Nancy Medina Art

Sans Souci Red Rose Lane by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-26T20:11:00.000-08:00

Sans Souci Red Rose Lane by Nancy Medina
16X20
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Sans Souci was originally painted over a year ago, but tonight I went in and made quite a few changes and freshened up my fence. I felt a bit like Tom Sawyer, painting that fence and wishing someone would come along whom I could talk into doing it for me.

It's been an incredibly long week in the office, with our company going through a major restructuring and the hubby being away on a business trip (he's home now, in case you are an ax murderer with my address....). I'm counting my blessings though, because I still have a job (during the day) that will continue to help me keep building my dream of having a really successful art business someday. I am absolutely exhausted today, but there is just something about being in the studio, painting that always puts the wind back in my sails!

Blue Shadow Delphinium Picket Fences of Coronado Island by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-25T18:55:00.001-08:00

Blue Shadow Delphiniums
by Nancy Medina
12X12
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Blue Shadow Delphiniums is the newest picket fence painting in Flower Mound Studio today. This painting is based on the beautiful cottage gardens of Coronado, California, where I will be headed in just a few weeks! I visit the island each spring for a solo show at Art and Frames by Wood Gallery, coinciding with the annual Flower Show. Click here to see photos from my first show on the Island. It's the perfect place for a flower junky such as myself to visit. I can hardly wait to see what's in bloom. Stay tuned to my art blog for photos to come. Be sure to pack a sweater and some comfy walking shoes - I promise to take you along for a visual tour!

This has been a busy week for Studio Director AnnieBee, with visitors to greet, art students to supervise, and all manner of excitement occurring in her domain. I think it was getting to her a bit because she started looking a little down, so, like the good servant I am, I came up with a plan to cheer up the boss - thus, the sojourn to the nearest toy store. Annie doesn't go to PetSmart often (she prefers boutique pet stores), but I swear when we pulled up and her little face lit up, she knew perfectly well where we were. Three new toys and one new squeaky ball later, AnnieBee was all smiles again. And when the boss is happy, everyone is happy!

*Sound of harps*

Rose Corner Rose Arbor and Picket Fence Painting by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-23T19:00:00.000-08:00

Rose Corner by Nancy Medina
14X14
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Rose Arbor is another new picket fence painting in Flower Mound Studio today. After a day in the office working on budget spreadsheets and a 32 page publishing contract, my brain needed red roses and a dose of serenity. A nice mocha coffee with whipped creme and real chocolate shavings on top would also be nice...and a foot massage. Unfortunately, I'll have to wait on those last items. The paintbrushes need washing and the pugs need bedtime walkies. If I hurry, I'll have just enough time to read a chapter or two out of my new Connie Willis book, All Clear, the sequel to her previous book, Blackout. If you like a really excellent time travel story, hers are the absolute best! I had no idea the sequel was out. What a nice surprise.

Rose Corner in the studio

Delphiniums of Coronado by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-22T17:02:00.000-08:00

Delphiniums of Coronado
by Nancy Medina
11X14
Oil on Linen Board
Commissioned Work

Nancy Medina Web Site

Delphiniums of Coronado is a new painting in the studio, created for a special client who wanted a painting of a picket fence with delphiniums. She gave me free rein with the design, so I am hoping she likes it when she sees it! This painting is based on the beautiful cottage gardens of Coronado, California, where flower growing is a very serious passtime. Perfect weather, perfect soil, and a giant Flower Show competition each year all combine to give flower junkies like myself a bit of nirvana every time I visit! I am heading back here in just a few weeks, and hope to share photos with you then of my trip.

Contact me if you would like your own painting of delphiniums, picket fences, or your favorite flower combination! I would be delighted to create something for you.

Heart's Hyacinths and Sunflowers and Studio Adventures by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-21T16:17:00.000-08:00

Heart's Hyacinths and Sunflowers
by Nancy Medina
14X14
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Heart's Hyacinths and Sunflowers is the newest painting in the studio. We had a very busy day, with AnnieBee and I hosting a special guest student for a day-long art class. Judy and I painted hyacinths and tiny sunflowers, while AnnieBee and her foster sister, Hannah, supervised. Judy did a beautiful job on her painting, and she and I both agreed one can never have too much bright color!

Hannah appreciated adding a new fan to her list of admirers, and other than trying to attack her own reflection in the front door panel, barking at her sister, and digging all the stuffing out of her new bed and spitting it on the studio floor, Annie was a perfect hostess.

