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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

How I Choose a Painting Palette


 

Lee Nixon - Fine Art

October 2012                 http://lee-nixon.artistswebsites.com

Hello and thank you for stopping by my website to see my Impressionist paintings, drawings, and floral paintingss. I have been painting landscapes and other subject matter for nearly 48 years. My paintings reflect a reverence for a serene earth, and the desire to share it with you through color, pattern, and texture. I work primarily in acrylics for their versatility and compatibility with other media.

 

How I Choose a Painting Palette

Artists begin with a palette void of color. Thus, the first step involves choosing colors that will represent the feelings, ideas, and passion of the artist toward the subject matter.

I love bold colors, especially complementary colors. Complementary colors face one another across the color wheel as opposites. For example: red and green, blue and orange, yellow and violet, yellow orange and blue violet, red orange and blue green, red violet and yellow green.

Complementary colors enhance one another when applied side by side. A cool green next to a bright red will generate a fiery pulsating red, whereas a warm red next to a green hue will enhance the cool, soothing effect of green.

So you can imagine what is on my palette! On one side you will have cool colors, such as; violets, blues and greens, whereas the opposite side will consist of warm colors; yellow, orange, and red.

How do I put this to practice? Often I will use a reddish hue (color) for grasses, and then overlap it with blades of green, yellow green and blue green. A beautiful blue spacious sky will be filled with gorgeous sun struck clouds consisting of yellow orange, white, blue, yellow, and a touch of violet.

The law of optics applies here. The Pocket Dictionary of Art Terms edited by Julia M. Ehresmann, defines mixing Optical Mixing as the involuntary mixing of juxtaposed colors by the eye. Thus at a certain distance, juxtaposed dabs of red and yellow pigment produce the sensation of orange. The colors seen by optical mixing appear more clear and brilliant than those obtained by mixing pigments on a palette.(end of definition)

 One’s eye will dance before the pulsating colors as they excite the eye. Cool colors generally recede, however if a warm color is placed behind a cool color, it will push it forward. A cool color, on the other hand, if it is placed in front of a warm color will attempt to push it back, thus creating a pulsating effect. This explains why my palette is full of bright bold colors.

How do you choose your painting palette? There are many color arrangements such as: analogous, complementary, split complementary, triads, warm and cool colors. Also, one may select a monochromatic color scheme, one color plus white, black and gray. What a selection!

I will continue to discuss other topics in my next newsletter. Thanks for stopping by.

Lee

Friday, October 5, 2012

Luminous Rural Landscapes


 
                                                                                            Summer 2012

 

Lee Nixon – Impressionist Artist

Summer 2012                 http://lee-nixon.artistswebsites.com


 

Luminous Rural Landscapes
 
 
The Exhibition, Luminous Rural Landscapes, at The University Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia was very successful. I sold several paintings and received numerous encouraging commendations. Thanks to all that attended and their support.
 
It was amazing to lovers of art having an aesthetical experience. They bonded instantly with the landscape paintings. It was fabulous!


I thank you for stopping by my website to see my Impressionist paintings, drawings, and floral paintings. I have been painting landscapes and other subject matter for nearly 48 years. My paintings reflect a reverence for a serene earth, and the desire to share it with you through color, pattern, and texture. I work primarily in acrylics for their versatility and compatibility with other media.
 

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

New Exhibitions


Newsletter 4                                                                                                April-May 2012



Lee Nixon – Impressionist Artist

No. 4    April-May Spring 2012                 http://lee-nixon.artistswebsites.com



Hello and thank you for stopping by my website to see my Impressionist paintings, drawings, and floral paintings. I have been painting landscapes and other subject matter for nearly 48 years. My paintings reflect a reverence for a serene earth, and the desire to share it with you through color, pattern, and texture. I work primarily in acrylics for their versatility and compatibility with other media.

And, I apologize for being late with the Spring Newsletter. I have been totally absorbed with teaching the final semester of Fine Arts at the local high school and creating new landscapes.



New Exhibitions

The thrill of excitement is in the air! Can you smell its sweet fragrance? Several new large paintings will not be exhibited during the June 29, exhibition at The UVA Medical Center due to limited space. So, instead smaller paintings are being completed for maximum exposure. Several smaller paintings can be exhibited in place of a large one. Thumbnail images of several paintings for the UVA exhibit will appear in the next newsletter.

As for now, new paintings are being exhibited at The Light Well Tavern on 110 East Main Street, Orange Virginia. The exhibit is for the month of May and June.  Several large Impressionist Landscape paintings are on display depicting the dynamic energy generated by the surging waters of the Niagara Falls. My family and I were amazed by this display of awesome power and beauty when we visited upstate New York in 2011. I was personally amazed by the balance of immense, dynamic energy and power balanced by the fragile beauty of natural forces and vegetation on our wondrous home, the earth. I feel that it symbolizes the harmonious balance of life now and even more so in the near future. The titles of several paintings depict this theme; Surging Flow of Immense Power and Beauty (two separate paintings), Dynamic Energy Balanced by Tender Beauty, and A Pattern Of Earth’s Beauty.

The Arts Center in Orange is sponsoring this satellite exhibit at The Light Well. One of the two paintings, Surging Flow of Immense Power and Beauty, is on exhibit at The Arts Center; 129 East Main Street, P.O. Box 13, Orange Virginia 22960. Email:  theartsorange@aol.com  for additional information, Director Laura Thompson.

I have attached several photos depicting the exhibitions. It is thrilling to transfer numerous paintings out of the studio to various venues where the public, the people can enjoy my creations. The June newsletter will highlight the excitement of the UVA exhibit!

