Neisy Art

Something to Crow About

2011-06-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

11X14 Oil on Canvas

I can't believe it is already the last little moment of June already! Whaaa? Where did...? I'm sure you are all feeling the same way. My summer is sacred, "don't bug me" time when I want to do things that I really want to do, like paint! Not much of that has been going on, it's been replaced with wedding details. My daughter, Mattie is getting married soon, so I went back to Utah for a couple of weeks in the middle of it all, to tie up ends. (long distance wedding planning is not for the faint of heart!) However, some wonderful things happened along the way. I dropped in on my Thursday night painting group to see Donna and everyone! Wonderful! I can't tell you how great it is for me to paint in a group of friends! I got my "loose" on and snagged a picture of a rooster that Donna had in her stash to paint. Then?

"Paint a little, talk a little, paint a little, talk a little,

cheap-cheap-cheap,

talk a lot, paint a little more"....

I could do a musical, I loved it so much! Every moment of it! Here is to painting with friends....it does a body good!

Love,

Neisy

Over The Umatilla

2011-04-27T13:14:00.000-07:00

12x16 Oil on Canvas

There is a place in eastern Oregon that is one of those magical places. My husband, Rob comes from Hermiston, a little town that we used to joke about...."don't blink, or you will miss it..." It's a small town, known for it's watermelon and tough girls. At least where I'm from, it was known for that. His folks have a place overlooking the Umatilla River with a view that will take you from zero to zen in about 10 seconds. I have great memories of this place, but they pail in comparison to the stories that Rob tells of growing up on this river. He and Liz (his sister and partner in crime) practically lived down there on the banks, as they were growing up. Rob was even baptized there in the river because the font at the church was broken. This is one of the reasons why we paint....trying to capture on canvas a measure of the things in our world that are beautiful or meaningful to us. So, here is to rivers and small towns...and little boys that grow up there. Love them all.

Cheers!

Neisy

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Friend"

2011-02-09T12:44:00.000-08:00


11X14 Oil on Canvas

A couple of days ago, I received in the mail, YES...the mail, a bright yellow envelope. Not an email, or a shout out on facebook....nary a tweet in sight! It was a real letter. A note from my sweet friend Debbie. She chatted about her family and what's happening in Huntsville, and asked about my new life in Cali....you know. It was like receiving a ray of sunshine right at my doorstep. I loved it...the tangible evidence that someone is thinking of you does a body good. Maybe that's what daffodils are for. God, sending us a yellow note to say "hey, I'm thinking of you, and don't worry...Spring is right around the corner." That's my theory...and I'm sticking to it. Happy Painting!

Love,
Neisy

Oh Van-Gogh...

2010-12-18T18:24:00.000-08:00

Today was one of those "fill your own cup" days! (then you can fill others...) For my Birthday, my sweetheart took me to the De Young Museum. Oh my.....

We had cups of hot chocolate and croissants and then had lunch in San Fran. A totally wonderful day....and the paintings? Seriously brought tears to my eyes. I had no idea that they would be that breathtaking!

Thanks Vincent for your inspiration....and thanks Rob for taking me to fill up my cup.

Love,

Neisy

Salt

2010-10-21T17:43:00.000-07:00

6x6 oil on panel

I have been thinking a lot about painting. I remember when I first started painting watercolors, being totally impatient with my progress. Donna, in her wisdom, told me that I had to paint a mile of bad paintings before I would paint a good one...the point was to keep painting no matter what. I found this to be true-then and now. Sometimes, I put off painting even when my brain is telling me to get busy and pick up the brush, I fear my own failure and don't start. But today, I heard someone say that "If you want to improve, it's better to paint thirty 1-hour paintings, than one 30-hour painting." Just the kick in the rear that I needed to get going again. So here is a simple painting...nothing that will rock the world....but maybe another starting point to keep me going on my painting journey.

Love,

-Neisy

Sour and Grapes

2010-08-24T15:59:00.000-07:00

6x6 oil on panel

Brothers of Different Mothers

8x10 oil on panel

I have been setting up a few still life's lately. We have been frequenting the farmers market that is near where we live. The hardest part is getting it painted before we eat it! Love Summertime!