Sign up for a full day class or bring a friend for half the price - the pugs and I love visitors.

Click here for class information

The studio models were smelling awfully pretty!

Judy did a fabulous job on her sunflowers!

Poppy Prelude and a May December Romance by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-20T19:04:00.000-08:00

Poppy Prelude by Nancy Medina
8X10
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Poppy Prelude is drying on the easel in Flower Mound Studio. The pugs are snoozing today, exhausted from a visit from their favorite neighbor, Sweet Pea, who happens to be Howie's most true love. When Pea, a lovely, much younger Boston, arrives at our front door, Howie begins a howling, moaning yell that sounds a bit like pure joy. He gazes at her with such affection while his body wriggles with happiness.

It's a May-December romance, with him being more on the December end, so when he gets tired of chasing this energetic little gal around the yard, he finds a great spot to rest where he can always keep his adoring gaze upon her. Tonight I found Howie had put himself to bed in the big bed, curled up on his dad's pillow. I am quite certain he was reliving every happy moment with his beloved in his dreams.

Howard gazes upon his beloved

Sugar Bowl Sunflowers and Artscape at the Dallas Arboretum by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-18T19:14:00.000-08:00

Sugar Bowl Sunflowers by Nancy Medina
14X14
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Sugar Bowl Sunflower is a small study, a new painting just finished that was inspired by the larger version I posted on my blog yesterday. I'm already planning my inventory for Artscape at the Dallas Arboretum, March 16-18 and small pieces are very important to that show, as well as the larger pieces. It's the only outdoor show I do each year!

I'm hoping the tulips will be in full bloom again, and the weather is kind to us 100 or so artists in our tents under the trees. Last year gusts of wind took a few tents sailing, and the year before a snowstorm shut the show down one day early. Despite wind, snow, or rain, I still had wonderful clients show up in their winter clothes making their annual sojourn to visit my booth. This is definitely the most enjoyable art show each year, because it is in the most beautiful flower gardens in Texas. Mark your calendars for a fun day in the sun! (see, I am thinking positive about the weather here!) I hope you will join me.

Tulips and cherry blossoms, a great backdrop
for Artscape at the Dallas Arboretum

Simple Joys Sunflowers and Larkspur by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-17T20:00:00.000-08:00

Simple Joys Sunflowers and Larkspur
by Nancy Medina
20X20
Palette Knife/Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Simple Joys Sunflowers and Larkspur is the newest painting in Flower Mound Studio today, and celebrates a bit of happiness in my home. When I get tired or discouraged, I find little things to give me something to look forward to. I love making my first cup of tea in the morning, adding creme and sugar, and that first warm sip. I love the ritual of waking up the puggies, giving each of them a kiss and telling them how much I adore them and asking if they are ready for breakfast. (The answer, as you can imagine, is always a resounding YES!). I love turning on my book on tape when I get in the car for the morning commute. If I try, I can find over a dozen little joys that make up each day. When times are hard or I am sad, I use each of them like stepping stones to make my way through. I hope you have a simple happiness in your life each day, something that keeps you strong on your journey. If you don't, I highly recommend getting a pug or three.... These little fatties always make me laugh.

Morning Daisy Red Daisies by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-16T18:07:00.000-08:00

Morning Daisy Red Daisies
by Nancy Medina
10X10
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Morning Daisies is the newest painting in the studio, and it was a day off from the office so I spent hours and hours on the couch surrounded by four snoring pugs. What a perfect way to spend a Monday holiday! These little red daisies are still hanging in there, thanks to the cool air in the studio, maybe I'll get a few more paintings before they retire.

Morning Daisy studio peek

Wild Daisies of Carmel by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-15T19:19:00.000-08:00

Wild Daisies of Carmel
by Nancy Medina
6X8
Palette Knife/Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Wild Daisies of Carmel, California, is based on the beautiful flowers that grew outside a small shopping center in town. I loved how the daisies had bed head, messy, sticky little petals that flew in the wind this way and that. If flowers grew like this in Texas, I'd be painting outdoors every single day! Here are the flowers that inspired this painting, below. Enjoy!

The daisy inspiration from
my trip to Carmel, CA

A little daisy with bed head....

