Scudder Pond

Check out my new site at Daily Paint Works. There's lots of new work daily and it's easy to purchase smaller paintings for affordable prices.  http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nancy-canyon/scudder-pond/467418 and http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/nancy-canyon-6776/artwork

Unclad Art Show

This last weekend a wonderful and prestigious show took place at the Edmonds Yacht Club in Edmonds, Washington. 90 artist participated in the show, selected by jury from over 400 entries. Though the show is over, the art is still available for purchase.  You can see all the wonderful pieces at www.uncladarshow.com

Aerial Artist, Graphite and Acrylic paint, $395.00

Nature in the Balance at Lightcatcher Museum

If you are interested in seeing our local artist's interpretations of the effects of global warming on the planet...take a look at this show at the Lightcatcher Museum: Nature in the Balance http://www.whatcommuseum.org/  I have a painting of an Antarctic iceberg hanging in the center section...my thinking in painting it being, if we truly see the beauty on earth, how can we harm that. We should do anything and everything in our power to protect what we have.

Art is a good way to make statements about what we hold dear.  When I was a beginning painter, an instructor said to me, What are you saying?  I shrugged...That I like pretty flowers?  If it was good enough for Georgia, couldn't it be good enough for me?  Still I like the shape of the iris and if you take a look at my painting, you will see it resembles a flower.  Toward the culmination of the piece, I noticed shadows in the right corner that resembled Leopard Seals...a native of Antarctica.  I believe in the process of the subconscious...it will come through every time with meaning, whether we are conscious of what we mean to say or not.

How do we become more conscious?  I think writing and art are helpful tools in discovering meaning.  Also, we have meditation, the mountains, walking, breathing, listening to bird calls and beautiful music.  Summer is a good time to recline in nature, close one's eyes and listen.  A bee, a fly, the wings of a bird, the water lapping, a fish jumping, the croak of a frog.   This morning early I heard a loon call twice.  This is what I am saying in my paintings.  Nature is precious and beautiful.  I bask in this beauty.  And I want to protect it.

Here's the piece in process...the final version you will have to take a look at at the museum.  The show hangs through the summer...so you have plenty of time.  Enjoy!

Antarctica Iceberg

Winter Show at Jansen Art Center

If you haven't been to Lynden, it's a treat to visit this special town not far out Meridian from Bellingham.  There's a great Dutch bakery there to enjoy a treat and the windmills are delightful.  I'm reminded of my old stomping grounds, Coeur d' Alene, Idaho...only there we had a statue of Paul Bunyon.

But this quaint town has more to offer than Dutch treats, there's a beautiful art center near the bakery.  This winter my work is being shown there.  So give yourself an artist date and take in the art center, the gift shop, and the cafe at the art center.  Here's the link:
Jansen Art Center in Lynden. www.jansenartcenter.org/

Also, if you like doing collage, I'm holding a collage class this Sunday, the 20th, from 1-4 PM.  Currently I have three folks signed up.  I can have up to 10.  I think 6 would be ideal.  It is $25.00, which includes, board, glue, & magazines.... and I'll have the teapot on and some snacks.  If you are interested let me know.  I can be reached at wildcanyons@msn.com

Honey Salon Showing of New Work

NEW WORK: Nature Reflections

The show is a success...and my work, I think, has reached a new high.  I'm happy with the way one photograph of a reflection taken while walking around Padden Lake inspired me to create many new paintings.  That's the thing with art, if you are stuck, and I was, it could be that there just isn't anything inspiring you right now.  Now I'm inspired, and you could be too.

If you get a chance, please stop at Honey Salon, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10-7.  The show will run through December 6th.  Honey Salon is at 310 Holly St. in Bellingham, right next to Rocket Donuts and up the street from Old Town Cafe.  Enjoy the show and while you're there, meet the great stylists, my favorite being Marisa Perrault. Please say hello.  www.nancycanyon.com

White of Clouds

What is the difference between inspiration and imagination?  I get inspired out in nature, walking around Lake Padden, looking through the clear water to the lake bottom, seeing the reflection of alders on the water surface, and the reflection of clouds from above.  It's amazingly beautiful and that inspires me. 

 

I'm also inspired by shapes in nature, the way rocks pile next to grass, the carving of Chuckanut sandstone, the patterns of tree branches backlit with sunlight.  Is this imagination or does it inspire my imagination?  Maybe it doesn't matter...but as artists, I believe we must go out and look...be it at the natural elements, or to an antique store, a museums or gallery.  We get to see how art can be made by viewing Picasso's physical forms drawn from different angles, or Chihuly's large paintings he makes into beautiful blown glass. 

 

It's the same with an author.  We read to learn how other author's form sentences, how they describe a character or place.  The artist must do the same thing...study texture, light, shape, flow, compostion. 

Where do you go to get inspired?  Where do you take in information that will grow your imagination into a new painting, a new collage, a new story? 

 

Please come to my open studio October 21, noon to four.  1000 Harris Ave, #21.  The entrance to the stairs is between Good Earth Pottery and Artwood.  My studio will be open (3rd floor) and so will the jeweler's and potter's on the second floor.  Make it a day in Fairhaven...have some gelato, walk to the dock and back, enjoy the fall weather.

Peace, Nancy  

Roots...5 Things to Remember About Light

Roots
Acrylic on Canvas 3 x 4'

When you paint, you will get to a place in developing your piece where you want to decide on details of light.  If you are working from a drawing, you  probably have established this already.  In this painting, I wanted the light coming from the left and lighting the background more than the foreground.  The painting became somewhat surreal by doing this...as the drawing was of actual roots that I'd photographed in the woods.  Of course, I added details to make this piece look watery.

