Artist Lee Nixon featured on Copper Flame Gallery

The Copper Flame Gallery is featuring Lee Nixon during February 16 through February 28, 2013.  Copper Flame Gallery is a Virtual Online Gallery that seeks to Showcase Talented Artists. The main focus of Copper Flame is to: showcase artists from all over the world, display their art in a simple easy fashion, and to allow the viewer to converse with the artist in the lounge. 

Please visit the Gallery and send the artist many comments. I look forward in hearing from you.

Lee

Please visit http://copperflame.com for additional information.

 

http://lee-nixon.artistwebsites.com

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

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.

 

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

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



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.

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!

New Exhibition

On Saturday November 13, I hung twenty five acrylic paints at the New Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center's building. Website: http://www.veaa.org/oppprtunity.html

It is an excellent facility in Lexington, Virginia for exhibiting art work. The theme of the show is: Impressions, and includes both landscape and Floral paintings. All paintings are for sale and lower in price since it is not an official gallery. If you are in the area, please drop in.

Fawns Open Hiding Place

Strolling Down Old Rapidan Road Series

What's in store for 2011

View Of The
Blue Ridge

New Impressionist Landscape paintings will be the main focus for 2011. Various seasons will be represented.

 I will experiment with different impasto techniques. For example; modeling paste, tissue paper, and heavy paint pigments.

I will experiment with various tools for modeling and creating textures.

The Colour Shaper, for example, appears to be an interesting tool for manipulating paint. There are several different points: the cup chisel for adjusting contours and edges, the taper point for applying and carving paint, the flat chisel for mixing paint on the canvas, the cup round for controlling thick paint and creating soft edge strokes, and the angel chisel for creating expressive, precise strokes as it works from thick to thin.

Latest Paintings on exhibition

New paintings, fresh from the palette are on exhibition at the Art Upstairs Gallery in Charlottesville, Virginia for the month of May. See the website: http://www.artupstairsgallery.com/  They should be online in the next few days.

Nixon's 16 x 20 Acrylic painting  (Strolling Down Rapidan Road Series)

Nixon's 16 x 20 Acrylic painting (Roses - The Beauty of Life)

Nixon's 8 x 10 Acrylic painting ( Announcement of Spring)

A Theme For Artists - The Stars of the Earth

Flowers - The Stars of the Earth

A bouquet of flowers can make the heart sing, can brighten up a gloomy day, lift up a depressed heart, and even cause friendship and romance to sprout and flourish.

A Glow of Happiness

Men have referred to them as 'the stars of the earth'. They are more than just creations of decorative beauty. The fragile shapes, the many fragrances, and infinite glorious colors reveal intrinsic qualities which inspires us.

A  Trilogy of Happiness

I will continue to explore and render the stars of the earth through intricate patterns, brilliant colors, and exciting textures.

A Splash of Spring

Daisy - A Circular Splendor of Summer

  

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

NEW LANDSCAPES FROM LOCAL SCENES

Radiant View Of Hollow Creek

An original framed 16 x 20 acrylic painting on

stretched canvas.

I was inspired by this radiant view in Dyke, Virginia on a narrow country road, named Mutton Hollow Creek. It was a bright sunny day in the fall, serenaded by brilliant light bathing the countryside.

The flowing stream invited my eager eyes into this splendid scene. Complementary greens and reds enhanced the dazzling harmonious arrangement of colors.

Textural surfaces patterns, and complementary colors reveal the beauty, permanence, and serenity of the planet earth.

Exhibition at the Upstairs Gallery
112 W. Main Street
Charlottesville, Virginia
Month of March
Reception on Friday, March 5th, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm

I'm looking forward to reading your comments.
Lee J. Nixon

NEW LANDSCAPES FROM LOCAL SCENES

Colorful Memorandum Of The Past

An Original framed 18 x 24 acrylic painting on stretched canvas.

I was inspired by a view of an old, deserted shed in Dyke Virginia, on a narrow country road named, Mutton Hollow Creek. It was a crisp clear day in the fall, with the shed serenaded by light bathing the countryside.

It made me yearn for yesterday... and wonder about the family that used to live near that location. A place of serenity and peace.

Textural surfaces (impasto, feel the thickly applied acrylics) and complementary colors reveal the beauty, permanence, and serenity of the planet earth!!!

This work will be on display at Art Upstairs at 112 W. Main Street in Charlottesville, Virginia throughout the month of March. The gallery will host a reception on Friday, March 5th from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

I invite all to comment, click on the comment/pencil icon, and thanks.

NEW IMPASTO PAINTING

Running Rapids Near Natural Bridge

An original 26 x 34 acrylic painting on stretched canvas 

Actual surface textures created with modeling paste reflect soft pastels generated by brilliant sunlight. Numerous glazes were used for its completion.

Exhibition in March at the Art Upstairs Gallery at 112 W.Main Street in Charlottesville, Virginia throughout the month of March. The gallery will host an Art reception  on Friday, March 5th from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.

Reflections from youth:

..slippery rocks as I strolled across the Rapidan River while fishing

...flowing rapids would drag the fishing line down stream

...high banks that I slid down to reach the river

dark shadows in the under brush where day became night

Such fun!!!

Contact the artist at: nix123_22960@juno.com

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.

.

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.