Bend in the Road

"Bend in the Road", 10x8", oil on gessobord

BUY

Sunlight is painting.—Nathaniel Hawthorne

I snapped the reference photo for this painting in Montana right at the golden hour. The sun, rapidly setting behind the distant mountains was sweeping light like magic to create long shadows across the landscape. The tree along the bend in the road was totally lit up in the glow of the moment. This was one of those instances in your life when you know—beyond a shadow of a doubt—you were exactly where you were suppose to be at that precise moment in time...my soul on fire with joy. 

Thank you for following my work.
—nancy

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

Shapes From Above the Stillwater River

"Along the Stillwater" 12x9" oil on gessobord panel
CLICK TO BUY

“How does it happen that birds sing, that snow melts, that the rose unfolds, that the dawn whitens behind the stark shapes of trees on the quivering summit of the hill? A kiss, and all was said." —Victor Hugo 

Or, maybe this quote should end with, a glance and all was said? Either way, for me, painting this was a love affair. I had so much fun abstracting the landscape down into basic shapes and colors, as if it were a jigsaw puzzle of interlocking pieces waiting to be placed into position. To coin a quote from Georgia O'Keefe, "I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way—things I had no words for."

I've been experimenting here and there, painting with the temperature of colors versus the actual colors I see. For instance, the cooler foreground was in deep shade from the house when I began to paint and the sun was low in the sky, just peeking over the mountains behind me. So I painted the closest grasses in cool purples in contrast to the warm rays of light casting out across the tallest tips of grasses, and the valley...icing tree tops and fields on its way...in a fiery blanket of light.  

I was painting from my sister's covered patio which formed an umbrella to control the light refections on my canvas, but beware standing on concrete for hours is never fun on the legs or back...no pain no gain applies.

Here's a shot of my awesome plein air set up that all fits inside my red go-anywhere backpack. 

I hope you enjoy this as much as I loved painting it. 

—nancy

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

Montana Moments

"Montana Solitude" 6x6" oil on Gessobord
SOLD

"Something opens our wings. Something makes boredom and hurt disappear. Someone fills the cup in front of us: We taste only sacredness." —Rumi

I painted this plein air piece on the first morning we arrived in Montana, from atop of the hill where my sister and brother-in-law's main house is perched. Gazing out across the property I noticed the isolated house off in the distance. It lay nestled in the lap of golden valley, surrounded by looming mountains, donned with a touch of lingering snow on the farthest peak. The house looked a bit vulnerable, as if it were about to be devoured and disappear into the foreboding shadowy background.

As the morning ended I realized, I was the one who had been swallowed up, up into the delightful solitude of the moment. 

Painting is always my medium of choice to disappear into a day! 

Thanks for viewing,
nancy

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

Watercolor Sketches from Montana

5x7" "Flying the Stillwater"
CLICK TO BUY

7x5" "Wood Ranch, Nye I"
CLICK TO BUY

7x5" "Wood Ranch, Nye II
CLICK TO BUY

7x5" "Wood Ranch, Nye III"
CLICK TO BUY

Heading back on down the highway once again...we were blessed to have spent some time in Montana this month on my sister and brother-in-law's glorious property. These watercolor sketches are some of the views from their lovely home which nestles on a hill along the Stillwater River in Nye, Montana.

I hadn't painted with watercolor in years, but loved the easy setup and no-fuss cleanup. I also love the looseness and transparency this medium provides.

I have a few more sketches from our next stop in Colorado which I'll post tomorrow.

Thanks for following my journey.
—nancy

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

Trail Ponder

"Trail Ponder" 6x6" oil on gessobord

"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us." 

— Henry David Thoreau

This is a painting of Lee—one of my six amazing sisters—seen hiking in Montana a number of years ago. I've been holding onto this photo wanting to paint it, but the lighting was so dark I wasn't sure I could pull it off. Photos always make the darkest areas appear unnaturally dark, so I had to accommodate. 

I love today’s quote reminding me how we are all walking day-by-day on paths through wild untamed and unfamiliar woods carrying our bags. The past we have somehow survived, while the future we ponder and sometimes worry over what lies around the next bend. But for right now, at this very moment, we are comforted by the distant hoot of an owl, the caw of a crow from somewhere unseen in the tree overhead, and the sounds of water licking cold stones smooth along reed filled banks. Here, the dabbled light casts translucent blue and violet patterns like fine tatted lace on moss covered trunks and limbs. While there, blinding beams of sun slash without mercy through rocks and boulders in its path; leaves on branches shimmer on wafts of musty dank breezes. While underfoot, the sound of crunching twigs and dry grasses march in perfect time to each beat of a gladdened heart. All that surrounds is holding and hugging this sacred presence of “now.” Grab it quick before it to disappears into past!

 

Thanks for meandering in today.

© 2013 nancy parsons

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