Just a Chair on a Porch

"Just a Chair on a Porch"
14x11" Oil on 1.5" gallery wrap canvas

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"The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity." —Walt Whitman

Stripped down to the barest necessities for guaranteed joy and contentment, give me a front porch with a chair to sit in silence and greet a neighborly morning knocking at my door. 

Coffee cupped in hand...sliver of melting moon fading...first chirps of the winged, chanting praise...cool stir of wind caressing cheeks...last stand of shrinking shadow...sunburst on the horizon, duck the first warm hurls of orange and gold rays. Morning has broken!

Photographers: Moira Fitzgerald & Yann Meersseman

The reference shown for my painting was another amazing image found on Vintage Colors blog. I was totally swept into the quiet stillness captured by the simplicity of the morning scene. However, as you can see, I went to town taking huge liberties with pumped up colors and values pulled from my imagination to match the intensity of the light and serenity that infused me. 

In this latest piece, I decided to challenge myself by taking a different approach. I usually try to match the same colors and values to what I see, but this time my goal was to try punching up the warmth and coolness of the light and hues for added mood and mystery. I have been working on this one for some time and hit many dead ends along the way. I had to wipe my canvas off many times and start over until I began seeing on my canvas what I was feeling about the image, rather than what I was simply seeing. 

For me painting is a war, a battle of push and pull, trial and error to the very end. I now stand with white flag in hand...a truce declared. I am at peace...and just wish I could plop into that inviting chair. 

Thanks for the visit,
—nancy

To see more of my art click here, or one one of these additional links: Online Gallery • Email  • Website  •  Graphic Design Studio • Saatchi Gallery • Fine Art America

Mooring in Light

"Mooring in Light" 30x40" Oil on gallery wrap canvas

"Hope is the anchor of our souls. I know of no one who is not in need of hope - young or old, strong or weak, rich or poor. 

— James E. Faust

I have to admit, I am hopelessly attracted to desolate boats moored in reflective waters. Taken hostage and dragged aboard by the promise of quiet stillness and solitude, I rarely put up a fight. 

To me, empty boats are a metaphor for our own small earthly vessels. Tossed about through changing tides—weathering the relentless storms life throws our way—we survive afloat tethered securely to trust and anchored in the light of hope. 

Finding such a little craft resting in the light of a breaking dawn or a setting sun always compels me to start pulling out paints and brushes. This is the latest from my boat series. It's the largest so far, 30x40" on stretched gallery wrap canvas. 

I am entering this piece in a show so it's not up for sale quite yet, but will be after March 5th. If anyone is interested please email me. All of my boat paintings are also available for reproduction as prints or on stretched canvas. 

To see more of my art click here, or one one of these additional links: Online Gallery • Email  • Website  •  Graphic Design Studio • Saatchi Gallery 

First Light

"First Light", 8x10", Oil on Gessobord

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“Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.” — Rabindranath Tagore 

Today's painting was completed on our 3-day trip to Galveston, TX last weekend. I was on the beach each morning, camera in hand, before the sun had even blinked its sleepy eye out over the wide expanse of somber Gulf Coast.  

With the exception of a few scattered fishermen dotting the horizon in hopes of a catch, I sat alone at the outer-most tip of a jetty surrounded in the hug of darkness, and amid the soft crashing sound of waves gliding methodically in rows of foamy caps to shore. Even the daily winged scavengers hadn't arrived for the handouts left exposed on the wet sand by receding tides.

As I sat quietly waiting for the day to show up, I noticed a huge charcoal-gray bank of clouds lining up center stage, just above the horizon. The sky began taking on a soft pastel glow as the sun started kicking off the massive blanket of sea green it had been hiding under. I sat mesmerized as huge swatches of brilliant oranges, pinks, violets and golds splashed across a backdrop of aquamarine canvas. Next piercing yellow rays, like jabbing arms and legs, began to emerge at the focal point. The intense glow continued illuminating clouds into warmer lighter grays with golden hues that appeared as thin as a veil around the outer-most edges. 

Lighter and lighter the clouds continued to transform until suddenly all were outlined in a bright golden halo of pure radiant light. Spellbound, in that moment, I heard the silent words in my heart, "In spite of all the surrounding darkness in the world, know I am here in the brightness and fullness of glory, waiting." In awe-struck reverence and abandonment, I could only utter, Amen!

Thanks for letting me share my catch of the day.
nancy

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

Praise For The Morning

"Praise For The Morning", 8x10", oil on Gessobord

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"An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day."  

— Henry David Thoreau

I am happy to report the gallery show I was in last week was a huge success and packed all evening. And, my Trio in Triptych sold very quickly! It was such a fun night. Thanks to all who attended.

"Sun, sun, sun here it comes." Today's painting was taken from a photo snapped by my 5:00 a.m. lap swimming buddy, Angela, along a sunlit path on one of her early morning hikes around Santa Fe. She so generously allows me the honor to interpret her work in oils.

The sun was such a powerful player in the photo; I decided to try a new approach using thick paint applied with a palette knife. I usually paint very thin, so this was my first attempt to paint with a palette knife. I have to admit it felt very awkward and clumsy, however on a positive note, it facilitated a more abstract piece and added more emphasis in the sky and sun. I had a lot of fun with it. 