Neisy

"Compliments on the Beach"

2010-08-03T18:37:00.000-07:00

6x12 oil on panel

I sat down to paint a small painting of fruit...and ended up wiping it three times! One of those dreaded days where I am pretty sure I have forgotten how to paint at all. So I washed my hands of the whole thing...literally. So, (you have to know what's coming) after a few tears....OK a lot of tears.... I pulled myself together, ate some lunch and piddled around a bit...then sat down again. This time, I decided not to care. All of a sudden, 4 hours had gone by. It was like I was on auto pilot. I really can't explain why this happens! And I really can't understood why my brain is so wired to care so much about what the heck is on that stupid little canvas! This is a picture of a couple that were on the beach in Florida...they looked so beautiful together I spent an afternoon following them around taking pictures....does anyone else see a pattern forming? Can you say O-C-D! HA!

~~Loving the journey,~~
Accepting the journey, (ok...maybe both)

Neisy

"Pears and Pottery"

2010-07-27T15:05:00.000-07:00

8x10 oil on panel

This is a little pottery cup that my daughter made a number of years ago in a class at school. It's amazing how you get attached to little objects like this. It goes so well with all the pinch pots and coil pots that have become mine over the years...usually mother's day gifts! (my favorite kind!) I'm so glad I have it now, because every time I look at it...it reminds me of her. Good day painting today...sunshine and paint...what's not to love about that?

Here's to happiness,
Neisy

Bella Donna

2010-07-21T11:55:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to do a post dedicated to one of my all time favorite people in my life...Donna O. Kearney. and for the past couple of weeks I have been having serious home sickness for HER! So I need to share her with you. This is Donna:

I met Donna about 15 years ago, after discussing with a friend about a painting class she was taking. She invited me to go with her, assuring me that the teacher wouldn't care if one more person came to the class. I agreed to go. The teacher taught painting out of her basement. I had really been needing something in my life that would help me to be creative again. I felt at the time like I had forgotten myself, totally lost in motherhood and family, I needed something just for me. (Brain junk is an awful thing....) We showed up for the class...and the room was completely packed! I mean packed like sardines! As we were walking in....I heard someone asking Donna if she was taking any new students...she was saying, "No....we just don't have room right now..." Then in we came, and Jamie said "I brought a friend with me." Donna looked me straight in the eyes...(and I'm not kidding) it felt like she was looking into my soul and sizing me up. She said, "except for you. I have room for you." It still makes me cry, thinking about it today. We are sisters, her and I, and that night she saved my life.

Thanks Donna. You're the best.

An "oldy..but goody"....

2010-07-02T17:58:00.000-07:00

Oil on Canvas 24X48

Years ago my good friend, Danielle, asked if I would do a painting for her home. She wanted a french looking landscape. We found this old book that had black and white pictures of french cities so I dove in. I had been painting exclusively with watercolor at that time, so I was a bit nervous, but I got into the zone fairly quickly and had a great time with it! This was the resulting painting. A few years after I painted it, the movie Chocolat' came out and to our astonishment, the opening scene of the movie is a panoramic shot of this same little town! Right down to the church in the center square! I had the chance to see it again recently...(it felt like seeing a long lost child). I also got to visit with my sweet friend, who I love dearly. She is very talented in her own right and you should definetly check out her website(here)....you'll be glad you did.

As for me, I have been traveling, visiting, kissing grand kids, then moving when I got back to California....whew...I need a vacation from my vacation! We are getting settled, now and it's time to crack open the painting supplies! Happy summer!

Love,
Neisy

"Reflections at 42"

2010-04-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

6x6 Oil on canvas panel

"Peace for Patti"

30x48 Oil on Canvas

I just returned from a vacation to Amelia Island, Florida! It was truly FABULOUS! I went to visit my sister-in-law, Liz and spend some time fishing, sun-bathing, painting, and fishing some-more. We had such a great time and I can hardly wait to go back....soo0o many sources of inspiration for painting. The second piece I did for my new friend Patti, who lives on the island. She is an audiologist and wanted a painting that would be peaceful for her patients as they take their hearing tests. As I sat at the beach...all blissed out...I thought "There is nothing more peaceful that I can think of right now!" So I put a few pictures together and came up with this scene.

