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A few years ago, I participated in a Plein Air competition in Schulenburg, Texas, and one rainy afternoon, we went inside to capture this Painted Church. The German and Czech immigrants painted these churches in the 1800s and early 1900s to remind them of the grand churches of their homeland. The need for Mystery and Beauty seems to be universal, and there is no better place to experience it than Christmas time at church! The building, the service, the music, and the gathering of family and friends give a warm glow to all who share the collective experience, and I look forward to this gift of time and love the church offers during this season. I hope everyone will take a moment to enjoy their own favorite place to worship. There is still much good news in the world!

Happy Holidays! Nancy

Once again, I was honored to receive a commission to paint a family momento. The oil painting is from a small photo of "Jingle Bells", a childhood pony. He was a gift from an uncle to his nephew when the family moved to Houston many years ago. The little boy needed a friend, and I understand Jingle Bells was a great comfort to him when his parents divorced. Horses are known to be used in healing therapy, so this pony was his support animal. I hope I conveyed "Jingle Bells'" sweet nature. The photo I was given was an old Polaroid, and the original composition I found quite moving. The pony looked small next to the red barn, almost dead center in the square format. The shadow on the barn played well with the texture of the grasses and hay in the foreground, so for once I decided not to change a thing. I want to thank the family for allowing me to recreate this memory.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

After returning from my most recent trip to the Kerrville area, I wanted to quickly paint a larger version of the plein air I did just before the "Big Storm" a month ago. Nature can be so dramatic! I did not want to forget the feeling I had while standing on top of that hill with the wind whipping around me and the clouds flying by. The light-throwing spotlights flicked across the tree and the landscape, and the whole experience was awe-inspiring! In the larger painting, I was able to give the sky its proper due, and I hope you agree it was a more complete example of the feeling I tried to convey. The trickiest part is to give the larger painting the same feeling of urgency as the plein air. There is nothing like thunder in the distance when you are on top of a hill to get one Focused! This scene deserved to be bigger!