Blog

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

Maddie at 1

2/23/2018 10:37:48 AM | By Nancy Paris Pruden | Comment on this

BABY LOVE

If you Google "The Science of Love" there are quite a few studies on the subject. Basicly, events occuring in the brain when we are "In Love" are similar to Mental Illness. There are different hormones involved in each stage, namely: 1. Lust, 2. Attraction and 3. Attachment. Lust is driven by the sex hormones, Testosterone and Oestrogen and they are what gets you out there to look for a mate. Attraction is the truly "Love Struck" phase which activates Dopamine (also activated by cocaine), Adrenaline, and Serotonin which actually makes us insane. To be "Crazy in Love" is no joke! Basicly we fall for the look and smell of our Loved Ones Genes. No wonder parents and grandparents can also go bonkers over their children and grandchildren! Attactment is the third and longest lasting stage which involves two more hormones: Oxytocin, which is released during childbirth and orgasam, cements the strong bond between mother and child and husband and wife. Last but not least is Vasopressin which is important in the longterm commitment stage. Obviously this has nothing to do with painting but while painting this sweet face of Maddie at One" I could feel all these hormones firing, Big Time! Thank Heaven for Mother Nature which sets us all up for Love...Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! Love is our destiny!

Love Under the Trees

2/23/2018 10:34:23 AM | By Nancy Paris Pruden | Comment on this

THE ART OF OBSERVING

It's interesting to notice in public places at how many couples are looking at their phones instead of talking to each other. However; in San Miguel, where most people can not afford a Smart Phone, you still see what we use to do instead. This couple sat holding hands and talking in the Jardin for an hour, taking no notice of anyone else, including me. It is the perfect opportunity to paint models, AND a small plein air painting is an ideal method. The idea is to capture their gestures as shapes in a composition of large and small colored shapes. The value of the plein air painting is to get down quickly the impression of life in an hour or so. Observation becomes a timed sport with a piece of art at the end. Hopefully this focused observation also heightens our understanding of the human beings we share this planet with. The idea that "All we need is Love" can be a much needed byproduct.

Georgie at 3

2/23/2018 10:28:29 AM | By Nancy Paris Pruden | Comment on this

COMMISSIONING A PORTRAIT

Georgina or "Georgie", is the youngest of 3 daughters in a delightful family I have come to know and admire. We started this project quite a few years ago with the oldest, Eloise, seated in her blue Christmas dress and somehow, she started a theme of coordinating the dress with the background. Their grandmother wanted to give her family and grandchildren a piece of Art that is also a memento of each child at the age of 3, after babyhood, but old enough to develope their own unique personhood. It has been a honor to work with this family and I don't mind telling you that I am bummed it is probably over. Each little girl has sat for me quite a few times in my studio, and each little person has her own special personality. The love surrounding this family is obvious from the way these children responded to me, the outsider, and each other. As Georgie left for the last time, she remembered where I kept the lollypops. "May I take one to my sisters as well?", she asked. She perfectly fits her name, "Georgina" which means funny, loyal, and friendly.

If you are interested in commissioning me to paint a portrait of your family, click on

"PORTRAITS" on my wedsite for more information.

From the Roof

2/2/2018 1:11:34 PM | By Nancy | Comment on this

NAWA SMALL WORKS SHOW; NY CITY

The National Association of Women Artists is the oldest women's fine art association in the country founded in 1889 with a membership that included Judy Chicago, Alice Neal, Mary Cassatt, and Janet Fish, just to name a few. They sponsor juried shows throughout the year and I was selected as one of 62 artists to appear in their 2018 Small Works Show at the NAWA Gallery in New York City. The show opens with a reception, Thursday, February 15 from 5-7 at the NAWA Gallery, 315 W 39th Street, Suite 508, New York City. WAH WOO!!! Naturally, I am Thrilled! If you are going to be in New York, please come by and see the show.

Umbrellas on the Patio

2/2/2018 1:06:40 PM | By Nancy | Comment on this

VALUE STUDY, PART 2

The month of January is always a good time to evaluate your artistic progress and make goals for the coming year. Composition has always been a challenge so that is a good place to start. Last week we analized how to move the eye around the canvas with your light pattern and this week let's revisit the underlying structure of the design. Dividing the picture plan into large and small areas excites the eye and avoids the pitfall of equal amounts of dark and light. Diagonals are another way to break up static designs and these can lead you to the focal which should be in the lightest area. Also, it is a good idea to avoid placing the focal in the center of the picture plane. In this little plein air painted last summer in San Miguel, the morning light creeping over the patio wall and falling on the sun umbrellas caught my eye. The light fell strongest on the first umbrella so that became my focal. Note that this light is in the upper third of the composition and the diagonal lines on the floor lead you to it. I included a corner of the swimming pool, the roof line, and moved the chair to reinforce these diagonals. The door stop in the lower shadow area was just a happy accident. Now if I could just simplify...

(Below is painting in B&W to better see value pattern)

Coming Home

2/2/2018 12:59:10 PM | By Nancy Paris Pruden | Comment on this

COMING HOME

Seeing abstract value patterns, not just the literal subject, is one of the first and most difficult things for an artist to learn. The painting above is a very simple composition but the underlying value pattern can be easily seen if you break it down to black and white and turn it upside down. Usually the darks define the underlying structure but in this case the lights work overtime. The eye enters with the highest value contrast of the light flowers which then leads you to the curving road which would end with the cows if it were not for the light horizon line which draws you back over to the darkest tree in the opposite corner. Your eye might end there but the diagonal light in the break of the tree leads you back into the picture plane. This light drops the eye back down into the light of the road. The whole idea is to get you to linger in the scene which is another veiw of Hollee's Farm, (one of my favorite places to paint!) Hopefully this gives you a better idea of what is going on in an artists mind.

(Value study in B&W upside-down)