December 2007

"Untitled Earthtones #2"
24 " x 24 " (61 x 61 cm)
acrylic on panel
sold

Recently on view at Rick Moore Fine Art, Naples, FL.
Gallery Contact: 1-239-434-6464

I have been enjoying the autumn change of colors out here in Santa Fe. Even though Santa Fe is considered a desert, it is a “high” desert, and so we have snow (great skiing, by the way) and beautiful aspens which change color in the fall. It doesn’t come close to what I grew up with in Philadelphia, but its enough to enjoy outings, and inspire me to change my color palette for the season. This painting uses a combination of techniques to create an overall abstract color field, that depicts the detail and colors I saw, without becoming a realistic landscape.

November 2007

"Untitled Wave I "
40" x 52 " (102 x 132 cm)
acrylic on canvas
available

Currently on view at Rick Moore Fine Art, Naples, FL.
Gallery Contact: 1-239-434-6464

"Detail "Untitled Wave I"

Maybe it's living in the desert that makes me like to paint water so much. New Mexico does have many beautiful lakes and rivers, but I do miss frequent visits to the ocean growing up on the east coast. To paint this large wave painting, it was very physical. At times I felt like a boxer in the ring, at other times I felt like a dancer in a choreographed performance. Once a painting teacher told me I was an "aggressive painter". I am taking this as a compliment, as I do gravitate towards abstract expressionist paintings, which was all about physicality and mark making. Nothing like a visit to a museum to see a Jackson Pollock or Cy Twombly in person.

October 2007

Mint & Chocolate
32 " x 26 " (81 x 66 cm)
acrylic on panel
available

This painting will be exhibited at the Florence Biennale, December 1-9, 2007. For more information contact Nancy Reyner: 1-505-424-4128, or nancy@nancyreyner.com

Living in New Mexico has its benefits. I am always surrounded by beautiful landscape. So it seems likely that when I start a painting I usually have some type of landscape in mind. New Mexico has all the country’s climate zones all in one state. So I use everything from my neighbor’s backyard garden, the orange hills of Abiquiu, lush vegetation following the Rio Grande, and expansive desert spaces. Instead of painting these realistically, however, I like to abstract the forms just enough to appear as though they are coming into being right in front of us (or dissolving into space). This is why I often refer to my paintings as energy fields, rather then landscapes. There’s something very powerful about standing in front of a painting and letting it transport you to a different place. And that is my main objective as an artist. Realistic paintings that look like a photograph are sometimes too “normal” to catch our attention. Abstraction, however, can add a good jolt, shift our sense of reality and bring a new sense of experience. Even though I consider my paintings abstract in feel, they always reflect a sense of place, of space, of environment, and everything I like about New Mexico is reflected in them.

September 2007

Think of Something Fun
48" x 36" (122 x 91 cm)
acrylic on panel
available

For more information contact Nancy Reyner: 1-505-424-4128, or nancy@nancyreyner.com

In the beautiful month of May, when New Mexico’s weather is especially enticing, I decided to take a break from my studio work, and go plein air painting in Abiquiu. The bold colors, soft wind, brilliant sun, soaring birds and views were inspiring. I made several small oil pastels and took a ton of photographs. Last month I took out all those images and after looking at them all and remembering the beauty there, I created this painting.

I have included some painting tips on using reference images on my painting blog.

August 2007

Koi Pond
60" x 46" (152 x 117 cm)
acrylic on canvas
available

For more information contact Nancy Reyner: 1-505-424-4128, or nancy@nancyreyner.com

The top surface of a painting should be a sensual experience. I keep this in mind at all times. For me, a painting is not complete until it can carry this visceral idea. After all, it's not a print or a photograph. It's made of paint! One of my favorite painting teachers, Phyllis Bramson, referred to the paint film as a "skin". It could be very thin and see-through, she mentioned, or thick like a new born baby's skin. While painting, when I see the paint as a skin it becomes alive.

For this painting, Koi Pond, I added acrylic pastes and gels into the paint. I was then able to create a variety of textures and translucencies. Since I was interested in abstracting this tropical landscape, and changing the plants, pond and coy fish into more abstract forms, the textures were a perfect addition. The painting surface was made even more sensual by using a variety of application tools, such as palette knives and toothbrushes.

More information about using pastes and gels can be found in my new book, Acrylic Revolution, or on updated posts for this month on my painting blog.

July 2007

"Silver Ray"
46" x 36" (117 x 91 cm)
acrylic on panel
available

For more information contact Nancy Reyner: 1-505-424-4128, or nancy@nancyreyner.com

I love taking early morning walks here in Santa Fe. My favorite time is right before the sun comes up on a cloudy day. The sky appears silver, colors are soft and muted, and the air appears to glow with an internal light.

To paint these atmospheric effects, I like to use one of my favorite acrylic painting techniques described in my new book. To a painting surface, I apply many transparent layers of color, one on top of the other, called glazes.

My latest painting Silver Ray, pictured here, takes advantage of the subtle color shifts and blends obtainable through the use of glazes. Here an overall color field is created with a central shaft of light to create a misty or veiled atmosphere.

For more how-to information about glazing please visit the first post on my painting blog.