Bangladesh

The weather is so unpleasant here in Merion that I decided to go to the Virtual Paintout and see what was happening there.  (Check it out to see the variety of art work and locations found) The assignment was Bangladesh.  I dropped in to this nice photo which is what I imagine Bangladesh to be like.  Decided to try a watercolor for a change.  This is something I haven't done for about 10 years or so and never much before that.  The results are not too hot and I should not have tried something so complicated to get started after so long, but in the spirit of full disclosure here it is.  I like the photo a lot and am amazed that I can take a photo in Merion of something real happening half way around the world.  Worth trying to paint in oil?

Here is a link to the google map spot:

https://goo.gl/maps/8OpMX

Walking After Snow

Before the snow turns to gray and all the magic is ashes, it is good to take a walk, especially if the sun is out.  The last two days have been perfect for a brisk walk covered in down.  I found the color theme, not surprisingly, to be white and blue.  Not only the shadows on the snow but the sky was a brilliant blue and the clouds competed with the snow for attention.  As often happens to me when things are surprisingly beautiful I find myself in a state of awe.  Everything looks perfect.  I snap away with my camera in an ecstasy of appreciation.  When I get home and look at what I have taken I am often surprised to see that what seemed so fabulous actually looks rather ordinary when committed to the flat surface of a computer screen and even less promising when printed out.  Here, however, are some reminders, at least, of a lovely experience.

The large Sycamores seem to be reaching with a mighty force to the sky.  Their white branches bring the eye up from the snow to greet the clouds.

The delicate blue shadows of this cut leaf maple in the park are in the spotlight as I go by.

In contrast the grand Katsura's shadows dig big powerful blue shapes in the snow with the animal tracks creating a light motif.

The Hydrangeas in my neighbor's front yard carry their burden of snow with a gay flare as if dancing in their formal garden.

The Paper Birch next door adds another note of orange with its beautiful peeling bark.

Afterall what is blue without a touch of orange to bring it to life.

As I come to the end of my walk I pass the lovely old Barnes building lit by the sun.   What ghosts are in that empty building and what are they up to?

FEBRUARY

Winter. Time to eat fat

and watch hockey. In the pewter mornings, the cat,

a black fur sausage with yellow

Houdini eyes, jumps up on the bed and tries

to get onto my head. It’s his

way of telling whether or not I’m dead.

If I’m not, he wants to be scratched; if I am

He’ll think of something. He settles

on my chest, breathing his breath

of burped-up meat and musty sofas,

purring like a washboard. Some other tomcat,

not yet a capon, has been spraying our front door,

declaring war. It’s all about sex and territory,

which are what will finish us off

in the long run. Some cat owners around here

should snip a few testicles. If we wise

hominids were sensible, we’d do that too,

or eat our young, like sharks.

But it’s love that does us in. Over and over

Again, He shoots, he scores! and famine

crouches in the bedsheets, ambushing the pulsing

eiderdown, and the windchill factor hits

thirty below, and the pollution pours

out of our chimneys to keep us warm.

February, month of despair,

with a skewered heart in the centre.

I think dire thoughts, and lust for French fries

with a splash of vinegar.

Cat, enough of your greedy whining

and your small pink bumhole.

Off my face! You’re the life principle,

more or less, so get going

on a little optimism around here.

Get rid of death. Celebrate increase. Make it be spring.

"February" by Margaret Atwood

Valentine

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone.

Orson Welles

Nancy Herman's Art Newletter

Yesterday's post was less than satisfactory so I'm trying again.  Let me know if things improve if you have a chance.


