SOLD - Grass Is Always Greener

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

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"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

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SOLD - Big Momma and Little Jack

Big Momma and Jack, 6x6" oil on gessobord

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STEP 1 Tone the panel and roughly sketch with turp and umber.

STEP 2
Working with thin paint, loosely begin laying in skin tones

"A baby is God's opinion that life should go on."

— Carl Sandburg

STEP 3
Continue laying in large flat areas and shapes of local color

STEP 4

Still working with thin paint, refining shapes, values, and larger details.

This is the hardest stage for me, I always start having doubts and 

think it not going to work.

 STEP 5
Making adjustments to drawing and begin to define with thicker applications of paint 

This is a commissioned painting, I have been working on from a photo reference of a tender moment captured between a great-grandmother holding her sweet great-grandson. 

I seem to be doing more figurative work lately, so I thought I'd share my step-by-step painting process with you to show how one of my paintings developed from start to finish. See steps 1-6 on right.  

The entire process took me about 12 hours to complete. I am learning more and more each day, and still have a long way to go, but I am having a heck of a lot of fun.

I also want to invite you to browse my NEW Website. I am so excited to be able to now offer my paintings for purchase as fine prints, canvases, note cards etc. Simply click on one of the paintings on my website to see all of the options available. It's so easy. Check it out here. 

If there is a specific painting  in my gallery you're interested that is not being shown on the website, just let me know and I will make it available for printing as well.

Thanks for letting me share.

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STEP 6 
Continue refining adding highlights, adjusting edges, accentuate details, using thickest applications of paint.

What's For Dinner?

"What's for Dinner?" 6x6" oil on gessobord

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"Life creates itself in delirium and is undone in ennui."

— Emile M. Cioran

Suffering from a bit of over delirium right now, I might even welcome just a little ennui? Unlike this fat cat resting comfortably in soft light filtering in through the window, my life has been the polar opposite of his siesta scenario. 

The arrival of a purr-fectly-purr-fect new grandson, lots of graphic business, and my paintings to keep me engaged, there simply isn't time to get bored around here. In fact, that's probably one of the best parts of being an artist, there's always another painting waiting in the wings...another mouse entering the room.

Hmm, wonder what's on the menu for tomorrow? 

Thanks for hanging out here today. 

 -nancy

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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

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SOLD -Face It

Face It", 6x6", oil on gessobord

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"Facing it, always facing it, that's the way to get through. Face it." — Joseph Conrad

This photo was taken over the July 4th weekend on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, TX. Those tourists are three of my sisters (one is partially hidden by the first sister) and two brothers-in-law fighting their way along the crowded walkway. I am sure none of them are going to recognize their faces in the painting but let's face it, faces are really hard to nail, especially on such a small canvas. 

I've included to the right, the Notan study I created for the painting. Notan is a Japanese term meaning harmony of dark and light. This is the latest challenge posted on DailyPaint Works. 

The first instruction was to create a black and white sketch before beginning the painting that divides everything into either pure white light, or a solid black Heart of Darkness. Easier said then done!

Instead of sketching my Notan by hand as instructed, I took my original photo into Photoshop, and used the threshold adjustment tool to experiment with the light and dark patterns. Once I was happy with the resulting patterns, I printed it out, and tweaked a bit with a marker to further eliminate any remaining mid-tone values still visible. 

Next, I used the study as a guide for the painting being careful to keep all the colors in their preassigned places. I am happy to report, they minded just like little kids on their first day of school. I was pleased with the result. Pretty cool technique! 

Thanks for strolling by today. 

nancy
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SOLD -Focus Pocus

"Focus Pocus" 6x6" oil on gessobord

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"Dreams form the bristles of the artist's brush. And, as the eye functions as the brain's sentry, I communicate my inner most perceptions through art, my world view. In trying to probe beyond the ordinary and the known, I create an interior infinity."

 — Arshele Gorky

My husband came up with the title for this painting of our daughter, Brandy, and granddaughter, Juliet. They were sitting on an outside deck ordering lunch at the Oasis on Lake Travis in Austin, TX. Brandy is trying her best to interest Juliet in the menu, however, Juliet is having nothing to do with food or the attempts. Daydreaming, she is off in a world all her own, with visions of princess fairies dancing in her head, or at least that would be my guess? 

Being myself a closet daydreamer, I know so well, Juliet's far off stare. In fact, I was forever in trouble with the nuns at St. Peter's Elementary for staring out the window during class, lost in a mysterious and illusive interior world, I was always being lured off to the fleeting playground that beckoned.

