare for my upcoming art show. The show will be on display the entire month of September at The Linda Watson Gallery here in Conroe. See details above.

If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by to see all the paintings from our recent trip to New Mexico and Colorado, along with other recent works. I'll be there on Saturday, Sept. 22nd for the Artist Reception from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and would I'd love to meet you. Hope to see you there.

Thank you for following my blog and my work.

_____________________________________________________
To see more of my art or to contact me:  

Gallery  •  Blog  • NEW Website • E-mail  • Graphic Design Studio

Mountains, and Streams and Gorges, Oh My

"Taos Rapture" 10x8" oil on gessobord

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"It's like trying to describe what you feel when you're standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon or remembering your first love or the birth of your child. You have to be there to really know what it's like."       —Jack Schmitt

Stream in Taos Ski Valley

View of Rio Grande Gorge from Bridge

We spent the day today with towering pines and aspens in the Taos Ski Valley area. This was the little scene where we fished, painted and had a picnic with Wheeler Peak in the background. It was cooler up in this higher elevation and very windy. I have learned to put rocks in my plastic trash bag that hangs from my easel. This keeps it steady and prevents it from blowing over. 

This next photo was taken at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge which is located just 7 miles outside Taos. The photo doesn't begin to convey the magnitude of this expanse of land. I've never seen the Grand Canyon, but this was stunning. Standing in the middle of the bridge and looking over the railing at the ribbon of a river hundreds of feet below makes you feel as tiny and insignificant as a flee on an elephant's back.

Thanks for touring with me today and for viewing my painting.  

nancy
_____________________________________________________
To see more of my art or to contact me:  

Gallery  •  Blog  • NEW Website • E-mail  • Graphic Design Studio

Parking It

"Parking It" 9x12" oil on canvas panel

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"Painting is just another way of keeping a diary."—Pablo Picasso

Dear Diary, 

I painted all day today at this beautiful park in Pagosa that stretches its way along the San Juan River with the alluring San Juan mountains for a backdrop. The park was dedicated to the Yamaguchi family honoring their service to our country during World War II. I painted in the full glory of it all as Dave fished the waters below. Wow! What a an inspiring place to paint...and it didn't even rain. Can you believe I had a covered pavilion to stand under, picnic table and a restroom nearby!!! Now it doesn't get much better than that in plein aire. I was really happy with my catch at the end of the day.

Thanks to everyone who commented on my post yesterday. You guys inflated my balloon. I am now cruising at about 7,105 ft. ...or, maybe that's cause we are at an elevation 7,105 ft.? Either way I really appreciated hearing from all of you. : ) 

We left the "healing waters" of Pagosa today after a trip to the local bakery for hot cinnamon rolls and then huffed and puffed our way over the mountains into Taos. Thought we'd spend the last four days here, before we head on down the highway back to Texas, in the land of the art gods. Can't wait to hit all the galleries I read about in "Southwest Art magazine" and sample some more green chili tamales or enchiladas. I'll bet I've gained 5 lbs. from all the green chili I've eaten on this trip. Oh well, feast today...diet and swim twice as far next week.

Thanks for playing in my park today. 

nancy
_____________________________________________________
To see more of my art or to contact me:  

Gallery  •  Blog  • NEW Website • E-mail  • Graphic Design Studio

Pagosa Drama

"Pagosa Drama" 16x20" oil on canvas

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“And if I let a gust of wind or a sprinkling of rain turn me aside from these easy tasks, what preparation would such sloth be for the future I propose to myself?” 

―  Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre 

I've been working on this large 16x20" painting of the San Juan River from here in Pagosa Springs, CO. I spent an entire day working on this piece on location in plein air, that is until a huge gust of wind came up from out of nowhere and blew my entire setup including the painting face down in the dirt. The wet paint was covered with lumps of dirt. This happened right before the storm hit. Oh well, such are the hazards of this trade. Plein air ain't for sissies. You have to take everything in stride. Once the paint dried, I was able to flick off all the dirt and make the touch up repairs. I decided to finish this piece from the security of our tiny little camper, which works fine as long as Dave stays away fishing. 

It's rained most every afternoon we've been here, the sound of the rain on the roof of our camper is enchanting, sounds like the sound made by an Indian rain stick. There's always a silver lining to every storm.

