Nancy Medina Art

France

Seduced by a Cad ~ What Happens in France, Doesn’t Always Stay in France

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French Window Peeper Geraniums by Nancy Medina
French Window Peeper Geraniums, 12X12, oil, sold

 

There is one reason and one reason alone I took up oil painting. I fell in love with a cad. One day, after years in on again, off again relationships with watercolor and acrylics, my world was upended. I saw a painting of a red geranium in oils. I had just encountered cadmium red, up close and beautiful, for the first time. I was dazzled. I knew at that instant, if I could paint like that, I would be the happiest person on earth. Maybe if I had gotten therapy immediately, or an intervention, my whole future would have changed. Corinne, the owner of Le Vieux Couvent where I teach in Southern France each year, shared these words of wisdom: Don’t be seduced by geraniums. This was her guiding policy when she was first looking for a property to buy in Europe.

The truth is, every time I see a new image or scene I love, especially from France or Italy, I want to toss all current commitments to the wind and paint whatever I’ve just seen. My entire life is driven by emotive responses to color, shape, and light. I think for many artists, this exact sequence of events happens over and over again, every time we see a new image we love. Do your endorphins kick into high gear in the presence of golden yellows, beautiful magentas, eye catching caribbeans and heart warming oranges?

Today I’m on a color high, because I’m painting red geraniums. It’s pretty clear oils and I have entered into a long-term commitment to one another, tied the knot, broken the plate, and are up to the elbows in turp cans, medium and varnish. But just the other day, I saw this incredible, bold abstract acrylic painting that rocked my world. There was texture and a black line in a Z pattern that was absolutely arresting. My heart went pitty pat. Everything changed. And so it begins…again!

PS: Something absolutely magical is coming your way – on August 16, I’ll be making a big announcement so stay tuned flower friends! Let the all new, exciting countdown to color begin!

 

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Congratulations to Patricia Cochran-Campbell, winner of last week’s blog commentary print prize, Italian Rain Lavenders. Share a comment right here on my blog post, and you’re entered to win a fine art print of French Window Peeper Geraniums!

PPS: See all the sights of my recent trip to Italy in my new monthly online class, The Joyful Brush, I want to take you with me in Petal Perks! Learn more here…

The Best Place in the World to Paint

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Rose Retreat
Rose Retreat, 12X12, oil, detail

 

If you could travel anywhere in the world to paint, where would you go? I shared a similar question a few weeks ago, asking where was the best place for an artist to live in the US. So many good ideas came pouring in, and hundreds of suggestions from art friends. Islands and coastal regions and places with palm trees in the US were top picks, but if you could expand your painting dream to the entire world, just imagine where you could go!

Where does your artist’s heart long to see, more than anywhere else in the world? Would you choose a historic city, countryside, mountains, rain forests, or perhaps an ancient village with a really nice gelato establishment and great shopping? Would you want to paint historic cathedrals or tropical gardens along the southern European coast? Just thinking about the possibilities makes me want to reach for a paint brush!

The biggest lesson I’ve learned from painting overseas is that there are kind people everywhere. We may speak different languages, but we have more in common than our differences. There are moms and dads, grandparents who adore their grandbabies, and people who love all the same things we do – flowers, good food, learning about new people and places, and making new friends. It’s hard to feel alienated from someone who spends 20 minutes explaining to you with hand gestures how to store the fresh picked apples from their garden they’ve just given you as a gift! And the funny thing is, in  Europe, artists are still revered. Sharing that you are there to paint someone’s beautiful countryside is sometimes all it takes to make a lifelong friend!

Share your painting dream travel destination right here by leaving a comment on my blog post, and you’re entered to win a fine art print of Rose Retreat! Congratulations to last week’s winner, Cheryl Banducci, a shipment went out today to Miss Cheryl containing a print of Bianca Terra White Sunflower and a pad of canvas painting paper!

