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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

Eloise

4/17/2014 4:13:32 PM | By Nancy Paris Pruden | Comment on this

Painting Portraits

As I mentioned last week, President George W Bush has taken up painting and according to his daughter, he is quite passionate about it! There is a show of his portraits at the Bush Library and among his paintings is one of Putin, which is not very flattering. I was reminded of the quote from the famous portrait painter, John Singer Sargent who said, " A portrait is a painting of a person with something wrong with the mouth." The mouth is quite difficult to paint; therefore, that is where the portrait painter finds his true humility. Still, I must applaud anyone who takes up painting, and although I am not a famous portrait artist, I do think I could help "W"s portrait painting. If you know him, please tell him I would love to hear from him.

The portrait above is my newest commission of a darling little girl, Eloise. I worked hard to add lots of texture to her dress and the background which I painted with a big brush and lots of paint. However, her face is painted in the "Old Master's Technique" using glazes over an underpainting which takes many layers to achieve. As a result her skin becomes luminous. In contrast, alas, Putin looks pretty flat...and pinched...and beady eyed...and pasty. Maybe "W" is a pretty good painter after all!

The Sound of Laughter

4/11/2014 12:13:48 PM | By Nancy Paris Pruden | Comment on this

The Sound of Laughter

Sometimes the beauty of a scene is not just something you can see with your eyes. On our week of Plein Air painting around Houston during Spring Break, we encountered many children who would normally be in school. At the Arboretum, along with the sound of frogs and the splash of turtles we listened while we painted, to the delightful sound of children laughing. I always take photos while painting and sometimes finish the study in the studio. This time I decided that as lovely as the pond was, the children playing gave an added charm. I hope you agree it was a good idea to include the children playing "Tag".

On another painting matter; I was delighted to see the news clip about George W. taking up painting! Yes, as Winston Churchill wrote in "Painting as a Pastime", It is never too late to seize a brush and canvas and "have a go!" You never know...it could become a passion for you as well.

Bayou Bend Gardens

4/3/2014 3:54:19 PM | By Nancy Paris Pruden | Comment on this

What Feeds Your Soul?

From time to time, for the benefit of myself and my students, I bring a Master Teacher to Houston. Last week Jeanne MacKenzie from Colorado taught a 4 day Plein Air Workshop here. I was responsible for finding and arranging locations around our fair city where 12 of us could paint all day. Some artists wanted the formal gardens of Bayou Bend, while some wanted the natural beauty of say the Arboretum. Still others argued the merits of the Japanese Gardens at Herman Park and some wanted to paint the skyline of buildings from Buffalo Bayou. Luckily this city has IT ALL but that brought up the question... What scenes feed your soul? In the middle of the city do you crave the wild country or the formal gardens? The energy of the big city, or a scene by a quiet river? Every day in a new location we were struck with how many people were out enjoying every part of our city! Made me proud to be a Houstonian! I'd say Houston feeds my soul!

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Eloise

The Sound of Laughter

Bayou Bend Gardens

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