Painting From Memory

We kicked off our 5 week Modern Painting Class last week
with some fun “memory exercises”.
First, we closed our eyes, thought about a favorite place,
then did a few sketches from memory.
Using those as a reference, we did a quick painting.

This gal remembered the blue mid-century modern couch
and orange chair in her living room growing up.

And here is a favorite spot in a garden….

“Our memories retain the significant and eliminate the inessential.”

Painting from memory gives us the opportunity for creative invention; allowing us to state some visual elements of the moment,
 AND the emotion connected to them.

This is what engages the viewer more than mere representation! 

Summer Fun

I caught an image of a very pale young woman laying in the sun
on a very white sandy beach Memorial weekend
and got inspired.

“Red, White, and Blue”
12 x 36 oil
I found this odd sized canvas with lots of built up paint
in my studio and just knew
I had to fill it with her full figure.

I wrestled with the light light skin/sand tones.
Pink sand? Yellow skin?
(I went with yellow sand, pink sand.)

What a fun way start a summer of painting
whatever happens to inspire me.
WELCOME SUMMER!

Sea Side Interiors

Happy Summer!

After a busy spring with lots of shows, festivals, and openings
it’s fun to get back to business.
I’m excited to be sending these three new “sea side interiors” down to
Solace Studio and Gallery
in Long Beach Island, New Jersey.

Cottage Kitchen
16 x 16 oil

Room By the Sea
12 x 12 oil

Summer Sleep Over
12 x 12 oil

(For inquiries contact Solace directly)

Once you put an ocean in a view out a window,
the story changes; it becomes universal
and everyone can relate.
A bit of Hopper.

Welcome summer and all the new subject matter.
Happy Painting!

Private Lessons

Last week I gave a private painting lesson to
a young couple in my studio.
The husband had purchased it as a gift two years ago (pre-pandemic)
so it was fun to finally make it happen!
After a simple review about color and value,
and a quick demo of a simple still life,
they jumped right in.

Having never painted before, and with no expectations,
they had no fear and the results were amazing!

This reminded me just how fun and rewarding teaching is,
especially when the “students” are so enthusiastic!
(Here is our simple “set up”)

Feel free to contact me if you’re interested in a lesson or two!

Restaurant Scenes

I’m happy to share one of the new paintings
that will be included in my solo show
“DRINK AND DINE”
opening July 30
at the Dolphin Gallery in Hingham, MA.

“Sushi Boat”
12 x 12 oil

Having been in the hospitality business
for most of my life,
I’m continually inspired by the quick, spontanous moments that happen in restaurants and bars.
The work in this show is in recognition of all those who work in the hospitality industry and continue to be impacted by the devastating effects of the pandemic.
Please support your local restaurants and bars!

There will be an opening reception
on Thursday August 11
from 5:30 - 7:30.
Mark your calendars!

NOTE:

I have to this painting my 6 year old Grandson did
from memory after seeing my “Sushi Boat” painting
3 weeks prior.
That detail!

Drawing with Seniors

I just finished teaching a 4 week drawing class
as part of the Life Long Learning program
at Linden Ponds, a local Senior living community.
Working with this group is incredibly rewarding as well as entertaining!
Here are a few of the exercises we did.
We explored working with a 5 value scale
and how to break things down in to big shapes. .

We did blind contour drawing of our hands.

We drew with our non-dominant hand
with surprising results.

And of course, drawing upside down was a huge hit!

They begin with the usual trepidation (“I can’t draw a straight line!”)
and eventually loosen up and just have fun doing it.
And the conversations, story telling, and idle chats
while working are priceless.

Timed Exercises

This week we’ve been talking about spontaneous / intuitive painting
(vs. calculated/analytical)
in our weekly on-line class with MDN.
It’s reminded me that doing quick, timed exercises
can really open things up and let the magic happen.
I gave myself 30 minutes to do this today.

Spring is Here!
20 x 12 oil

Setting a timer helps you lose yourself in the process
and forces you to STOP before you over work or over think.
I’d forgotten how liberating that can be!
NOTE:
I visited a greenhouse this week
on a rainy spring afternoon
and it was so inspiring.
The colors, the shapes, the sense of hope and renewal.

