Nancy Colella: Simply Painting

Risky Composition

2012-01-28T12:37:00.000-05:00

I took a risk with this one,

by putting almost the entire subject

into one quarter of the composition.

"Facing the Sun"

20 x 20

But, I wanted to portray

that feeling of "vastness" you get at the beach,

so I made the sky the biggest shape

(and broke it up with the wires

to make it more interesting)

I'd love to hear if you think it worked or not!

* For those followers out there who do not know how to leave a comment,
you need to click on the name of the blog in the e-mail,
then scroll down the blog to the
end of the post and click on "comments"

Storefront

2012-01-26T15:48:00.000-05:00

The GJWP Challenge this month is

"Storefront"

Of course, I chose a restaurant,

because that is my favorite kind of "store"!

The Mile Post

6 x 6

The Mile Post is a quintessential New England tavern in Duxbury, MA.

They have a great menu, fabulous food and staff

that has been working there for years.

It's one of our favorite spots!

More Trees

2012-01-23T17:22:00.000-05:00

This was inspired by a recent post of Laura Daniels,

her stunning painting of a path in the woods.

I'd had the image for this in my

"pictures to paint" file since last fall.

I wanted to simplify it as much as I could

and still get the sense of light,

so I made everything around the yellow leaves

darker and cooler.

"Peeks of Light"

6 x 8

"Rows of Trees"

2012-01-20T18:52:00.000-05:00

Rows of trees have always been a favorite subject of mine.

I think it's the contrast of the horizon with all the verticals.

A few weeks ago I saw this scene and pulled over to get an image of it.

Today, I did this quick simplified version, making

it all about that afternoon winter light on those gorgeous tress.

"Standing Tall"

6 x 8

While organizing my studio recently,

I came across this photo of the

very first oil painting I ever sold!

(1993)

"Four Trees" 6 x 8 oil

Sold for $75!

I've become a better painter since then,

but clearly I'm still attracted to the same subject matter!

Side Note: This is a terrible image of a glossy photo

as this was before we had digital cameras!

The real thing was much better.

"The Original Attraction"

2012-01-18T18:01:00.000-05:00

This was going in all the wrong directions for a while.

Nothing was working together and I got lost.

Then I remembered two things I learned from Jared Clackner

at a workshop years ago.

Number one, "When you don't know what you are doing, stop."

So I put it away for a few days.

"We're Out Back"

12 x 16

His other one was;

"Make the thing that attracted you to the scene in the first place,

what the painting is all about."

In this case, it was that warm lit area behind the house drawing me in.

So, when I went back at it, I adjusted all the values to make that stand out

and I think it worked.

I rarely go in and try to save bad paintings,

but I'm glad I stuck with this one.

Prepping for Classes

2012-01-14T09:48:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I starting preparing for the 6 week painting class

I will be teaching at the South Shore Art Center next month.

I'm working on some new exercises to try out and thought I would try Carol Marine's

DPW "Change the Color Challenge"

I set up real simple still life.

Then did a value study in burnt umber.

Then painted "made up" colors, but kept them in the same value.

This is a great lesson!

It reinforces my favorite quote:

"Value does all the work,

Color gets all the credit."

Someone wrote to me and suggested that that applies to "life" as well.

Well, yes. It does.

Another one for the "Series"

2012-01-12T17:36:00.002-05:00

I did another quick 5 x 7

for my
"Where I Live"
series today

The winter sunlight on our white clapboard house

always thrills me.

I love working on this smooth black surface with synthetic brushes

Surprises happen.

Like those trees!

Other news: Be sure to check out my other blog
to see the demo Sally Dean did yesterday for the Alzheimer folks!

This time of year

2012-01-10T21:18:00.001-05:00

Early nights. Eating right.

It's all good, but what I appreciate the most about this time of year

is getting to spend long hours in the studio.

I've been channelling a favorite artist, Tim Horn lately

so when I found this image today,

I decided to make getting the values of
warm light in cool shadows

the challenge of the day.

Come For Lunch!

16 x 20

What better way to spend a winter afternoon?

I was having caprese salad, chicken paillard, and a crisp California chard

under that umbrella.

Inspiration Close to Home

2012-01-09T10:11:00.001-05:00

I've had six small 5 x 7 panels toned with flat black

"ready to go" for a while now.

My idea was to paint them as a series,

abstractly and loosely based on one subject,
as an exercise of sorts.

I spotted this stand of trees with the late afternoon on it

outside my studio today,

and got inspired to just start!

Top of the Hill

5 x 7

Toward the Neighbors'

5 x 7

Great fun and a great exercise!

Right here in my own back yard!

Day of Epiphany

2012-01-07T01:00:00.007-05:00

I was always told that all holiday decorations

should come down by January 6, the day of Epiphany.

The only thing I will miss are the candles in the windows.

They give the house such a warm glow and I love the light.

To ward off that feeling of sudden darkness,

I did this painting today.

"Winter Afternoon"

8 x 16

This was all about the late afternoon winter light.

And that brilliant marsh grass.

Looks like "light" is alive and well.

Even after January 6th.

"Overworking" Protection Plan

2012-01-05T18:05:00.000-05:00

Whenever I find myself overworking my paintings,

I force myself to do this exercise.

I mixed up piles of the correct values going from dark to light.

Then I use a #12 (inch and half wide) brush

to do the whole painting,

never allowing myself to paint over a stroke.

It forces me to be more decisive and to plan each stroke.

Brush handling and paint application come in to play.

NO noodling, dibby dabbying, titching,

fussing, going back over and over.

What ever you call it,

it doesn't make for good paintings.

(IMO)

Back to Work Warm Up

2012-01-02T14:01:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to be back at work!

I got some great reference material this weekend

for a series of beach paintings I'm planning.

To get warmed up I did this quick study.

Welcome 2012!

10 x 10

Then I realized I had done this exact scene,

facing the opposite direction

a few weeks ago!

Where the Road Turns

10 x 10

I think the poles and wires are great

composition elements.

Local Landmarks

2011-12-30T09:29:00.001-05:00

I have always been intrigued by the historic

architecture here in New England

and this wonderful gem is right here

in neighboring Marshfield.

