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Dear Art Friends,
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 (see link below).
Thanks, Nancy Paris Pruden
Sam Houston Park Fountain
2/24/2016 8:37:02 AM | By Nancy Paris Pruden | 1 Comment
Sam Houston Park
On a corner of downtown Houston, facing Buffalo Bayou, but surrounded by tall buildings, sits a green oasis. Sam Houston Park was established in 1899 with an old mill, a stream and the Kellum-Noble House; originally used as a school house. Then in the 50's, with the formation of the Heritage Society, other old historic Houston buildings were added. Today there are 9 additional buildings from an 1823 cabin to a 1891 church. The buildings tell the story of Houston from the home of a freed slave to a mansion built by a wealthy Houston merchant in 1905. Houston has been built with little planning and no zoning, but luckily, groups like the Heritage Society do step in from time to time to save some of our history and green spaces. In some cases developers have planned green spaces like Greenway Plaza, River Oaks, the Museum district and the Heights. Luckily, city planners are now doing more to set green spaces aside as our population inside the Loop continues to grow, but to switch from a car based to a walking-public transit urban city will be quite a challenge. However; if we don't, our city will continue to develop as a sea of traffic and parking garages. How many of us uses the bus system today? Believe it or not, our public transit system has gotten really good! Busses are on time, coordinated, and there is an App to tell you when the next bus or train is coming! Why not give it a try? You might be pleasantly surprised!
"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
Rienzi Statue
2/18/2016 6:09:38 PM | By Nancy Paris Pruden | Comment on this
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Rienzi Statue
This week I have another view of the same Rienzi Gardens. As I said, Rienzi is a favorite place to paint, not the least of which is that the staff is so nice and accommodating. Driving around the city looking for gardens makes you sensitive to the many parks and green spaces we do have in Houston. One garden however, the much touted new Rose Garden in Hermann Park, I found disappointing. Surely it is only because it hasn't had time to mature, but I found it devoid of shade in our hot climate with many spiky-leaved plants that did nothing to cool and restore spirits. Climbing up the spiral dome concrete walkway was hot and a grind, even in February! When you reached the top you were rewarded with a view but no resting place out of the sun. A concrete waterfall spilled into a concrete reflective pool facing a building down a long alle built out of steel , again with no shade. I would love to know what your thoughts are on this multi-million dollar McGovern Centennial Park in our fair city.
On another note, if you have a garden you would like me to paint please email me. I would love the opportunity to create in your "Secret Garden"!
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Gardens for Valentines
2/14/2016 7:29:50 PM | By Nancy Paris Pruden | Comment on this
Secret Gardens
In honor of Valentine's Day I thought it might be fun to start a series of Garden Paintings. I love the idea of a quiet place with dappled light, a fountain splashing, birds flitting through the trees, maybe sculpted boxwoods, and no one else there. The perfect place to set up your easel and enjoy your own thoughts. When I was a young mother, I often took the children in search of just such a place..."Maybe where fairies live...just behind those ferns...shhh...if you are real quiet, They might come out!" We found this "Secret Garden" at Rienzi, one of the less traveled properties of the MFA here in Houston. I have returned many times and encourage you to go as well. It is lovely now with the Tulip trees in bloom, but will only get better as Spring unfolds. An ideal place to take your Sweetheart! Happy Valentine's Day!
Oak at Sunrise
2/9/2016 7:41:26 AM | By Nancy Paris Pruden | Comment on this
Take Yourself Seriously
As a child I was taught not to take myself too seriously, which I think is fairly common for many in my generation. After all, with the turmoils of the 60's, those who really thought they could make a difference and took themselves seriously ended up in jail or worse. Now, as I approach the last quarter of my life, I realize what a huge mistake it is to continue to act on that premise. If there was ever a time that everyone's actions matter, it is now, with our planet in such jeopardy! Artists have a vision unique to each of us but only if we take that vision seriously. Don't just copy another's vision, create your own! I stood in this field at dawn and saw the sun come up over the hill, bathing that tree with golden light. Nature moved me that morning and I want to share that with you. What in Nature has moved you? Isn't it important to honor how you experience your world? I am not suggesting everyone has to paint nature to honor it. Appreciation for our world can take many forms. Find ways you can use your unique gifts and Take That Seriously!
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