Sweet Spot Rocker

"Sweet Spot Rocker", 30x20" oil on gallery wrap canvas

I painted this piece from a photo I took last summer in Naples, ME on the front porch of the Lakeview Inn where we were staying for a wedding. This was such a delightful place with the most  beckoning porch. I could have sat out there and rocked for days on end. Now that's relaxing at its finest. 

The reference photo for this painting wasn't the greatest as the chair was perched in heavy shade, so I had to take some creative license to make the chair, my focal point, look alive with color.

I can't figure out what category to place this painting in? There is a landscape backdrop, but the focal point is the chair? Would that be considered a still life? But, what if it was gently rocking from the wind? Would that make it a not-so-still life? I suppose if someone were sitting in the rocker would it also be considered figurative? To make this more confusing, this was a covered porch, so does that make it an interior painting? Any thoughts? Hmm? 

This piece is being donated to my church's Annual Gala for their Live Auction, so it isn't for sale, but wanted to share. 

Thank you for pausing to contemplate on the front porch.
—nancy

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Snips, Snails & Puppy Dog Tails

Snips, Snails & Puppy Dog Tails 8x8" oil on museum quality Gessobord

"Older people sit down and ask, 'What is it?' but the boy asks, 'What can I do with it? — Steve Jobs

Boys will be boys! The look on this little guys face, speaks volumes. For this portrait, the photo I was working from included a lot more dried dirt streaked across his face from an obvious recent adventure in the mud. I left most of his well-achieved war paint off, but had to keep enough so the viewer would appreciate the am-I-in-trouble-now expression in his eyes. Obviously his mom saw this as a priceless moment when she snapped the photo. According to English poet Robert Southey (1774–1843) 

 What are little boys made of   

Snips and snails and puppy dogs tails 

And such are little boys made of.

I am reminded of my own young children years ago, while on a hike through the woods, and having to dutifully instruct them by example, the fine art of taking the full measure of a high-high mud pond. What great mucky fun and a wonderful memory we still talk about to this day. Who says girls don't have a little snip and snail in their souls? "Sugar, spice and everything nice" is just plain boring.

This one is a commissioned painting so not for sale, but thank you 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

Shedding Light

"Shedding Light" 6x6" oil on canvas panel

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The scene reminds me of a song from my childhood that goes, "In a cottage by the wood, little man at the window stood, saw a rabbit hopping by knocking at my door. Help me! Help me! Help me, he cried! Lest the hunter shoot me dead. Little rabbit come inside, safely you'll abide."

Shedding a little light on the subject, this shed engulfed in the warm rays of morning light, seems pretty glorious to me, especially the day after Easter. However, now that I think about it, I don't really see a window, a little man, or for that matter even a rabbit? Actually, now that I am look closer, I am not sure if it's a shed after all? Heaven forbid! It may very well be an outhouse? Oh well, I just see what I feel is there. 

"Imagination is the eye for the inner world...When our eyes are graced with wonder, the world reveals its wonders to us." "When the imagination awakens, the inner world illuminates. We begin to glimpse things that no-one speaks about, that the outer world seems to ignore." —John O'Donohue, The Invisible Embrace Beauty

Thank you for viewing my shed with the red roof with or without the rabbit.
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 business: www.graphicdesigngroup.net