tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90645691970022874722024-03-05T20:19:19.957-05:00Nan Johnson Art BlogNan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.comBlogger993125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-12517042050740953762021-03-24T11:26:00.000-04:002021-03-24T11:26:41.721-04:00Spring Pop Ups<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VLIwgFl79ew/YFtYKa7fk6I/AAAAAAAAEqw/RIe8G44APJ4B5__4qkJlaWdSWoeEzom9QCLcBGAsYHQ/NAJ_SpringPopUps.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1613" data-original-width="2048" height="315" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VLIwgFl79ew/YFtYKa7fk6I/AAAAAAAAEqw/RIe8G44APJ4B5__4qkJlaWdSWoeEzom9QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h315/NAJ_SpringPopUps.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> 11x14 acrylic on canvas board</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once in a while I do a painting that is unplanned. This started as a blank canvas only - no sketches, no preliminary planning, no "I have an idea" moments. Just a blank canvas, a few brushes & a few tubes of paint! I let the painting come out on it's own. It's fun to do once in while & nice to get out of the mind-crunching planning that I often have with a new painting.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Where I am living now, spring happens sloooowly and in stages. Right now there is still snow in various areas of the yard. And even though the temperatures during the day get above freezing, the snow that has been plowed or mounded during the winter are reluctant to give up. Gradually we see more and more of the ground.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Unfortunately, before we can really experience spring, we experience "mud season." This is when the ground is still frozen & firm except for the top inch or so. Step carefully for your shoe/boot will be engulfed. And you'll hear that telltale sound of suction -- I once had a sneaker pulled off by it! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But as soft as the ground is, the bulbs wake up. And the crocus's are the first to show themselves. The pop-up in various places in the yard & I will be planting more of these lovelies in the fall. </span></p>Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-24488453436225245592021-03-19T13:34:00.001-04:002021-03-19T13:34:31.261-04:00Cat's Eagle<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMlimzpokO8/YFTfq-byrKI/AAAAAAAAEqo/M3sI1qDWm_IxC9pjn1pDC3aSIrt3UiQGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s993/NAJ_CatsEagle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="993" height="196" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMlimzpokO8/YFTfq-byrKI/AAAAAAAAEqo/M3sI1qDWm_IxC9pjn1pDC3aSIrt3UiQGQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h196/NAJ_CatsEagle2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">My cousin Cat graciously gave permission to paint from one of her photographs. She captured a series of this eagle who was fishing for a meal. I wanted to capture the bird especially those wings, and the water splash. Quite a challenge but I was feeling brave! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is acrylic on a 12x24 stretched canvas. The background water was done with a series of washes to create a feeling of depth. But also to soften all edges so as not to compete with the bird & splash. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm pretty happy with this one and wanted to post it now - while I'm still painting the edges of the stretched canvas.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-50781236792950685002021-03-11T13:33:00.000-05:002021-03-11T13:33:11.498-05:00The Challenge<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nVxBNdpohRM/YEpXMTjivvI/AAAAAAAAEqY/KSjZ8KWwBnUYfTWwL9aut4QHbXP7hXRCgCLcBGAsYHQ/TheChallenge2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1660" data-original-width="2048" height="324" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nVxBNdpohRM/YEpXMTjivvI/AAAAAAAAEqY/KSjZ8KWwBnUYfTWwL9aut4QHbXP7hXRCgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h324/TheChallenge2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Maybe I should name this "put the brush down & stop it!" This has been, indeed, a challenge! Taking a deep breath right about now.....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">My hats of to floral painters! So much to deal with - no black, very limited white, shapes, shadows, highlights, lost edges, hard edges. I've changed the value of just about every color in this (except the greens of the background). And I had a constant struggle with impression vs realism. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the end, I am somewhat happy with this. I love the large rose. My last struggle was with the surrounding roses that are in various stages of blooming. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I can't guarantee that I am not going to see something in a few days that I just have to tweak. But for now I am calling it done. I have 2 more empty stretched canvas's that are the same size as this (8x10 & 2-1/4 deep). My original plan was to do a 3 painting rose series..... not sure now. Maybe.....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-82546802738074811572021-03-08T12:11:00.000-05:002021-03-08T12:11:18.955-05:00Spring Magnets<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MDarNqfRpjc/YEZVJBg9nOI/AAAAAAAAEps/WyOYS8GuAD8YF3_ajINE4Dkh8LRq7qWSwCLcBGAsYHQ/Birds.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="3097" height="105" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MDarNqfRpjc/YEZVJBg9nOI/AAAAAAAAEps/WyOYS8GuAD8YF3_ajINE4Dkh8LRq7qWSwCLcBGAsYHQ/Birds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qtOr5F68ML0/YEZVKN7B_hI/AAAAAAAAEpw/dMEtK74BnSU9483kel4yyl5vxa-23DimgCLcBGAsYHQ/Flowers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="3135" height="91" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qtOr5F68ML0/YEZVKN7B_hI/AAAAAAAAEpw/dMEtK74BnSU9483kel4yyl5vxa-23DimgCLcBGAsYHQ/Flowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div></div><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">While I sit between seasons for new inspiration (happens pretty much every year) I'm trying to not be art-idle. I've had these small (3x3 inch) canvas panels for some time. Always thought to make some hand painted magnets. I have some winter ones that are a bit larger, but I thought these smaller ones would work well.