PS – See all the sights of my recent trip to Italy in my new monthly online class, The Joyful Brush, I want to take you with me in Petal Perks! Learn more here…

 

Italy and France 2018 are already filling up, ma cheri ami! Drop me a note for information on how to join a dream come true art journey at nancy@www.nancymedina.com

Top Ten Ideas for a Dream Art Studio and Disney in Pictures

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When I asked for your ideas for a dream come true art studio last week, the suggestions came pouring in! Maybe you, too, are thinking/wishing/hoping to build your dream studio. Even if it’s not yet on your horizon, I couldn’t resist sharing the best ideas right here on the bloggy. Now, bear in mind, I’m still getting used to my new Web site, and the WordPress platform (if you know a WordPress expert, please send them my way!), so this won’t have cute bullet points or anything.

Growing Big Dreams in Flower Mound

 

A few of your ideas just absolutely blew me away. How on earth could I keep my six hanging shoebags of paint tubes handy without creating instant clutter? You had the answer! What about great lighting, for an artist who paints at night? You had the answer! Seriously, I just want to paint daisies, wake up one day, and have the whole studio finished, perfect, and waiting! (*insert reality check moment here*)  Tomorrow morning, it gets real. We meet with the architect and the plans will be drawn up. Permits will be submitted, materials will be ordered, and there’s no turning back, so I had better have my studio ducks in a row! eep! Here are the top 10 ideas for building a dream art studio:

Add a small greenhouse from the French doors leading out to the flower garden

Include spot lights that point up to the ceiling on top of the wood beams for bounced light

Custom build a narrow closet with poles that swing outward for my shoe bags full of paint

Include north facing windows, with adjustable shades and/or windowcovers

Use faux wood tile floors, less slippery than patterned concrete and tougher than hardwood

Build light colored high ceilings for good ventilation

Include soundproofing in windows, doors and all walls (we live under a flight path!)

Include lots of windows and two sets of French doors leading to my outdoor studio/garden

Install two of the awesome new ductless air conditioning units to combat the Texas heat

Include a writing corner away from the work area with a soft chair and comfy pug beds nearby

If all this brainstorming has given you some great ideas, please feel free to share those here. If one of your ideas gets incorporated into my dream studio, you’ll be entered to win a cool prize! Stay tuned for the step by step shots of construction to come.

In the meantime, here are some photos from my Disney-sponsored flower painting workshop in North Texas last week. If you’re just hearing the news, I was absolutely honored (and excited) to be asked by Disney to teach a painting workshop to promote the premiere of Beauty and the Beast. Attending the event were bloggers from around the region, photographers, PR folks and some super cute kids. We painted poppies in brilliant acrylics, ate lots of cookies and posed for pictures for the big premier. I’m still pinching myself, and had such a great time working with the coordinators for the event. Talk about a super positive, super professional group, it was Disney all the way!

Photos from the Disney Flower Painting Workshop

 

Letters From France and Glad Rising

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Glad Rising
France class demonstration, 16X16, oil and acrylic on textured canvas

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My blue shuttered window in France overlooks a 17th Century church and rolling hills. The quiet at night and at dusk in this tiny village is profound. Sometimes there are footsteps below my window that come closer, and then move on, echoing on the stone walls. With two full workshops lined up, some students who are visiting Le Vieux Couvent for the first time, and a huge painting agenda ahead (not to mention shopping and eating), there is still room to stop and breathe. It’s the thing I forget to do, most of all, when I am home. There is a blanket of serenity that wraps its arms around you when you walk through the green gate and step into Corinne’s gardens.

When students arrive here for the first time, I feel a bit like Willie Wonka, leading his charges into the chocolate factory for the first time ~ watching joy rising on their faces, and seeing a bit of wonder there, too.  I am reminded of what Lorraine, a friend from Australia told me last year when she saw my eyes land on the flower stall in the open air market here.

It’s okay to run when you get to your happy place.

