"Happy New Year!"

Here it is, New Year's Eve. I want to wish everyone a wonderful and productive New Year.

The night before last, I finished this new charcoal portrait called "First Kiss." My son, Ben, had a new baby girl a couple of months ago and when I saw the photo of him giving Taylin a kiss I knew I had to do this drawing. I, actually, gave the picture to his wife, Wendy, as a birthday present. She was very pleased with it.

Check back soon for more artwork. I have set some serious goals for the coming year. Please let me hear from you about what you like in these pictures.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

Portrait

I've gotten permission to post one of the Christmas portraits. It makes it a little difficult to post about my artwork when so much of it right now is for Christmas. Thank you for your patience as we get through this season. I miss getting to post my artwork more often.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

"Watch Your Step"

Today I took a break from the charcoal portraits to paint a cat portrait. It was fun to get back into the oil paints and the likeness is coming along very nicely.

I am going to post another pen and ink drawing I did a while back. It's called "Watch Your Step." A white-throated pack rat is walking across a very prickly cholla cactus. These pack rats make their homes at the base of this kind of cactus. They are very safe there because other animals learn quite fast that there are thousands of very sharp needles on this cactus. It is amazing how these rats can learn to crawl all over these plants without getting stuck.

Let's remember to be extra thankful this week. Saturday evening, we were driving home from another town and there stood a deer in the middle of the road. I hit the brakes and swerved to the right to give her extra room. She turned and ran to the right, so I swerved left. Her hind leg hit our front right bumper. Fortunately, there was no damage to the car and we hope the deer suffered only a sore leg from it all. We are very thankful for Heavenly Father's blessing in this incident.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

Know the Model

Finished another portrait yesterday. I still need to adjust a couple of shadows on it, but the likeness is definitely there. This one seemed easier to do and maybe that was because I know the model so well. I can't wait to post these portraits on my blog for you to see.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

Discouragement/Encouragement

Have you noticed that I have not been posting very many blogs lately? Having the analytical mind that I do, I started trying to figure out why I seem to have a difficult time blogging. It was so much fun when I began and now it's almost drudgery. I think I have figured it out, though. I got some negative comments about my blog from some people that mean a lot to me. It was very discouraging. But you know what? I need to overcome discouragement like this. My art is important to me and it brings me joy. It is wonderful to be able to write about this gift, too.

I want to thank all of you who sent those wonderful comments in your emails about my recent awards. You really lift my spirits.

I have finished another portrait today. It may need a little adjustment here or there, but it is almost totally done. On to the next one!

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

Best of Show

Wednesday was a very hectic day for me. I had to go to San Angelo to take three paintings to the San Angelo Art Club Best in Realism show. I entered "Peek-a-Boo", "Singin' & Dancin'", and my trompe l'oiel, "Jan Verschoor - War Hero." As soon as I got home I had to pick up the kids from school and take them to Sweetwater for a couple of appointments that they had. From there we went to our Wednesday night church meetings. Then my husband and I had a church leadership meeting. By the time we got home it was after 10:00 p.m.

Yesterday, I went to Lubbock with three of my friends. We got back just in time for the kids to get home from school. We made a trip to the library and then watched a couple of movies we checked out from there.

Today, I spent all afternoon in my craft room working on portraits. When the kids got home from school, I came back over to the house to spend some time with them. I checked the phone for messages and had one new one. It was from the San Angelo Art Club. I received the Best of Show award for "Jan Verschoor - War Hero" and "Honorable Mention" for "Peek-a-Boo." Each artist at this show can only receive one major award and an honorable mention award. The lady that informed me of my awards said that the judges really liked "Peek-a-Boo" a lot. But because I had won "Best of Show", I could only get "Honorable Mention" for "Peek-a-Boo." I am quite thrilled with the awards. I feel very blessed.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

Portraits Today

Today I had planned to work on portraits all day. Then life got in the way. For a while it looked like I might not get to do any artwork. But Heavenly Father is so good and He helped me get organized and work on two portraits. One is almost finished and the other is off to a very good start. I love getting to create these portraits. They can be something to cherish for a lifetime.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

Rain Bird Gallery

Tomorrow I take my paintings to Blanco, Texas to the Rain Bird Gallery. It is exciting to get the honor of gallery representation at this stage of my life.

I finished "Brindle Longhorn" yesterday, so I will post this painting today. The coloring on this bull was quite complicated, but it was great to conquer the challenge.

So many of you took advantage of my October pricing special. I will be busy for quite a while keeping up with all the orders for portraits. Next week will find me busy in my studio with charcoal all over my hands, but it will be fun to draw all the beautiful pictures I have received.