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We recently moved from the NJ home we lived in for years (decades!) to our upstate NY vacation home; it is now our full-time residence. I have always been a gardener & bird-feeder, so intend to do the same in NY. I do know that I have crossed into a different zone for gardening & some of my past attempts have failed after a winter. I will try again! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">What surprised me though was the different birds that come to the feeder. Where before in NJ there were most the small house sparrows, some blue jays and a cardinal pair - now I am seeing Nuthatches, Chickadees & Tufted Titmouse. Also Juneco's. There are Blue Jays occasionally as crows the size of Buick sedans. So far no Cardinals and only 1 lone Mourning Dove who must have lost it's mate (sad). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I decided to paint these little guys at my feeder, as well as the spring flowers I hope to plant & see. These are all 3x3 inch, hand painted acrylics.</span></p>Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-12725049187073541122021-02-28T14:25:00.000-05:002021-02-28T14:25:14.706-05:00Spring Crocus<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l5vMvim8EYU/YDvs-eqrWmI/AAAAAAAAEpU/7l7KWf1KSXU0KWvznQ10a-LlAtry9SITACLcBGAsYHQ/SpringCrocus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="3010" height="139" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l5vMvim8EYU/YDvs-eqrWmI/AAAAAAAAEpU/7l7KWf1KSXU0KWvznQ10a-LlAtry9SITACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h139/SpringCrocus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> I've been pondering what to paint next. It appears I've gone into a seasonal lull - this happens when I've been painting landscapes of 1 season (winter) and I'm about to switch gears. I no longer want to paint snow - the thing is, I'm not sure what I want to paint next!<p></p><p>While I wait for the inspiration of what moves me next I thought I'd usher in a small sign of spring. I'm sure I'm not the only person looking (hoping to see) the signs of spring starting. This is a small, quick painting - on an 4x12 stretched canvas - so it stands perfectly on a shelf. Just a little reminder of the season to come.</p>Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-47982230055926294892021-02-18T22:17:00.000-05:002021-02-18T22:17:49.598-05:00Sunset Creek<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N46mqvXJ1mg/YC8qBkz5uRI/AAAAAAAAEpA/DGXuEHZO_lAWxffQHnPQQm8EEb9Ll0FrACLcBGAsYHQ/s2513/NAJ_SunsetCreek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="2513" height="199" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N46mqvXJ1mg/YC8qBkz5uRI/AAAAAAAAEpA/DGXuEHZO_lAWxffQHnPQQm8EEb9Ll0FrACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h199/NAJ_SunsetCreek.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I gave this a very simple name, "Sunset Creek" - it was actually "Untitled" but I felt it needed a true name. Needless to say, I am not quite done with winter. And looking out the window, it seems Winter is not quite done with us!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This painting is 12x24, and I feel it looks much better in person. I thought of adding a shrub on the right side of the creek - to maybe create better balance. But no matter how much I played on the computer with a copy of the painting, I could not make it work. For now, I think I'll leave it be.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><p></p>Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-84418126185777189152021-02-10T16:42:00.001-05:002021-02-10T16:42:14.167-05:00On the Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nan-johnson/on-the-trail/863103" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1624" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dElS0SZCo0k/YCRKyem4ASI/AAAAAAAAEng/jQ0m24wt-N8y0TgXJPdgvuxKOMlnOKjAwCLcBGAsYHQ/w318-h400/NAJ_OnTheTrail.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>This painting gave me quite a challenge -- and on more than 1 occasion, I pondered throwing in the scrap pile! </p><p>Most paintings go through an "ugly stage" where things look awful & an artist wonders if they should even bother. It can be quite discouraging. But - we push ourselves through that phase & work the painting further until we can get to a "happy place" with it.</p><p>This painting, however, stayed in it's ugly stage much longer than usual for me. And I found myself truly doubting if it was worth it. </p><p>Here are a few of it's "stages" - starting with the sky & basic lines & shapes. After adding the snow on the large pine I thought this painting was a loss. But I mustered some courage, grabbed a brush & started blotting in the shadows & lights on the left hand side snow bank. It was then that I thought I might be able to save it. But then I got to the cast shadows across the trail. Yikes! Your natural tendency is to angle them with the curves of the road. But shadows are cast from the sun hitting the objects and the shape of the road should not alter the angles of the shadows. A lot of re-do's on this portion to get to the final painting. And I used a clear see-through ruler to help keep my strokes straight - couldn't trust the eyes or the mind on this one! (and I still see spots I could tweak further)!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cF2_Urgp4Hk/YCROpdZVWWI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/8xWH78RJN6gIHPdT5p6Lt2h4iMVE5MlLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8806.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cF2_Urgp4Hk/YCROpdZVWWI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/8xWH78RJN6gIHPdT5p6Lt2h4iMVE5MlLwCLcBGAsYHQ/w150-h200/IMG_8806.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D307HEYYMBI/YCROO0hDU9I/AAAAAAAAEnw/AlMeF765xpIF4Y1v7NrDL4Rjj8OEvDQDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8810.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D307HEYYMBI/YCROO0hDU9I/AAAAAAAAEnw/AlMeF765xpIF4Y1v7NrDL4Rjj8OEvDQDgCLcBGAsYHQ/w150-h200/IMG_8810.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEFf7Ggimr-GyCrlXTY-sRb08VmeM_Y91EjaXz9aWG9oHbHR3JWV_drjBsYaYi45iBc-khIFYzc0qxbtnLxAFWqpLOljNhv82RjVhfEE9V_wLWO3w9MuFPTzAxGpU2SkftRX6VL9GE5L0/s2048/IMG_8811.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEFf7Ggimr-GyCrlXTY-sRb08VmeM_Y91EjaXz9aWG9oHbHR3JWV_drjBsYaYi45iBc-khIFYzc0qxbtnLxAFWqpLOljNhv82RjVhfEE9V_wLWO3w9MuFPTzAxGpU2SkftRX6VL9GE5L0/w150-h200/IMG_8811.