30 Minute Challenge

A friend recently brought some
blood oranges to the studio
They were delicious; incredibly tart and sweet, like berries.
And the unexpectedly rich colors were such fun to paint.

Blood Oranges
10 x 10 oil on board

As a challenge, I set my timer to 30 minutes
and used my go-to approach:
-do a quick “map” of the big shapes
-start with the darkest dark
-build up to the lightest light,
filling in just the large shapes
-add limited detail
-STOP

(I did smudge some of the edges
after the timer went off)

This is a great way to loosen up and let go.
It reminds you how much fun painting can be.

Tulip Tradition

Every year, after all the holiday decorations are put away,
I love having just a big bowl of tulips on our harvest table.
Also, this time of year, I am searching for any inspiration
to get me back into the studio.

I love how, after a few days in the warmth,
they get leggy and floppy.
While painting this recently,
I realized that I’d painted the post-holiday tulips
pretty much every year!

These are from the past 5 years.
You can see how I approach the subject differently each time.
That’s what I love about this time of year.
Playtime!

New Year / New Ideas

A friend gave me an orchid last spring,
and it’s been blooming like crazy ever since!
Over the holidays, I counted 17 buds.
I thought I’d try it out with my new set of
Holbein Acrylic gouache.

Craig’s Orchid 9 × 9 acrylic gouache sketch

I love this time of year.
I limit my obligations and commitments
so I can just play and experiment in the studio;
new materials, new subject matter, and new approaches!

Bring on 2025!

Something Different

I just received a new set of
Holbein acrylic gouache paints
and tried them out on this gray day mid-value scene,
captured during a walk very early this morning on the Driftway.

4 x 7 gouache on mixed media

I love how simple and direct the medium is.
It’s transparent yet can be layered.
And it dries flat.

I‘m lucky to have a dear friend who is willing and able
to go for a walk at dawn in 40-degree rain.
And she loves it as much as I do.

Need a fun gift?

How about a private or semi-private
painting lesson in my studio?
Private lessons are offered at
Salty Dog Studio in Norwell, MA.
Private or semi-private classes are
open to any level and any medium
Three hour sessions start at $125 (for intro) up to $175.
We can tailor each session to your needs!

“Two Apples”
Done by a 45-year-old who has never painted before!
Contact me at:
nancycolella12@gmail.com
for more information.
All materials included.

Refreshments served!

Never a dull moment

Mother Nature is at it again!
I was walking by a local pond recently
in the late afternoon when the light suddenly
hit the surface.
It turned the whole pond bright pink and purple!

Red Water Fern 14 x 12 oil

Turns out it is a weed called
Red Water Fern.
Who knew there was such a thing?

Here is the quick watercolor sketch I did the oil from.

There are so many surprises in nature.
All you have to do is notice them.

Who knew?

I caught this image on a farm up in Vermont
a few weeks ago and was compelled to paint it.
(The light on her hair and the straw)

“Farmerette”
10 x 10 oil
I goggled “female farmer” and this is what came up (AI)

Who knew?
You’ve gotta love AI
sometimes.

The Perfect Pencil and Paper

I was recently given the most wonderful gift;
one that I didn’t even know I needed.
The perfect pencil and paper!

I was given a Blackwing medium sized Slate notebook,
with a Matte pencil,
and a one-step long point sharpener.
The pencil responds beautifully to different pressures and the paper in the notebook features 160 pages of high-quality100GSM paper.
And it has a durable dual-sewn binding.
(So it lays flat!)

What a pleasure to have something so satisfying to use.
A wonderful tool to “unplug and live mindfully.”
Thank you Blackwing.co!

More Works in Progress

I’ve been working on a series of
”architecture in the landscape” paintings
using quick thumbnail value studies as references.

South River Boat House
16 x 16 oil

The Gordon’s Barn
16 x 16 oil

I’m heading up to Vermont for a few days
next week so I’m gearing up for lots of inspiration.
Barns galore!

Value Thumbnails

We talk often in my classes about the importance
of doing quick value thumbnails before painting.
I find that it gives you a chance to work out
design and composition issues ahead of time,
making the doing of the painting more fun!

Outer Cape Shed
(WIP))
16 x 16 oil

The above is something I’m working on from this quick sketch.

Just a few seconds with some markers
can make a huge difference!

Teaching

We just completed my 5 week
Modern Painting class
and as always,
I am thrilled with the student work.
This group was so entusiastic and willing to try anything.
Here are just few examples from
some of the quick exercises:
”Designing with Values”

“Two Value Crazy Color Notan”

“Simplifiying Shapes with Collage”

”Collage Self Portrait Using Exaggeration”

All surprising and so expressive. Teaching gives me such joy
and inspiration.
I actually learn more than what I teach.
I’m now excited and ready to
”practic what I preach”
Thank you!