Also, to catch a few of you up...I moved! Actually, Rob and I moved a couple of months ago to the San Fransisco Bay Area, in California. It has been quite a transition for us...but so far we are loving it. I am busy, but still finding time for painting and for vacations! (just call me the bi-coastal girl...) Life is Good.

Love,
Neisy

Just an Apple

2010-04-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

( 5x5 oil on canvas panel)

Back painting with so much to tell..but no time right now! I will fill you in on all of the details soon!

Love,

Neisy

Spot on.

2010-01-23T13:07:00.000-08:00

I found this today, and LOVE it. It is exactly what I need to hear.

Every artist should listen to this. So insightful.

Love,
Neisy

Drawing on stick-to-it-ivness...is that a word?

2010-01-20T16:55:00.000-08:00

It has been forever since I last posted...our world has turned upside down...has it not? First the holidays, then my husband and I have recently moved to California! Packing, crying, saying goodbyes...loading, unloading...Yikes! I have lived in Utah for nearly 29 years...and all of a sudden everything changed! I think it will be really great, but I have to admit that my emotions do get the best of me some times. (so far away from family....)
I have been determined to keep going with my art...far more easier said than done. Right now I can't even find my paints and brushes, let alone a canvas to get something started! So today I pulled out a piece of paper and a stubby old pencil and began to draw! "I will keep going!"(she said to herself defiantly...)
Thanks for checking back occasionally...even if there is nothing new to see. I promise to pull it together soon!

Love,
Neisy

A drum beat with my name on it.

2009-10-20T06:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spent the morning with some old friends. (I love how you can not see someone for a really long time...then pick right up where you left off when you get together...you know?) I used to get together to paint with Sherri and Linda a long time ago...but life paths took us in different directions. They are both still on a creative journey, that I love. Check out Linda's website here.
Sherri shared some of her expressions yesterday that I have to pass on to you. Sherri is a sensitive and analytical person. I love this about her so much. In her world, no rock goes unturned and she is in constant pursuit of who she is as a woman, artist, and human being.
What she creates speaks volumes to who she is and what her journey has been. I love it.
This is a portion of her work:
(click on the images to see detail...)

There is a conversation that has been rambling around in my head for some time now. I was talking to Donna a few weeks ago, and she was expressing how in art you have to learn all you can...study the masters, read every book, try every technique, immerse yourself in every aspect of what you love. Then after you have done all of this...you go to your canvas or paper, and forget all of that. Then just paint. But not with anything other than your own voice. Your own passion.
This has been the hardest lesson for me to learn. I keep trying to figure out what I want to "say" in my paintings. Who I am as an artist...I am still on the journey.
But I have to confess that sometimes this journey is very painful for me. I want it all now....I mean RIGHT NOW. OK...maybe the real deal is that I am putting the cart before the horse and what I really need to do is conquer the technique first. Did Rembrandt have a bunch of crap paintings that no one knows about before the masterpieces came? Where are they?

Thank you to my friends who make me think one more time about hard questions. Who make me pick myself and the brush up one more time to try it again.

Isn't self-introspection delicious?

Love,
Neisy

Long Drink of Water

2009-09-18T08:58:00.001-07:00

16x12 oil on canvas

Well, I have been painting away, having a great time doing this portrait of my son in law-Jeff. He is a very tall red-head whom we all adore and miss right now because he is away doing training in the Air Force. Hopefully, this will help us all to keep him in our minds, hearts and prayers.
I have really been having a great time lately, with my "painting partners". I've been trying to talk them into doing blogs of their own. I find that artists in the blog world are SO supportive and helpful! It has really been awesome to find a comment here and there...it boosts me and I really appreciate it. (you have no idea...) It really doesn't matter what level you are on, we are all trying to find ourselves, improve, express our ideas...it's all good! I thank you for helping me on my journey.

love,
Neisy

get me started....