I believe artist's are called in a special way, beyond the visible, to taste and see that which shines through the heart. It's there we recognize, express and share of the silent invisible bounty. Without access to this hidden interior landscape, beauty has a very hard time finding us.

St. Francis of Assisi said, "Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks, and serve him with great humility," I think this especially applies to artists. 

Thank you for turning your focus here today. 

nancy

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SOLD -Future Pro

"Future Pro", 6x6" oil on gessobord

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"Let us nourish beginnings. Not all things are blest, but the seeds of all things are blest."

— Muriel Rukeyser

Heads up! This is my grandson, Max, getting his first golf lesson from my very patient and loving son-in-law, Jason. Taking the time to share what we love may not seem like a big deal, but you never know what an impact it might have on another person's life. 

In the book The Art of Life, author Sister Joan Chittister says, "What gets nourished within us can very well determine what we will become." I can still remember coming home from kindergarten with a finger painting of a clown, and the surprise and delight I felt when my mom got really excited over it. She told me I was going to be an artist one day. As one of nine kids, getting acknowledged with that much attention from my parents was rare. In fact, half of the time they couldn't call us by the right name without reciting the entire litany of sibling's names first. However, to this day, I truly believe it was this early seed of affirmation that put my foot on the path to becoming an artist.

"Every human act is an act of nourishment for someone." Mentors have another awesome gift for planting seeds. Theirs is a language of love. Be it a thought, an idea, a skill, or talent, a love, or a passion, it must be shared and passed on or it dies on the bud.

What mentors have had an impact in your life? There have been many in mine and I am so grateful to each and every one, for a part of them now lives in me.

Thanks for swinging by today. 

nancy

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Fruition

"Fruition" 6x6" oil on canvas panel

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 "We like things to manifest right away, and they may not. Many times, we're just planting a seed and we don't know exactly how it is going to come to fruition. It's hard for us to realize that what we see in front of us might not be the end of the story."

— Sharon Salzberg

I haven't painted a still life in a while and wanted to get some practice but struggled with this one for a week trying to get it to come together.

Ever wonder why artists choose to paint the subject matter they do when they do? It's interesting to me how sometimes after I've finished a painting only then do I recognize a subliminal connection to something manifesting in my personal life. 

As an example, last Thursday was one of those days when I wished I had a clone; my plate was full. First my oldest daughter was in one hospital 40 minutes away having her gall bladder removed, while at the very same time one of my little plum-of-a-granddaughters was having her tonsils removed at another hospital. All the while my youngest daughter—now a nine month overripe peach—sat patiently waiting anticipating her first fruit to arrive. It's a good thing I'm strong like a tower of glass, all I could do was stand guard over my flock.  

Is it just me, or do you also see the personification in this not-so-still life?

Thanks for paying a visit today.
nancy

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SOLD -I'll Be Your Best Friend

"I'll Be Your Best Friend" 6x6" oil on gessobord

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"People teach their dogs to sit; it's a trick. I've been sitting my whole life, and a dog has never looked at me as though he thought I was tricky."

 —Mitch Hedberg

This sweet little face doesn't belong to me but when I saw the photo of a friend's Shih Tzu, I knew I had to pull out all paints for a puppy portrait. 

Man's best friend teaches us the meaning of perfect trust, loyalty, faithfulness and unconditional love. Our dogs seem to love us even more than we love ourselves asking nothing in return except a little scratch behind the ears, or better yet, on the old rump.

What is it about dog's eyes that are so profound? It's as if somewhere inside there's a trapped human with all the answers. If it's true all dogs go to heaven, my chihuahua is going to have some serious questions to answer such as: Why do you have to circle around and around before you finally lay down? On walks, what's up with the OCD sniffing...it's just grass!!! Why do you think you have the right to sleep under the covers with your legs stretched out at a 90 degree angle taking up half my bed, and then growling at me when I turn over? Why do you rub your neck over and over into the sidewalk...Hello, there's nothing there! And by the way, what was the purpose of that tail?

Seriously, dogs are a total blessing to the entire human race. I believe they were created to be an integral part of families. However if you have small children in the house beware, Erma Bombeck said, "When a child is locked in the bathroom with water running and he says he's doing nothing but the dog is barking, call 911." 

Thanks for walking by again today and treating me with your presence.

