Inspiration In The Natural World

Paintings by  Lee J. Nixon
 I am inspired by the skill and imagination abounding in the natural world. So, I have re-created the exquisite patterns found on trees, the intricate pattern of flowers and rolling hills with bundles of hay.

Several paintings were inspired by the application of natural elements such as: gravel and sand for 'actual' textures. Also, I have experimented with tissue paper to simulate the rugged textures of trees, to the solid mass of smooth rocks and stones.

By utilizing the science of optics, I often apply strokes of pure contrasting complementary colors to excite the viewer's eye so that the color appears to leap off the canvas.

Golden Nuggets of Orange

Youth Contemplating The Future

Colorful Winter Garden

Scenic View Alongside a Gravel Road

NEW PAINTINGS AND IDEAS

Showy Pink Peonies

“Double Take” is a series of Floral paintings. Each Flower is painted twice to capture a different perspective. Double Take is an artistic journey of several years to capture the aesthetical beauty, both extrinsic and intrinsic, of a variety of flowers common to Orange County and the state of Virginia. Many of the inspirations came from my home, gardens and parks in the town of Orange, and Mrs. Robinson floral garden on Mill Street.



Each floral design denotes an aesthetical experience.

                                                               Showy Pink Peonies
Peony -represents a soft radiant feeling of love, purity and compassion. It is very delicate, as rain will wash away its blossoms. It is strong and fragile at the same time in that the ‘Peony’ will return year after year with hardly any assistance. Although it is fragile, its wide open petals share its beauty and harmony with others. Its fragrance relaxes. The ‘Peony’ bursts forth in a spectacular array of reddish hues!

NEW PAINTINGS AND IDEAS

Double Take

“Double Take” is a series of Floral paintings. Each Flower is painted twice to capture a different perspective. Double Take is an artistic journey of several years to capture the aesthetical beauty, both extrinsic and intrinsic, of a variety of flowers common to Orange County and the state of Virginia. Many of the inspirations came from my home, gardens and parks in the town of Orange, and Mrs. Robinson floral garden on Mill Street.                                                 

                                                                                                               Peony Trilogy                                                                                                                     

                                                                                          


What started this? I pondered over the expression; ‘ You can not see the trees for looking at the forest’, and how true that is!!! I realized that I was missing so much of the beauty all around me. I have always loved flowers: the intricate pattern of the petals, the exquisite coloration, and of course the fragrance! However, I like many others have taken this for granted! Now is a moment of reflection, a time to reminisce about the beauty of life, the joy of living and focus on the many blessings that I have taken for granted. A meditative look at creation reveals that it speaks volumes about the beauty and delicacy of life.

And it excites so many of our senses!!!

NEW LANDSCAPES FROM LOCAL SCENES

Strolling Down Old Rapidan Road

An original framed 16 x 20 acrylic painting on stretched canvas.
Memory Lane:
...as a teenager working for a neighbor (sheep farmer) who lived here
...holding sheep as the wool was sheared
...taking down an old railed fence
...removing rocks from the pasture
...cleaning and removing grass and debris from a clogged stream
riding on the back of the neighbor's tractor returning home
...jogging down memory lane

Painting techniques:
...usage of tissue paper for texture
...impasto
...complementary colors for simultaneous contrasts
...high contrasting lights and darks

On exhibition at  Art Upstairs, 112 w. Main Street Charlottesville, Virginia throughout the month of March.
Reception on Friday, March 5th from 5:00pm to 9:00pm

I welcome your comments