Run. Run toward your happiness. Life is so sweet, but so very short. Hold onto all the love and joy you can, today. In the past brief time, I have lost my Mother, my aunt who was like a sister to me, and my young heart pug, Annie. I will keep breathing, moving forward, continuing to create, all of the intermediate therapies that get us over the hard bits, until we can laugh again, and feel wonder and joy again.

Finding space in your heart to bloom and grow again

The chocolate factory in France!

Wishes and Dreams

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Shopper’s Paradise
16X16, Oil on Museum Quality Panel, Sold
A Scene from Cahors, France

I’m just home from Ireland this week, and already planning my trip to Italy in June, so, naturally, I had to paint this scene from Southern France. I’m like one of those compasses spinning round and round, and just can’t decide which way I’m headed next! The hubby and the puggies, though, are just very glad I’m home. It’s been almost exactly one year since I lost my Mom, and it feels like I am beginning to come up for air again after a long dream. Working and staying busy and painting obsessively helps, but nothing compares to the healing properties of time.

I still have this strong regret I never was able to take my Mother with me on my travels. She was a dreamer and a poet, and a romantic, too (I think all of those things go hand in hand…). I know she would have loved the people of these ancient lands, the outdoor markets of Southern France, the farmlands of Ireland, even more than the ancient structures or impressive histories. She loved people, meeting strangers, engaging them in conversation about everyday things, and finding a way to make them laugh (much to my chagrin when I was a teenager tagging along behind her in the grocery store…). Thank goodness I left that teenage self behind, and realized long ago what a rare and beautiful person my Mother was. I had many opportunities to tell her this, too. For that, I am so very, very thankful.

Ancient Gardens and Italy in June

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Ancient Gardens

Ancient Gardens
12X12, Oil on Museum Quality Panel
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There is a sacred feeling to the old stone gardens of Europe, even if the walls are crumbling, and sometimes because of it. At times the most important thing to do when you stumble upon one of these ancient gardens is simply to stop and consider them, without a pen or brush in hand.

I’m super excited to announce that my Italy workshop is filling up flower friends – don’t delay, I want to share ancient markets, gourmet food, and this dream painting vacation with you in June! We’ll provide the paint, you bring your camera, walking shoes and inner child!

Painting Brilliant Italy, June 2016

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Wine tastings under the stars!

Sit a Spell – Lounging Around in a Tennessee Flower Garden

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Sit a Spell
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Oil on Museum Quality Panel

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 Studio Director Anniebee and her puggy wingman, Hannah

There is nothing more inviting than a glider in a flower-filled garden, and nowhere I’d rather be on a cool day. I’m home after teaching two back to back workshops in Collierville, Tennessee, this week, and heading to St. Louis in a few days to swing a brush in my hometown with some of my favorite students in the whole world. Lately I’ve found myself being drawn to landscapes and light, and thanks to the beautiful gardens of my Tennessee hostess, Carolyn, I was able to capture some photos for paintings for some time to come.

As soon as I’m back from St. Louis, I’ll be heading to San Diego, California, but before leaving for these trips, I’m hosting a double double giveaway on my Facebook fan page this week. Check out my page for a chance to win Garden Nook Hydrangeas, a fine art print! I’ll be announcing the winner Wednesday night, and may the flower force be with you! In the meantime, my little helpers are taking me to task regarding the excessive traveling I’ve been doing. As you can see here, AnnieBee in particular notes, “Mama, you got some ‘splainin’ to do!”

Step by Step French Geraniums and Painting Flowers From Ancient Markets

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French Geraniums

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Class Demonstration, Frayssinet, France
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French Geraniums was created in the art studio of Le Vieux Couvent, a 17th century former convent located in an ancient village in Southern France. I’ve shared this painting with you step by step today, and here’s a tip for you on your red flowers – to add highlights, instead of adding white to your red, use a mixture of permanent rose and white. This pale pink is a nice temperature shift and will draw the eye.