Stolen Moments Sunflowers and Lilacs by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-15T14:48:00.000-08:00

Stolen Moments Sunflowers and Lilacs
by Nancy Medina
16X20
Oil on Gallery wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Stolen Moments Sunflowers and Lilacs is the newest painting in Flower Mound Studio, and ended a long day of painting yesterday. Today, after letting it rest overnight, I brightened up the yellow petals of the sunflowers, and made the peachy oranges of the cantaloupe more intense. This was my first black vase and I used ivory black, with a smear of Gamblin gray medium, with a light blue-white highlight at the end.

I also tried a different background approach, laying in a thick layer of viridian green mixed with transparent oxide red. I did not wipe that thick layer, but pulled all my colors directly out of that dark wet background. Believe it or not, I used light green paint for the sunflower petals. When the muted greens were laid on the wet trans ox red, a lovely warm yellow emerged. What a fun experiment this turned out to be!

I had to take several breaks away from the canvas to play with the Studio Director, who acquired two new toys today. It's the perfect reason to step away from the work and get a different perspective on it before it's finished. Nothing like stepping over the varied pieces of a stuffed yellow ducky to keep a painter on her toes....nodp

Blue Bloomers Hydrangeas of the Dallas Arboretum by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-14T16:30:00.000-08:00

Blue Bloomers Hydrangeas
by Nancy Medina
11X14
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Blue Bloomers Hydrangeas is a new painting based on the blossoms of the Dallas Arboretum. This little painting is drying near the footheater in my studio, as the chilly wind whips around my garden in the back yard. My husband took a photo of our frozen bird bath and I liked how he captured the color and design. He has an eye for photography and can get the greatest photos with his IPhone, while my photos are always blurry, off center, and always listing just a bit to the right.

Click here for class information

If you'd like to see the place that inspires more of my flowers than any other (okay, except for maybe the flowers at Central Market *sound of harps*) come paint with me on January 28 during my workshop at the Dallas Arboretum. The classroom is nice and big and indoors so we won't be a bit chilly, and it's always a great day to paint in the most beautiful garden in North Texas, especially if Megan brings us chocolate like she did last time!

From my garden this morning, a frozen moment

Garden Medley Sunflowers and Poppies by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-12T19:25:00.000-08:00

Garden Medley Sunflowers and Poppies
by Nancy Medina
20X20
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Garden Medley is another foray into the forbidden sunflower zone. My art agent doesn't want sunflowers, she says they are not "in," my favorite gallery wants new paintings without sunflowers, and my studio is already filled to the gills with sunflowers. And yet, the urge to paint them again has overpowered me, kind of like the urge to eat that fruit tart my husband brought into the studio tonight with a dollop of whippy creme on top, even though I am trying like the dickens to lose three pounds so I won't look portly for the annual editorial board retreat where everyone including myself will be wearing jeans all weekend. Will power is definitely not my strong point, already, in this new year, and we're only 12 days into 2012! I hope you are doing a bit better than I am. I have not even made it to the gym yet.

Red Star Daisy Delight by Texas Flower Painter Nancy Medina

2012-01-10T18:17:00.000-08:00

Red Star Daisy Delight
by Nancy Medina

SOLD

6X8
Oil on Linen Board

Nancy Medina Web Site

Red Star Daisy Delight is a small study as I work through a couple of future paintings in my mind. I always begin the painting long before I prep the canvas. Ideas about color come first, then the flower, then dark background vs light background, still life versus vignette, etc. Then I think about what can I add to this painting that will make it different than one I've ever done before, some tiny twist or direction that will make it unique. Sometimes I see a particular part first - the separation of the petals on a gerbera daisy laying on a white cloth in the studio made me instantly realize I would be painting red gerberas today, even though I had fully prepared to do a large hydrangea still life. Sometimes it's good to go with the flow, when the muses start singing, rather than change the station...

The fresh daisy stars take a bow!

AnnieBee on the couch, posing most especially for Theresa!

Sunflower Repose by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-09T19:22:00.001-08:00

Sunflower Repose by Nancy Medina
11X14
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Sunflower Repose is the newest painting in Flower Mound Studio, a study of a sunflower lying on its side on a white sheet under the spotlight. Mondays are usually the hardest days, my first day back to work to the day job, and then coming home from the office feeling bone tired. I can't count the number of times I have gone to the studio at 6:30 pm. Instead of resting or sitting on the couch, I paint through my fatigue each night until at least 10 pm. Painting has become a balm to the day, a respite and also an escape for me. Sometimes I know I spend too much time in front of the easel, and lose track of life around me. I need to instill some of this habit into an exercise routine! But then again, this is the time of year the gym is so darn crowded, I think I'll wait on that just a bit longer. After all, I hear fresh flowers calling!

