My Little Chickadee

                "My Little Chickadee", 4x4" oil on black canvas panel

"Life is strong and fragile. It’s a paradox… It’s both things, like quantum physics: It’s a particle and a wave at the same time. It all exists together." — Joan Jett

The most challenging human condition is to live a life that's humble, fragile, vulnerable, giving, and seemingly weak. Yet lives each day, like there is no tomorrow: brave, strong, patient, tolerant, trusting, loving, kind, selfless, and resourceful. 

Great truth is heard from silent, tiny voices.

Thank you for the oneness of imperfection shared by all the members of our human flock. 
nancy

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

Little Bird Come Sit Upon My Window Sill

"Little Bird Come Sit Upon My Window Sill", 4x4" oil on canvas board

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"Use what talents you possess; the woods would by very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang the best." — Henry Van Dyke

Winter is here and my urgent need to paint birds has once again returned. In fact, I painted three over the weekend. I don't know why I am so drawn to paint birds in the winter months, but do love capturing their little forms all plumped up with added layers of fluffy down.  

Bracing cold and chill from solitary icy limbs and dangling phone wires, these tiny creatures appear so vulnerable huddling together for warmth in single-line formations. Sitting still, like hooded monks in pews at early morning vespers, their holy chants of praise are dimmed only by the numbing roar of engines processing bumper to bumper on the street below. 

I am sure my concerns for these feathered neighbors are amplified after just losing two huge old trees from our yard. First the towering pine sucked dry by thirsty pine beetles in a matter of days, followed by the gnarled and twisted oak that lurched like a staggering old man on crutches over our driveway and house the result of a lightening strike. I lay awake at night wondering how many homes were lost in those fallen trees. Where do those refugees go when abruptly finding themselves and their families homeless? Am I the only person who worries about this stuff?

Thanks for perching here today. I'll be tweeting more birds shortly. 

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 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

Brown Pelican

"Brown Pelican", 29x24", Prismacolor on Cranson Paper

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In the 1970s, the Brown Pelican's existence in the southeast United States and California was threatened by pesticides like DDT and Deildrin which caused the pelican's eggshells to become too thin and incapable of supporting an embryo to maturity. With the ban of DDT in 1972, the population of the brown pelican increased enough to be removed from the endangered list. 

However in 2009, California brown pelicans—a slightly smaller version of the subspecies seen on the East and Gulf Coasts —experienced unprecedented nesting failures, and have starved to death by the thousands because of a sharp decline in Pacific sardines, their most important food. The U.S. sardine famine is now in its sixth year and the production of California brown pelicans is extraordinarily low. 

To learn more see full details in this article by Ted Williams, longtime contributor to Audubon magazine, in the Yale Environment 360.

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. 

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 - Nutcracker Sweet

"Nutcracker Sweet" 4x4" miniature oil on black canvas panel

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"A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song."— Chinese Proverb

This little blue bird is a red-breasted nuthatch, the latest in this series of wintering birds. I sure wish birds could talk and share the secrets of their happiness; I know I could learn much. 

We all have our own unique songs to express and share with the world if we can just spread our wings and soar. I believe that artists paint because they cannot do otherwise. I suppose I'll always strive to capture on canvas the joy I feel for birds... I'll listen to their warbling ballads... and wonder. 

Thank you for sharing in my song today.
nancy

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

Tit for Tat

"Lone Ranger" miniature 4x4" oil on black canvas board

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The Lone Ranger flies again! Another miniature in my bird series, this one is a Blue Tit easily recognizable by its blue and yellow plumage. They are widespread and a common resident breeder throughout Europe and western Asia living in deciduous or mixed woodlands. The blue tit prefers insects and spiders for their diet. They are famed for their skill, as they can cling to the outermost branches and hang upside down when looking for food.


Thanks for hanging out on limb with me today. Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

 nancy

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

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 

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

SOLD -Birch Grove

"Birch Grove" 6x6" oil on canvas board

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         "Landscape is not all external, some has crept       inside the soul." — John O'Donohue

You might say I am a kicked in the head fan of John O'Donohue's writings. Every other word he writes hits me like a jab in the heart. Perhaps it's my own part Irish ancestry, but I have been devouring every morsel of his book, Anam Cara-A Book of Celtic Wisdom, stretching it out and savoring each word like a deluxe box of fine Belgium chocolates, never wanting to reach the bottom.