The Colonel Isaac Winslow House 1699

6 x 6

It is described on the website as:

"a four square house, built around a gigantic chimney,

with fine high pitched roof

and an enclosed Portico in front,

with wide windows and unusual depth,

making an entrance hall.

The house is framed with “gun stock” timbers

conforming to the “first period Colonial”

except that it has no overhang to the second story."

The Girls Just Wanna Paint challenge this month

is "Local Landmarks"

Check out the new posts on our blog Jan.1st!

The Best Gift

2011-12-27T18:22:00.000-05:00

A few years ago, the art consultant

for the new Dana Farber Cancer Center

at the South Shore Hospital

purchased a dozen paintings of mine

to hang in the "chemo bays."

This is one of them:

"Stay"

8 x 10

A few days ago, I received this e-mail:

Dear Nancy,

My name is Sandra, and I just had my first chemotherapy treatment at the Dana Farber Cancer Center. I enjoyed your painting entitled STAY,,,of that lovely little dog! :))) As I sat in my chair, I watched your painting as the sun moved across it changing the colors and enhancing the brush strokes...from a bright early morning sun ...to late afternoon golden glow. I have been very sick

and have not been able to paint in a long time... it gave me hope and inspiration as well... It truly made my day and I just wanted to say Thank you Nancy :)

Needless to say, I could sell a thousand paintings

and it wouldn't mean as much as that.

Artist and life coach, Liz Wiltzen, says it all in her latest post.

Click here to read it.

A Sense of Place

2011-12-26T11:31:00.000-05:00

As a participating student in the Karin Jurick

field expedition to New York City last year,

the Sedona Arts Center invited me to

"choose a piece of work that exemplifies the "sense of place"

related to the expedition I experienced."

This was a scene right across the street from our class!

Outside the Guggenheim

8 x 10

(before)

I started this on the last day and didn't get to finish it.

So today I got out my KJ brushes and colors

and tweeked it.

Outside the Guggenheim

8 x 10

(after)

This will be part of the

"A Sense of Place"

exhibition at the Sedona Arts Center from Jan 25 - Feb 14

Winter Solstice Gift

2011-12-22T16:51:00.003-05:00

When I heard the forecast for today,

(52 degrees and sunny!)

I decided to celebrate the Winter Solstice

by painting outside!

Winter Solstice

10 x 10

(study)

A friend of mine has a dock on the magnificent

North River.
The walk to the end was breathtaking!

It was 3:00 and the sun was really low

making the light very purply and soft.

I had to work fast so I chose this simple view.

I was drawn to that dramatic light coming off

the wet mud at low tide.

Being out there today was such an incredible gift

and I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

Ironically, when I got home, a friend of mine

sent me this poem.

Serendipitous!?

The Peace of Wild Things
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds,
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

- Wendell Berry

Miracle of Birth

2011-12-19T12:27:00.000-05:00

The daughter of a very dear friend of mine had a baby boy
last Wednesday
and I got to hold him this weekend!

There is nothing like a brand new baby.

Baby Archer

6 x 6

I guess I will never get over the miracle of birth!

Hey! Isn't that what we are celebrating these days?

This was my first "baby portrait".

Yikes. The features are so delicate and soft,

it's hard to simplify!

Smart Solutions

2011-12-14T06:47:00.000-05:00

Many of my painting pals use acrylics

and they are always trying to find ways to keep the paint from drying out.

Sally Dean uses these small containers from the Dollar Store

in a tupperware tub.

She just snaps the lid on and goes!

Then I met Susan Guest McPhail and she uses an

extra large "weekly" pill box from Walgreens!

How prefect is that?

(I love how the days of the week are marked on the lids!)

Just thought I'd share these artists' smart solutions

with you acrylic painters out there!

"Working" Class

2011-12-12T18:59:00.001-05:00

The thing I love about teaching this

"Painting in an Hour"

class is that it "works" for everyone.

The eight artists

who invited me to give a class today

have been meeting every Monday for five years.
They are at all different levels and most of them use acrylics.

They are a truly dynamic and talented group

and I was thrilled to be with them today.

I set up a very simple still life

and used a spot light

(to exaggerate the lesson on VALUE!)

I did this quick demo using a large brush

and thick paint,

to lay in the big dark and light value shapes.

Then I set the timer and they were off!

The other four did this set up.

More wonderful results!

Incredible!
For most, this approach is totally different

from anything they have ever done before.
So during the critique at the end of the class
I like to ask if they will use what they have learned
next time they paint.
Most say yes without hesitation!

That is all I need to hear!
Many thanks to Susan Guest McPhail and
Judith Schroeter
for making this happen!

One Hour Warm Up

2011-12-11T15:42:00.000-05:00

I am going up to Essex, MA tomorrow to teach a

"Painting in an Hour" class.

Today I decided I'd better do a "warm up".

"T Travelers"

8 x 10

I chose a rather complicated subject because I

really wanted to challenge myself to work fast and loose.

These gals were amazingly relaxed while riding a very crowed train!

Clearly "regulars."

Routine out of order

2011-12-09T18:20:00.000-05:00

This time of the year is tough on artists.

Our routine is put out of order!

I, for one, have been working on commissions.

(which I enjoy but I get a bit stifled and cramped.)

I took today off and went to the Museum of Fine Arts

with some of my artist pals.

Stephanie, Sally, Patty

This is "Night", part of the two Night and Day larger-than-life sculptures

created by renowned Spanish artist Antonio Lopez Garcia.

The sculptures are fondly known as Boston's "baby heads."

We saw a lot of great art, had some laughs and got inspired.

I highly recommend viewing art

as an anecdote to the stress of the holiday season!

From Big to Small. And Back Again?

2011-12-05T18:56:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, I bought eight of these 5 x 7 frames at IKEA

with no idea what I was going to do with them.

Red Cape

5 x 7

I guess I was thinking of a series of some kind? Or gifts.

Today, I was curious to see what would happen if I took my

favorite "architecture in the landscape" subject,

and painted it SMALL!

(I have been doing them very large lately. See older posts)

So, I did this 5 x 7 on my Karin Jurick easel,

on black gesso board using synthetic brushes.

It was an interesting exercise.

I felt like a caged animal!
I wanted to "bust out!"
I think I need to do this as a 16 x 20 as soon as possible.