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Wonderstruck

"Here's Looking at You Kid" 10x8" oil on gessobord

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"It does take a certain measure of humility to be wonderstruck. At the same time, though, it is the highest form of intelligence, because there my reason opens up to the mystery." — Aristotle

If you've seen one sunflower, you've seen them all. Sadly, this becomes the undefining of life; turning life into a short list of categories rather than expanding into an endless list of awe inspiring coincidences and surprises.

We rush from here to there, from one obligation to the next, from one commitment or necessity to another, never aware of all the little things we pass by day after day that never get seen or acknowledged. Instead of being revealed and delighted in bit by bit for the little slivers of mystery and beauty they are, life gets converted into one vast blurry golden field we zoom pass at 70 miles per hour never getting noticed nor experienced. 

Stop whatever you are doing right now...slam on the brakes... see the one golden sunflower among the masses. Each blossom a transient sliver, struggling in a field packed among a myriad of other dark round faces, crushed by the weight, yet each one as unique and miraculous as the next. Quick! Grab a hold of one, look into its eyes before it dissolves into the past. See it's beauty, feel its strength, hope and sheer willpower to survive as it stretches to join its source.

"To see one blade of grass at a time rather than a mountainside of green makes every element of life important." 

— Sister Joan Chittister, Benedictine nun, from The Art of Life, Monastic Wisdom for Every day Life.

Thank you for slowing down to smell my sunflower today!
nancy

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I'll Be Watching You

"I'll Be Watching You" 10x8" oil on gessobord

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"Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life" — Jackie Robinson

The subject of this painting was taken from another photo along the River Walk in San Antonio. As I happened upon the scene, I noticed this artist painting in front of the historic Little Church of la Villita (built in 1879) totally oblivious to the passing tourist who paused to watch the artist observe and paint the church. So now here you are, pausing to view the painting of what I was seeing while watching the tourist, watch the painter, watch the church. Watching is addictive!

Yogi Berra said, "You can observe a lot just by watching." From infancy we learn by watching and imitating. Caught in a web of interdependency, we're all watching someone or something outside of ourselves. 

One of the most bizarre premises of quantum theory, which has long fascinated philosophers and physicists, states that when a beam of electrons is observed, by the very act of watching, the observer affects the observed reality. Hmm, I'm not a physicist but on a grander scale would this imply that when an artist is being observed the artist and the art are impacted? Is this why art styles and visions are so unique? 

Dave Chappelle said, "the hardest thing to do is to be true to yourself, especially when everybody is watching." Watched or unwatched, never doing the doing is the greater concern. If you've been yearning to explore your inner artist, don't wait another minute, pick up that brush or pencil today and paint in reckless abandon like nobody's watching. 

I do hope you'll keep watching my work. 

nancy
_____________________________________________________
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SOLD -Bridges of Bexar County

 

"Bridges of Bexar County" 10x8" oil on gessobord

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"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment."— Jim Rohn

The River Walk is a public park consisting of a network of walkways, along the banks of the San Antonio River, that wind and loop one story beneath approximately five miles of downtown San Antonio. The viaduct passes under numerous limestone footbridges which connect the parallel sidewalks lined with cypress trees, restaurants, shops, hotels, bars and restaurants. Today's painting features one of the bridges in a small section of the thronged passageway of tourists.   

If you stop and think about it bridges are pretty remarkable, the subject matter of photographers, musicians, artists and movies. You can build bridges, travel under, or cross over a bridge when you come to it. You can wear a bridge, whole or partial; or simply be a bridge. Sea captains issue orders from bridges, and glasses sit squarely on top of them. But in London, do beware, bridges reportedly are "falling down." You can burn bridges, play bridge, bridge gaps—or if your daring—jump off a bridge. Danielle Steel said, "Sometimes, if you aren't sure about something, you have to just jump off the bridge and grow wings on your way down." 

Perhaps this has taken a bridge too far, yet bridges perform such thankless tasks of uniting opposing sides; they stand at perpetual attention, forever frozen in time like stoic soldiers holding up their end of some unwritten oath of allegiance to support and connect lives.

Thanks for crossing my path today. Go build bridges.
nancy
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SOLD -Hike Every Mountain

"Hike Every Mountain" 10x8" oil on gessobord

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"Obstacles are put in your way to see if what you want is worth fighting for." 

—www.livelifehappy.com

This painting was taken from a photograph of my friend Angela while hiking in Santa Fe. She made it to the top of the hiking trail and was caputred enjoying the surrounding vista. 