I’m home now after a month spent teaching in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Our days were filled with touring and painting, and what I like to call a buffet style workshop. I wanted to be sure my students crafted what their hearts most desired from this experience, no clocking in to paint in France! It’s probably even illegal to stick to a severe schedule there, after all, we had to break for aperitifs and naps at times… Students who wanted to work in water media did so. Those who wanted to paint silk scarves in the garden did so, and those who wanted to work in oils joined me in the studio where we had jars and colorful pitchers filled with fresh flowers purchased from the ancient open air markets of Cahors and Soulliac. I did demos in all media, and even joined students for a dip in the pool!  I’ll continue to share all the best photos from my journey with you on my Facebook page.

My 2016 workshop at Le Vieux Couvent is filling fast. Click here for the details! Don’t delay ma cher, I am saving a croissant with your name on it!

Fresh Dahlias from Soulliac market… memories from a picnic at Lake St. Germaine!

The View From Paris ~ French Roses and Gardens in the Rain

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French Roses

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Class Demonstration, Frayssinet, France
Oil on Museum Gallery Wrap Canvas

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It’s important to learn from your travel experiences, taking note of those important teaching moments, such as taking selfies facing upward into the rain in front of the Eiffel Tower with your eyes wide open is an exercise in futility. Cafe hopping across Paris with total disregard for a reasonable eating schedule is highly encouraged. Searching for the Sennelier art store (which happens to reside across from the Musee d’ Orsay which rhymes with Monet) is a worthy pursuit even if you do the entire pilgrimage on foot at sunset, knowing the store will be closed when you arrive. It’s good to have friends who don’t laugh at you when you visit the Dalbe art store three times in one day in Cahors. It’s better to have friends who come with you to visit the Dalbe art store three times in one day in Cahors.

I’m sharing photos, videos and moments from my entire France trip with you every day on Facebook. Today I posted videos of the morning light in Monet’s Garden, and photos of violet clouds above the Eiffel Tower. My students have produced some amazing paintings,  cottage gardens, landscapes filled with color, sunflower and rose paintings, and daisies in every hue of red violet. My first class has ended and another group is on their way for a painting adventure at Le Vieux Couvent with me. Stay tuned and I promise to share all the best images with you daily on my Facebook page. Life is so short, and friends are so precious, thank you for walking with me on this petal strewn, flower filled journey of color!

 Violet clouds ~ Paris is a delight!

 

 

 

Le Affair to Remember and French Apricots and Sunflowers

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French Apricots and Sunflowers
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Class Demonstration, Frayssinet, France
Oil on Museum Quality Panel

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There is something sublime and divine about painting in a place where prayers were offered for hundreds of years. My students and I have explored three villages, a market, and a castle in our free time away from the studio and the biggest trips are yet to come!  I’ve been sharing videos and photos of our adventures in the gardens and villages of Southern France each day on my Facebook page, and a little film here is designed to get you in the proper frame of mind for croissants and breakfast in the rose garden.

But first, a true confession. While wandering about after my third foray into the art shop in ancient Cahors yesterday, I happened upon a gentleman who quite captured my heart. Please do not tell my husband, but I have fallen in love with a Frenchman. He was not tall, but had exquisite brown eyes and such a lovely smile. The moment our eyes met, it was clear we were meant for one another. Even though he was minding his Mother on a nearby bench, within moments we were caught up in a rather scandalous moment of kissing and mutual adoration that even passersby could not ignore. I hope you will not judge me harshly for my indiscretion. Once you have gazed upon him, I’m sure you will agree has a remarkable resemblance to Dr. Zhivago or perhaps Ernest Borgnine, at the very least. And remember, mum’s the word, what happens in France, stays in France!