Girls Just Wanna Paint Opening

2011-12-03T15:45:00.000-05:00

We had an opening reception last night for the

Girls Just Wanna Paint

show at the James Library.

Over 80 paintings from 11 past "challenges" were grouped

together around the gallery.

We had quite a large crowd, sold 19 paintings

and everyone seemed delighted to learn about blogging!

Great job girls!

I feel so blessed to be part of such a dynamic and talented group of woman!

Getting in the Spirit

2011-12-01T06:40:00.000-05:00

It seems rather odd getting the holiday decorations out

when it's 65 degrees outside!

I was having a hard time "getting in the spirit" this week,

until I had my art class with the Alzheimer patients yesterday!

"Christmas Collage"
by Millie

I invite you to visit my other blog

"Patience with Patients"

to see the amazing work they do!

That will get you in the spirit, for sure!

Limoncello's

2011-11-28T16:10:00.000-05:00

I spent yesterday afternoon in the North End.

It was kind of overcast with hazy sunshine,

which made these yellow awnings just pop!

"Limoncello's"

16 x 20

I wasn't sure about including the cars,

but how can you do a painting of the North End

and not include cars!

Pure Joy!

2011-11-25T17:20:00.000-05:00

"Pure Joy"

6 x 8

The Girls Just Wanna Paint challenge this month is "JOY"

A young boy playing on the the beach, to me, embodies pure joy!

Meanwhile, the "Girls" are having a show of

previous challenge paintings

at the James Library

during the month of December.

The opening is this Fri

and it promises to be a magical affaire.

(over 80 paintings, 11 woman artists, and all their friends!)

Come by if you can!

To Grid or not To Grid

2011-11-21T15:49:00.000-05:00

After my recent post about

using a grid when painting larger,

many artists shared my concern that doing a grid

can stifle spontaneity and an intuitive approach.

I'm trying to avoid letting that happen.

Corner of N. Margin

16 x 20

(sorry about the glare)

Once I got the composition for this laid in, in the proper proportions,

I had a blast applying all those dark values

and playing with the paint application.

Knowing the drawing is correct is liberating!

I'm finding doing a grid an invaluable tool

with these larger architectural pieces.

Maybe not so much with landscapes and small still lives.

"Drive By Shooting" painting lesson

2011-11-19T08:22:00.001-05:00

I had the delightful opportunity to give a 27 year old woman

a private painting lesson last week.

She is a full time nurse who has a never painted before.

Her Work in Progress

I gave her what I call my "drive by shooting" painting lesson.

(Everything I know about painting in one three hour session!)

"Yellow Pepper"

8 x 10

by Sarah

She clearly "got it"and we had so much fun,

she's coming back for more!

"Up sizing" tips (and a critique!)

2011-11-15T13:34:00.002-05:00

There is a lot of buzz about painting bigger in the blogger world right now.

I've had inquires about tips I've learned

during my recent "upsizing".

The #1 one tool that has helped me the most is using a grid.

Example:

I did this 24 x 30 in 2008

"Weekly Rental"

24 x 30

I remember painting it free hand from an 8 x 10 photo.

Back then, I thought the awkward angles

and incorrect perspective gave it "character."

I wouldn't even attempt this now, without using a grid!

(once you get the drawing right, you can just have fun with the paint!)

#2 is to change up your equipment!

I cover a rolling kitchen cart with freezer paper to use for a pallet.

That way I can squeeze out a ton of paint and

use a big brush!

But really, the best tip I've heard along the way about painting bigger has been:

"Try it!"

News: This blog has just been given a critique by

Art. Blog. Critic.

"Independent critiques of artwork and artist blogs

to guide and inform the worldwide art-buying public

and the commercial art gallery industry"

(Click HERE to read)

You gotta love this guy!

What a concept.

And he's in Australia!

Glorious Fall

2011-11-13T17:41:00.000-05:00

"Glorious Fall"

10 x 12

We are having a glorious Fall in New England!

The colors are almost surreal.

I read somewhere that Ernest Hemingway

always wrote the first sentence to his next chapter

before leaving his typewriter for the day.

That way, he could be thinking about

what he was going to write next

the whole time he was gone.

I like to have my next painting mapped out on the easel

before I leave the studio for the day.

I did this before I left the studio last night.

That's what motivated me to get to it this afternoon.

I couldn't wait!

Cityscapes

2011-11-11T08:42:00.000-05:00

I've been spending a lot of time in the North End of Boston lately.

While walking down the narrow, bustling streets and alleys,

I noticed how the sunlight "pops" off all those brick buildings.

North End Peek

16 x 20

I rarely do cityscapes because I find "all that stuff" rather overwhelming!

I had to force myself to only focus on the big shapes here.

Tis the Season!

2011-11-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

Tis the season for "Small Works"

that make wonderful gifts.

This weekend the NRAS is hosting it's annual

Holiday Sale!

Check it out here.

Here are just a few of my pieces I've submitted

at very reasonable prices!

Three's a Crowd

8 x 10

$65!

Fall Goes Out with a Bang

9 x 12

$75!

Heading Out

8 x 10

$65

Stop by if you are in the neighborhood!

"Post Tweak"

2011-11-07T19:46:00.000-05:00

"A Cape"

24 x 30

Here is the painting I did on Saturday

"post tweak."

I adjusted the value of the right side of the house,

lightened some of the trees in the background.

Re-stated the door, and lightened the sky.
I feel much better about this now.

Note: This image was taken outside so the colors are much more true.

(The previous post image was taken using the light on my easel,

making it look too pink)

2011-11-05T19:32:00.000-04:00

I've moved "inland" (away from the beach)

and am now happily surrounded by

my other favorite subject:

quintessential rural New England.

"A Cape"

24 x 30

This one has been in my head for weeks,

so today I finally just did it.

If this were smaller, I'd leave it alone.

But I will go in and tweak this a bit.

Eeesh. That is where trouble can start!

I like the overall feel of this,

so I don't want to over work it!

2011-10-31T18:24:00.000-04:00

Where the Road Turns

12 x 12

I only had a few hours to spend in the studio today,

so I worked on this "smaller" painting.

I guess after my "Big Girl Painting" last week,

12 x 12 is small!