2009-08-01T08:49:00.001-07:00

Lean On Me

8 x 10 Oil on canvas

I am having to jump start myself these days...gotta get me going in a positive direction!! I had a lemon sitting on the counter, just waiting for something wonderful to happen to it... so I borrowed a page from Carol Marine (such an inspiration) and decided to set up a small still life on paper:

(this really is a lemon...looks very orangy in the pic)
What great fun! I had a wonderful morning going crazy with my lemon slices and thinking about what a wonderful thing it is to use complementary colors...talk about zing! I also finished up a painting that has been sitting for awhile:

New Reflections

12 x 16 oil on canvas

This is really the first time I have done silver...a challenge, but great fun.
Just trying to stretch my brain!

love,
Neisy

Checking in

2009-07-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

It has been soooo long since I've posted....life has taken over the last few months and hogged all of my attention! I really haven't had time to paint....BOO! But yesterday I got up and said to myself, "self, you are going to paint today, come hell or high water!" (neither one came) and I painted!! It felt wonderful, and made me realize how much I really need this in my life. So, ON WE GO! (life is full of circles)

Love,
Neisy

New Friend

2009-04-26T22:25:00.000-07:00

This week I have been busy getting ready for my nieces wedding. [something I used to do in a former life, now only reserved for people I really love... :)...] You can check out some of my creative juices on my family blog listed on the sidebar. But in art news, I am working on a new still life right now and thinking of new ideas all the time. My thoughts are always turning to new painting ideas and I can't look at anyone without thinking about how I would paint them!! love that.
Also, I received an email from a wonderful artist that I have linked to, Miro. Please take a look at his wonderful sight. I promise you will be inspired like I have been. His style just takes me away into a happy place...love it!! Thanks, Miro....kind words go along way in helping me be even more jazzed about painting! Here's to being creative!
love,
Neisy

Winter Walk

2009-04-03T13:26:00.000-07:00

11x14 Oil on Canvas

This is from a snapshot of Levi and Sophie taken last year, up at the top of Green Hills in Huntsville. The view from there is spectacular! I wanted to do something with a fairly limited palette, blues and browns and I wanted to focus on the value contrast. I have been feeling very rebellious over the snow lately...(doesn't' mother nature know when enough is enough!!)...but last week I thought, alright--if you can't beat 'em join 'em! Thus, a snow picture. (wait, does that mean if I paint sunshine and flowers...it will happen?....aahh...the power of positive DREAMING!
Hope you like it
love,
Neisy

Claire in repose

2009-03-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

15x30 oil on canvas

Yes...the magic words have been said..."I'm finished!" This month has passed by in a blurr...many things happening at once, but I have kept painting through it all. This is an accomplishment in itself. I am happy to be doing the thing that I love to do. I have had a completely joyful experience with this painting...1st, painting my sweet Claire, and 2nd, painting completely out of my head. Diving in head first is always exhilarating. David Leffel said, "Learning means leaving security and taking risks. Talent is actually the ability to take risks, to attempt different solutions..." I am definitely in search of a new, higher level of painting. Trying to find myself in different styles is part of the process....seeing what speaks to me....helps me define who I am as a painter and what it is I want to say in my paintings. I'm loving the journey.
love,
Neisy

tick...tick...tick...

2009-02-20T07:38:00.000-08:00

I know, I know....it takes me forever to finish a painting! I love and have admiration for these blogs from people who pump one out everyday...very impressive. Sorry, I'm not up to that yet...but working on it. I went to Donna's house last night to paint and got alot of work done. I am totally loving my painting so far.
It feels nice to not be bogged down in
brain junk.
For now I : "just keep painting...just keep painting..."