When working with light:

1.  Find a focal point and make it the brightest place in the painting.

2.  To get more contrast, remember you must have a darkest dark as well as a lightest light.

3.  Observe your painting in different light situations...low light, bright light...etc.  See if you are capturing the effect you want.

4.  Work slowly, especially when adding darkest darks.  It's harder to lighten a dark, than to darken a light.

5.  Correct at the end, bringing back your focal point to the brightest...so we look there first.

What are you working on in your studio?  Let me know via comment.

Happy Painting,

Nancy

On Taking a Break, or 5 tips for in-filling.

I had a therapist once...yes, I've had lots of them...who told me that I was in an in-filling period.  She said that artists have in-filling and out-pouring periods.  These two different processes should be respected...flowed with.  So when I'm in what seems like a blocked or dryspell, actually, I'm in-filling.  I can respect this process by giving to myself new experiences: hiking, going to museums, discovering new artists and taking in their work, trying out a new technique, cleaning or painting my studio.  During the in-filling period, I'm actually getting ready for the next out-pouring.  I might liken this to sex...yes, that's what I said.  The tension has to build again...the lust, the want...and then...  Okay, I'll spare you the details.  Did you ever read Natalie Goldberg's description of writing practice in comparison to sex?  Funny!

So there are different aspects of making art that can also come into play during the in-filling period: promotion, making promotional materials, framing, organzing the studio, errands and orders, sketching in nature, swimming.  Since it's summer, the in-filling period is easier to relax into.  I've been going to the bay to swim daily...86 degree weather, water smooth and sparkling.  Lovely.  Also wine tours out on the bay are refreshing and good for laughs and connections with friends.  I always carry my business cards.  Mixing it up with other artists is also reviving.  Sunday, Bellingham artists are organizing a gorilla art gallery down at Boulevard Park.  Artist show up with a piece of art and stand in a line holding up their painting at a certain hour.  Instant art gallery.  Funny...and fun.

During your next in-filling, try these 5 tips:
1.  Set up a regular walking schedule with or without a friend.
2.  Take in art galleries and museums, & books of art at the library.
3.  Fall in love with new colors.
4.  Peruse antique stores, dime stores, hardware stores, garage sales.
5.  Read a good mystery. 

Please share your tips for recharging once the flurry of new work has wound down.
Cheers,
Nancy

Crinkle Paper Paintings

Whatcom Cottonwoods

Pine Lake Lilies

These paintings are done using a process where the paper is dampened and wrinkled so sizing is broken down. Then values of ink are added. Once dry, the painting is enhanced with watercolor or ink-pencils, or pen and ink...whatever the artist chooses. These two paintings fit nicely with my reflection series. The bottom one is a reflection of the sky on the water at Pine Lake. I hiked in with a friend, about 5 miles, then set up camp on a little island we had to wade to. It was spring and the water flooded the boardwalk between the land and this tiny island off shore. This is a very small lake in the Chuckanuts. It was beautiful that night, clear and calm. The lake reflected everything, the trees, the pinking clouds in the sky. Just fabulous. I may add more to this painting to enhance the lilies, for at the moment, it is abstract. Although, I love it this way. They are approximately 16 x 20, although this photo got cropped slightly in the upload. Contact me at nancy@nancycanyon.com if you are interested in purchasing these.

Art Will Swallow You Whole

Step in and enjoy, just as you might enjoy a binge on chocolate and cake. Drop into the work space...paint morning and night, or wing out a novel, or begin a song. You are not a song writer, you say, but you heard once that songwriting is like any art form...that once you open the conduit to the numinous, ideas flow, brilliance flows, and the excitement you feel is good, almost like sex. The beginning, the pleasurable middle, the crescendo..final note, a breath you exhale, and relax. When you begin a new paintings the first stroke of cadmium yellow can be tenuous, but the canvas eats up buttery yellow paint. You liken it to the slathering of butter on a crisp piece of toast. The scent of paint, oil of course reminding you of the woods where the heat of the sun warms needles and pitch and proclaims the day soluble. The warmth coming off the rocks where you stretch out to day dream...these are the tubes you squease, watching the stream of yellow, like the pastry chefs icing piping along smooth frosting. The canvas is primed. You have built the stretcher frame in the garage, cut the 1x2 lumber, butted pices together like the country quilt. On the back, 4"x4" hard board pieces are tacked over joints for stabilization. It the canvas is large, a cross bar keeps it from wobbling. Then the canvas, a heavier grade is good but not too heavy. You've ordered from Daniel Smith, bought canvas stretchers and a staple gun. You stretched the canvas evenly, taut enough so the outcome is that it rings like a drum when tapped. As you work, you begin singing. Dead Can Dance is on the CD player, just out there enough, just up beat enough to get you going, brushing on thick gesso, nice and white. Use love the crazy motion that leaves brush strokes for the paint to drop into. Some folks sand in-between for a smooth finish. As you paint a feeling of excitement fills your belly. A feeling that anything is possible, that the world is yours...you're alive, days are sunny, wild flowers bloom in mountain meadows. The natural world unfolds one moment at a time. You land on your feet as you spread paint with a squirrel-hair brush. And when your work day is done, you'll still be singing that one refrain--the notes as clear to you as the meadow lark's...and the day will end with a a feeling of satisfaction, that you are repleat with art, almost as if you've transcended the everyday world.