Still exploring the late fall light at the beach.

I have another 24" x 30" canvas

and a subject ready to go.

Now I just need a good long chunk of time to work on it!

Note: Be sure to check out the new posts on the

Girls Just Wanna Paint

blog!

Even Bigger!

2011-10-26T18:54:00.002-04:00

In keeping with my challenge to paint BIGGER,

last week I bought two 24 x 30 inch canvases.

(That's really BIG for me!)

"Communication"

24 x 30

Painting this big makes me feel like a "real" painter!

The bigger the painting, the more accurate it has to be,

so I took my time and planned ahead.

I wanted to put the strokes down and leave them,

like I do with smaller paintings.

It was hard not to go over and over again.

Like painting a house!

Note: I purposely left the pole in the middle of the composition

because I love to break rules.

It causes tension.

"The James"

2011-10-23T01:00:00.002-04:00

The Girls Just Wanna Paint challenge group
has been invited to have a show

at the James Library this December.

In preparation, our challenge this month is to paint

"The James".

The Steinway

6 x 8

(I archived the photo I used for this painting years ago

with the idea of painting it someday.)

The James Library is a very special place to me.

There are three floors, each dedicated to art, books, and music.

My three passions, thanks to my parents.

I asked my friend Ellen Mckenna,
the current board chair and music aficionado
for a little history of this beloved piano.

This is what she sent me:
"The Steinway grand piano at the James is a treasure. It was built in 1929,
and is a "B" model Steinway, larger than a baby grand by about 3 feet in
length. The James was lucky to acquire the piano from an amateur musician
who lived on the Cape. Towards the end of his life the musician wanted to
sell the piano to an organization that would treasure it and allow it to be
played in chamber concerts and recitals. Paul Rattigan, who took care of the
piano for the musician, was the contact who brought the James and the piano
together. A fundraiser was held by the James to raise enough money to
purchase the piano in 2000. Since that time it has been the focal point of
many wonderful concerts by both local and "celebrity" musicians. It has also
been played by countless lucky piano students during their piano lessons at
the James. Paul Rattigan continues to keep it in perfect playing condition. "

Our daughter took piano lessons on that piano.
I had my first showing of my art work there in 1996!
What a gift.

October Light

2011-10-21T15:11:00.002-04:00

October Light

12 x 12

I can't get enough of the light at the beach these days.

It's so dramatic!

I guess I'm storing up for those cold and dark winter days ahead.

Re-work an Old Painting

2011-10-18T07:23:00.000-04:00

I did this painting about a year ago.

I always thought it had potential

but the figures bothered me,

as did the lack of drama in the shadows.

"Beach Morning"

16 x 20

I took out the figures, darkened the shadows

and fooled with the sky.

I think the jury is still out on this one.

Demo at Copley Society Sat 1 - 3 pm

2011-10-14T11:42:00.000-04:00

I'll be doing a

"Painting in an Hour"

demo tomorrow from 1 - 3 PM in front of the

Copley Society
click here for more information

158 Newbury Street

Boston

I will set up a simple still life and

demonstrate how to say a lot with just a few well-placed strokes.

(I'll be in side if it's raining)

There will be refreshments!

Stop by if you are in town!

Still At It

2011-10-11T21:22:00.000-04:00

Painting these 16 x 20's is a real challenge,
and I'm enjoying it tremendously.

I've found that all the drawing necessary
to get the proportions correct tends to tighten me up,

so to then stay loose and spontaneous while painting is a struggle.
When working smaller,
I simply sketch in a "map"and start painting!
Bigger canvas's seems to require a grid, a ruler, and some patience.

Cottage Lane

16 x 20

Part of me wants to crop this in half vertically.

I like the smaller buildings on the right,
probably because they are smaller
and less fussy.

Cottage Lane

10 x 16

Big IS Better!

2011-10-09T09:19:00.000-04:00

"Weekender"

16 x 20

One more using a larger canvas.

On another note, yesterday a few of the

Girls Just Wanna Paint

gang painted at Kennedy's Country Garden

to help promote breast cancer awareness.

It was a wonderful event, a gorgeous Indian summer day,

and a great way to spend time with painting pals.

Scarecrow

8 x 10

There were scarecrows, pumpkins, mums, and plants galore!

Going Bigger

2011-10-07T16:38:00.002-04:00

For a while now, folks have been asking me why I don't paint bigger.

I think I've finally run out of reasons!
I found some old 16 x 20 toned stretched canvas panels,
2 #12 bristle brushes, and put out a lot of paint.

First "Big" Beach Peek

16 x 20!

I used a grid and mapped this very carefully.

The larger the painting the more accurate the drawing needs to be!

I found it hard to be loose and get enough paint on there.

This is a stretch for me, but I like this new set of muscles!

PS. I will be painting outside tomorrow (Sat) afternoon

at Kennedy's Country Gardens

on Rt 3 in Scituate with a few of the other

Girls Who Just Wanna Paint!

Stop by and say hello!

Two More Beach Peeks

2011-10-06T08:51:00.000-04:00

Outdoor Shower

8 x 10

In Between

8 x 10

This series has been great fun.

The light at the beach in the early fall is so brilliant,

it creates wonderful patterns of dark and light shapes

between the cottages.

Beach Peek #4

2011-10-04T07:57:00.000-04:00

Beach Peek #4

8 x 10

My goal in this series is to plan ahead, put down a stroke, and leave it alone.

I used one #8 bristle brush for this whole painting.

(Even the telephone wires!)

Beach Peek #3

2011-10-02T00:01:00.001-04:00

Here is the third one of the

"Beach Peeks"

series.

"Three in a Row"

8 x 8

Third of July

2011-09-27T11:35:00.001-04:00

This month the Girls Just Wanna Paint challenge is "FIRE".
Be sure to check out our entries on October 1!

On the 3rd of July, bonfires are allowed on Humarock Beach.

When those are lit and the fireworks begin

it's an amazing sight!

" Third of July "

6 x 8

Note: I did this on a gesso board toned with black

and started with the lightest lights.

Nocturnes are fun to do!

Kelley MacDonald, our GJWP founder, is presenting a talk about

daily painting and the blogging process

Thursday at the North River Arts Society.

click HERE to register.

