Sunny Pears

Sunny Pears

watercolor

6 x 6 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

available

Here is my most recently completed watercolor painting. A little still life of pears in one of our hand crafted ceramic bowls, bathed in sunlight. This painting was finished before I began the one I shared a peek of in my last post. That one with all the pattern. I am enjoying these still life paintings, the challenges of light, form, and texture, and the square format is a nice change of pace for me.

warming to the new year

I did not intend to take such a lengthy break from this blog, yet it seems that I did after all. We are now getting back into our familiar routines after a relaxing holiday break. This morning, as the temperatures were finally warming to something more reasonable for our January days, I watched as the sun approached slowly across the distant hills, filling in the shadows with light.

Here are the beginnings of a new watercolor painting. I don't know what I was thinking with all of that pattern. This in-progress view may be the only glimpse you have of this painting, if all does not go well from here on out.

My work that did not sell from our December show is back home now. It's nice to see some of these old friends again.

Kiddo's tennis and homeschool co-op classes have begun again. And my newly completed tote bag, stuffed with yet another crochet project is ready to go along. It is comforting to be returning to our rhythm. I have been looking forward to this new year, a new year of light and warmth, ready to be savored.

sketchbook :: Happy Christmas!

Few quiet moments these last days before Christmas. Yet I did steal two in order to spend a little time with my sketchbook. It's a new sketchbook for me, begun at the Solstice. A sketchbook made by Cachet, with multi-media paper and a spiral binding, one that I can enjoy yet not allow it to become too precious. My poinsettia above was sketched lightly in pencil, washed with watercolor, then purple ink lines added.

And Kiddo's Christmas cookies were sketched with watercolor pencils, then washed lightly with water. I do like the paper in this book. It's not slick, like some multi-media sketchbook papers, so it does behave a bit more like watercolor paper. It has a slight texture, not too much though, just about right for pencils and ink. Over the past few months I have tried and abandoned a few other purchased sketchbooks for one reason or another. This one though, looks like it may be a keeper. And now that the rush is over I am looking forward to a few more quiet moments, hopefully spent with my sketchbook!

I hope your holidays are happy and that you have a joyous, and art-filled, new year!

sketchbook :: lessons in sketching

Last spring I treated myself to Cathy Johnson's Mini Art Class on Ink and Wash. This is a technique I have admired in Kate's and others' sketches, and have attempted myself from time to time, so I was eager to take advantage of another one her wonderful courses. And even though I love the effect of line combined with watercolor wash, I have always been a little intimidated by drawing in ink. I had worked through several of Kate's exercises in the course but my head just wasn't in the right place to devote my attention to something different. Now lately, I have been rethinking my approach to my sketchbooks and I revisited the Ink and Wash lessons. The timing was better. Kate's wise and gentle approach to teaching resulted in one of those "a-ha" moments. I grabbed my pen, travel watercolor set and sketchbook and settled into my comfortable chair with a cup of tea nearby and sketched Kiddo's Santa hat sitting before me. It was a pleasure to just let the line wander about the paper until it found the form. A quick dash of color and the hat came alive. Sometimes it's more about what is left out, what you let go. Thank you Kate, for your inspired teaching!

poinsettia

Poinsettia

watercolor

5.5 x 7.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

available

Getting into the holiday spirit with this painting of a poinsettia blossom. I was captivated by the leaves in the sunlight creating an almost abstract design of light and dark. As I completed the painting I decided to use this image for our greeting cards this year. After some comparison shopping I choose to go with Zazzle for printing the cards. I like that I can customize the cards with printed messages. And since I was doing all of that, I also made this image available for cards for purchase from Zazzle. You can click the link here or the one over on the side bar. Are you ready for the holidays?

Our Art Exhibit at Valdese

This past Monday we hung our show at The Old Rock School in Valdese, North Carolina.

The show includes my work in oil, colored pencil, and watercolor, as well as watercolors by my hubby, Gary Nemcosky. All of the art work that we selected for this exhibit has a coastal theme.

Our exhibition space is fairly large, but we were able to fill it up! I didn't manage to get one clear picture, but these at least give you an idea. We also have many original works matted that are not hanging, but in a rack for display.

If you happen to be in Western North Carolina during the holidays please stop in and see our art exhibit!

sketchbook :: garlic keeper

Last month we played tourists and visited Beech Mountain's Oktoberfest festival. They had the oompa band, folk dancing, and of course lots of crafters selling their wares. It was there that I found something I had been seeking for a long while now, a garlic pot or "keeper". The artist, who made these as well as many other items, is Keith Martindale of Keith Martindale Pottery. Even though my sketch of my new garlic keeper is a little wonky, all of his work on display was beautiful. And his booth at the festival was a very busy place! This sketch was done with watercolor only in my hand made sketchbook.

At Tatum Cabin

At Tatum Cabin

watercolor

7.5 x 9.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

available

This is one of those paintings that I could work on forever. I was interested in having a juxtaposition of loose, washy, areas with more developed, rendered spots. I think I got there so I am calling it finished now before I overdo it.

Last month while visiting our local Heritage Festival at Hickory Ridge Homestead here in Boone, I spotted this scene in one of the cabins. There are several cabins at this living history site and on this day folks were dressed in period costumes and available for demonstrations and talks on life in these mountains during Revolutionary War times. While the guide in Tatum Cabin was explaining the structure and the families that lived there I was captivated by the preparations she had laid out for a mid-day meal. The simple wooden bowl containing tomatoes and leeks and the woven towel she had been using casually laying along side were stunning in the sunlight coming through the cabin's small window. She may have though it odd that I was so busy capturing this display with my camera but I am glad that I did, as I was able to glean enough from my dark and fuzzy photos to make this painting.

just a peek

We've been terribly busy getting ready for an upcoming exhibit. I'll share more details about that soon. In the meantime I have a glimpse of my drawing board, where I have a painting in progress. I am eager to get back to work on this piece.

And a look inside my sketchbook where I sketched (with watercolor only) a group of stones found at the beach. Not a great photo but it will do.

marsh dreams

Marsh Dreams II

watercolor

4.5 x 6.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

available

Here is a small watercolor series that I recently completed. 

Marsh Dreams III

watercolor

4.5 x 6.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

available

These paintings of marshes are inspired by our visits to Edisto Island on the South Carolina coast. 

Marsh Dreams IV

watercolor

4.5 x 6.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

available

I love seeing the many moods of the sky reflected in the ribbons of water 

that weave through the marsh grasses.

Marsh Dreams V

watercolor

4.5 x 6.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

available