I will be out of town through the weekend, so I won't get to post again until Monday.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

Art Shows and Galleries

Where has this week gone!? I have worked on my art almost every day and I don't know how I neglected posting to my blog.

I had a challenge last week. One of the charcoal portraits I was working on was really giving me a hard time. I had purchased some new charcoal sticks and I used a harder grade of charcoal for the under tones. When I tried to erase the highlights, there were spots all over that wouldn't erase. A woman doesn't want spots on her face and arms. I decided to make a sample of the different grades of the charcoal sticks and what they look like erased. I taped off squares on the paper I use for my portraits. After toning each square with the different grades of charcoal, I erased some spots on each one. This way I could see how each one acts and I won't make the same mistake again.

I have almost finished my longhorn painting. I am heading to Blanco at the end of this week and I need to have this painting finished by that time.

Saturday, I drove over to Hobbs, New Mexico to pick up my art from the Llano Estacado Art Association Fall Open Art Show there. As I was gathering my things, the lady who was overseeing things came over and shared with me. She had been present at the critique given by Grace Knox, who was the juror for the show. She told me that Grace had said something to the effect that my painting, "Peek-a-Boo" was perfect. She couldn't see anything to change about it. I was thrilled!

Next week I will enter another art show in San Angelo, Texas. The show is called "Best in Realism" and I think I have some paintings that certainly fall in that category.

Hopefully, I will post the final product of "Longhorn" tomorrow. The bull looks pretty good and the grass is coming along nicely, but I have to totally rework the sky. I was experimenting with color and it just didn't work. The sky needs some clouds and a little more excitement to complement the bull.

If you have put off ordering your artwork, please remember that there are just a couple of days left before we are into November. Place your orders now so you can take advantage of some very economical pricing.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

Christmas Commissions

I worked on some commissions today. You know, it dawned on me this morning that once these commissions are finished I won't be able to post them on my blog. Since they are Christmas presents, I will have to wait until Christmas is over before you can see them. Well, please be patient and look for a lot of pictures to be posted during the holidays!

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

Commissions

Things are hopping around here! I have a number of commissions that have come down in the last few days. My charcoal portraits seem to be very popular right now. I also have some oil painting commissions. It is exciting to juggle my time between preparing for the gallery representation and preparing these commissions. I should have several new pieces finished this week to post for you.

Have a great week.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

Thursday! Already?

This week has just flown by! I can't believe it's Thursday already.

Tomorrow I will post the large version of "Singin' and Dancin'." You have been waiting for a long time for this one, but I know it will be worth the wait. There are just a very few finishing touches to put on it tomorrow and then I will photograph it and post it for you. I would have finished today, but some of the paint needed to dry before I could put the final layers on.

I am still working on the charcoal of the three beautiful kids. I can't wait to get this one done - it is so much fun to do.

I am also working on a large longhorn bull. And believe it or not, I didn't get his horns long enough. I will fix that tomorrow, too. He is a massive and very impressive hunk of beef.

There are about three other paintings I want to start today!! But I have to finish some of the ones I already have begun. The painting ideas just keep popping in my head. I can't paint fast enough to keep up with all the great ideas I have. It is an interesting challenge to have.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

"C.A."

The portrait I did for C.A. was a surprise to her. It was a gift for her 17th birthday. She called me today to thank me and let me know how much she liked it. Her mom's comment was that I really captured her smile. It is a great joy to me to create a work of art that pleases others.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

Portraits and Paintings

I finished my latest portrait today. These are so fun to do. I have another commission of a trio of grandchildren. This is a beautiful photo and I am excited to get to draw these three handsome kids.

I am still working on two large oil paintings. One should be done in just a couple of more days - unless I hit some snags in making things look right. I am very excited to get this one so close to being done. Sometimes I struggle with certain aspects of the painting, but I am always thrilled to see how things work out in the end. They seem to always just come together in a wonderful way.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

Sundown

How is everyone today? It is beautiful here in Texas. The sun is setting and the low light and golden color on everything makes this my favorite time of day.

I had the opportunity to begin a charcoal drawing yesterday. It is coming along nicely and I should have it finished tomorrow.

I am posting a painting I did of a wonderful mustang called Trinket. She is so full of life and has a memorable personality. I hope it shows in this portrait of her.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

More Paintings

Today I had a chance to begin the landscape part of a new painting of a longhorn bull. I am trying a new technique and it will take some adjusting, but I think the colors will be really nice when I get done.

I am also very close to finishing the large version of "Singin' and Dancin'."

I am working on another charcoal portrait, too. So there are many things in the works now.