Day Two of Workshop

2011-09-26T08:25:00.000-04:00

The last exercise of the workshop this weekend was to paint from photos.

I did a quick demo using a photo that one of the gals brought in.

It was a rather awkward composition,

but I wanted to show them how to simplify the figure down to big shapes.

I've discovered that the tools I present in this class,

are beneficial to both beginners and experienced painters.

They all managed to loosen up and "let go" a little

and the results were pretty amazing.

It was a great weekend and thank you to all who attended!

I am just thrilled about everything we accomplished!

Weekend "One Hour Painting" Workshop

2011-09-24T20:42:00.000-04:00

I have a great group of painters in my

"One Hour Painting"

workshop this weekend.

After reviewing the basic steps for this approach to painting,

I did this demo in about 20 minutes.

(to make my point!)

This is when most of us want to fuss

and we end up overworking it.

But the timer goes off and they have to

STOP!

Then we tackled the

Limited Stroke Exercise

(Which is the challenge this week on Daily Paint Works!)

Check it out here!

The results are great!

Look how much paint she still has left on that brush!

And she did that whole shape in one stroke!

(The sound effects during this exercise are priceless)

A New Series

2011-09-22T16:46:00.000-04:00

Beach Road

8 x 8

Today I did this as a start of a new series,

I think I'm going to call "Beach Peeks".

I've been enjoying the work of Dora Atwater Millikin,

a wonderful artist showing at the Walter Cunningham Gallery in Boston.

I love her flat shapes and how she "cuts in" to create her telephone wires.

Late Summer Sunshine

2011-09-19T20:28:00.000-04:00

Temperatures are dropping,
yet the sunlight is still so wonderfully warm.

"Laundry Day"
10 x 10

I'm so happy to see that folks are still taking advantage of that!

I exaggerated the values here in order to capture that harsh light.

Note:

I am thrilled with the results from the DPW challenge I posted this week!

Workshop Preparation

2011-09-16T18:57:00.000-04:00

I'm starting to prepare for my workshop next weekend.

Today I did a new "demo" for the

"Limited Stroke" exercise we will do.

(This may be the next DPW challenge so watch for it!)

I had a ton of paint left over (and about 15 minutes)

so I did this,

to see if the exercise works for painting from photos.

The jury is still out.

Will try again when I have more time.

House Sitting

2011-09-12T19:57:00.000-04:00

I spent the day today "house sitting" at a condo while work was being done.

I was planning to catch up on e-mails, order art supplies, research projects etc.

but I couldn't get the wireless to work.

Luckily, I had my painting gear in the car!

The Back Yard

8 x 16

I don't think I ever noticed this back yard before!

All those greens and big dark and light shapes!

The fence with the light coming through the slats

is what got my attention.

And the bright early September light.

PS. I still had a few hours to go so I spent them finishing

The Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland.

What an amazing story!

Emily Carr is my kind of woman!

Turned out to be a perfect day.

September 12, 2001

2011-09-11T17:04:00.001-04:00

The day after 9/11, I remember feeling very compelled to paint.

(I'm sure I needed a break from the TV and

"business as usual" was out of the question.)

I took a ride to the beach.

When I turned the corner at the ocean and saw this scene,

I pulled over and painted.

September 12, 2001

8 x 10

oil

The line of flags down the street at half staff took my breath away.

I was incredibly moved by being in that moment,

and will never forget it.

Clean Before You Shop!

2011-09-08T21:42:00.001-04:00

I had a long list of items I thought I needed to get ready

for my upcoming classes, workshops, and shows.

In the interest of re-cycling and simplifying my life,

I decided to thoroughly clean and organize the studio

before shopping.

My Work Bench

Turns out, I found everything I thought I needed

(and then some!)

A few new panels and some brushes will do it.

NOTE:

I thought about Carol and David Marine all day.

Managing your possessions is a huge job.

But starting all over again with nothing,

is incomprehensible.

My heart just breaks.

Figure Painting from Photos and Color Study

2011-09-07T11:25:00.000-04:00

Last week, my beautiful friend Margaret came over

and I asked her to model for me in the late afternoon sun.

I did a quick (poorly drawn) color study in about 30 minutes

Today, I set up the study, the image and the panel together.

I blocked in everything in shadow using all values darker than middle grey,

using my color study as a guide

(I draw a line down the center of my pallet

to keep the dark and light values separate.

Once the shadow shapes are all in,

I clean my brushes and start to use white

on the other side.

Red Shorts

8 x 10

I took my time with this and made every stroke count.

I only gave myself one stroke per shape.

Color studies done in actual sunlight are invaluable tools

when painting from photos.

Melancholy Monday

2011-09-05T12:03:00.000-04:00

Labor Day always brings on a bit of melancholy.

The beach is empty,

even though it's a perfect beach day!

Good Bye Summer

8 x 10

As sad as it is to say good bye to summer,

the change of season in New England is always welcomed.

Bring on the Fall!

I'm ready.

Red Sky

2011-08-31T07:20:00.000-04:00

Living on the ocean, facing East,

we wake up to some pretty amazing sunrises.

I usually avoid painting them because

I figure the world's Greatest Artist

already does a pretty good job of it!

Although, the Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge this month is:

"reflection"

so I thought I'd give it a shot.

"Red Sky in the Morning"

(Hurricane warning!)

6 x 6

This one was particularly spectacular.

It was the morning before Hurricane Irene arrived.

The ocean was like glass and the sky was lit up like it was on fire!

Back to Normal Now

2011-08-30T10:05:00.000-04:00

Nothing like a hurricane to shake things up for a few days!

During all the upheaval, I managed to get some work done.

"Perfectly Happy"

12 x 12

My friend Franny is organizing a fundraiser called

"Art Off the Wall"

for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

She asked us all to donate a 12 x 12 painting

to be auctioned off in sort of a "Yankee Swap" format.

I kind of want people to be fighting over mine.

Painting this during the hurricane made me

forget about the howling winds.

Commissions Can be Sticky

2011-08-25T14:05:00.000-04:00

Commissions can be sticky, to say the least.

I usually regret it, every time I agree to do one.

Painting something someone else has in mind,

kind of takes the wind out of my sails.