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmQ31klBd28stISovdsJKOBFhR9yO8rMR3fSUujthQwmG_02RiDNgh67Qe0gdvf9XHqTFRlF77zKMdgfmpojea0CQlR1mf5E6QSrJYLlzLYK29LYT9P8cyBKBvF6GilHYKI8XzbdLbw7J/s2048/IMG_8815.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmQ31klBd28stISovdsJKOBFhR9yO8rMR3fSUujthQwmG_02RiDNgh67Qe0gdvf9XHqTFRlF77zKMdgfmpojea0CQlR1mf5E6QSrJYLlzLYK29LYT9P8cyBKBvF6GilHYKI8XzbdLbw7J/w150-h200/IMG_8815.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p>Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-67972099433359226442021-01-30T21:43:00.000-05:002021-01-30T21:43:02.665-05:00Early Freeze<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nan-johnson/early-freeze/860109" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-original-height="1666" data-original-width="2048" height="325" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ekZ5jWst9wk/YBYXD2yEanI/AAAAAAAAEm8/vi414kRvagEVzPpokTKANG5-W3euGPLLwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h325/NAJ_EarlyFreeze.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even though we are late January, I wanted to capture the early winter season. When winter starts when fall isn't quite done. When the early cold snap catches the trees, the leaves, and the stream off guard and gives things a quick coat of snow. And when the stream skims over with ice. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm having fun this year with painting winter. I was told by other artists that winter paintings do not sell - that people don't want to be reminded of the cold. But I find this year to be different as 3 of my past winter paintings have sold! </span></p><p><br /></p>Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-78318568171429716502021-01-24T10:47:00.004-05:002021-01-24T10:47:59.761-05:00Red Door in Winter<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8d3JudisEtE/YA2UY4PVwEI/AAAAAAAAEms/vf_Rb2Ww0Rw18nZ3puhgyq4UPrObOdkPwCLcBGAsYHQ/NAJ_RedDoorinWinter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1639" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8d3JudisEtE/YA2UY4PVwEI/AAAAAAAAEms/vf_Rb2Ww0Rw18nZ3puhgyq4UPrObOdkPwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h320/NAJ_RedDoorinWinter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am still painting winter! I love the challenge of handling "white." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This painting has a limited palette - Payne's gray, Titanium White, touches of Raw Umber blended in on fence & building, and, of course, the Red Oxide on the door. Limited palettes always create a challenge to the artist who wants to add color everywhere. This would be an interesting scene to do with the blues & purples that are often done in winter paintings, but then again, the red door would not stand out enough to be the title. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Does this painting have balance? I wonder about adding a tree or bush on the left of the building but I kind of like the current composition. I see the "power of 3" in this - adding a bush would probably take away that trinity. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-56794789793044606782021-01-17T11:22:00.000-05:002021-01-17T11:22:11.500-05:00Reaching Out<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rXAR6_rWaW4/YARhjtLAmPI/AAAAAAAAEmc/ZWlLA8viSlsRceyIB-NhBybivI5GB7lJgCLcBGAsYHQ/NAJ_ReachingOut.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="2527" height="198" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rXAR6_rWaW4/YARhjtLAmPI/AAAAAAAAEmc/ZWlLA8viSlsRceyIB-NhBybivI5GB7lJgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h198/NAJ_ReachingOut.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Winter is an often forgotten scene to many people. Snow makes them think "cold" and they shy away from it, both in person & in art. Or so I've been told. However, the last 2 paintings I've sold were winter scenes so perhaps that idea has changed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Myself - I can't seem to stop painting it! I love to paint the clinging snow on branches - love painting the various colors that my mind's eye sees in the snow. The blues, the violets all seem to add to the depth of the white snow. Because snow, as we all know, is not just white.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This painting was a lesson in balancing both warm & cold colors in a scene. I love how they play off of each other. But too much one way or the other and your painting can be too cold or too warm. I guess it depends on what the artist wants to convey about the scene.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The 2 large trees are my main subject, as well as the larger bush with them. The long branches, reaching out like tendrils - that is what gives the title to this piece. "Reaching Out" - and it seems to match the times of late, where we are all reaching out to one another. Virtually that is, at least for now.</span></p>Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-76826294820676588582021-01-01T21:05:00.002-05:002021-01-01T21:05:42.275-05:00Winter Right of Way<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x-m4tPdaWs4/X-_SPh2B-pI/AAAAAAAAEmE/CaPfaHe4NlIR0yV3ZiuVN6vg7RvwiofYQCLcBGAsYHQ/NAJ_RightOfWay_Winter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="2048" height="295" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x-m4tPdaWs4/X-_SPh2B-pI/AAAAAAAAEmE/CaPfaHe4NlIR0yV3ZiuVN6vg7RvwiofYQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h295/NAJ_RightOfWay_Winter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">First, let me say Happy New Year to everyone. I hope it is a healthy year for everyone and that we are all on the road to getting back to normal with our lives & loved ones. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've been quite busy with painting lately, seems I'm constantly going to the next one right after the last! I discovered the joy of painting on panels now, instead of stretched canvas's. And this happened because, after our move, I had the dauntless task of finding a place for all the stretch canvas paintings I have! I'm not to the point of painting over any of them ... not yet. Once day I might but right now they sit & wait for their forever homes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This particular painting depicts one of the right of ways we have at our lake. People here either live directly on the lake with their beaches in front of their homes - or they have lake access via right of ways. Non-lakefront home residents use these right of ways to gain access to their beaches. You can see different families walking on the right of ways during the summer months. Others will use golf carts or ATV's to travel back & forth. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the winter, these right of ways become paths to/from a frozen lake for the many snowmobilers in the area. Often a designated snowmobile trail with connect to a right of way - riders can access the trail system from the lake and then up through a right of way. This painting shows one such access route. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Anyone else out there snowmobile? or cross-country ski? </span></div>Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-19523961151440181112020-12-31T12:09:00.003-05:002020-12-31T12:12:07.480-05:00A Different Art Form<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/nan-johnson-1304/pages/Crochet" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NzWSN0avcxA/X-4B50l594I/AAAAAAAAEl4/veeufHRbFlcbg1kiQbjn-vDT3F-NiLAcQCLcBGAsYHQ/w311-h320/CrochetNew.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">My mother was very crafty. She could sew and her work would rival any professional seamstress. She also knit, crochet, embroider, needlepoint, etc. And as a child, she taught me all of those same skills. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Advance forward a few decades and I find myself working some of those skills now. Although I can't hold a candle to her skill at sewing, I am what I would call an advanced crocheter. I have done doilies, tablecloths, even clothing in my past, but with the 2020 pandemic, I found myself picking up the crochet hook very often. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It is a stress reducer, but I like the advanced pattern, many that I find on the internet and through certain facebook groups. Some are not in English so I need to study their video's intently to follow. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have put some of these finished items up for sale on my website and I will add more. Many of these are one of a kind, but I can make others. Everything is hand-crocheted using 100% cotton thread. You can find them here:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/nan-johnson-1304/pages/Crochet">https://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/nan-johnson-1304/pages/Crochet</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of late I am working with "Filet crochet" which is a series of graph-guided repetitive stitches that create patterns & images. I find it fascinating at how far you can go with it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wonder how many other traditional artists do different art forms?</div>Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-12159327593809020162020-12-28T16:35:00.004-05:002020-12-31T11:52:12.858-05:00Winter Cabin - SOLD<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TO--JrKrYg0/X-pOAiLscZI/AAAAAAAAEls/kXD_cxjDKvY7QvV9x3f6e-o7_MsqBePdQCLcBGAsYHQ/NAJ_WinterCabin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1544" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TO--JrKrYg0/X-pOAiLscZI/AAAAAAAAEls/kXD_cxjDKvY7QvV9x3f6e-o7_MsqBePdQCLcBGAsYHQ/w302-h400/NAJ_WinterCabin.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Someone had said they would love to see a few more "vertical" paintings & not just horizontal. I do both, verticals & horizontals - even some square. I've done paintings with a 2:1 ratio in size -- love these on certain compositions. For this, a simple vertical of 9x12 with a wooden cabin reflecting in the frozen water. And of course, snow covered trees (seems to be a focus of mine lately)</p><p>I think this is far more impressionistic than my usual style. Usually, when I do buildings, I fuss a great deal on perspective & lines. Every angle needs to be perfect. But this time, I did the lines freehand with my brush & didn't stop to check angles. This was fun for a change (and I told that inner voice to be quiet this time!) Ha</p><p>How many other artists have that inner voice that tries to control the painting? And how often do you tell that voice to hush. I may need to do it more often!</p>Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-64404911446852080362020-12-26T11:24:00.001-05:002021-01-17T11:22:36.298-05:00Snow Covered Road - SOLD<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vYJe-Q9yGD4/X-dhWw-cKtI/AAAAAAAAEkw/mns4nkJx-WcvuRzrwMcaEC1wEoB05toGQCLcBGAsYHQ/NAJ_SnowCoveredRoad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1608" data-original-width="2048" height="314" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vYJe-Q9yGD4/X-dhWw-cKtI/AAAAAAAAEkw/mns4nkJx-WcvuRzrwMcaEC1wEoB05toGQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h314/NAJ_SnowCoveredRoad.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Recently we moved (my husband & I) to live full-time in the Adirondacks of NY state. We have had a vacation house there since 1997, when we bought a summer "camp" on one of the lakes. We spent time & money to modernize the home -- the original kitchen was a piece meal setup of old, wooden cabinets from the 1940s & 50s. None of them were worth refinishing so a new kitchen was done at the same time that we altered the roof line to add space (and eliminate the need to shovel the roof for snow load).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now that we have both officially retired, we chose to sell the home we had for decades in the crowded area of New Jersey and live full-time upstate. Of course, we chose to do this during a pandemic which did tend to complicate things a bit. However, the house sold in less than a month which is pretty common right now. We moved everything - and I do mean everything - upstate with use as there just wasn't enough time to clean out everything that was "extra." </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You have no idea how much "stuff" you have that you don't need until you move! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But back to the art. A few days ago we had our first snowstorm which gave us 20+ inches of snow. Everything looked ready for a White Christmas. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nope! Christmas brought warm temps & rain. A lot of rain, and the snow is now basically gone.. At least, until the next storm.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I started this painting when we had 20+ inches. LOL</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Still playing with light & how it falls, also warm vs. cool temps. Another online instruction, but this time I simply used the final product as my reference rather than do a step by step instruction.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Not sure it is done, but I do have a tendency to tweak things often. </span></div>Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-85435135186362915022020-12-22T16:09:00.006-05:002020-12-22T16:09:59.024-05:00Art Lessons - good or bad?<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iUGpU2VG16Y/X9udiV7LxwI/AAAAAAAAEkY/8njm40WOmqcitMmR2-xwWvT_TJL5haccgCLcBGAsYHQ/NAJ_WinterSunrise.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2048" height="156" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iUGpU2VG16Y/X9udiV7LxwI/AAAAAAAAEkY/8njm40WOmqcitMmR2-xwWvT_TJL5haccgCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h156/NAJ_WinterSunrise.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3sgi_6zH0eU/X9udkIbMu8I/AAAAAAAAEkc/vqqQRjKslIwRubi6NV9kVb4h1iB3gYm3ACLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_8668.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1621" data-original-width="2048" height="158" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3sgi_6zH0eU/X9udkIbMu8I/AAAAAAAAEkc/vqqQRjKslIwRubi6NV9kVb4h1iB3gYm3ACLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h158/IMG_8668.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>"Winter Sunrise" and "Down in the Valley" both 11x14 acrylic on canvas panel</b></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Recently I did 2 different art lessons online with 2 different instructors. Both were "follow along" video's, the first one was simply watch with background music only while the second had verbal instructions (as well as some background music). I think I prefer to have at least some verbal instructions; perhaps just to explain the why's on some items. Both did allow me to stop, "rewind", repeat & zoom in closer - I did like that. And although I like both finished pieces, I can't help but wonder "did I create these, or did I simply mimic what I saw."</span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As I look at these on my easel now (and yes, I am in the process of framing one) I can't help but think that these "are not mine." I did not do the composition, I did not choose the color palette, I did not choose the light vs. darks. I did hold the brushes, do the brushstrokes, create the mood & movement ... but ... does that make it mine as an artist? It definitely has me pondering.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I recall long ago when I was new to painting. I was lamenting to an artist friend that I felt I was lacking as an artist because I hadn't gone to official art school. He said I was better off having not gone because I would only learn to create the instructors way & not my own. I didn't really understand that statement until years later. And now I wonder, are these 2 paintings above examples of that theory? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I recall reading about Thomas Kinkade, the painter who excelled at capturing light. But what I learned was that countless people learned to "paint his way." And a team was employed to do various paintings, in the Kinkade manner, except for the final touches of light. For that, Kinkade would handle only. A way to mass-produce and yet maintain somewhat a level of originality, resulting in a signature that would command a $$.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'd be interested in hearing what other artists think on this subject. </span></div></div>Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-35477168491079631732020-04-21T11:50:00.002-04:002020-04-21T11:50:38.877-04:00Rosie - RIP<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Like everyone, I am also struggling with the "new normal" due to the COVID-19 virus. I live in a populated area (just outside of NYC) and so we have many people, many confirmed cases, and unfortunately, many deaths. We live in quarantine, we food-shop with masks & gloves, and we "visit" with loved ones remotely. Heck, we even spray lysol on our mail deliveries!<br />
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I have been having difficulty painting during these times - seems my focus is not long sustained and I find my mind wandering often. Nothing like looking at your canvas & suddenly "waking up" to find you painted something but, wait, "what is that?" I keep dabbling with the brushes but nothing completed. Perhaps for another day, after all, every art show I had entered has been cancelled so nowhere for the pieces to go right now.<br />
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I spend my time taking walks and being out in the yard. Spring is starting (seasons wait for nothing). Flowers & plants are growing, some blooming already, and the birds are very active. It would all seem very normal -- except for the masks. I listen very little to the news as I find they repeat themselves often, sound dire often, and leave me feeling a bit depressed -- often.<br />
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But nothing prepared me for losing my Rosie Anne. She was only 8 (not old for a dachshund at all), and she became a very sick little girl very suddenly. Test after test revealed nothing concrete and the vets could only suggest one more test. Her list of symptoms grew with nothing making any sense. When we got the call at 4:30 in the morning, I knew it wasn't good news. She was having seizures, temperature shot up probably due to pain (she had been on antibiotics already). My husband & I made the necessary decision to set her free. The hospital felt it was encephalitis or possible a cancer in her brain.<br />
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So at 5 am on a cold, windy Saturday morning, we stood in a tent in the parking lot of the animal hospital, waiting to say good bye. We had masks, and gloves, and tears. When they rolled her stretcher out to us, she immediately started to whimper & wag her tail. She knew we were there - and that was what I had hoped for. Rosie had been a rescue and my biggest fear was that she was thinking she had been abandoned again - I did not want her to die alone with strangers.<br />
