nancy paris pruden::

My friend Sally called the other day to say she was going out of town for two weeks,and if I wanted, I could cut her roses while she was gone. IF I WANTED! I was over there with clippers the minute she left! There is nothing like home grown roses. First ,they are all different sizes and colors. Then some of the stems are delicate so the big blooms will artfully droop, and when they open up they remind me of a hussy. Personally, I am not a bud person. Give me those big full blown blooms any day. Boy have I had a good time these past two weeks. Therefore I am sending you a rose painting a week, just in time for Mother’s Day. This painting is bigger than usual; it’s 11″x14″ oil on canvas board.

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One morning I was walking in the neighborhood when I spotted this orange tree on someone I don’t knows front porch. I sun was shinning on it and it was so beautiful, I immediately wanted to paint it. However I thought it might be kind of cheeky to just plop down my easel on their front lawn and given the early hour equally bad to knock on their door, so I ran back and took a photo. Normally I do not like to paint from photographs, but when trespassing or when painting children it can’t be helped. I like this little study so well I’m doing a larger painting from this. It will be available at Harris Gallery in Houston in a couple of weeks.

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There are the nicest people who own La Posadita in downtown San Miguel! For the last 2 years they have opened their restaurant to my students and me at 9:00 AM on Sunday morning so we could paint on their 3rd floor patio. On one side is a magnificent view of the Jardin and the Cathedral, and on the other side is this mountain view. First we paint like crazy, listening to church bells, and then at 1:00 when the restaurant opens, we have a Margarita, guacamole,and a delicious lunch. Not a bad way to start the week!

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My grandmother was a brilliant Bridge player. She said it was good for her memory and she was sharp till the day she died. I think painting plein air is also terrific for memory. You have to remember where the light and shadows are over the 2+ hours you are painting.This little Painting was painted in the gardens at Rienzi on a sunny Sunday. That diagonal shadow on the ground became almost vertical ( not as interesting ) by the time I had finished and the light on the grass, statue and trees had completely changed direction! However, this was the way it looked when I was inspired to paint it.

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