But this one, I actually enjoyed doing!

It is to be a gift for a woman who was a member

of my garden club years ago.

Her daughter saw this one of mine:

Garden Club Meeting

8 x 10

at a mutual friend's house

and asked me to do one like it.

Garden Tour

8 x 10

I included daffodils, orange day lilies, and gladiolas

(even though they are never in bloom at the same time)

because those are her Mom's favorite flowers.

Duxbury Beach

2011-08-20T13:13:00.000-04:00

All summer long

people with four wheel drive vehicles line up along the shore

of Duxbury Beach to spend the day on the beach.

"Duxbury Beach"

8 x 16

This is the scene as viewed from the ocean

on a particularly busy day.

Old Painting Dilemma

2011-08-19T06:31:00.000-04:00

I spent today organizing my studio for September and beyond.

So what do I do with these old paintings?

There has to be over 200 panels here.

Most are class work or failed experiments.

Nothing I would ever want anyone to "own".

I've been told to never

put them in the trash.

(Because they could end up on some one's wall)

My friend Sally Dean

told me a friend of hers burned all of her old paintings

and then used the ashes to make new ones.

Any other ideas?

Good to be Back

2011-08-17T09:30:00.003-04:00

I was finally able to photograph the three paintings I did

on Monday to get me "back in the saddle"

Busy Boys
6 x 6

First one of the day, and it came so easily.

Kind of like playing golf after a long break.

Your first shot is always your best!

(Something to do with not "over thinking"!)

Just doing it!

Sun Hat
6 x 6

I thought about this too much.

And it shows.

For You Dad!
6 x 6

The "Dad" figure worked out right away.

The kid. Not so much.

Hey. All I know.

It's good to be back working.

Amazing Gift

2011-08-16T16:05:00.000-04:00

My son surprised me today with the most amazing gift!

It's a miniature moss terrarium, with a tiny artist sitting on a rock

painting en plein air!

It came in a cool glass jar with a lid.

The moss will grow to the point where you can trim it.

That's how small the figure is!

All I have to do it spray it once in a while

and keep it out of direct sun.

I just love this thing!

Check them out at

http://twigterrariums.com/

I'm a pretty lucky Mom!

Perfect Storm

2011-08-15T16:41:00.000-04:00

A rainy Monday with the whole place to myself and no plans!

Perfect for getting back to work.

I'm always a little nervous about getting back in the saddle after a long break.

Last week, I was afraid I was going to forget how to paint,

so I gave myself 15 minutes to do this on my way out the door.

(I touched it up a bit today)

Yellow Bucket

5 x 7

A great way to loosen up!

That got me excited to get busy today.

Last night I prepared three 6 x 6 cubes

to do some beach people paintings.

I'll post them tomorrow!

Garden Club Meeting

2011-08-13T07:28:00.000-04:00

One day this summer, our Garden Club enjoyed a tour

of some amazing Daylily and Perennial gardens

in Scituate, MA.

Garden Tour

6 x 8

Stephen Tooker and his wife Janet manage

every element of these meticulously maintained gardens

featuring over 650 varieties!!

Painting Big Paintings

2011-08-10T18:51:00.000-04:00

Last week a wonderful plein air painter, Laurel Daniel

posted a very informative "step by step" of how she'd done a really big painting.

(She usually paints on the much smaller side.)

It was so helpful to me, as I am attempting a similar challenge.

A few months ago, a friend had given me a huge blank 5' x 3' canvas.

So during a recent heat wave,

I decided to crank up the air conditioning and attack it.

I had to bungee cord the thing to my easel!

I covered my taboret with freezer paper to use as a pallet.

(A la Ken Auster)

I did a grid and

blocked in my map using red charcoal.

A big mistake. It made a mess.

I blocked in the dark and light sides of the figures

the same way I do my small paintings

using much bigger brushes

Then roughly blocked in the background just to define the figures.

So, this is where I am.

I'm not sure if I will finish it

or just cover it up and start over.

Here is my read on painting huge paintings so far:

1. Details are important so you have to get it just right.

2. It's harder to just make a stroke and leave it.

3. You have to use an extraordinary amount of paint!

4. Not to mention how much time it takes!

So it's a huge investment!

My short attention span and need for immediate gratification

has kept me away from this.

Now, I know why!

Note:

Be sure to visit my Patience with Patients blog

to see what we did today!

Workshop Announcement

2011-08-07T09:21:00.000-04:00

I'm excited about an upcoming "One Hour Painting" workshop

to be held from 10 - 4 on Sept 24 and 25

at the South Shore Art Center in Cohasset, MA.

This workshop will explore the practice of creating a painting

from start to finish in one hour,

teaching you how to think more spontaneously

and produce more lively and intuitive work.

It will help you simplify the process, and be able to “say a lot with little”.

Generous, quick, well placed strokes will give you

fresher, simpler, more effective paintings.

The workshop will include demos, exercises, and “timed” one hour group painting sessions.

We will work from still life and photos, primarily in oils,

although the lessons may be applied to acrylics as well.

An understanding of the materials would be helpful.

If interested, sign up early!

Inspiration!

2011-08-03T06:59:00.000-04:00

I've noticed a lot of artists are posting paintings that inspire them lately.

This painting, by Tim Horn hangs at the entrance of my

studio at the beach and inspires me every day!

"Umbrella Man with Towel"

by Tim Horn

20 x 24

He is one of my all time favorite artists.

Look how he captured that feeling of shade under the umbrella!

If you don't know his work, check it out here!

Foreshortening

2011-07-30T09:35:00.000-04:00

Foreshortening can be a real drawing challenge.

As soon as I took this image,
I knew it was going to be tough going.

"Lounging"

8 x 10

I ended up having to do a grid for this one.

Ken - the doll

2011-07-28T16:43:00.000-04:00

The Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge this month is "Kenny".

(One of our members has an incredibly cute cat named Kenny

who happened to be at our last meeting.

Someone threw out the name as a subject and it stuck!)

Ken - the doll

6 x 6

Ok. So it's a stretch.

But I bet Barbie called him Kenny

at some point in their very long relationship!

Painting plastic is it's own separate challenge

What Ever Happens.... Happens

2011-07-25T20:15:00.001-04:00

I love that you can't plan ahead for a plein air class.

