SOLD -Birch Grove

"Birch Grove" 6x6" oil on canvas board

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         "Landscape is not all external, some has crept       inside the soul." — John O'Donohue

You might say I am a kicked in the head fan of John O'Donohue's writings. Every other word he writes hits me like a jab in the heart. Perhaps it's my own part Irish ancestry, but I have been devouring every morsel of his book, Anam Cara-A Book of Celtic Wisdom, stretching it out and savoring each word like a deluxe box of fine Belgium chocolates, never wanting to reach the bottom.

I have been fascinated and mystified by trees since I was eight years old. I would regularly climb to the top of the 100-year-old tree in our yard and sit on wide outstretched arms of the highest branches, swaying in the wind for hours on end. Trees seemed so wise, safe and secure to me.

I didn't have the words to understand what I was experiencing back then, but I have come to realize, those were my first contemplative experiences into solitude and silence. It was in solitude where I have found my deepest sense of belonging, and the distinct sense of oneness and peace with all that surrounds. Somehow those early feelings have stayed with me through out my life. Trees were my teachers and I am ever so grateful for their mentoring.

Thanks for wandering in and for viewing my painting.  

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

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

Another Day in Paradise

"Another Day in Paradise 6x6" oil on canvas panel

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"Such golden earth-light is the natural sister of shadow and cradle of illumination." 

— John O'Donohue

In his book, Anam Cara A Book of Celtic Wisdom,  John O'Donohue says, "the world has become so familiar to us we no longer see it anymore." Sadly we've grown accustom to racing through the world wearing numbness blinders to what surrounds us. I guess we unconsciously think we know what's there, so we don't think of looking again?

It's interesting to note that the human eye selects what it wants to see. This photo at first glance may appear as an ordinary street scene in Taos, NM. Nothing special here, just a couple of people walking down a street with parked cars. In fact, it's so ordinary this same scene could be found in any city in the world. Luckily the speed limit was only 20 miles per hour or I might have missed it also. Now look again, look at the sky filled with bright clouds in a backdrop of majestic mountains. Colors appear on dappled pavement from cool shadows of looming telephone poles and signs, lofty graceful trees shade the baked adobe shops lining the street with their branches.

Simple awareness shines a spotlight on ordinary objects waiting in light and shadow to bring joy to your day. Perhaps we should ask ourselves at the end of each day, what did I really see today? What was special? 

Thanks for strolling by and seeing my painting.  

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

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

Something's Burning

"Somethings Burning" 6x6" oil on canvas panel

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"Colours are wounds of light."—William Blake

This painting was taken from the photo on the right. I snapped it along the banks of the Conejos River in southern Colorado, just as the sun began bowing down behind the mountains. I love this "magic-time" of day as cool haunting shadows stretch their way across the earth like enormous color erasers. In resistance, the sun seems to intensify its strength, shooting out hot flashes of the brightest hues, engulfing everything visible in a wash of illuminating light. To me, there is nothing more beautiful then to witness those last long-slender fingers of light as they scratch the earth in dire desperation to hold on to the day.

I hope you enjoy the light show. 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