Canals of Coexistence

"Canals of Coexistence", 10x8", oil on Gessobord

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"You probably have to have redundant levee systems with canals in between them, like the Dutch have, to make sure that incoming water is channeled off to areas where you deal with it rather than have it drown you."

 — Billy Tauzin

This piece was painted from a lovely photograph graciously sent to me by my friends, Yolanda and Bill, taken on their trip to Amsterdam. 

I never imagined the picturesque land covered by seas of tulips and windmills was in fact like another Venice? Evidently, the Netherlands lies below sea level, so Amsterdam survives with the aid of more than 150 canals and 1250 bridges. These channels of water have been central to city life there for the last four centuries.

I would love to visit this city someday and paint these picturesque canals in plein air. I'd walk the dappled paths of canals along winding streets lulled by graceful arching pathways of bending branches, and breathe in the salty sea air. 

I would guess this was snapped early morning as motionless boats and canal barges rooted to bulkhead, doze in the quiet first break of light. Sleepy-eyed-locals inside the rows of houses along the avenue are most likely sipping hot chocolate or dark coffee from Delft porcelain, while mulling over morning news before heading out into the tangled maze of tributaries weaving through the city. 

I can see this Dutch system of survival as a metaphor for maneuvering through life. The world comes at us in tidal waves of noise, with constant demands, obligations and distraction that tug us in all directions at once. There is an overwhelming sense of being swept away and swallowed by the raging waters. Mind and soul come to the rescue creating canals that divide the chaos into clear bite-size pathways of organization enabling us to float with ease across the choppy surface toward the light of new day. Oh, life is a daring adventure!

Thanks for channeling in today. 
nancy 



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Strolling Sicily

"Strolling Sicily" 8x6" oil on canvas panel

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Overview of Taormina

Today's painting was taken from a photo while strolling along the streets of Taormina, Sicily. This was a stop along the 10-day Mediterranean cruise I recently mentioned in my blog. A region of Italy, Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. I fell in love with this charming little city, its quaint streets, and Mt. Etna looming in the background.

Believing that less is always more, I decided to simplify this painting by leaving out several overhanging balconies adorned with window boxes overflowing with colorful flowers. There was so much going on in the busy scene already, I wanted the viewer's attention to be drawn to the couple walking along in the drizzling rain, creating those magnificent reflections in the cool illuminated cobblestone walkway. 

Taormina why, must we say goodbye? My family and I only had one day to spend in Taormina, I would have loved to have stayed longer, but as you can see, I have not forgotten thee. 

Thanks for viewing my painting!

nancy  

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House Fire on Centre Street

"House Fire on Centre Street" 6x6" oil on gessobord

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Crowing like a rooster, this tiny house in Concord stopped me dead on my trek. Looking more like a tidy Christmas present wrapped in a shiny red bow, it beckoned me to sneak-a-peek. Numb to my gawking stare, the quaint little doll-of-a-house nestled in among slumbering neighbors, snoozed on in cool shadows of morning as the first light of day began pulling on her feathery golden fleece of fall. 

Out of somewhere, Mr. Rogers' song of old comes to mind, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood....would you be mine...won't you be my neighbor?"

Thanks for viewing!
nancy

FREE SHIPPING WITHIN USA
I am offering FREE shipping within the U.S. on all paintings in my Daily Paint Works and Etsy stores. These small paintings work great in groups of two or more, and add interest and charm to an entry, kitchen, bath, sitting on a bookshelf, or other small areas.

INTERNATIONAL PURCHASES AND SHIPPING:  Shipping charges are based on actual weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping cost.

"Italian Stoop Sitters"

"Italian Stoop Sitters" 8x6" oil on canvas panel

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Okay, yesterday I lied about that being my last post for the week. Against all odds, I was able to squeeze in one last painting late last night. This one is another DPW Challenge piece, so I am posting one last time before we leave for New Hampshire. 

The goal of this new challenge was to "select a portion of the picture above that interested me, crop it and play with the values and colors to determine what would result in a good composition." I can see several possibilities but here was my submission. I really liked the photograph which reminded me of many similar sights I saw in and around the Positano/Amafali coast and Sicily several years ago while on a Mediterranean cruise. I love this part of the world and had such fun painting this scene. I am thinking I will have to revisit my photos and paint from more of them. I hope you enjoy!

Thanks for viewing my work!
nancy


FREE SHIPPING
I am offering FREE shipping within the U.S. on all paintings in my Daily Paint Works and Etsy stores. These small paintings look great in groups of two or more, and add interest and charm to an entry, kitchen, bath, sitting on a bookshelf, or other small areas.