(Especially in New England)

You just have to pick a place, show up and hope for the best.
The results can be amazing!

Today we went to one of my favorite spots to paint.

(The 3A bridge looking West over the North River)

Rain coming. No sunlight. No shadows. No drama.

And relentless bugs.

Here is what we came up with

before we had to abort after 30 minutes!

My start, making the luscious green marsh grass the drama

I love the way Casey broke down all

those greens into big abstract shapes.

And the big decisive brush strokes with lots of paint!

Joanne kept this so loose and direct.

Again, in only 30 minutes!

Adverse conditions make you work fast

so you gotta just let go!

I love this.

Barbara was painting over an old painting

that she'd sanded down.

(The red stuff showing through)

She was bummed that we had to quit,

but we all told her to leave this alone!

Next Monday we are will have "laboratory conditions"
for sure.
We are long overdue.

"Beach People" Paintings

2011-07-24T09:41:00.000-04:00

Are We There Yet?

10 x 12

I love watching people as they finally arrive at the beach.

We all know how much work it is to pack up for the day,

but it's SO worth it once you get there!

This and eight other new "beach people" paintings

are now available at the

Munson Gallery in Chatham, MA.

If you are down on the Cape, be sure to stop in!

Check them out at

www.nancycolella.com

National Seashore Show Opens this Saturday

2011-07-21T07:43:00.000-04:00

Four of my small figure paintings will be

included in this show at the

Addison Art Gallery in Orleans, MA.

If you are in the area, do stop in!

Inspired by the

Cape Cod National Seashore

Saturday, July 23 from 5:30 to 7:30

Opening Reception

This juried show celebrates the 50th Anniversary of one of our

nation's jewels, the magnificence of the natural Cape Cod, and

features approximately 50 works by dozens of artists. Please

join us, meet artists and Sue Moynihan, Chief, Interpretation

and Cultural Resources Management of the Cape Cod

National Seashore.

You may preview the show by clicking here.

Works may be reserved by calling 508.255.6200

Everybody's Happy I, II, III oil on canvas triptych $900,

each 6 x 6 x 2 $325

Just Caught

6 x 6

SOLD

Addison Art Gallery

43 Route 28, Orleans. For more information, please call 508.255.6200 or visit addisonart.com.

Log Blog

2011-07-19T14:11:00.002-04:00

During the full moon tide this weekend, a huge log washed up on the beach.

"Bumps on a Log"
10 x 12

It occurred to a friend that it would be fun to take a picture of it
every day to document what happens to, and around it.

(I couldn't resist painting this one! )

Day #1

Day #2

Day #3!!!!!!!!

Can't wait to see what happens next.

SUP's

2011-07-18T17:02:00.000-04:00

What SUP?

8 x 10

oil

Stand up paddle boards (or SUP's) are every where this summer.

I love watching groups of them glide by.

And they are so quiet!

Garden Tour

2011-07-13T17:48:00.000-04:00

I was invited to paint in one of the gardens that was on the

South Shore Natural Science Center Garden Tour today.

Lucky me!

This is where I got to paint.

The setting was so incredible.

There were chickens, an abundant square foot vegetable garden,

blueberry bushes, a butterfly garden, and

perennials I have never seen before!

This is what I came up with.

"Candy Painting The Shed"

12 x 12

Donna's Apple Trees

8 x 8

The best part of the day was that I got stand

next to my good friend and artist Page Railsback.

I hope she posts the cool painting she did of those apple trees!

HOT Plein Air Monday

2011-07-11T23:01:00.000-04:00

Four of us arrived at an incredible location today at 4:00 pm

overlooking the South River in Marshfield.

It was 96 degrees with oppressive humidity, no wind

and the green heads were in full combat mode.

We were all having second thoughts.

But! We had bug spray, water, and found a spot

with an occasional puff of a breeze.

So we set up.

The haze looking into the sun is was what intrigued these two.

Sue, the pastel painter did this right off the bat!

I've always loved how the row of Humarock Beach

houses look from the river side.

All lined up like soldiers facing the sea.

(Which they ARE during a Nor' Easter!)

I didn't have a long horizontal surface to work on

so I jury-rigged three 6x6 panels together

(on my Open Box M) .

#3 is out of whack because of where the umbrella HAD to be.

(I've never met a user friendly plein air umbrella, have you?)

Here they are, at home, poorly photographed.

But, I wanted you to see where I went with it.

Once settled in, I had a ball doing this.

Meanwhile, Casey did this!

Incredibly simple yet it says it all.

Hazy, Hot and humid!

We were all, at one brief point, lost in just being there.

That alone, makes these sessions worth all the hassle.

I think that's why we keep at it.

If interested in joining us, e-mail me!

Copley on Cape Cod

2011-07-08T15:23:00.000-04:00

The Cultural Center of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth

is hosting an opening reception

Saturday July 9 from 6 - 8 pm

for a show entitled:

Surf Strokes: Copley on Cape Cod

Come On. Let's Play.

8 x 8

This piece of mine will be part of this Juried Copley Members show.

Click here to preview the entire show.

Senior Gardeners

2011-07-07T12:51:00.000-04:00

Last week, as I was leaving the art class with the Alzheimer patients

at Linden Ponds Retirement Community,

I stopped by the gardens that are maintained by some of the independent residents.

I was amazed by what I saw there!

"Tending the Tomatoes"

10 x 10

Every plot is meticulously cared for and

is chock full of everything from annuals, perennials, and veggies.

There are sculptures and benches and birdhouses and scarecrows.

The folks I saw working there certainly looked very happy!

Here a Painting, There a Painting

2011-07-02T07:31:00.000-04:00

With the Fourth of July upon us

and the weather finally cooperating,

everyone is in vacation mode.

Every where I look there are scenes to paint.

Man and Friend

8 x 10

My "pictures to paint" file is getting HUGE!

I'm certainly prepared for any rainy days ahead!

Have a happy and safe holiday everyone!

God Bless America.

Experimenting with Surfaces

2011-06-30T10:02:00.000-04:00

In the eternal quest to keep things loose,

yesterday I tried an experiment.

