My beautiful daughter Meghan is a fabulous model! She’s “sat” for several paintings and is a real trooper. Once she sat for my beloved teacher June Holloway for three hours! That’s a long time to sit in the same place/position especially for a ten year old. But a little break here and there and a [...]
This summer, by invitation, I entered three pieces into the American Art Awards. Much to my delight and surprise, “Pearl” took 1st Place in the 31st Category – Portrait of Someone Famous. The other two entries won in the 5th Category – Pastel; The Cobbler took 3rd place and Flower Girl took 5th. I’m so [...]
The tobacco horn worm is fiercely hated by anyone who’s trying to grow tomatoes. They have a veracious appetite and if left unchecked, will devour an entire plant in a day or two. So why do I love these little critters so much (actually they’re pretty big – three to four inches!)? I am completely [...]
We need bees! The recent disappearance of bees at an alarming rate is both curious and scary. I hope we can find a way to get it together and LET THEM BEE!
This one was inspired by Proverbs 6:6. To quote the BLB.org, “The ant has been famous in all ages for its social habits, foresight, economy and industry. Collecting their food at the proper seasons, they bite off the ends of the grain to prevent it from germinating, and lay it up in cells until needed.” [...]
The best part of my job is getting to meet my subject(s). In this case, Teddy, a Great Pyrenees and Tessie, a Welsh Corgy are quite the unlikely pair. Picture Teddy, wise like Eeyore and slow to speak with deep-voiced words and always kind. Tessie, may be younger and smaller, peppy and more mischievous, but [...]
This painting is the fifth in a series of paintings created for our church in celebration of the advent. This is a 36″ x 36″ acrylic on canvas.
Lil’ E or Elvis as my sister calls him is one small dog. I joke that my Emmah poops bigger than her Lil’ E. It was only due to a series of unusual events that my sister actually became Lil’ E’s mom. Now, she can’t imagine life without him. Funny how these little creatures have [...]
“Lord of Savanna,” by Nancy Conant, took first place in the Irving Art Association’s 8th Annual Wildlife Art Show at their Reception and Awards Ceremony on October 4, 2009. Winning in the Pastel category, a judge commented, “Bravo on this piece. The fur, the snarl, the wrinkles and the teeth were true to life. Exceptional [...]
Here’s a sneak peek at another cool little painting I’m working on. This one’s all kinds of fun because I’m getting to use my sparkly pastels!!! I’ve been itching to use them but sparkles are typically not found on pets or their people! Unless, of course it’s a poodle wearing a tutu…never mind. Anyways…then one [...]
I like to paint more than one painting at a time. Now many artists work on one and one alone and they’re “gonna work on this thing until its finished, by golly!” Then as if it’s some kind of reward for finally completing the work they then get to start another. The problem with this [...]
Finished painting a snarling lion this week. Called him Lord of Savanna. 10/4/09 update: Lord of Savanna takes first place in the Pastel Category at the Irving Art Association’s 8th annual Wildlife Art Show.
The wolf is finished…this was a lot of fun because I also had a chance to photograph some wolves while in Washington this year.
We’re learning the step-by-step process of Lesley’s technique to painting fur. Learning fur from the fur-master
They say if you bring home a tortoise plan on having him (or her! Or them!!!) for a very long time. As a matter of fact, they will probably outlive you, seeing as how the life span of these creatures can be well beyond 80 years.
The only problem with doing a self-portrait is that you have to look at yourself for a v e r y l o n g t i m e. This is something I do not care to do. That was the bad part. The good part is that I have my own keepsake of my kitty and me.
I love that we’ve made our new home in Texas, but at heart, I’m just a California Girl. There are many things that I miss about California: my family, the beach, my old church family, the beach, California Poppies carpeting the hills and did I mention I miss the beach!?
I am awestruck by the work of the Old Masters. I never tire of studying their works. I particularly loved Vermeer’s The Girl With The Pear Earring. In 2003, a movie was made about the famous painting, starring Scarlett Johansson. After watching the film (literally – it was probably 11:00 pm!), I was so inspired that I busted out my oils and got started.