Joy of Quick Plein Air

Out of the blue I set up my plein air gear
outside my studio late afternoon today.
The sun was low and the light was so dramatic
I couldn’t resist.

This 30 minute meditation recharged
my creative batteries.

Welcome September.

Back To School

The fall is a great time to re-charge
your creative batteries
I’m excited about teaching a new
Modern Painting Class
at North River Arts Society
Tuesdays 9:30 -12:30
Beginning September 8

Beach Barns 12 x 12 oil

This fun class is designed for experienced painters working in any medium, who want to explore a more expressive and contemporary approach to their work. We’ll explore new ways to manipulate the abstract elements of line, shape, color, and value to express an unexpected idea or statement. Through a series of quick, fun exercises, we’ll learn how to let go of just copying what is in front of us and let our intuition guide us. This is not a “how to paint” class, rather a place to have fun and experiment with fellow artists. We’ll be working independently from still life and/or photos. Cut paper collage may be introduced along the way. 

Specific materials needed will be emailed each week.

Plein Air Finally

I finally got out to do some plein air painting
and it was so uplifting and fun.
A friend invited us to the Glades in Scituate;
an historic private property on the ocean that features
many barns, private homes and what was once a hotel.
The day was perfection;
no humidity, no bugs, no wind
and I didn’t forget anything!

I used a very limited palette to start;
dioxazine purple, raw umber, transparent yellow earth,
and a bit of alizarin crimson.

Last minute I added the lawn and sky.
Not sure about that, but now I’m going
to play with it in the studio.

My pal Sally Dean
and her cool new Shade Buddy umbrella
(that goes in the ground, not a clip on!)
I need to upgrade my gear!

Finding Inspiration

On a hot summer day last week,
I drove by three teenage girls riding bikes
in bathing suits and bare feet and
it took my breath away.
The freedom! The innocence!
I got home and quickly did this watercolor
to remind me of the moment.

It wasn’t easy getting an image as I was driving.
I had to drive passed them, pull over, and wait for them to go by.

I can’t wait to try this as an oil painting
when I get back to the studio.
(Still doing hand therapy
and taking it slow for now.)

Wrist Surgery

I recently had tenosynovectomy surgery on my right wrist;
a complicated procedure to “straighten out the tendons”.
(I know! Who knew?)
A long recovery has my summer activities somewhat limited
but luckily, I’m left handed so I tried painting this week.

I can hold a paper towel, but opening paint tubes is a challenge.
And forget about putting the tops back on!

I may have to switch gears and try some quick watercolor sketches.

“Mary’s Gift”
5 x 5
watercolor

Learning how to slow down
and ask others for help is not easy!
Stay tuned.

Quick Sketches

Working on a few new pieces for the
Copley Society Small Works.

“Pink on Pink”
10 x 10 oil
I did this using a small watercolor sketch I did
during the Tracy Everly workshop a few weeks ago.

Tracy reminded us how important it is to do quick
thumbnail sketches before actually painting.
It is truly a great way to work out issues of
value and composition ahead of time.
It makes doing the actual painting alot more fun!

Painters and Poets show

I’m delighted to be a part of the Painters and Poets show
at the Art Complex Museum in Duxbury
this Saturday and Sunday from 1-4.

“Star Tulips”
12 x 12
All the pieces in the show are inspired by
the poem ”This World” by Mary Oliver.
Here is my statement;

“The line in Mary Oliver’s poem This World;
“The tulip feels the heat and flaps it’s petals open and becomes a star” inspired this painting. I’ve always loved tulips and buy bunches for my kitchen counter right after the holidays. Watching them open and flourish in the vase is always welcome in late winter. The last phase, when they all droop; almost resigning themselves, is my favorite. I tried to capture that in this painting. And I never realized that they look like a star when acting that way.”  

Plein Air Painting

I’m not typically a plein air painter
so when I do, I find it rather daunting.
Taking Tracy Everly’s workshop at the
Art Complex Museum, in Duxbury, MA
last week was humbling.
I’m just now absorbing some of the lessons shared.
It was overcast both days so there was very little
value contrast to work with.
This was my very first approach on location.

And here it is after a few tweeks in the studio today.

“Charlie’s House”
10 x 10 oil

I darkened the darks and lightened the lights.
Tried to make it all about the bamboo,
but the dark green door wanted to dominate.
Tracy is an amazing instructor and person.
Very generous and so earnest.
It’s all good.
Fun to be back at it.

Summer is Here

Happy Summer!
Time for some fun experimentation and discovery.
I dusted off my plein air gear the other day and did this
in my backyard.

“Spring Reflections”
16 x 12 oil
Looking forward to taking another plein air workshop
with Tracy Everly next week
with the Art Complex Museum in Duxbury, MA.
Stay tuned!