It's hard for me to imagine missing a sunrise... the very best part of the day! Thank you Angela and cheers to all lovers of the early-morning light. 

nancy 

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

Freedom's Song

"FREEDOM'S SONG", 8X8" OIL ON MUSEUM QUALITY GESSOBORD

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 "In almost everything that touches our everyday life on earth, God is pleased when we're pleased. He wills that we be as free as birds to soar and sing our maker's praise without anxiety"  
                                   — A.W. Tozer

I shot the photo reference for this painting in Galveston, TX several years ago, but have been unable to paint it; somehow I couldn't feel the freedom I was seeing in the bird's flight. Today was different, I felt the wind, rode on currents of air, and soared while basking in the warm light of joyful bliss and abandonment. Today I flew!

I give thanks for the gift of freedom and life.  
nancy

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

Bathing Beauties

"Bathing Beauties", 8x8", Oil on Gessobord

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"To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it." —Kurt Vonnegut

Because inquiring minds want to know...I recently caught these blatant sun lovers basking alongside the busy counter top in my local coffee haunt, Panera Bread Company. These kept-women flashing highly pedicured extremities and golden tans, shamelessly lollygaged the day away gossiping from an above-ground spa. They were so transparent! For hours on end they did nothing but sit by idly making snide remarks about patrons heavy laden with assorted bagels and hot frothy lattes. 

A self-admitted paparazzi, I couldn't resist exploiting their follies on the front page of my weekly tabloid. Thank you for reading this shocking true confession.  ;  )

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

Morning Salutations

"Morning Salutations", 10x8", oil on gessobord

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"When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself." — Tecumseh

The birds certainly get it. These tiniest herald's of first light, erupt in wild abandonment to salute the dawn with their joyous gift of song. From slender perches, high among dark branches, they cry out into the quiet stillness of waning night in an all-knowing awareness that light is somehow already present.  

J.R.R. Tolkien said, "You can only come to the morning through the shadows." Today's stoic chair stands guard facing the dawn like a wooden sentinel over a shadowy grave, and cries out in praise for the beginning of a new day!

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

 

Knowledge is recognition of something absent; it is a salutation, not an embrace.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/salutation.html#vLk7xYPzXTtyTQPm.99

Darkness or Light?

"Darkness or Light?", 10x8" oil on gessobord

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"A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy?"—Albert Einstein

Taking the positive view, today the quiet morning light reflected onto my wooden living room floors creating shadowy markings as precise as the painted lane markers on the freeway. I will even go so far as to say, one of my ladder back chairs has jumped in to play a round of hopscotch? 

However from the opposing viewpoint, it could also seem that this unoccupied, desolate straight back was trapped, worthless, isolated, even trapped in the darkness behind bars. 

Which is it? The same scene with two opposing perspectives. Which slant resonates with you? Is the light overcoming darkness here, or do you see darkness overcoming the light? While I see stillness, quiet, and inner solitude; another might see emptiness, abandonment or even purposelessness. Life is what we bring to it...what we are looking for always finds us.

Thanks for playing along on this beautiful morning.
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To see more of my art or to contact me: Online Gallery  • E-mail  •  Website  •  Graphic Design Studio •  Saatchi Gallery

 

Home Is Where Your Hat Lies

"Home is Where Your Hat Lies" 10x8" oil on gessobord

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"Where thou art, that is home." — Emily Dickinson

From where I art, my home looks almost magical early in the morning as the sun begins peeking into corners of cool-gray lifeless windows, and prying open heavy lids of sleepy wooden blinds. Quickly the soft luster begins bouncing and dripping down the walls of the room as if caught in the middle of a paintball game. I love gazing at the dazzling light show as free-form patterns twirl about the room illuminating golden splashes on furniture, floors and walls, here and then there; perhaps directed by an invisible wand spattering glorious razzmatazz into the quickly vanishing darkness. 

I picked up this unique little bargain chair years ago in an antique shop. I was sure it must have belonged to a count or duchess. It was love a first glance. From where he art, hubby Dave wasn't too impressed with my prize find. However since then he has made use of it, serving as his own personal hat rack... Now does that not seem a bit sacrilegious? 

Thanks for visiting with me in my home today.

- nancy

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

First Light

"First Light", 10x8", oil on gessobord

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"In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present."

 — Francis Bacon

Early one morning, stumbling into the kitchen for a cup of coffee, I happen to notice this quiet corner of my living room sitting in darkness, just as the sun began shining its flashlight into the east facing window to create a wondrous light show on the walls. I had painted this same scene last spring, but wanted to catch the light brought on by the changing season. It's always interesting to see how different light appears at various times of the year. 

Francis Bacon's quote above can apply to art, for without the darkness nothing has shape or definition. Darkness holds the light serving a backdrop, yet darkness and light are both necessary and have their own unique co-dependent roles to play; one is nothing without the contrast of its opposing truth. This is such an appropriate metaphor for life, especially when we find ourselves overwhelmed by darkness; if we can just wait patiently, soon the light will again break through to show us the way. Martin Luther King said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that..." 