Shhhh, please keep the noise down, the studio model is resting!

Blue Sunday Sunflowers and Larkspur by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-08T16:17:00.000-08:00

Blue Sunday Sunflowers and Larkspur
by Nancy Medina

SOLD

16X20
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Nancy Medina Web Site

Blue Sunday Sunflowers and Larkspur is the newest painting in the studio. I wanted to experiment with different canvas surfaces for the transparent background, to see if I could get more of a feel of soft edges, but with bright color in key spots. I painted this one much, much more quickly than I painted the sunflowers in my post yesterday. Why? This canvas cost a fraction of the linen boards I usually use (you can find them by googling New Traditions Art Panels). This was just a plain old cotton canvas, double gessoed and primed with a thin coating of raw umber. If I tell myself what I am working on doesn't have to be good, I tend to end up with a better painting. I have no idea at all why that is the case but I bet there is a counselor out there who has some suggestions...

Color Cascade Sunflowers and Daisies by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-07T15:05:00.000-08:00

Color Cascade Sunflowers and Daisies
by Nancy Medina
16X20
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Color Cascade Sunflowers and Daisies is a new painting in Flower Mound Studio, where the pugs and I have been basking in the glow of our footheaters just about all day. One of us was painting, the other four were snoring, I'll let you guess who was doing what... I wanted to share some pictures of my home with you, and the new couch the pugs and I do happen to love sleeping on when the TV is on the Lifetime channel and a great chick flick is on! There is nothing better than a faux fur throw, a soft couch with comfy pillows, and four fat, warm pugs for the perfect napping activities....

This couch was made for nappin!

Howie insisted I include this picture again....

Sunflower Daisy Confetti Flowers and a Studio Peek by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-06T16:24:00.000-08:00

Sunflower Daisy Confetti
by Nancy Medina
10X10
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Sunflower Daisy Confetti is a new study as I work on a larger painting of the same arrangement in the studio today. I received a few notes from you indicating how much you like seeing "how the sausage is made" and the flower setups, so wanted to share with you a bit of the bigger picture. I felt a bit like the lotto winner when I found fresh daisies and two kinds of sunflowers at the local market today. I couldn't wait to get them back to the studio and get ready for a big, colorful, splashy painting!

The beautiful linen napkins that are under the setup came from a store in New Hampshire when I was visiting my friend Sharon a few years ago. I am always on the lookout for gorgeous linens and napkins to use as backdrops or settings. The napkin on the left, though, came from Pottery Barn. You're probably admiring that red gerbera daisy on the right, the one that stretches out as if gazing down upon the scene, aren't you? Yes, I love that flower, too! Although it does look like it wants to escape. The grass is always greener and all that good stuff.... Stay tuned to see this setup become a larger painting in the next day or two.

A little study for a
bigger painting which
will be coming right up!

Here's how the sausage is made...

Heaven's Door Sunflowers and Delphiniums by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-04T19:33:00.000-08:00

Heaven's Door Sunflowers & Delphiniums

by Nancy Medina
12X12
Oil Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Heaven's Door Sunflowers and Delphiniums is an oil painting on deep gallery wrap canvas, and was painted last year following a trip to the Central Coast of California. I've been wishing for warmer weather lately, so am sharing this painting with you again to take the chill out of the air in Flower Mound Studio. Tomorrow I will drive my mom to the funeral of her best friend, who died unexpectedly on Monday. The morning after my father took his own life, this lovely lady, my mom's friend, was the first to come to mom's house. She arrived bright and early.

She sat at the kitchen table and had a glass of tea and talked with mom and stayed with her through the entire day. I will never forget such kindness. Some do not know how to react to death, and so avoid saying anything at all. Gail Wells stepped in during the hardest moment of my mother's life to simply be there for her. It may sound like a small act, but it took courage. Even more, it took a tremendous and loving spirit. May the angels take you gently, Gail.

Sunflower Flight With Daisies by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-03T18:00:00.000-08:00

Sunflower Flight by Nancy Medina

SOLD

12X12
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Sunflower Flight is the newest painting in the studio, one of my special "procrastination" paintings, which means basically I was supposed to be working on taxes and paperwork rather than painting this evening. Truthfully most of Sunflower Flight had been finished yesterday evening, starting at 11 pm when I had this sudden second wind fueled largely by the infamous cookies we spoke of earlier this week.