I took an image of a group of folks way down on the beach

(with my new 30 times zoom camera!)

and printed it out of focus so I only had the big shapes to work with.

(No details)

I did this one on a stretched 8 x 8 canvas panel

toned in middle value grey

Then I did this one on an 8 x 10 gesso board

toned in flat black

I must say, I'm finding the smooth boards a real treat to paint on!

The paint slides around like melting butter!

I'm not abandoning the canvas boards just yet though.

They are good for certain subjects, especially plein air work.

NOTE: Be sure to check out the work done by the Alzheimer patients yesterday!

Plein Air Monday

2011-06-27T19:50:00.001-04:00

It was a picture perfect day.

Only two of us ended up at the entrance to Rocky Reach in N. Marshfield.

Around 4:30. Facing West.

8 x 8

I climbed over the stone wall to do this.

The field was brilliant.

5:15 pm. Still facing West.

5 x 7

Turned around to catch the light on these trees.

5:45 pm.

6 x 6

I love these pastels below, done by Sue Hall!

It is SO fun for me to be out there with

someone working in a different medium!

As usual, just as we were packing up to leave

(the bugs were becoming vicious)

the area was lit up like a

Broadway play!

DANG!

Foreign

2011-06-26T08:24:00.002-04:00

This month the Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge subject is FOREIGN.

When I was on Virgin Gorda in the BVI this winter,

I took an image of this woman selling her "homemade treats"

at the local market.

A very complicated subject without much light and shadow,

something about the scene made me want to paint it.

Everything about her says that she takes her baking very seriously!

"Mrs. Grace's Homemade Treats"

8 x 10

(no way this was going to fit on a 6 x 6)

The "foreign" parts of this for me were:
Dark skin tones
All those colors
Complicated subject

Biting the Bullet

2011-06-24T11:05:00.002-04:00

I haven't been able to paint much this week for various reasons,

so this morning, before anything got in the way,

I "bit the bullet" and started right in

(in my pajamas)

The Babysitter

5 x 7

Oh, and as an added bonus,

while I was painting, I listened to the

wonderful interview with Karin Jurick on blog radio!

You can listen to it here.

Summer Solstice

2011-06-22T20:01:00.000-04:00

First day of summer!
My favorite day of the year, because
there is SO much to look forward to!

To celebrate, I finally delivered my summer paintings to the
Munson Gallery in Chatham on the Cape.

If you are in the area, stop in!
(Give them a few days before they get the new images up on their website)

On a separate note:
see new post on my
Patience with Patients
blog

Plein Air Mondays!

2011-06-21T05:53:00.001-04:00

Plein Air Thursdays have now turned into Plein Air Mondays.
(Some how, Thursdays just weren't working for us)

We finally had our first gathering last night!

Five of us met at my friend's beautiful property in North Scituate at 4:30.

The lesson, at that time of day, is to capture the big dramatic shapes

as the light rapidly changes.

We worked fast and small.

My Demos:
(all were done from the same spot.
I just turned my easel and painted whatever was there)

Facing South 4:30 pm

6 x 6

Facing North 5:30 pm

6 x 6

Facing West (in to the sun) 6:00 pm

6 x 6

Facing South Again 6:30 pm

5 x 7

The work everyone did amazed me!

We will be meeting from 4 - 7 pm on Mondays,

so if you are interested in joining us, email me!

$35 per session, pay as you go.

Festival of the Arts

2011-06-16T20:15:00.000-04:00

This weekend the South Shore Art Center

is hosting the annual Arts Festival.

This event is a great way to kick off summer.

The art is amazing and the vendors are top notch.
I always seem to find some very cool, one-of-a-kind item.
I'm hoping to find a necklace or some great earrings this year.

My entry in the Juried Show.

"Pure Summer"
12 x 12
$525

Beyond the Garden Gate

2011-06-14T21:16:00.000-04:00

Every July the South Shore Natural Science Center hosts a

a juried exhibition called

"Beyond the Garden Gate"

in conjunction with a wonderful Garden Tour.
(More info to follow)

"Iris"

6 x 6

I think I may enter this little study of an Iris I did today.

Boy, are they an intricate flower!

And those colors!

Busy Season Coming to an End!

2011-06-13T17:53:00.000-04:00

I'm starting to see an end to this busy season.

Time to kick back and just paint for the fun of it.

"Dead Heading"

8 x 10

I did this today from an image I took with my new 30 x zoom camera!

It's my neighbor at the beach.

I couldn't wait to try out the new table easel that I got from Karin Jurick.

Her partner Brett makes them.

I love how sturdy it is and adjustable too!

I have it set up on a counter height table so I can still stand up and paint.

And yes, I am still using the pizza pan pallett and all those new colors from the workshop.

Summer Has Arrived!

2011-06-10T08:23:00.000-04:00

I can't believe this guy actually went for a swim yesterday.

It may be heating up around here,

but the water temperature is still only around 50 degrees.

"No Choice Now"

5 x 7

Satellite Studio

2011-06-06T18:54:00.000-04:00

I spent most of last week moving in to my "satellite studio" at the beach.

It's very scaled down and simple, but I have everything I need!

Today I got back in to my New York "state of mind"

and did this from a photo I took on my last day there.

"Girls Just Gotta Have a Pretzel"

Times Square

6 x 8

It's fun to paint this small,

especially when you don't have a whole lot of time!

Back to Basics

2011-06-03T20:11:00.000-04:00

Today I went back to using my middle grey toned Raymar linen panel.

I did my "map" in charcoal and used a big bristle brush.

(instead of black tone on gesso board and synthetic brushes)

I had all those awesome new colors,

so I used Karin's palette.

(same couple from the other day, different view)

10 x 12

It felt good to use familiar tools

but I'll admit,

I ended up grabbing those new synthetic brushes in the end.

They are a lot of fun.

Who knew?

Squeezed In Quick Study

2011-06-01T21:31:00.001-04:00

After a workshop, all I want to do is play with my new tools.

The long weekend and life in general has thwarted my efforts.

I managed to squeeze in this half hour study early today.

From a photo I took this weekend!

Psyched to see the Nancy/Peggi/Karin

person emerge!

Note: My trusty 5 year old Canon Elph has officially died,

so I'm using my I Phone to post.

It's time to upgrade.