Long overdue and much appreciated!

Art Shows Are Back!

Having been mostly dormant for two years,
the art world is finally waking up!
So many exhibits, shows, and festivals are back on the books
and I’m excited to be participating.

“Magic Hour”

12 x 9 oil on paper
I’m thrilled that my interior
will be included in the Spring Juried Show at the
James Library and Center for the Arts.
March 25 - May 7

It’s fun to finish up, frame, and show some of the work
done during this long hiatus.
Here is are some upcoming exhibits where
some of my new work will be shown:

Copley Society Fellows Exhibition:
September Escapades
April 7- May 14

South Shore Art Center
Spotlight Artist
April 1 - May 3

North River Arts Society
”Drink and Dine”
A solo show at the Dolphin Gallery
Hingham, MA
July 29 -August 26

Happy Spring!

New Tools

For Tracy Everly’s workshop this month,
I continued to develop the “Yellow Barn”
idea I started the first week with the value sketches.
Each week she did a demo of her approach
which involves the use of many tools;
scrapers, squeegees, brayers, knives, sponges etc.
I experimented with them all and
this was the end result after many wipeouts and changes.

I feel like this is a bit overworked and almost messy
but it was great fun to push paint around, scrape it off,
and re-apply over and over.
(It’s much more difficult than you would think!)
Here are a few of the stages it went through
from value sketches to final piece.

(Halfway through I realized Iiked the second value study
better so I darkened the sky. )

Tracy is a terrific instructor; very analytical and
her paint application is considered and purposful.
It’s enthralling to watch her paint.
I look forward to adapting some of her techniques
as my journey continues.

Happy painting.

Tracy’s Demo!

Best in Show!

I am humbled and amazed that my recent 12 x 12
gouache painting ”Suite 921”
received the Best in Show award at the annual
North River Arts Society members show!

The fun thing about this is that
this painting was done purley out of love
and to just have fun.
It represents a magic moment in a newly renovated suite
at the Colonnade hotel rigth after our son
ran the Boston Marathon in October.
To me, that warm late afternoon sun reflects
all the love, pride, and hope we felt that day.

Thank you to NRAS for the honor!

Fun in February

After teaching an on-line class in January,
this month I’m taking an on-lline class with Tracy Everly
and it’s great fun.
“Buildings in the Landscape”
through the Winslow Art Center
This is an old favorite subject and Tracy’s work
inspires me to try new apporaches.

I was happy that we began with limited value studies;
to me, one of the most important ways to “plan” a painting.
She reminded us how the act of sketching can
be very calming and meditative;
a great way to relieve the anxiety of beginning a painting.

It’s too cold and dreary in my world to work from life outdoors,
so I used this archived image from a trip to Vermont!

Stay tuned.
I think this is going to be fun!

A Fellows Exhibition

I was recently asked by the Copley Society to submit 5 paintings
to a “Fellows Exhibition” featuring artists who participated in
one of the month long residencies offered each year
in Provincetwon and Gloucester, MA.
The prospectus reads:
”please submit a cohesive group of work,
varying in size, either created during the residency
or inspired by your time there.”

“Downtown Lookout”
16 x 16 oil

I did my residency in Gloucester in 2016,
where I focussed mainly on the working harbor as a subject.
So for this, I decided to focus on the architecture of Gloucester
and used images taken while there as reference.

The Paint Factory
12 x 12 oil

(I had to include the Paint Factory,
it’s motif #1 in Gloucester!)

My residency had a huge impact on my journey as an artist.
I learned so much about the art scene on the North Shore
and the opportunity to experiment and explore
new approaches and techniques
for a whole month uninterrupted, was priceless!

A great big thank you to the Copley Society of Boston!

That's a Wrap

We had our last Modern Painting class today
and once again, I’m amazed at how well
the zoom platform works.
We had 9 artists of all levels
working in different mediums.
Each week we covered ways to manipulate design elements
in order to simplify and energize our paintings.
Here are just a few of the results from some of the quick exercises done in class.

