SOLD - Silly Sister Secrets

"Silly Sister Secrets" 6x6" oil on gessobord

NOT FOR SALE

"There are moments in our lives, there are moments in a day, when we seem to see beyond the usual. Such are the moments of our greatest happiness. Such are the moments of our greatest wisdom."
— Robert Henri

I'd sure love to know what was being shared by these two little sisters, all smiles and giggles? They sit huddled side by side perhaps hiding together during a game of Hide 'n Seek?


Life is never still. I believe art is a living thing, that hints rather than delineates. In my paintings, my greatest motivation is the desire to convey not just visual facts, but rather to lure viewers in to hear the melody I am singing in pure and simple form. Like music, I want my paintings to lead the viewer deeper, to share the breath of spirit dwelling within; it's a presence which can be felt even if the viewer is unaware of it on a conscious level. 

I have so much more to learn by listening/seeing with heart. I will continue down this road, rejoicing for every moment I have to try again and again. Who knows, maybe one day one of my pieces will transport someone to experience this world of seeing. For me that would mean true success. 

In one of my favorite books, The Art Spirit, Roberts Henri describes art saying, "Art is, after all only a trace—like a footprint—which shows that one has walked bravely and in great happiness."

This piece is a commissioned painting, sorry it's not for sale, but I wanted to share.

Thanks for stopping by to play today. 
 nancy

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

SOLD -Samantha's Straw Hat

"The countenance is the portrait of the soul, and the eyes mark its intentions."   

                              —Marcus Tullius Cicero

I thought I'd share a commissioned piece I've been working on from a photograph. Meet Samantha, she's the granddaughter of my friend Carol Ann. I haven't worked on a lot of portraits, but really enjoyed this one. I am finding there really is not a lot of difference between painting a still life, landscape or portrait as long as you forget about trying to create a likeness and instead focus in to try and duplicate all the values, shapes and colors changes where you see them. Somewhere in the process, as if by magic, the spirit of the subject emerges through all the dabs of paint. Isn't she a cutie!

Thanks for viewing my painting of Samantha. 
nancy
_____________________________________________________
To see more of my art or to contact me: 
Gallery  •  Blog  • NEW Website • E-mail  • Graphic Design Studio

Breath of Spirit

Click to Purchase

         "Best of all is to preserve everything in a pure, still heart, and let there be for every pulse a thanksgiving, and for every breath a song. — Konrad von Gesner

I haven't been able to paint as much as I would like lately. My world has been moving at a furious pace with design work demanding most all of my time. However yesterday, my spirit finally caught up with me... and I painted! 

 

I never seem to know what I am going to paint until I show up. It's interesting how the breath of inspiration always comes as a surprise visitor, spontaneous and unpredictable. Digging through photos of last summer, I came across this one from the Taos Ski Valley. I could again feel myself standing beside this bubbling mountain stream, soaking in the warm sunlight, as spirit summoned breath out of the dark sleepy shadows of late afternoon forest.  

Making time to wander in silence, my heart opens wide to inhale breath of spirit in all its mystery and splendor.

Thanks for pausing today to listen to my song and for viewing my painting.  

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

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