I have been fascinated and mystified by trees since I was eight years old. I would regularly climb to the top of the 100-year-old tree in our yard and sit on wide outstretched arms of the highest branches, swaying in the wind for hours on end. Trees seemed so wise, safe and secure to me.

I didn't have the words to understand what I was experiencing back then, but I have come to realize, those were my first contemplative experiences into solitude and silence. It was in solitude where I have found my deepest sense of belonging, and the distinct sense of oneness and peace with all that surrounds. Somehow those early feelings have stayed with me through out my life. Trees were my teachers and I am ever so grateful for their mentoring.

Thanks for wandering in 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

Oneness

"Oneness" 6x6" oil on canvas panel

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"Quantum physics thus reveals a basic oneness of the universe."

— Erwin Schrodinger 

In this Daily PaintWorks challenge, the instructions were to look at the photo below and choose one word that describes the feeling you get and to render that feeling in a painting.

I chose the word "Oneness" because although every element in this scene on the surface may appear unique and unrelated—be it land, tree, mountain, water, sky, or figure—quantum physics tells us all life, energy, matter are all connected.

“The quantum field is the web that connects all life, energy, matter and existence into a single system. Everything we experience has a single interconnected source.”

Read more about Where Science and Buddhism Meet: Emptiness, Oneness and Nature of Reality - Part 2 [Video] on:
http://buddhist-meditation-techniques.com/where-science-and-buddhism-meet-emptiness-oneness-and-nature-of-reality-part-2-video/?utm_source=INK&utm_medium=copy&utm_campaign=share&

“The quantum field is the web that connects all life, energy, matter and existence into a single system. Everything we experience has a single interconnected source.”

Read more about Where Science and Buddhism Meet: Emptiness, Oneness and Nature of Reality - Part 2 [Video] on:
http://buddhist-meditation-techniques.com/where-science-and-buddhism-meet-emptiness-oneness-and-nature-of-reality-part-2-video/?utm_source=INK&utm_medium=copy&utm_campaign=share&

In order to capture this feeling in my painting, I first primed the canvas with a unifying wash of red. I decided to make gray the predominate color since gray is a mixture of all three primary colors red, blue and yellow. Then I used the gray in different values and combined small amounts of it with the other colors used in the painting. I also tried to keep the brush strokes as uniform as possible. I wanted all the different elements to reflect a commonality. Like pieces of a puzzle they all needed to fit together and connect atop the tinted background.

There is an underlying silence and unity at work here can you hear it?

Thanks for viewing my/our entry!  
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

E-mail: njparsons@suddenlink.net

My book: Head on Down the Highway A Blog Book

My graphic design business: www.graphicdesigngroup.net

Birdie Want a Berry?

"Birdie Want a Berry? 6x6" oil on gessobord

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Although at first glance you may have thought this was a robin, it's really a beautiful Eastern Bluebird, a member of the thrush family. If you're like me, I thought only robins had red breasts?

While the early bird caught the worm, this one got up late and had to settle for a bright little berry for supper.  

I sure am loving painting these birds. Thanks for poke'n your head in today.

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

A Cardinal Point

"A Cardinal Point" 6x6" oil on Ampersand board

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I didn't chose a cardinal for today's painting just because I grew up in St. Louis and was a huge Cardinal's fan for many years. Here's the real reason I happen to love cardinals. 

From the time my husband was a little boy his mom told him repeatedly, "David, if you are lucky enough to see a cardinal that's a sure sign you are going to have a great day." He believed this with all his heart and began telling everyone and anyone who would listen. To this very day, he still gets excited at the sighting of each and every cardinal. He even insisted on placing a pair of cardinals at the top of our wedding cake.

Many years later, while looking over our wedding photos, his mom asked us why in the world we chose to put cardinals on our cake? A very sentimental man, Dave gave a long affectionate sigh and reminded her of her eternal promise of a good day he'd always remembered. She looked at him like he was crazy and in one sweeping crush of a blow, said she'd never heard of such nonsense. Go figure?... Oh well, after 31 years of marriage, perhaps there was a glimmer of truth in it somewhere? 

Heaven help us if Dave ever finds out that the Bluebonnet song, he joyfully croons every spring, about a "princess being offered for the rain" is only a legend. YIKES!!!

You've seen your cardinal for today...go and have a great and blessed day!

Thanks for perching with me for awhile.

nancy