Praise For The Morning

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

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

"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

SOLD - Grass Is Always Greener

"Grass Is Always Greener" 8x10" oil on gessobord

CLICK TO BUY

"The moment one gives close attention to any thing, even a blade of grass it becomes a mysterious awesome, indescribably, magnificent world in itself." — Henry Miller

Doesn't simply looking at grass make you want to rejoice? Even our forefather, Thomas Jefferson admitted," There is not a sprig of grass that shoots uninteresting to me."

In this painting, an entire valley of bright lime summer grasses stretches far off into the distance, lining the path for groves of aspens standing guard at the perimeters. Here, millions and millions of tiny sharpened blades battle their way through the oppressive weight of loam, silt and rock. Paper-thin shards erupt like silent viridescent geysers to face the compelling force of sun. 

Saluting skyward into blinding light of day, they crush together into one verdant blanket that covers the earth in a lush roll of softened hues; fecund fields of endless feast entice the hungry eyes of deer, sheep, goat, moose, elk, or whoever else comes to dine in this garden of victory. 

My eye also pauses to partake of this banquet. Grass is always greener with eyes open wide to behold the radiance and wonder.

Thanks to all of you who stopped by to graze today. 

nancy  

© nancy parsons, 2013

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

• Graphic Design Studio 

  

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

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

SOLD -No Rock For A Stepper

"No Rock For a Stepper" 6x6" oil on canvas panel

CLICK TO BUY

 "You've got to follow your passion. You've got to figure out what it is you love--who you really are. And have the courage to do that. I believe that the only courage anybody ever needs is the courage to follow your own dream.”

— Oprah Winfrey

Here's a photograph of my easel with today's painting on location. This beautiful spot is where we spent the day yesterday on the shores of the Conejos River in southern Colorado. This mountainous and rocky area made me reflect on the power and purpose of rocks in our lives. 

"So many things I would have done, but rocks got in my way."

Okay, so I took a few liberties with Judy Collins' 1967 hit song, but isn't it interesting how rocks block our paths from time to time on our journey down the river of life? They force us to slow down and reflect, or even stagnate into pools of indecisiveness for a time. We think we're stuck and can't—or won't—move forward, afraid and unsure of our course. We may lack the courage to move forward in spite of tugging currents nudging at our souls.

However, rocks also cause the flow of water to build energy and generate strength before propelling us forward into new stretches of the river out of our comfort zones. Rocks in our lives can be gifts that allow us the time to gather courage before navigating a change of course in a new direction. Where are you in the river?

Thank you for wading in the river with me today... and for viewing my work.  

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

Fall is in the Air

"Fall is in the Air" 6x8" Oil on canvas panel 

Click to Bid

On my second day in New Hampshire, the sun finally muscled its way through high banks of clouds to reveal patches of promising azure. This was my big moment! I packed up all my painting gear and hiked back to White Park to plein air alongside the footpath surrounding the lake. 

By the time I had set up my easel and squeezed the myriad of little puddles onto my palette, the sun had already gotten the ball rolling. Filtering in through deep-shadowy sentinels of limbs and trunks, she masterfully brushed brilliant lime-green in wide sparkling streaks across the cool viridian slopes. The seasonal ticket holders crimson, burnt orange and harvest yellow—all fluttering in the crisp morning breeze—went wild in applause at the stunning performance.

Unaffected by any of the commotion, a flock of hungry Mallards cruised the lake in silent single-file order—weaving their way through dried reeds, cattails and low hanging Willow tresses—perhaps in search of a tasty minnow or a breadcrumb left by a child....Ah, the gift of it all!!!

Thanks for tagging along for the ride!
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 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.