Painting from Memory

High Key, Low Key Value study

Limited Values

Limited pallette

Change the Color, Keep the Value Exercise

I am always very inspired after teaching a class.
The exchange of ideas and interaction with other artists
is priceless; and such a vital part of our journey.
I hope it won’t be long before we can gather in person again.
Paint on!

Simple Value Plan

I just started teaching a 4 week
Modern Painting Class
and it feels good to be getting back to some of the basics.
Each week we explore one element of painting;
line, value, color, and shape
and how to manipulate them for stronger paintings.
To me a strong VALUE pattern is the foundation for successful paintings.

Doing numerous thumbnail value plans
of a subject can help you simplify your values
and design the best composition.
I like the impact of one on the lower right;
the high contrast that makes the white barn pop
so I used that one.

Moonlit Barn
20 x 20 oil

Today I quickly laid in the shapes for this using that plan as a quide.
(While it was wet, I broke up some of the edges
and will “clean them up” when it dries.

Work in progress!)

”Color gets all the credit;
Value does all the work! “

Happy Holidays

How about starting the New Year off by taking a fun
Modern Painting class with me?
There are just a few spots left in my ZOOM class
via the Rockport Art Association
Tuesdays 9:30 - 12:30 in January.
Click here for more info.
I’d love to “see” you there!

“Twilight”

12 x 9 oil

Recently awarded Second Prize at the
South Shore Art Center
Winter Members Show.

Happy Holidays everyone!

End of Year inventory and Sale

I’ve been doing my annual end of year
inventory in the studio.
I find many paintings I did over the year that
got put away for one reason or another.
Seeing them with fresh eyes can be surprising.
I’d forgotten about this one
and actually like it as is.

“Magic Hour” 14 x 12 oil

NOTE:

All painitngs on my website that are
“available in the studio”
are 30% off until Chrsitmas.
(Not including bar/restaurant paintings)
Just contact me at nancycolella12@gmail.com.

Love this time of year!

New Modern Painting class!

I’m excited to announce a new
on-line Modern Painting class
I’ll be teaching in January
via the Rockport Art Association.
This may be the perfect way to kick off
the long winter in the studio!
Tuesdays, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
January 4, 11, 18, 25, 2022

“Late Party”
20 x 16 oil

Modern Painting Class
”A new online class designed for artists with experience working in any painting medium who are interested in exploring ways to create more modern, bold, and expressive paintings by taking a less representational approach. 

Each week we’ll explore ways to manipulate the abstract elements of line, shape, color, value, and texture to express an unexpected idea or statement. There will be a short presentation / slide show / demo followed by time to work independently in our studios. The last half hour we’ll share our discoveries with each other. There will be some homework and each week you’ll receive a list of any specific materials needed. Participants may work in any painting medium with materials of their choice. Space is limited. Nancy will send you an invite with the Zoom link before the meeting.

I’d love to “see” you there!
Here is the link.

Happy Thanksgiving to all

Best wishes to all for a
comfy, warm, and safe Thanksgiving holiday.
May you be surrounded by lots of
love and yummy food.
Cheers!

“Dinner at Jayne’s”
20 x 16 oil

(To be included in my upcoming show titled
”Drink and Dine”)
Stay tuned for more info..

Having a Show!

I’m scheduled to have a show at the Dolphin Gallery in Hingham, MA
(in conjunction with the North River Arts Society )
in February 2022.
It’s kind of fun to have a “project” to think about
and I’ve been busy!
Here’s one that is in the works:

“The Great Escape”
12 x 9 oil

I’m focussing on restaurant and bar scenes.
It’s one of my favorite subjects and I’ve missed it so much!
The lighting, body language, social interaction (or not)
all offer up some great reference material.
Stay tuned as details become more available.

Collage with Seniors

After a year and half away, I’m finally
back to teaching a collage class at Linden Ponds,
a local retirement community.
Working with “seniors” is incredibly rewarding;
they are so enthusiastic and appreciative.
After a brief power point introduction
they dug right in.

Our first project was to combine 5 different shapes
of varying colors, sizes, and textures
into an interesting abstract
composition.
Here are just a few of the fun results:

(Of course, some choose to just do their own thing)

Collage is my favorite medium
to use with this group.
Anyone can do it and the results are always
surprising and fun.
Next week - landscapes!