In case you are wondering, yes, I did eat two or four of these cookies over the sink, and then rinsed away the powdered sugar evidence so no one would be the wiser the next morning. Except for those darn empty spots on the cookie plate. Today I took matters in hand and sealed up the two remaining plates of cookies into a tupperware cake holder. This is my cookie deterrent, and in three hours, will effectively prevent me from repeating the same crime I committed 24 hours prior. I'll let you know tomorrow how that all works out...

Pansy Potpourri by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-02T19:57:00.000-08:00

Pansy Potpourri by Nancy Medina

SOLD
14X14
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Pansy Potpourri is the newest painting in Flower Mound Studio, courtesy of my patient and accommodating pansy models. I'm just guessing these blossoms would rather be outside than in my studio with the footheater blasting them, messing up their hairdos and spoiling their plans to socialize with their kin. I'm hoping there will be some pansies on hand for my workshop at the Dallas Arboretum later this month, since they are a great winter flower and one of the few blossoms that really thrive in the cold. I hope to see you there!

Violas and Pansies - A Step by Step Painting by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2012-01-01T19:13:00.000-08:00

Violas and Pansies by Nancy Medina
16X20
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Violas and Pansies is the newest painting in Flower Mound Studio, in honor of a brief appearance by a group of colorful studio models. These lovely blossoms had a date with the flower bed outside this afternoon, so I had to paint quickly! I've shared the painting with you step by step below, as well as a photo of the models in the spotlight. They pulled double duty, posing with my holiday cookie photo for Facebook earlier today. You can find the recipe for these Russian Teacakes (the only ones I make every holiday!) here on the Betty Crocker Web Site. They're specially designed to be eaten with friends, or like I often do, secretly, over the sink, so I can hide the evidence of just how many I can inhale before I've even had breakfast. Enjoy!

The models take a bow!

I like to use a orange brown background
for pansies, even the purple ones.

The violas were fun to paint, and are
a little different from pansies because
they don't have the black faces.

I decided I needed one more element, and added my
signature green bowl to this one. The bowl appears
slightly elongated because of the tilt on the canvas.

And last but not least,
the Russian Teacakes!

Poppy Pirouette by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-31T16:12:00.000-08:00

Poppy Pirouette by Nancy Medina
20X20
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Poppy Pirouette is new painting in the studio, a freshened up version of a poppy landscape based on the beautiful blossoms of Utah. The weather in Flower Mound was perfect today - sunny and cool, and AnnieBee and her siblings and I spent some time outside tossing toys around and admiring the well behaved big dogs who moved in next door. Today Carlos made grilled chicken and salad, and I cooked up a quadruple batch of Russian Teacakes to send to some good friends who moved away and used to get a plate every year at Christmas. They don't know they're coming, so it will be our secret! I'm not quite sure how best to pack up these round butter cookies and keep them from crumbling in shipment... I'm going to wrap them in clear bags and then put them in holiday tins. Maybe I should have UPS add lots of peanuts? Any suggestions from my baker friends?

Happy New Year's eve to you and your loved ones. Thank you so much for walking with me and the pugs on this art journey in 2011. What a joy it is to be able to do this as a business, and share my own love of nature, flowers, and the world with others.

Annie in her new herringbone sweater
from her Aunty Tracey Terry!

Fingertip Sunflower by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-30T19:47:00.000-08:00

Fingertip Sunflower
by Nancy Medina
6X8
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Fingertip Sunflower is a new small study in Flower Mound Studio, as the pugs and I prepare for our usual New Year's eve celebration - lounging about (or in my case, slinging paint) in the studio. The most entertaining part of New Year's is calling my mom to see how her annual party is going. This particular celebration has been going on for almost 16 years. Every new year's eve, my niece stays the night with mom. They have party horns and chip and dip and all manner of good snack foods. And they ring in the new year together. My niece is 18, so this tradition has been an important part of her growing up.

Mom is still a bit of a night-bird, even though her health is not as strong as it used to be. She likes to stay up til past midnight, and then sleep until at least noon each day. She lives in the queen's time zone, which I think is absolutely the perfect schedule for her. I seem to be inching closer to that time zone myself, the older I get. I like to think of it as if I am following in her footsteps. Happy almost new year to you! Stay warm, stay safe, and for heaven's sake, don't forget to hug your critters!