I've had the photo of her for over a year, but was afraid to tackle it. To my surprise, I am actually happy with the resulting painting and feel like I captured her adventuresome spirit. 

This girl's quite the stud muffin, not only does she swim circles around me, she recently walked 25 miles—as in one day—to raise money for Children's Cancer Research. Today's her birthday...so if you happen upon this post...happy birthday, Angela!

To other viewers, I hope you will challenge yourself to do what ever it is that you've been procrastinating over for fear of failure. Life is way too short, climb every mountain and cease the moment...it's a gift!

P.S. My sister Barb sent me the quote for today. It sure fit nicely.

Thanks for viewing.  

nancy

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SOLD -Sunflower Power

"Sunflower Power" 6x6" oil on gessobord

"From the center of my soul, a flower grows inside me, A love that makes me whole, a budding love that sets me free."  — Marilyn von Waldner

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What is it about sunflowers that affectionately make me smile? Perhaps it's the rough weathered brown faces on these tough old broads as they fearlessly take on the sun in marathon staring contests. Herculanean towers of strength, they pose in stately composure bending only for an occasional breeze. Obviously sunflowers are all females adorned in such frilly bonnets; no guy I know would be caught dead in such an ostentatious display of color.

These wild hot spots of yellow and crimson are golden treasures which can be seen sprinkled across empty verdant fields, or found alongside an occasional fence post. Donning all-knowing, scarecrow-like smiles, they joyfully offer up their seeds to hungry birds and frantic field mice. 

At the end of a day—if you get really quiet and listen very closely—you can sometimes even hear these glowing beauties chanting ever-so-softly in a chorus of perpetual praise. 

I hope your day is just a bit brighter...thanks for popping up today.

nancy

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SOLD -Lady in Waiting

"Lady in Waiting" 8x10" oil on gessobord

"Love is always bestowed as a gift - freely, willingly, and without expectation. We don't love to be loved; we love to love."—Leo Buscaglia

I wanted to share a recent painting of my youngest daughter, Allie. She's all grown up now, married, and so excited to be expecting their first baby in August. 

For this painting, I worked from photos I took of her sitting in the dappled light filtering through the trees beside my garden. I intentionally wanted the design to echo the gentle nurturing curve of her protruding belly throughout the painting. Curves can be found in the lines of the deck edge, in her hat, chair, bushes, in the bend of her knee, wrist, neckline of her dress, lips, folds of the shawl, and shoulders. 

As you probably guessed, this painting is not for sale; I gave it to her at the baby shower today. 

Thanks for coming by, I should have offered you a glass of lemonade. 

 

nancy
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SOLD -Sand Pipers

"Sand Pipers" 8x8" Oil on gessobord

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"Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies."

– Aristotle

After spending the past month caring for my best-friend husband from a total-knee replacement—which left me zero time to pick up a brush— I'm back in the saddle again! Whoo-hoo...now that's freedom!

Feeling like a fish out of water, thought I'd dive right in with a beach scene. Today's painting is of Marion and Allie, girlfriends sitting side by side on the cusp of ocean's edge. This scene was very late in the day as a drooping golden sun captured them exploring in silence the mystery of sand and hermit crabs in complete abandonment. 

Friends laugh with us, cry with us, accept us as we are, even when we make mistakes. Friends walk beside us through it all. Albert Camus had this to say about friends, "Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend."

Thanks to all for "walking beside me" and my paintings.

nancy
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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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Graceful Grazer

"Graceful Grazer" 16x20" Oil on stretched canvas

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"Horses make a landscape look beautiful."

—Alice Walker

Horses are so beautiful...they don't even look real. This landscape had little redeeming value, but this stepper totally charmed me.

I came across this beauty while searching for a place to park at Old Town Spring. This is a 1900s historic railroad town featuring antiques, galleries, gift/specialty shops and restaurants, located not far from where I live. 

I stopped there briefly over St. Patrick's Day weekend while the whistle-stop was crammed full of tourists. I had to park way in the back on a field near the railroad tracks. As I was getting out of my car, I looked up and was stopped dead in my tracks by this graceful creature grazing in a small pasture behind a little cabin/house. I'm lucky I didn't get shot walking around—basically trespassing—to snap some photos. Oh well, what's life if it's not a daring adventure? I had to take a chance, or miss an opportunity that might never trot my way again. 

Thanks for please not turning me over to the authorities. :  )

nancy
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