Friday, December 16, 2011

Before the end of the year...

I'm pretty happy with myself in the fact that during this busy time of year I have not used that as an excuse not to paint.   I am still going forward and working toward becoming a better oil painter.  During this last week ... well, since I completed the red ornament painting, I now have another finished oil to add to the first.

Reflections of Silver ~ 5" x 7" ~ oil

After I completed the red ornament painting I thought I should start another one right away so that what new skills I had used wouldn't be forgotten.  Again, I'm happy with what I've produced.  Although the painting I did with the red was nice, I think I'm liking this one better.  Maybe its the warm browns and blue combination.  Then again maybe its because I had so much fun seeing shapes and painting what I saw.

I think I may try one more holiday painting before the end of the year ..... but not until after some gifts are wrapped.

On another note, one of  the blogs I frequent is by a wonderful Oregon artist named Marla Baggetta, her work is beautiful and I love the way she writes.  In this post I really felt she was talking to me ....

Being Kind to Yourself
We beat ourselves up most of the time. If only we viewed ourselves like we view our own friends, we'd be better off. Quieting our voice of judgment and giving ourselves credit for what is working in our work and building on that. We are quick to find what is "wrong" and then discount the whole. We are fast at niggling away at those areas in our work and in life that aren't perfect. Well, perfection is a state of balance that to me, simply does not exist... Be nice to yourself, be slow to find error and quick to find the good. Be as patient with yourself as you would be to a good friend. You are your own best friend. Then, remember to paint, paint some more and then after that, paint!!!

Do you think she was singling me out?

12 comments:

  1. Very nice, Nancy . . . you did a beautiful job with the reflections in this piece. Merry Christmas to you!

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  2. I agree, this one is better - and the more you do, the better you will become! I'm proud of your success this year, keep up the good work in 2012. And - I think Marla was speaking to many of us - how true. Happy holidays.

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  3. Your silver ball is gorgeous!
    Have a wonderful Christmas week.
    Peace. Susan

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  4. Thank you all so much. I do appreciate you taking the time to reply to my posts. I enjoyed working on this one and am looking forward to seeing what comes next. Grow seems to come in baby steps doesn't it?

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  5. Nancy I like your ornaments. With each one your brush strokes have become confident. Yay for you!
    As for Marla's words of encouragement, I think I need to copy them and hang them in my studio.
    Wishing you a wonderful holiday.

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  6. Thank you Gaylynn. Confidence is elusive most of the time in this studio. Practice helps doesn't it? Thank you for dropping by ... I love your input to my artistic development.

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  7. Nancy--you hit is outta the park! what a good painting--it is wonnnnderful! high five!

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  8. Oh Celeste, you have to know the frustration...... thank you so much your vote of confidence.

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  9. Anonymous9:17 AM

    A very good work Nancy.I also like this one better than the red one :o)

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  10. WOW..... What wise words!!! (for all of us I'm afraid!!)

    Your ornaments are absolutely fabulous. I'm so glad you led me to your blog!

    Happy New Year!!

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  11. Love the reflections in this piece. I also love your use of "whites" in the Christmas balls and background fabric. It looks great!

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  12. Hi Nancy, I love your way of painting so exquisite theater, reality seems much happiness is a great job, oh and happy new year greeting.

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