                                     Welcome to the first issue of 

 Nancy Herman’s Art News

The weather is chilly in Philly, Jon Stewart is leaving the Daily Show, Madmen won’t start again until April and the world is a mess.  So what better to do than think about art.  For as Picasso said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” 

I have resolved to get out there and see more art in this new year and my first foray into the great ocean of art available was very satisfying.  I went with a group of wonderful artists from the group ASSEMBLAGE  
to the Stedman Gallery at Rutgers to see the show FROM THE DIGITAL TOOLBOX

Nancy Maguire, Associate Director of Exhibitions, kindly arranged a terrific guide for us, Miranda Powell.  She was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic that she made the show come alive.  I was especially impressed with the artist Tim Portlock who uses 3-D technology and gaming software to create digital prints.  They were stunning.  I highly recommend the show but, if you go, hurry, as it will close February 20.

             

Meanwhile back in Merion I am working on writing and illustrating a children’s book with a friend.  The subject matter is quite interesting and I am learning a lot.  Unfortunately this leaves little time for painting as I am also purging my house of all the stuff that has accumulated over the past 43 years.  Stay tuned for art bargains in the next few months.

My previous two children’s books , "Olive and Sticky Bear" and "Joe and The Adobians" along with "Postcards from Merion” are now available on Amazon. LInk

           

A video of Olive and StickyBear with music sung by my daughter Gail and I and guitar by song writer and singer Bob Loy ( can be found on my tube channel. 

That deep voice you hear on the promo for Joe and the Adobians is that of my grandson Luke Herrine.

If you are interested in purchasing any of my small paintings most of them are listed on the web site Daily Paintworks. 

If you have enjoyed this newsletter please send it along to friends and family.  Any suggestions for good art to see please pass along.  Thank you and keep warm.

Best,
Nancy

web site:http://www.nancyherman.com

Newsletter

Forgive me if you already got this but not everyone on my blog is on my mailing list.

                                     Welcome to the first issue of 

                   Nancy Herman’s Art News

The weather is chilly in Philly, Jon Stewart is leaving the Daily Show, Madmen won’t start again until April and the world is a mess.  So what better to do than think about art.  For as Picasso said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” 

I have resolved to get out there and see more art in this new year and my first foray into the great ocean of art available was very satisfying.  I went with a group of wonderful artists from the group ASSEMBLAGE  http://assemblageartistscollective.com
to the Stedman Gallery at Rutgers to see the show FROM THE DIGITAL TOOLBOX
http://rcca.camden.rutgers.edu/2014/06/01/from-the-digital-toolbox/
Nancy Maguire, Associate Director of Exhibitions, kindly arranged a terrific guide for us, Miranda Powell.  She was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic that she made the show come alive.  I was especially impressed with the artist Tim Portlock (http://www.timportlock.net)who uses 3-D technology and gaming software to create digital prints.  They were stunning.  I highly recommend the show but, if you go, hurry, as it will close February 20.

             

Meanwhile back in Merion I am working on writing and illustrating a children’s book with a friend.  The subject matter is quite interesting and I am learning a lot.  Unfortunately this leaves little time for painting as I am also purging my house of all the stuff that has accumulated over the past 43 years.  Stay tuned for art bargains in the next few months.

My previous two children’s books , "Olive and Sticky Bear" and "Joe and The Adobians" along with "Postcards from Merion” are now available on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=nancy+clearwater+herman I

           

A video of Olive and StickyBear with music sung by my daughter Gail and I and guitar by song writer and singer Bob Loy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr1ukFYzVZc) can be found on my tube channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/illuminata/videos  

That deep voice you hear on the promo for Joe and the Adobians is that of my grandson Luke Herrine.

I am still posting on my blog Postcards from Merion.  Sometimes about daily paintings and sometimes just about what’s happening in the neighborhood.

blog:http://postcardsfromthemainline.blogspot.com

If you are interested in purchasing any of my small paintings most of them are listed on the web site Daily Paintworks. (http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/nancy-herman-1193/artwork)

If you have enjoyed this newsletter please send it along to friends and family.  Any suggestions for good art to see please pass along.  Thank you and keep warm.

Best,
Nancy

web site:http://www.nancyherman.com