Petal Pushers Sunflowers and Daisies by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-28T21:38:00.000-08:00

Petal Pushers Sunflowers & Daisies
by Nancy Medina

SOLD

16X20
Oil on Linen Board

Nancy Medina Web Site

Petal Pushers Sunflowers and Daisies is the newest painting in Flower Mound Studio, as I start work on a new four foot container garden for the gallery in Coronado, California. My Christmas commissions are all delivered safe and sound! This was the busiest quarter I've ever experienced for my art, which worries me just a bit since the busiest time is usually spring, which is just around the corner. I definitely need to hire some elves or at least get a few studio assistants with thumbs. Not that my current assistants don't lend a helpful paw now and then, ensuring Mom gets away from the easel long enough to get some perspective on things.

New Year's eve is fast approaching, and another year has gone by. I have a feeling, and I'll let you know if it comes true, that next year is going to bring some big changes. I had the Christmas blues for a few days, but already feel my spirits lifting. I hope that you are having a good holiday season, and not feeling down from all the overwhelming hustle and bustle of it all. This is a tough time when loved ones are far away. I'm so thankful my family is very close, but sad that I can't see my dear friends who live in other states. Thank goodness for the internet, and the phone!

Petal Pushers on the easel

Holiday Card Starring The Boss, aka Anniebee

Toreador Red Rooster Painting by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-24T19:36:00.000-08:00

Toreador Red Rooster
by Nancy Medina

11X14

Oil on Linen Board

Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Toreador Red Rooster is the newest painting in Flower Mound Studio, after a day at the farm with Mom and the family to celebrate Christmas Eve. Howard Pee Pugpants and his sister Annie joined us for the trip, and Howie spent most of the evening poking his head in any open door, whether it was a pantry door, the cabinet, or the closet under the stairs (which in fact was filled with enough treasure to keep him busy for 10 minutes). It was such a good day, with the whole family there, and mom feeling pretty good, a Christmas ham, mashed potatoes and yeast rolls. What a great way to start the holiday.

Tomorrow Carlos and I are going to the show and then it will be time to make more Christmas cookies, since we gave away all we had to the neighbors, and made the grievous mistake of not keeping a plate for ourselves. I hope you have something fun planned tomorrow, and some simple family traditions that give you happiness. Merry Christmas, joy and peace to you from the pugs and I!

Tabletop Tableau Blue Hydrangeas and Geraniums by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-22T21:25:00.000-08:00

Tabletop Tableau Out-take
30X40
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Commissioned Still Life

Nancy Medina Web Site

Tabletop Tableau is nearing completion in the studio this evening, so I wanted to share an out-take with you. The house today was filled with the smell of Christmas cookies baking, my favorite that I make every year - Russian Teacakes from the Betty Crocker cookbook. The cookbook falls open to this page, it has been handled with buttery fingers and flour dusted thumbs so often over the years. I also made a Gooey Butter cake (Paula Dean cookbook), another old family favorite, for my hubby to take to work tomorrow. The good news is it will be out of the house, away from me!

This evening I've worked more on the 30X40 still life commission for my North Texas client. I asked her to come by the studio and take a peek before it is done, because I want to be sure she is happy with the colors, the flowers, and the background.

I took a few photos of the house today, it's feeling very cozy in holiday attire. The only thing missing this year was fresh pine boughs for garland on the mantel. I just didn't have time to make it to the nursery this year. The cookies for the neighbors will be delivered tomorrow, right in the Nick of time! Whatever is on your to-do list, I hope you get everything properly crossed off so you can attend to valuable things such as snuggling the critters, watching favorite holiday movies, and making cookies. Just a few of the reasons this is my favorite time of the year!

Tabletop Tableau in Progress
30X40
Commissioned Painting

Studio Director AnnieBee in the Pillows

We have a few pug photos around the house...

My old fashioned Christmas tree!

Store Bought Sunflower and Progress on a New Container Garden by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-21T21:11:00.000-08:00

Store Bought Sunflower
by Nancy Medina
6X8
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Store Bought Sunflower is a new small work on the easel, a shift away from the large still life under construction. As I'm painting I'm letting my subconscious work on the name for this new painting. I've always got my ears perked for the perfect flower painting names, and I keep a list of them and update it every time I come up with something that might work. Tulip Tapestry, etc - I seem to favor alliteration. Sometimes it's fun when I photograph these big ones to see what stands out in the photo, that I did not notice with my own eyes. This photograph below seems to be saying "look at the chicken!" up in the left hand corner. At least, that's what I'm drawn to. It could be my odd sense of humor, but do you see the chicken first?

