BEAUTY IS EVERYWHERE - PAINTING A LOCAL SCENE

View On Old Rapidan Road
Original 8 x 10 Acrylic painting on stretched canvas

One of a series of paintings that feature decorative swirling lines, textures, and patterns found on Old Rapidan Road.

Painting techniques: impasto, tissue paper, spattering, and numerous glazes.

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Exhibition

Art Upstairs Gallery

March 5 - 30

Reception Friiday, March 5, from 5:00p - 9:00p

112 W. Main St.,Charlottesville, Va

Theme: Creating New Vision

The sun's radiant heat brings back old memories

Reflections:

....at age 14 - 15 assisting farmers during hay season

.....extreme heat intensified while gathering each bale of hay and tossing it onto a wagon that never stopped moving

....heat, dust, sweat, parch, and twine..

....cold water ,then a summer breeze, how refreshing!!!
...all is good!!!

....the early 60's

Contact the artist at:nix123_22960@juno.com

ACRYLIC PAINTING IS BENEFICIAL FOR COPING WITH STRESS

ACRYLIC PAINTING IS BENEFICIAL FOR COPING WITH STRESS

We live in a fast paced world that is highly stressful. Millions of dollars are spent annually to relieve the mind and body from tension. Webster's New World College Dictionary Fourth Edition defines stress as; the mental or emotional tension or strain characterized by feelings of anxiety, fear, etc.

Acrylic painting is beneficial

It has often been recommended that one should cultivate outside interests and break routine habits. Acrylic painting provides such an interest as it offers many persons, young or old, an inexpensive way to manage stress. Painting provides a fine opportunity for wholesome relaxation, along with the joy of creativity.

Observation as an Art Teacher

As an Art Teacher for thirty plus years, I have observed art students suffering from; broken hearts, the pain of having separated or divorced parents, or dealing with a debilitating illness. Acrylic painting provides a constructive avenue for students to release such destructive feelings of worthlessness or guilt. It is interesting and alarming to see slashes of acrylic paint, usually dark morbid colors, streak or slash across a canvas from one in a melancholic mood. Eventually,( depending on the degree of stress) it is a joy to see a little more brightness, then more brightness, then finally with bright light colors dominating.

Acrylic painting is relaxing

So view painting as a means of relaxation, as a mean of relieving stress and anxiety. Just remember that your goal is to release the tension that you have accumulated over a period of time. So do not be concerned about creating a pretty picture, as that will come later when you are relieved of such destructive feelings of hopelessness and anxiety. Also try painting outdoors, if you can find a quiet serene place. Such an environment will enhance your enjoyment!

Are you ready? Take a deep breath, exhale, and pick up your brush and let the acrylics flow across the canvas.

Did you like this article? Please send me your comments, as it will inspire me to keep writing.

A Bright Prospect for Artists

A BRIGHT PROSPECT FOR ARTISTS

Economic woes are affecting all, including artists. Several galleries have closed their doors, and state funded organizations for the Arts are in jeopardy.

I am an optimist. So, despite the swirling darkness of hopelessness, I look for light. Etsy is a little light in that vast darkness. It is an online gallery that features handmade articles, including Art.

I joined Etsy about a week ago, and have already noticed the increase in traffic coming to my site. Although I have not sold any paintings as of today, increased traffic will eventually result in sales, or capture the attention of a gallery. The fees are low and reasonable. So, as an artist, I invite you to check it out and visit  http://www.etsy.com/

Exhibition of New Impressionist Paintings

Lee J. Nixon - Impressionist paintings, Youth of Orange County / Contemplating, Pondering…the Future: Exhibit at The Orange Street FestivalAcrylic Impressionist paintings by Lee J. Nixon which includes The Youth of Orange County and other Landscape paintings are on display September 8th at The Orange Street Festival on Short Street, Orange Virginia. The outdoor exhibit is free and open to the public on Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, rain or shine. For additional information on this exhibit please Email: leejnixon-art@lycos.com and visit www.leejnixon-art.com to view the Impressionist landscapes.

October 6, 2007 --- Youth of Orange County / Contemplating, Pondering…the Future - Impressionist acrylic paintings by artist and teacher Lee J. Nixon will be on display October 6, at the Germanna Center for Advanced Technology, 18121 Technology Drive, Culpeper, Va. The exhibit is free and open to the public Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm.
Nixon’s Impressionist paintings reflect a need, care, and a reverence for a serene earth, and the desire to share it with the viewer through color, pattern, and texture.