My brother-in-law sent an email out to some of the people he knows. He wanted to give them a chance to purchase a painting or order a commission before the prices go up.

Welcome to all who may be new to my blog. Please send me an email if you have any questions.

All of my work is 100% guaranteed. I don't want anyone to be unhappy with a piece of artwork from me. I look forward to working with you.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

"Portraits in Charcoal"

I have added another charcoal drawing for you to see. I finished it a couple of weeks ago. This girl is a sweet, beautiful girl who smiles all the time.

The main photo I worked from was actually taken a few months ago. Since that time she has started wearing her hair pulled back in a ponytail. I made the changes in her portrait to reflect her new hairstyle and she loves it.

Three photos were used in producing this portrait. I find that the more reference material I have, the more accurate I can be in my drawing.

When I drew the portrait of C.L., I used a couple of photos for reference as well. It is very helpful to see more than one photo to get the likeness just right.

Send me an email so I can begin a portrait of your loved one: nancyverschoor@toast2.net

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

nancyverschoor@toast2.net
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee." (1 Timothy 4:14)

Welcome

I have heard about blogging for quite a while and I have finally decided to take the plunge myself. The main topic for this site is going to be my artwork.
I have loved painting and drawing since I was a young girl. But I am sure some of you know how life can go - you get married and love and support your husband through his schooling, jobs, hobbies, etc. He supports you in many of the same things. But before you know it you have a little flock of kids (four for us) and you get to be mom and all the labels that go along with that job. So art gets to be squeezed in between all the dozens of other activities going on, which means you don't get to do nearly as much of it as you would like.
Now, all of my children are grown and we are just raising two of our grandchildren. They are wonderful and are helping us to stay young. They are 14 and 12 years old. One of the best things about them is their willingness to support me in my artwork.
I have been really impressed that this is the season to devote time every day to painting or drawing. Some days life still gets in the way, but I have done more in the past two months than I have done in the past three years and it feels very good to me.
This gift that I have is truly a gift from God. I want to give Him the credit for anything that I do that gives joy to someone else. Each painting and drawing that I do usually has some challenging part in it. I pray fervently for guidance to understand how to solve the problems that invariably crop up. My Heavenly Father has helped me through each one.
Let me give you an example. I had taken some photos of some beautiful wildflowers in Alberta, Canada, a couple of years ago. I decided to do a small painting of a woodlily. I began with the background and loosely painted in some grasses and other plants with some warm yellowgreens. I blended them in softly to imitate a blurred background with the flower in focus. I wasn't really happy with how the background looked, but I decided to go ahead and paint the flower. I would fix the background later. I painted the flower with glazes. It took many layers to try to get the color right. Still, I couldn't make the color of the woodlily rich enough. It was at that frustrating stage where I thought I might just give up on it. A couple of days later, I decided I would try to improve on the background. I figured I would either fix the flower later or start another painting on top of this mess. I changed the colors in the background to a more cool shade of green. The darks were deepened and the shapes became more abstract. I stepped back to see the effect of it. My Heavenly Father had inspired me to change the background in a way that set off the woodlily to perfection! I loved the color of the flower now. It was almost miraculous the difference in the way it looked.
My sister has suggested that I start doing charcoal portraits. She mentioned about the amazing amount of money people pay for things at prom time. It would be fun to do some charcoal portraits for people. The cost for them would be considerably less than for a painting and, with good photo references, I could do them from home. I have done some already that my clients have been very pleased with. These would also make wonderful Christmas presents. I will figure out how to add pictures to this page and you can see what my work looks like. Portraits are always done with a lot of prayer. I want all the help I can get to create beautiful and accurate paintings.
My favorite type of artwork is Western paintings. I am currently painting a scene from a photo I took at a local ranch rodeo. You see the horse and cowboy from the backside. The rope is "singing" as the calf snaps it tight. The reins are "dancing" as the cowboy has turned the horse away from the calf. Hence, the title "Singin' and Dancin'." My first painting from this series of ranch rodeo scenes sold almost before the paint was dry.
Another type of painting that I have recently started doing is called "trompe l'oiel." This is a French term for "fool the eye." It is very detailed work that looks so real you think you could pick up the items. I painted an 8" X 10" trompe l'oiel in honor of my husband's grandfather. It contained a photo of him, a medal he received in WWI, an envelope addressed to him, a VFW medal, a VFW membership card and a couple of other items that were his. My son had come in the house several times and wondered why I had arranged Grandpa's things on a board like that. He didn't realize until I told him that it was a painting.
Well, I need to stop for now and go get some painting done today.

Neglect not the gift that is in thee. (1 Timothy 4:14)