ELLIE IN THE COFFEE SHOP

ELLIE IN THE COFFEE SHOP

Nancy Herman

6" x 8"

oil on canvas board

A snowy day in Brooklyn found me having coffee with my daughter, Ellie, and her new baby, Olive (she doesn't drink coffee yet so was sound asleep) in the Sweet Wolf's Cafe.  Having paintings at the Townhouse Coffee House was such a big success, I decided to find out if I could show here as well.  I met the owner and will have paintings there in June.  This is the first painting done especially for the occasion.

I was very pleased to sell 5 paintings, including 2 larger ones from the Merion coffee house and will be back there in the fall.  It is great to know that people will buy paintings without having anyone giving them a pitch, just because they like them.

The Coffee House has really made a comeback lately as people sit around for hours working on their computers.  They are not in the office or at home alone.  There is at least the illusion of company and good hot coffee and pastries always at the ready.  There were actually people talking to each other as well.

I remember very well 50 years or so ago going to the newly revised version of the coffee house at that time and hearing Phil Oakes sing for the first time.  When somebody takes out a guitar in one of these new places we will have come full circle.

SOLD

ROMANCE WITHOUT WORDS

In honor of Valentine's Day, if a little late, this is my latest music video, an animation of Romance Without Words by Gabriel Faure.  Even though in the process of animating this piece I have listened to it hundreds of times I still love it.  The transference from Flash to .mov was not perfect but I am moving on for the time being.

Be sure to click on the small square at the bottom of the image to see it full screen for maximum pleasure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvhwIMCWSYQ

VALPARAISO COLOR

VALPARAISO COLOR

Nancy Herman

6" x 8"

oil on canvas board

It was so sunny and warm in Valparaiso I stayed a few days thanks to Google maps.  I cought this young woman helping to keep these cheery, colorful houses clean.  I really love the color of that drain pipe but the raspberry building with the dark red windows is also delicious. Thank you Virtual Paintout for taking me on vacation without the hassle of leaving the house.

$150.00

WHITE CURTAINS

WHITE CURTAINS

Nancy Herman

6 x 8"

oil on canvas board

"White is the color of Fresh milk and snow. It contains all the wavelengths of visible light without absorption, has maximum brightness, and does not have any hue. It is the opposite of black.

According to surveys in Europe and the United States, white is the color most often associated with innocence, perfection, the good, honesty, cleanliness, the beginning, the new, neutrality, lightness, and exactitude."

Wikipedia

This is a painting of the sheer and linen curtains that create a soothing light in my bedroom.

$150.00

MURAL IN VALPARAISO, CHILI

Nancy Herman

6" x 8"

oil on canvas board

This month the Virtual Paintout went to Valparaiso, Chili.  I found a lot of possible paintings along the roads and narrow lanes of this old city.  There seemed to be many murals in the more humble parts of town and this one in particular caught my eye.  Painted over a stone wall this woman is floating towards a more perfect world.  The lines created by the mortar between the stones seem to be helping her along.  I am impressed with the human need to make images wherever they are.  We tell stories, even in our dreams, and paint images of hope on our crumbling walls.

$150.00

WELL AT THE BARNES FOUNDATION

WELL AT THE BARNES FOUNDATION

Nancy Herman

6" x 8"

oil on canvas board

From the window in front of my desk, where I sit as I type this, I see this structure in front of the Barnes Foundation, the real, original Barnes Foundation.  I have always wondered what it was, and today, because I wanted to say something about the painting in this blog, I found out from one of the members of the "Friends of the Barnes".  Here is what she had to say.

"This well was purchased by Albert Barnes in Port-Manech, a fishing village in Brittany, France.  He vacationed and wrote there.  His beloved dog and infamous communicator was from the town.  If I remember correctly, Barnes really wanted to bring this back to Merion and he purchased a new well for the town in exchange".

SOLD

JAKE

JAKE

Nancy Herman

6" x 8"

oil on canvas board

When we first got Jake from a shelter with his buddy Bay we thought he was a mixed breed of some sort but one day I came accross a picture of a dog that looked exactly like he does and it turns out he is a Korean mountain dog  or Jindo.  The Jindo is the 53rd national treasure of Korea noted for their loyalty and intelligence.

Bay is a shy Chocolate Lab but they make a wonderful pair who are a constant delight.  They are devoted to each other, but have entirely different personalities.  Maybe you can tell from this painting of Bay how they differ.

MORNING SUN AND BAY

                                                    TOGETHER

Graffiti by the Tracks

Nancy Herman

6" x 8"

oil on canvas board

 On the train to New York enjoying the old factory buildings along the way.  Here is one with some graffitti that blends in rather nicely with the old worn colors.  There are some others in this series of railroad paintings in the links below.