“I believe that the harmonious designs surrounding us in an endless variety and amazing intricacy reflect the wisdom, love, justice, and sometimes humor of our Creator. I desire to share my aesthetical experiences with others.”

Nixon’s works primarily in acrylics for their versatility and compatibility with other media. Acrylics are thinned with water and mediums to achieve transparency as well as applied thickly in an impasto style to build highly textured surfaces. The finished work is the culmination of several under paintings, over paintings, numerous glazes and other refinements until the work is completed.

Nixon’s Impressionist acrylic paintings have been exhibited at the Dorothy Hart Center, King George Art Exhibition, The Arts Center in Orange, The Albemarle County Office Building, and The Woodberry Forest Walker Fine Arts Center.

Expressing Moods in Various Paintings

No doubt you have heard of the expression, ‘moody woman just like the weather’. Webster’s New World College Dictionary defines mood as; a particular state of mind or feeling; humor, or temper. We all experience various moods from our reaction to our surroundings.

We can artistically take advantage of moods by working on several paintings at time.

Here are steps for doing so:

Sketch out your idea with a brush or pencil on canvas.

Revise, rearrange or modify that idea on a second canvas.

Try revising it again.

Begin painting the backgrounds and experimenting with colors in the middle and foreground.

As time goes by, you will find that each painting will reflect a slightly different mood, thus affecting the color scheme.

As time goes by your interest or enthusiasm may become stifled from one or more of the paintings. Simply put it down, and work on something else.

Keep the painting in a visible spot that allows you to see it each day.
One day you will be in the right mood to complete it in a jiffy.

So, happy painting and remember that Nixon is the name, Art is the game, ask me again and I will tell you the same!

Discipline - a Means of Overcoming Inhibitions

The greatest threat to a young mind is the lack of discipline.. How often have I seen students spending 5% of their time staring at the model and 95 % drawing a preconceived stereotyped figure on the paper. That can be frustrating to the student and the instructor.

So, I have a few tips for discipline and warming up.

Contour drawing is a continuous line drawing which is designed to improve eye and hand coordination. First select an object to draw, or have a friend model for you. In a pure contour drawing, one is not allowed to look at the image of the model that they are rendering on paper or canvas. As the eye slowly travels across the paper, the pencil or marker, etc. is traveling at the same pace and in the same direction. You can not pick up the marker or pencil until the drawing is completed. Your eyes and your drawing implement will be traveling at the pace of a snail!!! Do you see how this involves discipline?

Modified Contour drawing is the same as number one, only one is allowed to glance at their drawing surface from time to time. However, you can not pick the pencil or marker until the drawing is completed.
An excellent warm up exercise is drawing or painting with the opposite hand. I had this experience when my right hand was rendered almost useless by a dislocated shoulder. Man, does this involves discipline. The positive results of this is; a spontaneous fresh approach and the determination never to give up!!!

So, happy drawing and painting!!!
Lee J. Nixon is an artist that teaches. He would be happy for you to visit his website and enjoy his impressionist paintings.

Creative Imagination

A good explanation for Art is found in Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, which says that art is "the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects."

What about creative imagination? Skill and imagination abound in the natural world. One can easily become inspired by using their powers of perception and observing the natural world. Take time and observe the exquisite patterns on the bark of various trees, or the intricate patterns found on sea-shells as you walk along the beach, to pine needles, the blossoms of flowers and the elaborate designs of insects and many other natural elements all around us!

Textural surfaces which form a natural pattern, plays a major role in the aesthetic appeal of a painting, and can be a valuable tool for the imaginative mind. Recently, I experimented with crushed gravel found in the driveway and utilized it for actual texture. It can be seen and touched in "SCENIC VIEW ALONGSIDE A GRAVEL ROAD."

I often cover the entire canvas with rice paper. A gloss on matte medium is first applied to the selected area, then I apply the rice paper. The next step involves applying more medium onto the rice paper. You can maneuver the rice paper with a palette knife or crimple it before placing it onto the canvas. Allow it to dry, then experiment by applying thin washes of color that bleeds into all the crevices and nooks. I enjoyed using this technique in "RUNNING RAPIDS NEAR NATURAL BRIDGE." Now your imagination can run wild!!!

Yes, skill and creative imagination abound in the natural world. Why not use such beauty as an inspiration for your paintings!
Please revisit my blog for forthcoming information on Sweet Inspirations!!!!

Just remember; Nixon the name, Art is the game, ask me again, and I will tell you the same!