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Why the tent? Why the parking lot? Why my fears? Because the "new normal" prevents owners from being inside the animal hospital. When I brought her in 2 days earlier, they met me in the parking lot. They took Rosie with them & I got to sit in my car in the parking lot - the "new waiting room." I waited for over 2 hours for a vet to call me on my cell phone to advise what tests they would need to do. I waited another 1-1/2 hours before I got the results - which was, nothing conclusive.<br />
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When the end came we were still not able to enter the hospital, and so it was a tent, in the parking lot, where we said our good byes. It made the whole thing so surreal, and yet so real. A memory I will have forever, and the entire 3-day situation has left me feeling somewhat bewildered.<br />
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I am struggling a bit each day now - she was with me 24/7, so I feel like I'm missing a part of me. That's because I am. She was in our lives for less than 2 years but she managed to truly work her way deep into our hearts. I know every owner says that their dog is the sweetest -- but Rosie was indeed the sweetest dog I have ever known.<br />
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I believe we enter & leave different lives for reasons that aren't always apparent at first. I know she & I helped each other, I just understand (yet) why our time together was so short. Until we meet again, fly free sweet angel, love you always.</div>
Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-8555884322376554732020-03-28T10:51:00.003-04:002020-03-28T10:51:50.794-04:00Stone Walkway<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Stone Walkway</div>
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30x24 Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas</div>
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Hi again! As many of you are aware, and I'm sure many of you are enduring, the pandemic of COVID-19. It is a trying time in many ways -- the disease itself as well as the changes to our way of life. Just going to the store for a "few things" has taken on new meaning. Yesterday I had to go to the post office. It was relatively quiet, with 1 person ahead of me and 1 behind. We all stood the obligatory 6 feet away from each other.<br />
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What isn't so apparent is the private stress that each of us are trying to handle on a day to day basis. My husband & I are in the "over 60" risk level and we are well-aware of the fact that every time we step out there, we risk coming in contact with this invisible enemy. Channeling this anxiety & stress into something positive is often easier said than done.<br />
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I have been struggling to paint during this time - I am having a hard time focusing. Or I should say, staying focused. I notice that my leg with bounce with the added energy in me while I'm sitting. I find it hard to 'turn off the tasks I need to get done out there" thoughts, even with music & paintbrush in hand. I find that doing manual labor is a bit easier to tackle, so I've been cleaning the yard (we're very early spring here) and cleaning the house -- the whole house! LOL It dawned on me yesterday morning that spring is indeed happening and it is my favorite time of year -- it's the time of rebirth, new beginnings. But there is a strong chance of missing it because the mind is looking, worrying, stressing, planning elsewhere. And so, thankfully, my dog Rosie loves to take walks -- and we do that every single day. It helps.<br />
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This painting, "Stone Walkway" was done for an art show that is currently postponed. When the show will happen, I do not know. It is out-of-town for me and I may not be able to travel to deliver, but we'll see. For now, it hangs in my living room over the fireplace. One thing I am learning is to take things one day at a time.<br />
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Hope you are all doing well, are healthy & safe. Try not to let the stress of the world sit on your shoulders. I know, easier said than done - go for a walk, it really does help.<br />
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Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-13164557746414913682020-03-14T14:18:00.001-04:002020-03-14T14:18:24.763-04:00Been gone from the blog way too long!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Spring Path - 16x20 acrylic</b></div>
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I can not believe how long I've been away from my blog!! Time, Life, Things - all moved quickly and suddenly I see it's 2020!<br />
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I retired from my full-time job 2 years ago, and have been busy doing art. But also starting to clear out a house I have lived in since 1983. Wow, so much "stuff" we store in attics, closets, basements. Little by little I am reviewing things - then deciding what to keep, what to sell, what to donate & then what to simply toss in the trash. Hard work & anyone who has done it with their own things will tell you, it doesn't happen quick. I found cleaning out someone else's things much easier than my own!<br />
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My husband & I have been working on a house in the Adirondacks for quite a few years - taking it from cabin to home. We are just about done, and with luck, we will sell the old house & move to the country. That's been the plan all along! Fingers crossed.<br />
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So, enough on that subject. Artwork - I have not been too far away from it. This image shows one of my latest paintings, done for a show that will be active (hopefully) in April. This darn corona virus has been cancelling so many events.<br />
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The suggested theme for the show is "spring" and with winter going away (we never really had one here on the East Coast by me), I wanted to start seeing blooms & colors.<br />