Table Garden still life under construction
30X40

Gold Tipped Blue Iris by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-20T20:02:00.000-08:00

Gold Tipped Blue Iris by Nancy Medina

8X10
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Gold Tipped Blue Iris is drying on the easel, a small study after an evening working on my 40 inch wide container garden commission. I've shared an image of the container garden in progress below, it's at that awkward stage - the adolescent phase of the painting, all elbows and knobby knees, before the final punches of color are placed to make the flowers stand out. You have to lay in a little dirt to make the flowers grow properly, and my version of dirt is often a thin wash of raw umber. Mother nature knew what she was doing when she created dirt. It's the perfect underpainting and backdrop for brilliant color. I tend to go a bit over the top with the color, but at least I'm having fun on this journey!

Tabletop Container Garden in progress
30X40

Babys Got Back Rooster and a Container Garden in Progress by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina - SOLD

2011-12-19T20:15:00.000-08:00

Babys Got Back - Rooster
by Nancy Medina

SOLD

8X10
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Babys Got Back - Rooster, is the newest little addition to the barnyard in Flower Mound Studio today. I made more progress on the commissioned 30X40 still life painting, and have shared another step with you below. I added lemons and white daisies, the same daisies from my blog study yesterday. I want the whole painting to feel like morning light is bouncing around on a tabletop, just inside a sunny window, when it is done. Stay tuned as I complete it this week. I promise to share more pictures.

Container Garden - In Progress, 30X40

Sun Kissed Daisies by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-18T18:45:00.000-08:00

Sun Kissed Daisies
by Nancy Medina
10X10
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Sun Kissed Daisies is a small study for the 40 inch still life taking shape in the studio this week. This was a busy weekend, with a quick trip to the Hill Country to drop off nine new paintings at The Good Art Company Gallery, a drive back the same day (with AnnieBee along for the ride, of course!), and packing and shipping paintings heading to California, Alabama, South Texas and Connecticut. I'll be curious on Monday to see if UPS will actually get these items delivered before Christmas, since their rates are higher for the holidays! The UPS truck came through our neighborhood the other evening with a U-Haul trailer in tow. Kind of like the modern version of Santa Claus and his sleigh...

Sun Kissed on the easel

Blues and Lemons Hydrangeas by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-14T19:00:00.000-08:00

Blues and Lemons Hydrangeas
by Nancy Medina
11X14
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Blues and Lemons is a new small work in the studio. It was a short day today at the easel, I had to spend most of the day at the dermatologist's office for surgery to remove a skin cancer from my left temple. The doctor said I had clean margins and sent me home with a big bandage, and a warning that I may have a black eye tomorrow. He said it would be perfectly acceptable to wear an eye patch and speak like a pirate, under the circumstances. Thank you to the friends who sent prayers and good wishes for me. Instead of taking it easy, keeping a cold compress to reduce swelling, and not doing anything strenuous as I was instructed, here I am in the studio. There has got to be a medication for this obsessive compulsive painting condition...

Star Bright White Pansies and a Table Garden Grows by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-13T18:33:00.000-08:00

Star Bright White Pansies
by Nancy Medina
6X8
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Star Bright White Pansies is a new painting in the studio, drying a few feet away from the large still life commission pictured below. The new garden is 30X40 in size and will include a wicker basket of white daises, a green apple or two, and a few sunflowers fading into the background. I'm making all the containers glass, to give the piece an indoor table garden feel. It's fun to bring a little summer in to the studio on a chilly, wet winter night in Flower Mound. The babies are all sound asleep, the dishes are washed, the laundry put away, and the only thing left to close out the evening will be to wash my paint brushes. I've got a great new scary book on my IPad, so I'll treat myself to a few pages before sleep.

Very early tomorrow morning I am going to have a small skin cancer removed, so please think positive thoughts for me! I've decided to look at the day as a vacation away from the day job, and a chance to spend the entire afternoon with my little ones in the studio, once the procedure is done. Maybe I'll even treat myself to donuts...

Table Garden under construction...