Ode to PINO

2009-02-12T20:10:00.000-08:00

Yes!!! I have been painting...just not so much posting. I have been working on a painting of my daughter Claire...and I am very out of my comfort zone.
AWESOME!
I love it when that happens. It all happened when a friend lent me her PINO book. K...I know probably everyone in the art world knows PINO...but I did'nt until Vicki passed it on. Truly the coolest. (I might add that the book costs a pretty penny and so that she lent it was way generous. love you vicki)
So I have been inspired and am trying to do a study after his amazing style. His work is so emotional. seriously it grabs you and you can't stop looking...not in a train wreck sort of way but more like a thunder storm kind of way...get it? I love it so much!
Check him out...

http://www.pino-artist.com/pino-art-collections.html

So I took some pics of Claire in a "PINO" pose. (Thank you Claire for being my guinea pig.) I made a skirt for her for a special wedding she was going to...it turned out really neat, and I wanted to paint her in it...

I am not finished yet, but getting close. I will post in the next week or so. It has been so much fun.... such a great lesson in"loose"!

Painting makes me happy!

There is beauty all around...when there's "no" one home.

2009-02-03T09:19:00.000-08:00

Sorry, I don't have a decent title for this one yet...I'll think of something better.....

This is a pic of Donna's play house that is in her backyard. She built this all by herself and it is truly a work of art in itself. She added stained glass windows and really cool doors and all kinds of antiques to the inside and did the stucco on the outside....she is really amazing. I feel priveledged to call her "friend". Did I mention she is also my teacher? ( I will do a post sometime just dedicated to her, so you can get to know her.) Anyway, her play house is totally
"magical". It feels like you are entering Snow White's house and should expect to find dwarves there....way cool. Ms. White, I am sure would agree. (maybe I'll call it ms. white plus 7...?)

I decided to do a study of it and at first I hated it so much! I swear there were elements that made me want to throw it away! ( I did parts of the trees 3 times before I felt it was right!)
But, I persevered and LEARNED so much! I am glad now that I stuck with it. It has been a really good thing for me in the long run.

This is a detail of the finished painting.
The reflections in the puddle on the sidewalk are my favorite. :}

Happy Painting!

Love, Neisy

Looking Back

2009-01-30T06:53:00.000-08:00

These are the finished paintings of what I have been working on all through

last fall. Check them out:

"Anthropology"

oil on canvas
by Denise McConnell
24X24

This is a study that a bunch of us did together. All from the same pic. They all turned out sooo different!

"Dream House"

oil painting
by Denise McConnell
14X18

This is a from a snapshot of Levi when we took him to Mexico. He was probably around 9 years old then. (he's 20 now!) I have been wanting to paint it forever....It's never to late!

"Doin' Huntsville in 4th Gear!"

oil painting
by Denise McConnell
12X24

This was from a collection of pics I took of Mattie. There is no 4th of July celebration as good as the one in Huntsville....my favorite place in the world!

An Open Window

2009-01-29T08:29:00.000-08:00

This is the painting that Got me started again. I was looking at some pics that Kit had and saw this one that was actually a mistake. (someone's hand was in the way of the shutter...something like that...that's what made it all fuzzy.)

I just knew I could paint it. So one day I picked myself up and said "I am painting today...no matter what!"

I had been having such a block...the likes of which I hope never to have again....and I hope for all artists to never experience. Debilitating really. Anyway....I feel like God reached down and said,"enough is enough....get busy." and I knew I could. Thanks God.

Remember to keep on painting...no matter what.
love,
Neisy

January

2009-01-27T09:05:00.000-08:00

This blog has changed a bit. It started out for a very different purpose, but circumstances have brought changes. I have, however been bitten by the blog bug! so I've decided to keep it going as a record for myself and others. As they say...when a door closes, a window opens
(and you're still stuck with a draft....).

I am back, as it were, from the dead. I have felt like my creative life was over for a long while. but when the door closed, God opened the window wide and the creative blessing has been flowing hard and fast. I have a lot to catch up on ( I havn't painted for about 10 years) but it's kinda like riding a bike. (you know what i mean.)

So, it really is time for goals and reaching and all that jazz. If you are watching, I will feel like keeping it going.
love,
Neisy.

Yellow and blue

2008-09-09T18:38:00.000-07:00

11x14
oil on canvas
framed
artist: Denise McConnell

Dinner

2008-09-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

14x18
oil on canvas
framed
artist: Denise McConnell

"3 girls"

2008-09-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

8x10 oil on canvas
framed
artist: Denise McConnell