Thanks for visiting, and please come back soon!

Lee Nixon







Thursday, March 8, 2012

Taking Art to the People

Newsletter 3 March 2012




Lee Nixon - Fine Art

No. 3 March 2012 http://lee-nixon.artistswebsites.com



Hello and thank you for stopping by my website to see my Impressionist paintings, drawings, and floral paintings. I have been painting landscapes and other subject matter for nearly 48 years. My paintings reflect a reverence for a serene earth, and the desire to share it with you through color, pattern, and texture. I work primarily in acrylics for their versatility and compatibility with other media.



Taking Art to the People

In the early 1950’s a group of artists from Florida, called “Florida Highwaymen” began selling their work door to door. Paintings were sold to hotels, offices, businesses and individuals who appreciated their work. For additional information, please visit: http://www.floridahighwaymenpaintings.com/

Today’s artists are utilizing various business venues to market their art. Venues could include floral shops and Furniture stores. I have chosen Briarwood Florist and Second To None (furniture). On entering Briarwood Florist, the customer will immediately be drawn to a color array of mostly floral paintings and greeting cards. The viewer’s aesthetical experience is enhanced by: patterns of repeated shapes and colors, bright complementary colors, natural rhythms, and intrinsic qualities of peace and serenity.

The aesthetical experience in Second To None (Furniture store) is a little more subtle. The art work is located pass the front lobby. The customer upon entering the gallery area, wall to the immediate right, will experience the rich passionate emotions stemming from rich impressionist landscapes with rich impasto textures, and complementary colors. My paintings are integrated with other works of art.

I have attached several photos depicting the exhibitions. It is thrilling to transfer numerous paintings out of the studio to various venues where the public, the people can enjoy my creations. The April newsletter will entertain more exciting ideas and possibly good news regarding another major solo exhibition within the next few years. The May newsletter will show bits and pieces of the upcoming exhibition at the UVA Medical Center. June will feature several o the new paintings on exhibition at UVA.

Thanks for visiting, and please come back soon!

Lee Nixon








Exhibition at Briarwood Florist


Friday, February 10, 2012

Selecting a Tiny Piece of Creativity

Lee Nixon - Fine Art


No. 2  February 2012    http://lee-nixon.artistswebsites.com


Hello and thank you for stopping by my website to see my Impressionist paintings, drawings, and Floral paintings. I have been painting landscapes and other subject matter for nearly 48 years. My paintings reflect a reverence for a serene earth, and the desire to share it with you through color, pattern, and texture. I work primarily in acrylics for their versatility and compatibility with other media.

Selecting a Tiny Piece of Creativity

Greeting cards provide a great opportunity for the artist to promote his/her work and share a tiny piece of the artist’s creativity. A visit to an art gallery will expose the viewer to numerous post cards, greeting cards and prints of various artists. I have taken on this endeavor as a means of having my work, (Greeting Cards) in numerous homes and businesses.


I am selecting my best artwork to be printed on Greeting Cards, currently four, more will be added later. This is based on the numerous visits to particular works by art lovers, and the numerous awards received from various paintings. The inside of the cards at this time is blank, to allow the buyer to compose his/her personal message.

The Greeting Cards are available at Briarwood Florists and Gifts beginning February 20, 2012. The Florist is located at: 307 N. Madison Rd., Historic Orange Virginia, located in the Old Silk Mill. 540-672-6800, several painting will also be exhibited.


Landscape and Floral Paintings will complement the atmosphere of Briarwood Florists and Gifts. I appreciate the owner, Gregory, for this opportunity.


Greeting cards are 5" x 7" in size and are produced on digital offset printers using 110 lb. paper stock.

Each card is coated with a UV protectant on the outside surface which produces a semi-gloss finish.

The artist's name and the name of the image is printed on the back of each card along with the FAA logo.

Each card comes with a white envelope for mailing and gift giving.

Thanks to all my subscribers for visiting. I invite you to continue to browse my galleries. Please add your comments, and new work will soon be added.
















Monday, January 9, 2012

Winter 2012 Newsletter No.1




Lee Nixon - Fine Art

No. 1 Winter 2011 http://lee-nixon.artistswebsites.com



Hello and thank you for stopping by my website to see my Impressionist paintings, drawings, and floral paintings. I have been painting landscapes and other subject matter for nearly 48 years. My paintings reflect a reverence for a serene earth, and the desire to share it with you through color, pattern, and texture. I work primarily in acrylics for their versatility and compatibility with other media.



I have exciting news regarding a new exhibit during 2012. The University of Virginia Medical Center Arts Committee selected my work for an exhibit. The Medical Center’s art program is an acknowledgement of the value of art in promoting a healing environment and I have the opportunity to be included in this endeavor. Exhibit dates are June 29, 2012 to August 31, 2012.



I have responded to that golden opportunity by creating a body of work with a distinctive style as an artist. I have chosen Impressionist Landscapes and will have a total of 15 - 20 paintings. All paintings will be characterized by brilliant contrasting colors, rich textural surfaces and an impressive palette.

This is necessary to get people’s attention and to be recognizable.



The subject matter will include dynamic waterfalls which were inspired by the family’s trip to the Niagara Falls. The Rapidan River is repeated in many of the paintings. A commissioned painting of the Rapidan River was completed last year for a patron of the arts! I have also captured the Blue Ridge Mountains in its splendid raiment of blues with majestic cloud formations And of course, the golden meadows with hay bells. The latest paintings will appear online after the exhibition.



Two paintings received selected awards in 2011: A Circular View of Summer,(a floral painting of a daisy) and Strolling Down Old Rapidan Road. Both painting received first place out of hundreds of entries!