SOLD Arctic Fox

SOLD "Arctic Fox", 29x24", Prismacolor on Cranson paper

Polar bears may not be the only Arctic wildlife threatened by global warming. Scientists have discovered the arctic fox also struggles as ice disappears because they rely on the frozen seas to survive the bleak winters. 

A smaller cousin of the red fox, the arctic fox's fur camouflages to white in winter and brown gray in summer. The species can be found throughout the Arctic tundra, Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Russia, Norway, Scandinavia and Iceland. 

Arctic fox were one of the first mammals to colonize Sweden and Finland at the end of the Ice Age. As the ice retreated they remained in the mountain tundra areas. High hunting pressure led to a drastic population decline in the early 1900s. The arctic fox has not recovered despite protection and most likely would have gone extinct in this region.

The major threats for this fox species are lack of rodents and increased competition from the red fox which take over dens and kill the arctic fox. The increased abundance of red fox in the tundra in northern regions is most likely caused by climate change. With increasing average temperatures, the loss of sea ice, and greater tree coverage in the region predator red fox populations have increased.
   
ARTIST STATEMENT 

My goal in this series of endangered species, created in the mid-80s, was to capture the souls and spirits of our mute neighbors with whom we share the planet. I was captivated and haunted by the frank eyes of all of these creatures, so human in their longing and need, pleading silently for their future and ultimate survival. 

This is the final drawing from my endangered series.  
Thanks for viewing,
nancy 

 

To see more of my art or to contact me: Online Gallery  • E-mail  • Website  •  Graphic Design Studio •  Saatchi Gallery •  Fine Art America

SOLD - Finder's Keepers, Losers Weepers

"Finder's Keepers" miniature 4x4" oil on black canvas board

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This possessive little blue jay is another subject from my miniature bird series. He certainly doesn't look like he'd be willing to share his berry catch, or even his space with anyone any time soon. He is rather cute though in a mischievous kind of way... don't you think? 

Thanks for viewing today. 

nancy 

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To see more of my art or to contact me: Online Gallery  • E-mail  •  Website  •  Graphic Design Studio 

SOLD -Rock'n Baby Robin

"Rock'n Baby Robin" 4x4" Oil on black primed canvas board

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 "I hope you love birds too. It is economical. It saves going to heaven."
— Emily Dickinson

As you have probably figured out by now... I love birds! They are a huge source of enjoyment for me. Whether I'm filling bird feeders, adding native plants with berries to my yard that birds love, or cleaning bird baths, they are never far from my heart. 

However, in the cold of winter, I feel so sorry for them stuck outside sitting on telephone wires in the cold and rain, or sleet and snow. In fact, it upsets me so much, I actually had to abandon watching the Dakorah, Iowa eaglets on live cam last year. Those babies looked so miserable huddling for warmth under parent's wings covered with snow... and then, the mom and dad always seemed to ignore one of the babies at feeding time. This nearly drove me crazy.

Perhaps the reason I love to paint birds in the winter, like today's content little robin, is that painting them works like psychotherapy. With just a little paint, I can simply teleport these feathered friends to a nice warm cozy setting with a clear blue spring sky. 

Right now here in Texas, we are being hit with a wet and cold wintery blast. Needless to say, I've been on a bird frenzy the past few days, throwing paint around like those bird's lives depended on me. I'll be introducing more of my miniature rescues over the next couple of days.

Thanks for dropping by my virtual bird rehab center...cheep, cheep!
nancy 

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To see more of my art or to contact me: Online Gallery  • E-mail  •  Website  •  Graphic Design Studio 

Her's and His

"Her's" 4x4" miniature oil on black canvas board

 "...And His" 4x4" miniature oil on black canvas board

 Click Here to Buy  FEMALE CARDINAL

"Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into." - Wayne Dyer
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/search_results.html#PEXv6HXitzLPhElf.99

"Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into." - Wayne Dyer
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/search_results.html#PEXv6HXitzLPhElf.9

 
Click Here to Buy MALE CARDINAL

 "A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song" —Lou Holtz 

Here's a bright young pair of male and female cardinals, donned in thick warm crimson layers of feathery down, singing a duet while foraging for seeds and fruit from high branches. "Like two birds of a feather, they stick together" throughout the blast of winter's deep chill.

I wanted to keep these paintings simple by limiting the number of brush strokes, as I did with the simple shapes found in my black capped chickadee posted earlier this week. However these fledglings just seemed to require more information in order to portrait the soft feel of fluffy plumes and quill on their chubby forms. 

I have posted these paintings as a pair so as not to split them up, but let's face it, divorce happens...so they are also available individually. ; )

Thank you for perching with me for a moment or two. 

nancy 

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To see more of my art or to contact me: Online Gallery  • E-mail  •  Website  •  Graphic Design Studio 

What's For Dinner?

"What's for Dinner?" 6x6" oil on gessobord

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"Life creates itself in delirium and is undone in ennui."

— Emile M. Cioran

Suffering from a bit of over delirium right now, I might even welcome just a little ennui? Unlike this fat cat resting comfortably in soft light filtering in through the window, my life has been the polar opposite of his siesta scenario. 

The arrival of a purr-fectly-purr-fect new grandson, lots of graphic business, and my paintings to keep me engaged, there simply isn't time to get bored around here. In fact, that's probably one of the best parts of being an artist, there's always another painting waiting in the wings...another mouse entering the room.

