GUEST ARTIST – NANCY CONANT
Tag Along Sony by Nancy Conant.
Today’s Guest Artist is Nancy Conant. Just seeing this cute little guy is warming to the heart. But after hearing Nancy’s story I am so impressed… and yet not surprised that art has helped her find a way… as it has done for so many of us. So I give you Nancy Conant. –Marianne
“I am a daily painter. I try to discipline myself to put at least two hours each morning at the easel. Then of course, it winds up being much more! Or usually when the family is huddled around the TV, I slip out of the room and put a few more hours in. I see it this way, we artists have a tremendous gift to get to do what we love. Not many can say that.
It wasn’t until I was in my 40’s when I took lessons for pastel painting for the first time. It was love at first painting! I like pastels and their versatility and they seem to like me! I have trained under some of the greats: June Holloway, Lesley Harrison and Sally Strand to name a few.
30 years ago, as a vocation, I worked with wild and exotic animals for movies and television and volunteered my services at wildlife refugee camps. My love for animals and my love for art goes hand-in-hand. I count it a blessing to have the best of both worlds.
In 2009, I was riddled with the effects of Multiple Sclerosis and severe depression, and I took my life. But God had different plans and after 22 hours, revived me. My story is told, along with my husband and co-author, Chris Conant in our book, Resurrection Monday.
“Not only is it a miracle that Nancy is with us but since Resurrection Monday, she has become amazingly prolific in her painting. They are more realistic and accurate as well as completed in a shorter amount of time than ever before. It’s truly a miracle!” exclaims Chris Conant.
Today, I live in Dallas, Texas, with Chris and my two homeschooled daughters, Rebekah and Meghan.” –Nancy Conant
Published by admin on December 3rd, 2013 Tagged Uncategorized | Comment now »GUEST ARTIST – MARIANNE HARRIS
‘Seeing Spots’ by Marianne Harris
Lesley has asked me to post my newest commission… which I was happy to do. For the last week I was telling her that I had been seeing spots! So what better name for this piece. And with it I have another Lesley Harrison story to share.
I started going to Lesley’s workshops about 4 years ago. The first workshop I attended we painted two very cute Golden Retriever pups. I learned so much painting those dogs that I decided to try my hand at painting my own dog. Soon after that I decided to paint a dog belonging to the owner of the agility facility that I had been going to for a few years. (Yes… I am addicted to dog agility!!) I presented the painting of Fritz (who was a cancer dog) to Susan (the owner of WAG… Western Agility Group) and something incredible happened. Soon I was getting asked by a few other people to paint their dogs. Pretty soon I had a waiting list of commissions to paint. In fact… so many that I was actually able to quit my part time job (the one I really hated going to) and become a full time artist. My life has literally changed and I enjoy every moment I spend at my easel. And who do I have to thank for all this… Lesley Harrison, of course! She has become my friend and my mentor and has shown me the way to a happy life of art! And again Lesley… I can’t thank you enough! Hugs my friend!!!
Published by admin on November 24th, 2013 Tagged Guest Artists | 9 Comments »MYSTERY SOLVED!!
It was for a photo shoot! I got an idea and called a girlfriend that rescues cats and asked her if she happened to have any black kittens… and she did! Four of them…. so let the fun begin!!
Published by admin on November 16th, 2013 Tagged Uncategorized | 4 Comments »A MYSTERY!!
Anyone want to guess why I spent hours and made a HUGE mess… carving this pumpkin?
Hint: Notice that his mouth is VERY big!!
Published by admin on November 13th, 2013 Tagged In The Works | 4 Comments »