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
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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

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