 

 

 

 

 

The Great French Escape – Romantic Kitty Series

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French Escape – Romantic Kitty Series
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Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

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In 18 days, I’ll be in Southern France at Le Vieux Couvent to teach my first French workshop! I’m a bit excited. I keep finding myself floating through rooms and spaces, imagining aperitifs, midnight church bells out my blue shuttered, open bedroom windows, creme brûlée gelato, shopping in the ancient markets of Soulliac… The dream come true bucket list just goes on and on! I’m incredibly honored to be sharing this experience with students in two classes, back to back, and a fun little side trip to Paris right smack dab in the middle. I will share all my favorite photos with you here and on my Facebook fan page, so check in, mon cheri! My absolute fondest wish is that you will take this journey with me someday. My 2016 France dates are already set so check your dream come true wish list, this is the painting getaway you’ve always deserved.

Detail from French Escape

New Garden Flags and My Little French Chateau

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My Little French Chateau
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Oil on Deep Gallery Wrap Canvas

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It’s been a big week in Flower Mound Studio, and I’m not just saying that because The Studio Director’s rabbit toy was rediscovered tucked deep inside a cushion  (*it should be noted, she was quite happy to see bunny again, and promptly gave him a spankin’ for disappearing…). (I suspect the toy had been hiding in terror.)

But enough about Her Majesty, the big news this week is something I’m just tickled pink about! Well not just pink, there is also some blue, and yellow, too – my designs are going to be appearing on a line of garden flags and the first one is in production! Okay, I need to calm down and eat some chocolate or something.

They will appear in national stores and chains, and the really cool thing is the manufacturer put my signature on it! It’s wonderful to have a good art agent! Here’s a peek. I hope I don’t get in trouble for “unveiling the flag!” but I just can’t resist! If you’d like to find out when it’s available to purchase, message me your email and I’ll be sure you get the announcement. I can’t wait to get one, too! woo-hoo!

My new garden flag!

Shy Plums and Ruthless Bananas in the Art Studio

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Shy Plums and Pink Peonies
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Oil on Deep Gallery Wrap Canvas

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I made an executive decision to leave the banana out of my class demo in Hot Springs, Arkansas, this morning. It was a tough call, but one of the plums kept rolling behind the vase out of the spotlight, and I didn’t want to spook the rest of the fruit herd and cause a stampede. It was one of those days when you knock things over and drop things and can’t remember the recipe for green (yellow plus blue equals…hmmmm)…. Fortunately, I had a class full of talented and incredibly encouraging flower friends.

These talented gals whipped out peonies so quick we finished up early today! I flower marched them out to the deck for the class photo before any of them could escape my lens. Tomorrow we will paint French landscapes, which seems fitting, since all the supplies for my France workshop will be shipped out next week – my how time flies when you’re having fun with paint!

The offending banana makes an appearance….

Showing off their beautiful bouquets in Hot Springs, Arkansas!

Seaside Cottage – A French Retreat and a St. Louis Workshop

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Seaside Cottage – A French Retreat
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Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
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This morning I received an email from LinkedIn suggesting I consider a new job in architecture. This is about as close as I’ll get to being an architect, one of the paintings of Le Vieux Couvent in Frayssinet, France, converted via my imagination into a seaside retreat. Can you tell I’m longing for spring? I had a palette knife teacher from Belgium once who told us, “There are no straight lines in nature.” I can tell you for certain there are no straight lines in French villages, either. The old roofs are layered with ancient tiles and when one section collapses, it is often propped up with boards and patched over with another layer of beautiful ochre tiles. The result is a colorful treat for the artist’s eye!

Painting Florals and Landscapes in Brilliant Color in St. Louis, Missouri

October 23-25, 2015

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I’m very excited to announce a new workshop in St. Louis is set for October 23-25 – we’ll paint bright florals and French landscapes in this historic town of my birth! You are invited to join me for three full days of painting, and students who work in oils, acrylics and water based oils are welcome. Read more….

Out with the new, in with the old! A pigeonnier in France, not

far from Le Vieux Couvent, where I teach in August!

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