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By the way, I discovered an online artist that I have been "studying" with - Michael James Smith. He shares much of his how-to's on youTube, as well as his own website. Here is a link to his video's on youTube - he is a landscape artist in England who does work in a realism style. I've learned quite a few things from him - enjoy.<br />
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And I will now try to blog more often!<br />
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https://www.youtube.com/user/MichaelJamesSmithArt/videos<br />
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Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-55666453270012668322018-12-10T10:55:00.001-05:002018-12-10T10:55:58.739-05:00PEACE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GYpSyzim4FM/XA6Md9C_QmI/AAAAAAAAEek/R3SecaPqzFIN2LYlho46H87LLp6VlErkACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/NAJ_JOY.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GYpSyzim4FM/XA6Md9C_QmI/AAAAAAAAEek/R3SecaPqzFIN2LYlho46H87LLp6VlErkACK4BGAYYCw/s320/NAJ_JOY.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The NOEL wood block sign has sold, but PEACE and JOY are still available. Email me if interested!<br />
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Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-46452471204043964542018-11-14T13:18:00.005-05:002018-12-10T10:41:12.559-05:00NOEL - SOLD<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgLPgF1JqNg/W-xmIdqsZZI/AAAAAAAAEeA/cy2pzPreyYsXpZ6ExwzPkxq0LMjV4mtBQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/NAJ_NOEL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgLPgF1JqNg/W-xmIdqsZZI/AAAAAAAAEeA/cy2pzPreyYsXpZ6ExwzPkxq0LMjV4mtBQCK4BGAYYCw/s400/NAJ_NOEL.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I am doing a few holiday/seasonal letter block paintings - the first one is NOEL. Winter in the Adirondacks is snowy - and it sticks to the trees as if it is icing. But here, one lone tree is decorated in it's holiday attire.<br />
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5 inches tall and 13 inches high - with sawtooth hanger on back. But these wooden block letters are thick enough to stand on their own, giving a great look on any shelf.<br />
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<a href="mailto:najfineart@aol.com" target="_blank">Email me</a> if you are interested in this piece, or one that is similar!<br />
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Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-86200074497235647762018-09-20T11:28:00.001-04:002018-10-22T21:58:30.257-04:00Sacandaga Park - SOLD<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vcP4tBKRO3E/W6O51lzWu6I/AAAAAAAAEdo/iuoyBZDhxxo91dwnhDwnNdQ5AhsQDpOPACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/NAJ_SacandagaPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vcP4tBKRO3E/W6O51lzWu6I/AAAAAAAAEdo/iuoyBZDhxxo91dwnhDwnNdQ5AhsQDpOPACK4BGAYYCw/s400/NAJ_SacandagaPark.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;">"Sacandaga Park"</span></b></div>
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12x24 acrylic on stretched canvas</div>
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Email me if interested in this piece</div>
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This is another painting done from a vintage postcard. This is the entrance to an area called "Sacandaga Park."</div>
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Sacandaga Park was once known as the Coney Island of the North (1880 - 1930) and was located across the river from the Village of Northville in NY state. Numerous hotels, Inns, cottages, sports events & amusements were available for those who made the trek for vacation. The history of the area is abundant! Unfortunately, most of the hotels & inns were destroyed (fire, water, changing times). As the times changed, and the people stopped visiting, the events & amusements ended. </div>
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Some of the individual homes/cottages still exist today & are used every summer by families who pass these "camps" down to the next generation. </div>
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For anyone interested in the history, here is one of many links that can found online:</div>
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<a class="" data-lynx-mode="hover" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsacandagastation.com%2Fsac_park.html&h=AT3IpoIWNvjf_4y3HcR-9Y6CYPIqokuG3yc4rb2HToaFm3TeEX7uLkGKjDkf-hz8u6j_dBRB_9OEVprf3tjophQgUa_88_6m3rc2_2I9OAiJSWmC_Egj0I0m_NJODwquTugPB4o" dir="ltr" href="http://sacandagastation.com/sac_park.html" rel="nofollow noopener" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://sacandagastation.com/sac_park.html</a></div>
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And here is the original postcard image, postmarked 1906:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HpHTACI0t2w/W6O8Vk9JLnI/AAAAAAAAEd0/3cmXn4C1wLwefzhDjI-QwDN4GSN7SMTXwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-09-20%2Bat%2B11.26.55%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HpHTACI0t2w/W6O8Vk9JLnI/AAAAAAAAEd0/3cmXn4C1wLwefzhDjI-QwDN4GSN7SMTXwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-09-20%2Bat%2B11.26.55%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-14623182579474036552018-08-23T11:11:00.000-04:002018-08-23T11:36:38.768-04:00LaGrange Road, Virgin Islands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6v3XIA6yEY/W37Mdm7mZwI/AAAAAAAAEdc/6FWmBN6wXtotyh1V8Wp1FTlwIXuVWVdZQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/NAJ_LaGrangeRd_VPO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6v3XIA6yEY/W37Mdm7mZwI/AAAAAAAAEdc/6FWmBN6wXtotyh1V8Wp1FTlwIXuVWVdZQCK4BGAYYCw/s400/NAJ_LaGrangeRd_VPO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>"LaGrange Road" - St. Croix</b></div>
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9 x 12 acrylic on canvas</div>
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Available through <a href="https://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/881570" target="_blank">DPW gallery/auction</a></div>
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The Virtual Paintout is back!!!</div>
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I am happy, no thrilled, that the VPO monthly challenge is active again. It was one of my favorite challenges! For those of you not familiar with VPO - it is a monthly challenge using Google street maps to explore & paint from. Each month, a new location is chosen by Bill (VPO admin). As artists, we roam the location, traveling up/down streets. Choosing a location can be difficult - some areas, like this month's Virgin Islands, offers so many options! </div>
