This is an introduction to my art blog. I have wanted to do this for a long time because between commissions and large gallery paintings I do little oil Sketches of ideas for future paintings or just small things of beauty that strike me at odd moments. Because I paint every day, after a while, these little canvases add up. So I thought I would share them with you. I will be sending them out about every week or two. If you enjoy them, please forward them to friends on your email list. If you do not want to be bothered, no problem just cancel the blog.

So, please consider joining my weekly newsletter.

Thanks, Nancy Paris Pruden

Longhorn Teenager

Reflective Light; Another Example

Last week I talked about reflective light and here is another example. This longhorn teenager parked himself under a shade tree last summer at a friend’s ranch and I took a photograph. There were orange leaves at his feet bouncing up on his neck and cool blues and purples from the dense shade of that oak tree reflecting onto his torso. To top it all off, a bright yellow sun shining through the tree picked up the green of the leaves to reflect chartreuse on his head! Sometimes nature is so colorful you can’t believe it.

Art is an apprenticeship that can be stretched into a lifelong education. The more I look at nature the more color I see. How about You?

Gardenia for a Mother

Reflective Light

As you know I love to paint white objects because it is easier to see all the colors that will bounce into say, a white flower. And anyway, in nature, nothing is really white. This gardenia has a slightly yellowish cast and when you shine a warm light on the translucent petals it casts a yellow light where the light shines through. Second, in the shadow areas you will see color reflections of other objects closest to the white petals. Finally, you will also pick up the background color as it reflects into the flower.

However; the real reason I painted this flower is as a gift to some Mother out there. So, if you’re a mother, please email me right away and I will give this to the first mother I hear from. Happy Mother’s Day!

PS If you’re too late, do not dispair, I painted two and the second one might be better!

Texas Farmhouse

In a Field of Wildflowers

The wildflowers in Texas, after the drought, were magnificent this year! Once the rains came it was like an explosion of color. At Hollee’s Farm, the Bluebonnets, Indian Paint Brush, and these small yellow flowers did not disappoint. Does anyone out there know what to call these pale yellow wildflowers? They look like small yellow Daises but they close up at night and their faces follow the sun like a Sunflower. This year I hauled my paints to the top of a hill so I could look back at Hollee’s lovely old farmhouse in this field of wildflowers. The orange spots of color are actually dead cedars from the drought but now they are beautiful! Isn’t nature colorful?

I love this quote from “The Diary of Anne Frank”…” The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature, and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes people to be happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, I know that there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”

Wildflower Pond

Texas Wildflowers

Plein air painting is a challenge. The sun is changing, the bugs are swarming and sometimes biting, clouds move in or out, you forgot your favorite brush, your turpentine spills, the wind blows over your umbrella and the back of your legs are sunburned. So WHY DO WE DO IT???? This is the 5th year the Painting Class has gone to our annual “Painting and Sleep-over Extravaganza” at Hollee’s Farm and everyone was saying how much easier it is after 5 years of practice. How would we ever know what color the pond really was at 10:00 AM on April 10th at this Texas farm if we weren’t there? Photographs don’t really tell you. To an artist, this is important! The wildflowers are so pretty it’s nice to throw in that murky browny green color to steer the painting away from being just too sweet, know what I mean?

Parrot Tulips

28″ x 22″

Texas & Neighbors Award Recipient

I was thrilled to be given “First Place” in the Oil Division at the Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas,& Louisiana Regional 2012 Art Exhibit….. YAHOO!!!! However; after having gone to two Art Exhibits this weekend, I can honestly say, that this art competition business is very subjective. I saw so many fabulous painting that got NO recognition… there is a lot of good work out there! So I will continue to know that we are all only as good as our last painting. I’ll try again tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Cows in the Hills

Available at: The Gallery at Round Top

Two Texas Shows

This weekend I will be gallivanting all over the state of Texas for two prestigious art shows. The Gallery at Round Top is hosting a National Competition called “Dwellers of the Land” with an opening and awards show on Saturday, April 21 from 4:00 to 8:00. I have 2 paintings accepted in the show ; “Burro” and “Cows in the Hills”. On Sunday, April 22 I will fly to Dallas for the “Texas and Neighbors” show which includes New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. That will be at the Irving Art Center and the awards ceremony is from 2:00 to 5:00. I have been told that I will have a cash award at that show and the painting is “Yellow Parrot Tulips”. If you are in either neighborhood, please come by and say Hello!

Bouquet from Above

Bouquet for Cindi

We lost a special friend this week who loved flowers. She always wore jewel like colors and her home looked like Spring with flowered chintz on sofas and curtains. Her personality was as sunny as her home and she loved nothing better than to entertain friends. She was generous, gracious and kind and also lots of fun! Cindi will be mightily missed by all who knew her.

The Ascension of Jesus

He Is Risen!

This 8 feet tall by 60″ wide painting has been my Lenten project. I got this commission to paint an alter piece for a catholic church just before Christmas and it has turned into a prayer. “Dear Lord, help me do this justice!” Painting is very mediative so to be painting Jesus this time of year is truly a blessing. Yesterday I repainted the white robe and added more color but it is so subtle it does not show up that much in the photograph. If the value remains the same you can push the color and it appears richer in the finished piece.
I hope everyone has a Happy and Blessed Easter!

Burro

Available at: The Gallery at Round Top

National Art Competition at Round Top

The Gallery at Round Top is hosting a National Competition called “Dwellers of the Land” with an opening and awards show on Saturday, April 21 from 4:00 to 8:00. I have 2 paintings accepted in the show ; “Burro” and “Cows in the Hills”. This year the bluebonnets are spectacular, so I hope many of you will take to the roads to see Texas wildflowers and while your out , please stop by the charming town of Round Top! The Gallery is located on the historic square and represents many wonderful Texas artists as well as yours truly, so do try to make it!