$150.00

http://www.nancyherman.com/nancyherman.com/Winter_Paintings.html#13

http://www.nancyherman.com/nancyherman.com/Winter_Paintings.html#15

http://www.nancyherman.com/nancyherman.com/summer_paintings.html#19

http://www.nancyherman.com/nancyherman.com/summer_paintings.html#20

http://www.nancyherman.com/nancyherman.com/summer_paintings.html#21

PINK CLOUD AND BRANCH

PINK CLOUD AND BRANCH

Nancy Herman

6" x 8"

oil on canvas board

There is an ominous grey purple under this pink cloud.  Like so much in life that appears sweet and inocent on the surface there is a dark side waiting in the wings.  In this case it's just a little rain.

RAIN AN DFOG ON THE ROAD

RAIN AND FOG ON THE ROAD

Nancy Herman

6" x 8'

oil on canvas board

On the highway again on a fog filled, rainy day.  The gentle greys created by fog are interesting to paint.  Each different surface has its own very subtle shade.

$150.00

Paintings from the Cynwyd Trail

Windows

Just 5 days left to see Paintings from the Cyndwyd Trail at the Townhall Coffee Co.  This painting was sold and carried off to Washington but has been replaced by another.  Drop in and have a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate and see what Bill Ternay and I have created from our experience of the trail.  Click link for particulars.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XtEhZ24ob0&list=UU0kTuj7G2coHnSXm8-pg-4g&index=4

DRIVING IN THE FOG

DRIVING IN THE FOG

Nancy Herman

6" x 8"

oil on canvas board

This composition in many greys and yellow was challenging.  What kept me going was that I increasingly felt that I was in a mysterious place in the rainy fog suspended in the moment two cars pass.

$150.00

PINK CLOUDS

PINK CLOUDS

Nancy Herman

6" x 8"

oil on canvas board

Woke up one day last week to pink clouds floating past my bedroom window.  I'm not a fan of pink but this was a real delight.

$125.00

DORM FIRE ESCAPE

DORM FIRE ESCAPE

Nancy herman

6' x 8"

oil on canvas board

The warm sun lit stone with the cool greys of the fire escape and the blue shadows of the window frames chant a winter poem to ordinary things.  A small vignette from St. Joe's campus.

$150.00

PLANT SHADOWS

Plant Shadows

Nancy Herman

6" x 8"

oil on canvas board

All winter long the indoor plants help keep my spirit alive as they bravely live on through the dry air and low light. 

$150.00

Chopin Prelude

While I'm waiting for a painting to dry I thought I would post my latest translation of music to color.  I chose this Chopin Prelude because it is short, fairly slow (so I can hear all the notes) and dissonant.  I want to see if the dissonance I hear actually looks dissonant when translated to color.  This is a very sombre peice with several key changes.  Very often there are two notes adjacent to each other.  The colors make me uncomfortable.  What do you think? Check it out one minute and 56 sconds.

http://www.youtube.com/user/illuminata?feature=guide

Birds on Manhole Cover

Birds on Manhole Cover

Nancy Herman

oil on canvas board

6" x 8"

“a third of the nation's 800 bird species are endangered, threatened or in significant decline.” This report highlights how climate change will further imperil bird species already under stress from habitat loss, invasive species and other environmental threats."  The State of the Birds: 2010 Report on Climate Change.  Birds are also hit by planes, fly into tall glass buildings and are victims of oil spills.

One of these birds from a manhole cover in Japan seems to be howling in distress at the death of this beautiful little bird while the other seems to be checking for life signs.

I am honored to be featured on the ARTROOM today. This is a great blog that features interviews with artists by Taryn Day. This month she is featuring other bloggers.

http://www.theartroomonline.net/2013/01/nancy-herman.html

SHADE SHADOW

SHADE SHADOW

Nancy Herman

oil on canvas board

6" x 8"

In the winter I follow the sun around my house to see what compositions it will create.  In the afternoon it favors this shade and its pull.  I like the way the whites in this composition make a nice counterpoint to the shadow play.

$150.00

MORNING LIGHT ON THE ROCKING CHAIR

MORNING LIGHT ON THE ROCKING CHAIR 

Nancy Herman

6" x 8"

oil on canvas board

We are in the greyest part of winter with no snow to speak of to create those beautiful blue shadows.  There are lovely combinations of browns and dark greens out there, but it is too cold to go out and really absorb them properly and for some reason photos don't seem to do them justice. So it is time to enjoy the light inside.

About 40 years ago I lugged this big old rocking chair from an apartment on the third floor of an old friend of my mother's who was moving.  I had it covered in dark red plushy fabric and have been enjoying it ever since.  It sits in my office-dressing-computer room now and is always there if I just need to sit down and rock a bit.  The sun is in this room all morning and keeps me happy as it creates patterns of light on everything it touches.