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Here are the links for the Virtual Paintout:</div>
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Blog: https://virtualpaintout.blogspot.com/2018/08/us-virgin-islands-august-2018.html</div>
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Virtual-Paintout-233032153029/</div>
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And here is the link to the original Google maps location for this:</div>
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https://goo.gl/maps/biXc4EmALom</div>
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This painting coincides with my recent "finding" of a landscape artist on youTube. Love watching his videos - instructive & interesting. Although he paints in oils, I was able to adapt some of this techniques to work with acrylics. I've given the link to one of his video's - check him out. </div>
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Link to one of the youtube videos of artist Michael James Smith:</div>
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https://youtu.be/WiusYMyI3aQ</div>
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Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-27157851927463709952018-08-21T07:00:00.000-04:002018-10-22T21:58:40.675-04:00GSL - SOLD<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUs17VVbFtA/W3rw3EFxP_I/AAAAAAAAEdQ/E9rkiAft55sNkTKeBX-BVqBJYl1YbwMZQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_5479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUs17VVbFtA/W3rw3EFxP_I/AAAAAAAAEdQ/E9rkiAft55sNkTKeBX-BVqBJYl1YbwMZQCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_5479.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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GSL - Great Sacandaga Lake, located in upstate NY. We visit there often and I am a member of the SVAN art group. (Sacandaga Valley Arts Network)<br />
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In addition to the ADK pieces, I did this GSL depicting a scene on the lake. This farm is a very well-known spot that can be seen from the lake. It gives everything a very rural, country scene - with the blue/green mountains behind, and the red farm buildings & silos out front. It is a working Dairy Farm in the area.<br />
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Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-83339055593653162882018-08-20T12:48:00.000-04:002018-08-20T12:48:02.099-04:00ADK 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0_HMEY77vTw/W3rv5nJ4GrI/AAAAAAAAEdE/E2segsNv3DEW8-eMTYib5tAU5zg35lTtwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_5480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0_HMEY77vTw/W3rv5nJ4GrI/AAAAAAAAEdE/E2segsNv3DEW8-eMTYib5tAU5zg35lTtwCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_5480.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ok, I have to admit, I am "hooked" on these wood letters! Here is the second "ADK" painting with a different Adirondack scene. I thought, since Fall is right around the corner, I will add the fall color to the image. After all, it will be time soon enough - for leaves changing colors, and apples for picking, and pumpkins for selecting!<br />
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I will be participating in "Art Trails" again this year, and plan to bring these with me. I will be onsite for 2 full days, painting - I'm planning to work on a larger image from the NY area that is inspired from another vintage postcard. But these smaller blocked paintings will be with my larger letters, along with cards and prints.<br />
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Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064569197002287472.post-82706343138698417332018-08-16T16:05:00.000-04:002018-08-16T16:05:25.282-04:00Glads<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Glads is a 16x20 acrylic painting on stretched canvas - and it is not new. The original version of this painting was done in 2012. But I was never really happy with it, it just didn't work for me. And 6 years ago, my painting technique & style differed. This sat in my studio all this time, never shown or even looked at! But yesterday I decided it was time for it to either "get better" or "get out." And so a re-do was in order.<br />
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I belong to a Facebook group of artists (actually, I belong to quite a few) - but this one is Painters helping Painters. So I posted the original image & simply said "what would you do to make this better?" Then I listened.<br />
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Here's the original image:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zgnX2VoFF0c/W3XXoXeZgkI/AAAAAAAAEc4/KAi9T3_T51osvZQkhefoxYo_cR0NxJvIACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_5458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zgnX2VoFF0c/W3XXoXeZgkI/AAAAAAAAEc4/KAi9T3_T51osvZQkhefoxYo_cR0NxJvIACK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_5458.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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There were things I liked, but there was a lot I did not like. And 2 major things stood out: no focal point so everything was vying for attention and all the colors were the same intensity, making it way to vibrant.<br />
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So I chose to bring all the flowers into the same color family, and used various washes to create some depth in the bunch. I toned down some of the greens as well.<br />
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The end result is a much more cohesive group of Gladioli flowers, and the eye can travel around the scene without it jumping into the viewers face!<br />
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I like it enough that it's off to the gallery this weekend for the next rotation. From closet to gallery in a few days - love it. Not all re-do's work out, but what a great learning experience to rework some of your older pieces.<br />
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Nan Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03056726501810316005noreply@blogger.com0