Monday, February 18, 2019

An Evening of Awesome, Art, Wine & Jazz

"Pondering on a Pond", 24x12", oil on stretched canvas
"Bend in the Road", 10x8", oil on Gessobord
"Bounty", 10x8", oil on Gessobord
These are a few pieces I will be showing at "An Evening of Awesome Art, Wine and Jazz",  along with other local artists. This is a benefit event for Fill the Gap, a program of the Peace and Justice Network of Montgomery County, serving the homeless. Come see me this Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7:00 p.m. 50% of all sales go to help the homeless. 

Location: Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 3801 South Panther Creek Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381.  See flyer below for full details. 






Friday, February 15, 2019

The Babysitter

"The Babysitter", 14.5x10.5", Watercolor
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This watercolor painting is of my 18-year-old granddaughter Hayley sharing time with my five-year-old grandson Palmer. My intent was to capture her tenderness and emotion which always shows through to her younger cousins. She literally has a baby in her arms, or a child in her lap at every family gathering. It's not surprising, she is studying to be a NICU nurse. 

I used a recent snap shot for my reference. The lightest values—reflected onto the faces and clothing—came directly from the iPad screen Palmer was playing with in his lap. I had to be careful to get those lightest highlights in immediately and hang on to them. 

Here was my step-by-step process. See photos below:

 1. I started with a light pencil drawing to capture the pose and gestures of the figures, and work out the composition.

 2. Working all over the page, I began blocking in the major shapes with light washes of watercolor.

3. Then, I started adding thin transparent washes of color over the existing layers to build up all of the areas especially in the darkest areas.

4. I continue adding more and more layers until all the values were correct and I was happy with the results.  

Once the paper was completely dry, I erased most of the pencil lines. I really like my underdrawing to be slightly visible. I think it makes the painting more interesting and helps define and gather forms and shapes. 

This is the largest watercolor I have worked on in a long time, and was pleased with the outcome.

Thanks for visiting today. 
nancy

To see more of my art click Online Gallery  Email  • Website  •  Graphic Design Studio • Fine Art America







1. Initial pencil drawing 
2. Blocking in

3. Begin layering 
4. Final layers added





Saturday, January 19, 2019

Sweet Spot Rocker

"Sweet Spot Rocker", 30x20" oil on gallery wrap canvas
I painted this piece from a photo I took last summer in Naples, ME on the front porch of the Lakeview Inn where we were staying for a wedding. This was such a delightful place with the most  beckoning porch. I could have sat out there and rocked for days on end. Now that's relaxing at its finest. 

The reference photo for this painting wasn't the greatest as the chair was perched in heavy shade, so I had to take some creative license to make the chair, my focal point, look alive with color.


I can't figure out what category to place this painting in? There is a landscape backdrop, but the focal point is the chair? Would that be considered a still life? But, what if it was gently rocking from the wind? Would that make it a not-so-still life? I suppose if someone were sitting in the rocker would it also be considered figurative? To make this more confusing, this was a covered porch, so does that make it an interior painting? Any thoughts? Hmm? 

This piece is being donated to my church's Annual Gala for their Live Auction, so it isn't for sale, but wanted to share. 

Thank you for pausing to contemplate on the front porch.
—nancy

To see more of my art click Online Gallery  Email  • Website  •  Graphic Design Studio • Fine Art America

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Quiet Light

"Quiet Light", 5x8", watercolor on cold press paper 

I painted this mini watercolor of the Madonna and Child to use on my Christmas cards, sadly, most of which never made it to the post office. I had great intentions but simply ran out of time. 

I've been having great fun working in watercolor again over past few months. I love the soft translucent effects and the looseness of the media which can say things I can't get with oils. My plan for the new year is to try and work in both watercolor and oil. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and holiday. I am sending you my belated wishes along with wishes for a bright New Year. 

May Mary’s quiet light bring peace and joy to your hearts.
-nancy

To see more of my art click Online Gallery  Email  • Website  •  Graphic Design Studio • Fine Art America