Hmm, wonder what's on the menu for tomorrow? 

Thanks for hanging out here today. 

 -nancy

To see more of my art or to contact me: 
Online Gallery  • E-mail  • Graphic Design Studio

SOLD -I'll Be Your Best Friend

"I'll Be Your Best Friend" 6x6" oil on gessobord

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"People teach their dogs to sit; it's a trick. I've been sitting my whole life, and a dog has never looked at me as though he thought I was tricky."

 —Mitch Hedberg

This sweet little face doesn't belong to me but when I saw the photo of a friend's Shih Tzu, I knew I had to pull out all paints for a puppy portrait. 

Man's best friend teaches us the meaning of perfect trust, loyalty, faithfulness and unconditional love. Our dogs seem to love us even more than we love ourselves asking nothing in return except a little scratch behind the ears, or better yet, on the old rump.

What is it about dog's eyes that are so profound? It's as if somewhere inside there's a trapped human with all the answers. If it's true all dogs go to heaven, my chihuahua is going to have some serious questions to answer such as: Why do you have to circle around and around before you finally lay down? On walks, what's up with the OCD sniffing...it's just grass!!! Why do you think you have the right to sleep under the covers with your legs stretched out at a 90 degree angle taking up half my bed, and then growling at me when I turn over? Why do you rub your neck over and over into the sidewalk...Hello, there's nothing there! And by the way, what was the purpose of that tail?

Seriously, dogs are a total blessing to the entire human race. I believe they were created to be an integral part of families. However if you have small children in the house beware, Erma Bombeck said, "When a child is locked in the bathroom with water running and he says he's doing nothing but the dog is barking, call 911." 

Thanks for walking by again today and treating me with your presence.

To see more of my art or to contact me: 
Online Gallery  • E-mail  • Graphic Design Studio
 

Just Horsing Around

"Just Horsing Around" 10x8" Oil on gessobord

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I was really jazzed to enter this weeks DPW Challenge, since I have never painted a horse before. Guess I've just never had the opportunity to photograph one in the wild. I have included above, the photograph we were asked to paint for the challenge.

I think I enjoyed painting the grass as much as the horse. I tried to break the grass up into an interesting pattern, and was happy with the mosaic, patchwork-look that emerged. My personal challenge is to always try to keep my brush strokes as loose as possible. I had been working on a large commissioned piece that had to be rendered very tightly, so this was a welcome change of pace for this old mare now free to roam in new pastures. 

Thanks for stopping to graze awhile in my pasture. ; )

nancy

My blog: www.headondownthehighway.blogspot.com

E-mail: njparsons@suddenlink.net

My books  NEW 2012 Daily Planner and Head on Down the Highway A Blog Book

My graphic design: www.graphicdesigngroup.net

The Good the Bad and the Ugly

"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" oil on canvas 6x6"

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Meet "Yoda" the mighty chihuahua, death-defying-kitty hunter and CEO of the entire world. 

I don't want him to hear me say this out loud, so I'll have to whisper but...he thinks he's the only dog in the world. Please keep it under your hat, I'd hate to burst his delusions of grandeur. Big things do come in small packages. Yoda also thinks he is my bodyguard, day and night, sitting in my lap when I am trying to work, and at night sleeping as close as he can get to me while I am burning up with hot flashes. Oh for joy!

I couldn't resist painting him as he sat relaxing in the bright sunlight streaming through the window onto the bed. I grabbed my camera while he posed. I am sure he's thinking, count yourself the luckiest person in the world to be the artist designated the highest honor of painting my official portrait to be revered for all ages to come. What an ego!

Thanks to all who were brave enough to enter today. Warning!!! Don't turn your back on Yoda when you leave or he'll nip you on the back of your heel, as if to say... And don't you forget it!

Yo quiero Taco Bell. : )

nancy

"How Now Brown Cow"

"How Now" 6x6" Oil on canvas panel

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She's baaack! Nope I didn't die and am sorry for the long absence. I was beginning to think the gods were against me. I hadn't had a chance to even pick up a paint brush for nearly two weeks. This was the longest period of time in which I haven't painted in nearly a year. My goal is to paint every night after work, and then all-day Saturday and Sundays "but clouds got in my way" as one commitment after another invaded my pasture! It sure feels good to be back in the saddle again.

BTW I have to brag about husband Dave Parsons who recently learned he has been selected as the 2011 Poet Laureate for the State of Texas! ...Lots to MOOOOOOOO about at our house. Check his work out at Dave Parsons Poetry

Thank you for viewing my painting.

-nancy

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SOLD "Finger Lickin Good" 7x5"

"Finger Lickin Good" 7x5" oil on canvas panel

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 Baaaawk, bawk, bawk, bawk...

Surprise, I'll bet you weren't expecting to see a chicken staring you in the face. This was my entry in the challenge of the week at Daily Paintworks. The assignment was to paint the chicken in the photo shown below. I laughed till tears were running down my cheeks and my sides ached, all the while trying to get this poor defenseless fowl to have some semblance of a chicken. I should have saved all the stages. At one point, Miss Henny Penny looked more like an alien psychopath on steroids. 

From the look in her the-sky-is-falling eyes, she appears to have just seen the "Colonel" himself walking in through the back gate, hatchet in hand. "You'll need Easter eggs....eat more beef", she clucked!

Thank you for viewing my painting.

-nancy

View my blog
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E-mail me

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My Graphic Design