Thanks for viewing my restored painting. 

nancy
_____________________________________________________
To see more of my art or to contact me:  

Gallery  •  Blog  • NEW Website • E-mail  • Graphic Design Studio

Windswept

"Windswept" 9x12" oil on canvas panel

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“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”

 — Rabindranath Tagore

I snapped this photo at the Edward Sargent Wildlife Area lookout point in Chama, NM. The reserve is located at the base of the San Juan Mountains and covers 20,000 acres of wild high country extending to the Colorado border. 

A short hike up a rocky mountain path lined with wildflowers leads to this viewing spot...the best place to watch elk graze. The herds follow the river into this area yearly during the summer migration. I was told if you get here right as the sun is setting, you can sometimes can hear the male elk bugling his mating call. It wasn't quite sunset while I was there, so I never saw or heard the elk, but loved the view. My spirit was filled with awe and wonder at the billowy mounds of fluffy white clouds picnicking across that enormous cobalt blue blanket of a sky. It was a visual feast.

Hope you enjoyed the scenery. Thanks for viewing my painting. 

nancy
_____________________________________________________
To see more of my art or to contact me:  

Gallery  •  Blog  • NEW Website • E-mail  • Graphic Design Studio

Path of Light

Path of Light, 12x12", oil on stretched canvas

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“I watched the early morning light pass over and through the windows of colored glass, leaving streaks of red and green and yellow on the stone floor. When I was little, I used to try and capture the colored light. I thought I could hold it in my hand and carry it home. Now I know it is like happiness-- it is there or it is not, you cannot hold it or keep it.”

 — Karen Cushman 

 I walk by this little cabin first thing each morning just as the sun cuts along the river's path on my way to the campground showers. 

I couldn't resist painting this happy little slice in my current mountain world. The dull little structure sits adorned like a queen bedecked in jewels of Black-Eyed-Susans, clusters of miniature purple daisies and columbine. Standing guard on high alert is a small stand of shimmering aspen waving with fervor as I stroll by. 

I kept thinking any minute Hansel and Gretel might come running out the door with the wicked witch in high pursuit.  

My day started off royally and was a dandy!

Thanks for listening to my tales and for viewing my painting. 

nancy
_____________________________________________________
To see more of my art or to contact me:  

Gallery  •  Blog  • NEW Website • E-mail  • Graphic Design Studio

SOLD -Light Into Darkness

" Light Into Darkness" 14x11" oil on stretched canvas

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“Each time dawn appears, the mystery is there in its entirety.” — Rene Dauml

 This painting is what I looked out on each morning from our campsite in Chama, NM. Actually at the top of this hill was a puppy playground for campers to walk their dogs. I swear every RV must come equip with two dogs. Never one, always two. Anyway, I loved waking at the first crack of dawn and watching the sunlight roll in over the mountain tops and then drip it's course of light over the dark side of this hill like bright orange sticky molasses.

Thanks for rolling by today and for viewing my painting. 
nancy

To view all of my available paintings in my gallery click here http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Artists/nancy-parsons-122  

* Sold pieces are marked with a red dot.

My blog: www.headondownthehighway.blogspot.com

My website:http://www.njparsons.fineartstudioonline.com
E-mail: njparsons@suddenlink.net

My book: Head on Down the Highway A Blog Book

My graphic design studio: www.graphicdesigngroup.net

San Juan River

"San Juan River" 6x6" oil on canvas panel
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"I shall be a master at this art only after a great deal of practice.”

          — Erich Fromm

I finished up this painting from the bank of Colorado's San Juan River here in Pagosa Springs, just as those threatening clouds in my photo tried to rain on my parade. Luckily I was only about 25 yards from our camper and made it back dry as a bone. The forecast here is for rain everyday for the next week.  UGH! Oh well, that's all part of camping. 

It's been fun and challenging to paint rivers and streams for a change of pace. I hope you all don't get river sick. It's a wonderful opportunity for me to practice painting these inspiring mountain landscapes. I certainly never get to do that in Texas. The rivers all over New Mexico and Colorado are very low due to the drought from last year, however there is always a silver lining. The river is low but the rocks and sandy bottom comes alive—illuminated in the sunlight—with rich warm earth tones to complement the blue sky so perfectly.

Thank you following my trek around Pagosa Springs and for viewing my painting today.  

nancy

To view all of my available paintings in my gallery click here http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Artists/nancy-parsons-122  

* Sold pieces are marked with a red dot.

My blog: www.headondownthehighway.blogspot.com

My website:http://www.njparsons.fineartstudioonline.com
E-mail: njparsons@suddenlink.net

My book: Head on Down the Highway A Blog Book

My graphic design studio: www.graphicdesigngroup.net