$150.00

WHITE ACCENTS

This month I am showing paintings of the Cynwyd Trail with my friend Bill Ternay at the Townhall Coffee Shop in Merion.  The opening is this Friday. Watch this video for details.  Here is one of the paintings on exhibit.  It is a view of Manyunk from the trail.

WHITE ACCENTS

Nancy Herman

oil on canvas board

6" x 8"

SOLD

MORNING LIGHT ON A NEW YEAR

Morning Light on a New Year

Nancy Herman

6" x 8"

oil on canvas board

One day it is 2012 and the next it is 2013.  We accept this convention, change calendars, and don't think much about our reliance on our concept of time.  

Suppose we did not keep track of time the way we do with clocks and watches.  What a different life it would be.  

"I'll meet you when the sun is half way accross the western sky.  If the sun isn't out we will meet when it is."  "When the sun sets at the bottom of the street we will have our annual dance of the neighbors.  This has been going on for 100 sunsets and we have celebrated for 42 of those."  "We will have our party when the next half moon occurs ...or planning ahead, after we have had 4 full moons."

We would always be outside looking up to see what our lives would hold instead of being inside checking the clock.  Or perhaps we would be guided by the condition of the earth.."when the dew is dry we will have coffee...or when the larkspur blooms we will meet again".  Who knows what it would be like or what it was like before "time".

$150.00

SOLD

HAPPY NEW YEAR

This month  "The Art Room", a very interesting blog that highlights and interviews various artists, is featuring work created in and about winter.  The artwork must be submitted by someone other than the artist.  My good friend Evelyn Yaari submitted two of my paintings and a photo by another friend Bill Ternay and they are featured here.  Check it out. 

CAROL OF THE BELLS

Here is one minute and 10 seconds of color in time to the Carol of the Bells.  Just hot off the computer this morning in time for your viewing pleasure.

Have a great holiday!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW-mW1PZkv0&feature=youtu.be

SELF PORTRAIT IN FUZZY SLIPPERS

SELF PORTRAIT IN FUZZY SLIPPERS

Nancy Herman

8" x 6"

oil on canvas board

Tis the day before Christmas and all through the house children are using their hand held devices to communicate with each other in languages which seem to consist of one or two semi well chosen letters.

But I am still in my slippers padding around hoping my choice of presents isn't too out of date or just plain stupid .

Last night I held the latest addition to the family, four month old Olive, and, as we gazed into each other's eyes, I realized as I never have before, what a rare exotic species the new born are.  So hot with potential, they almost burst out of their skins.  They could be anything.  What will they make of us? And what then will they make of the world?  If Olive is any indication,  it will be a vital energetic place, and maybe,  just maybe, they will get it right this time around.  If only we can steer them in the right direction and get out of the way in time. 

Stair Shadow

STAIR SHADOW

Nancy Herman

6' x 8"

oil on canvas board

"Modern" design can be sleek and clean but an odd curlicue makes a great shadow and delights the eye.  I spied this one while walking my daughter's dog in Park Slope.

$125.00

THE YELLOW DOOR

Nancy Herman

6" x 8"

oil on canvas board

Another painting from Brooklyn.  I seem to be painting a number of doors lately, although my subject matter is more varied than most.  This quote pretty much sums it up for me. 

"Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door"

Emily Dickenson

$125.00

YELLOW WALL #2

YELLOW WALL #2

Nancy Herman

20" x 16"

Oil on stretched canvas

YELLOW WALL #1

oil on canvas board

6" x 8"

Last year about this time I painted Yellow Wall #1.  I really enjoyed painting it, and had in mind making a larger version someday.  This year since I will be showing paintings done along the Cynwyd Trail in January and this was painted from the trail looking into Manyunk, I thought it would be a good time to make a larger painting.  I decided to change the scale and really go for the yellow wall.  Since I sold the first painting, I painted this one from  the image of it on my ipad.  

I didn't enjoy painting this one nearly as much as I did the first one.  I have never painted from a painting before and I found the experience rather odd.  I still enjoyed looking at the first painting and at times was amazed at how nicely I had solved some of its little challenges, but this time perhaps because of the scale changes and the color changes I was at sea most of the time.  Knowing approximately what the whole work would look like in the end took some of the joy out of working and I don't think I will repeat this kind of exercise again.

In spite of that the new painting has an integrity of its own, I think, but for me at least an entirely different spirit.  It is much more lively and fun loving (belying its makers feelings) while the first painting has that mellow look of late day that I love so much.

What do you think?

SOLD

LIGHT SWITCH

LIGHT SWITCH

Nancy Herman

6" x 8"

oil on canvas board

The days move relentlessly on.  Dogs must go out, dishes must be done, beds made and meals prepared.  The house is silent now that the holiday is over and the children are gone...and then you turn a corner and the light makes a strange pattern on the wall and you remember where you are.

$125

SOLD