Summer Heat

I understand that it has been unseasonably cool in the northwest this year. Texas has been plenty hot! The thermometer at my house registered 104 this afternoon. I think I need to find an art show I can go to where the temps are more reasonable!

My husband has been gone to Boy Scout camps and I have been very busy with some new responsibilities at church. Once again, I feel like my art is taking a back seat to life. But I will go on and forge ahead.

I want to paint a picture for a very sweet lady who is a member of my church. She is in her 90's and sharp as a tack. But she is weak and can't live in her home alone anymore. She has painted countless porcelain items with beautiful florals during her life. Her room at the assisted care home is clean, but stark. I want to do something to liven it up for her. She may not be with us much longer, but I would like for her to have some beauty to look at for whatever time she has left.

I will post some more paintings soon.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

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

Back in the Saddle Again

It is amazing that I haven't posted to my blog in so long. I apologize. This year so far has passed like a dream. I made several out of town trips during the first few months of the year. My mother passed away in February and I was traveling quite a bit during that time.

I actually got to go to Kalispell, MT to a Wildlife Winter Workshop put on by the Triple D Game Farm and Julie Chapman. Julie is an extremely talented wildlife artist and it was a joy to learn from her. I took literally thousands of photos of cougars, snow leopards, bobcat, Canadian lynx, red foxes, wolves, Arctic foxes, Arctic wolves, raccoon, horses and a Siberian tiger. I hope I didn't forget any of the animals - there were so many of them. And they were all just beautiful against the glistening snow. I can see how it would be easy to become a workshop junkie!! I would love to repeat the experience on a monthly basis. But that would be a bit expensive and I would miss my family too much. Besides, I have enough photographic material now to keep me painting for a long time to come. I am working on four different paintings right now and have at least half a dozen more that I can't wait to begin. I will load a couple that I have finished recently.

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)

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)

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)

Material for the Masterpiece

I received orders for three more portraits today. My husband and I had to travel a few hours today to deliver a horse trailer we had borrowed. I always take my camera with me in case I have a photo op. I had the good fortune to find some scenery that would make a great background for some of my animal photos. I also took a number of pictures of a fine looking horse. I am always gathering material for the next "masterpiece." Maybe some day I really will paint a masterpiece.

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)

Herd Painting

"Singin' and Dancin' " is finally done. It will be posted as soon as I post this message.

Commissions are coming in and it is getting exciting to make art for others. I love working with horses and later today I get to do a photo shoot so I can paint a small herd.

I need to get some sleep now. I hope you all have a great weekend.

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)

Categories and "Wild Rose Alberta"

I have rearranged the pictures of my paintings. They are arranged now a little more closely by categories. I have also added another flower painting: "Wild Rose Alberta." This one came together so easily and I think it turned out quite nicely. You will need to go down the page about halfway to the flower category to see it.

Have a great weekend!

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)

Arizona Company

Hi! It's been a few days since I last posted a blog. We have had our dearest friends here from Arizona since last Thursday. They will be here until this coming Thursday, so I won't have much time to post or get much painting done. Please be patient with me and check back on Friday.

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)

Photo ops

Today, my husband and I drove to Dallas and back home. It was a long trip for us, so I didn't get any painting done. But...as we drove down the highway, I spotted a magnificent longhorn bull. Dutch took the next exit and drove back to the pen where he was grazing. I hopped out of the pick-up and started snapping pictures. I got some really good ones of him. I have been wanting to do some longhorn paintings and now I think I have the material I need.

Tomorrow I submit six of my paintings to the art show in Hobbs, New Mexico. I am very excited about this show. I'll let you know how it goes.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

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

Gallery Representation

I'm sorry I didn't get to post a blog over the weekend, but I do have some very exciting news: I have been accepted at an art gallery! It is called Rain Bird Gallery and is located a few miles south of Austin. The director told me that there are a huge amount of new homes being built in the area. People are always going there to buy art to hang in their new homes. My sister had stopped at her gallery and asked her to look at this blog site. After viewing it, she discussed my art with the owner and they agreed that my paintings would be a good fit. It is very exciting to be represented by this gallery.

This brings me to another topic. The prices I have had on my works here on the blog are actually rock bottom prices for the kind of work I do. We can call them "Introductory Prices." There are a lot of reasons that the prices can't stay where they are, but the bottom line is, they are going to have to go up.

If you are like me, you tend to procrastinate things. What I will do for you is this. If you place an order for anything on my blog during the month of October, you can purchase it for the current price. On November 1st, the new pricing will go into effect. If you order a commissioned piece from me during October, you can get that at the current commission fees. Those will be increasing in November, also.

On Wednesday, I will be sending six paintings to Hobbs, New Mexico, for the Llano Estacado Art Association (LEAA) Fall Open Art Show. They will be for sale there as well. I have had to raise the prices on those pieces since the LEAA keeps a percentage of each item sold. It is exciting the way so many things are happening now. The paintings that don't sell at this show will be sent to the Rain Bird Gallery.

The blades of grass are finally finished! I haven't had a photo shoot yet, but will do so this afternoon. You can see "Low Plains Drifter" later today. I loved learning how to made this big guy look shaggy and molting. I learn something new on every painting that I do.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

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

And More Blades of Grass

It can be an almost tedious process to paint in all the grass in a painting like this. Nevertheless, it really feels so good to step back from the painting and see it all coming to life.

I do a landscape like this in layers. The first layer is a fairly solid undercoat to quickly block in some color on the page. I prefer to have some color down before I tackle the main subject. The white of the canvas is usually too stark to judge the values of the colors I need to use on the main animal(s).

Once I have the horse or deer or whatever animal I am working on painted, I go back to the background and refine it. I add details such as tree branches, bark, clouds, grass (and more grass and more grass).

I lay in dark green blades of grass first. Then I lay in light shades of green grass. I often will go back to the darks and maybe even add more lights again before I am done. The end result is usually a field that looks quite believably grassy.

As I step back across the room and look at the painting, it is often easier to spot any problems in value, color, or shape that need fixing. At this point I almost always see something on my subject that isn't quite right. That must be corrected before I can call the painting done.

Tomorrow I will be out of town and Sunday I will be at church, so I may not get much of a chance to do any painting over the weekend. Today will have to be a full day of painting to get things done.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

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

Blades of Grass

I have made a lot of progress on my buffalo painting, "Plains Drifter." It will be posted by the end of the day - tomorrow at the latest. It depends on how the background goes. It can be a slow process to paint all those little grass blades! Anyway, be looking for the picture.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

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

"Peek-a-Boo"

I finished "Peek-a-Boo" and will put it on today. I have started a painting of a buffalo which I will call "Plains Drifter." We live in Texas and it wasn't that long ago that the buffalo roamed across this vast land. We have had a lot of rain this year and the native grasses are quite high right now. I am going to paint the grasses a little shorter so the buffalo will show better. As we drive through the state we see fields with grasses so high you almost can't see the cattle that are grazing there. I suspect the plains buffalo would have loved all the good grasses we have this year.

Kindest regards,
Nancy Verschoor

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