My favorite part of this painting was placing the one little white dot of light hitting on the red pillow. After all it's the simplest things in life that mean the most.

Thanks for shining your light into my digital world today. 
nancy 

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

My Side

"My Side" 10x8" Oil on gessobord

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"Every closed eye is not sleeping, and every open eye is not seeing." — Bill Cosby

I just got back from my first trip to Orlando and Disney World with my high school girlfriend. We spent one entire day running all over Epcot, Magic Kingdom and MGM parks. We must have walked 15 miles. So here's my side of the story, there I was having this wonderful relaxing vacation only to be totally traumatized. First I was baited with this euphoric and exhilarating ride called "Soarin", however that was just a setup. Then my (so-called) friend dragged me kicking and screaming onto several terrifying rides, like something called "Tower of Terror" where you are taken up 13 floors on a creepy old elevator to the top of this haunted hotel to then—suddenly and without warning—drop 13 floors over and over again. I kept my eyes closed and somehow survived the experience, but came home from this 3-day trip needing lots of nerve calming rest, thus the subject of today's painting. ; )

I had taken the photo for this painting of my bedside a while ago; the path of light really caught my attention. I wanted to continue working in Colley Whisson fashion, using the new techniques and materials from my recent Austin workshop. I am really happy with this new painting which just seems to me to have more of an emotional impact...just downright poetic...don't you think?

Okay, with the exception of that one ride, I really did have a wonderful time at Disney and was totally pampered staying in such a beautiful resort.

Thanks for stopping in today unannounced. If I'd have know you were coming I might have even made my bed.

nancy
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Austin Workshop Day 2

"The Lobby" after Colley Whisson, 12x16" oil on Ampersand gessobord

On Day 2 of the Colley Whisson Workshop, we again painted from Colley's painting. This time a larger panel of an interior shot from the inside of an old hotel lobby in Australia.

Step-by-step, Colley demonstrated each of the three alla prima layers, pausing in between for us to complete each step on our own canvas. Then he would come around and help us individually correcting as needed.  

Copying is a great tool to help step out of your box, go inside the artist's head, and understand his process. This forces you to leave your comfort zone and explore new approaches. 

Hope you enjoy the painting as much as I did painting it!

nancy
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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

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SOLD -Sanctuary of Light

"Sanctuary of Light" 10x8" Oil on canvas

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"True inspiration comes when the seeking mind of man joins with the revealing spirit of God." —Unknown

My inspiration for this painting was from a photo of a friend's backyard. It evoked in me feelings of awe and majesty—not so unlike those—felt while touring an inspiring lofty cathedral. 

Warm light shining through leaves casting irregular shadows onto the lawn, reminds me of stain glass windows reflecting jewel-colored patterns onto the church floor; like bright shards of sea glass found glowing on the sand at the beach.

The arched canopy overhead, amassed with warm shimmering fall leaves, dances at the winds command in ripples and waves of adoration and joy. Irregular dots, dabs and slashes of soft sky blue provide cooling breaths that pop in and out, between and around leaves and clumps of leaves, squeezing tight, as if trying to still and tame the perpetual motion of uncontrollable school-age children into respectful silence. 
   
I came across the quote (above) in one of my old sketchbooks, jotted down in 1985. I don't remember where I came across it, but thank you for sharing in my exaltation for the revealing spirit. 

nancy

© 2012 nancy parsons
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Morning Melody

"Morning Melody" 8x10" oil on gessobord panel

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"The light which puts out our eyes is darkness to us. Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star."

— Henry David Thoreau

This scene is the same field as yesterday's painting, only earlier in the day. It's that melodious time at dawn when mystery still shrouds the earth in a layer of ghostly atmosphere. The time of day when soft glow of morning rays begin sweeping away lingering bits of mist and haze. Light streaks across clouds and expanse of sky with watery-tints of pastel, shaking awake dew-covered loam lingering under silvery blankets of web. The promise of another day; the birds see..no wonder they can't help but sing.

Thanks for dropping by this morning and viewing my painting. 
nancy
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Path of Light

Path of Light, 12x12", oil on stretched canvas

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“I watched the early morning light pass over and through the windows of colored glass, leaving streaks of red and green and yellow on the stone floor. When I was little, I used to try and capture the colored light. I thought I could hold it in my hand and carry it home. Now I know it is like happiness-- it is there or it is not, you cannot hold it or keep it.”

 — Karen Cushman 

 I walk by this little cabin first thing each morning just as the sun cuts along the river's path on my way to the campground showers. 

I couldn't resist painting this happy little slice in my current mountain world. The dull little structure sits adorned like a queen bedecked in jewels of Black-Eyed-Susans, clusters of miniature purple daisies and columbine. Standing guard on high alert is a small stand of shimmering aspen waving with fervor as I stroll by. 

I kept thinking any minute Hansel and Gretel might come running out the door with the wicked witch in high pursuit.  

My day started off royally and was a dandy!

Thanks for listening to my tales and for viewing my painting. 

nancy
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To see more of my art or to contact me:  

Gallery  •  Blog  • NEW Website • E-mail  • Graphic Design Studio