Summers Child Hydrangeas by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-12T18:59:00.000-08:00

Summers Child Hydrangeas
by Nancy Medina
14X14
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Summers Child Hydrangeas is a new study on the easel, as I lay the groundwork for the new 30X40 still life of blue hydrangeas and red geraniums. These are my two most favorite flowers to paint. The client who ordered the painting came to my show at the Dallas Arboretum two years ago, and has been preparing in her mind the elements of the still life that would be a perfect fit for her home. She and her husband paid a visit to the studio about a week ago.

She took a look at a number of other paintings here, and found flowers and tabletop elements in each she liked. She picked the glass vase in one, the green apple in another, the variety of blue hydrangeas in a third, and a nice tan, neutral background color in a fourth, and voila! She created the elements of her custom painting. The tricky part is this painting will not have the feel of a container garden, but will have the more planned feel of an indoor still life, a tabletop bathed in sunlight. As soon as I get a bit more in place, I'll share some pictures with you. Stay tuned and wherever you are, stay warm!

Hand Picked Hydrangea Painting and Christmas Pug Posers by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina - SOLD

2011-12-11T19:35:00.000-08:00

Hand Picked Hydrangeas
by Nancy Medina

SOLD

10X10
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Hand Picked Hydrangeas is a new painting after a very busy weekend in Flower Mound Studio. Annie is snoozing on the big pillow, after visiting Grandma's house, and then the annual Dallas Fort Worth Pug Rescue Christmas party today. Tomorrow I start work on the next commission, a large still life with blue hydrangeas. Hand Picked is a study for the new work to come. Stay tuned for images in the next few days. In the meantime, AnnieBee will be catching up on her beauty rest.

AnnieBee

Fields Aflame Sunflower Painting by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-11T07:09:00.000-08:00

Fields Aflame Sunflowers by Nancy Medina

48X36

Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Custom Commission

Nancy Medina Web Site

Fields Aflame in Progress

Fields Aflame Sunflowers reached their peak last week, and after the painting was varnished and dried, it was wrapped in paper with a large red bow. The hubby did the hardest work, gift wrapping the painting, and he left the back open so the wrapped painting could be hung safely on the wall for storage. My client wanted the final unveiling to be a surprise for his wife on Christmas Day.

I love painting sunflowers, and this new painting is designed to hang above a beautiful floor to ceiling Texas stone fireplace. This is the largest single panel sunflower I've ever painted, and it was fast work, as if the blossoms were waiting to hop onto the canvas. I love when a painting happens so quickly, like it's been waiting in the wings for its moment to shine.

Serenity Garden Poppies

Happy holidays from my family to yours.
May your Christmas be filled
with beautiful moments
and flowers that never fade!

Nancy Medina

Angel Wings Pansies by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

Angel Wings Pansies by Nancy Medina
10X10
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Angel Wings Pansies is a new small work in the studio. It's been a busy week! I finished two large commissions, and start a third one tomorrow. I'll also be squeezing in a trip to mom's house, attendance at the annual Pug Rescue Christmas party (with AnnieBee in tow, of course), and plans to bake two Gooey Butter Cakes. If you have tasted Gooey Butter cake, you won't be surprised to see that I have gained 10 pounds next time we bump into one another at the market. I'll be the gal on the chip and candy aisle because that tends to be my meal of choice. Speaking of which, have you ever noticed in the grocery store, that men are always hanging out on that aisle?

Shall We Dance - Poppy Fields by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-08T20:20:00.000-08:00

Shall We Dance, Poppy Fields
by Nancy Medina
36X24
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Shall We Dance Poppy Fields is the newest painting, one that I couldn't resist painting. I finished the three part poppy triptych for the client last night, and I just wanted one to paint one more to keep for a while to brighten my studio. Or maybe my kitchen. Or maybe I'll hang this one by the Christmas tree! *imagining the Christmas tree lights twinkling around it*

I got an email from my art agent yesterday with a list of paintings one of her companies has selected. It's a bit exciting to realize my images will start appearing, in about a year, on prints, china, curtains, bedspreads! I'm still a newbie at this whole licensing thing, so I will be learning as I go. I'm sure if I am ever in a home goods store and see one of my paintings on a Kleenex box or some party napkins I will just start jumping up and down like I won the lottery. People will think I'm nuts, but just ask my sisters, it won't be the first time...

Wild at Heart Poppy Fields Painting and My Most Embarrassing Moment by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-07T18:11:00.000-08:00

Wild at Heart Poppy Fields
Part 1 of 3
by Nancy Medina
20X20
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Nancy Medina Web Site

Wild at Heart Poppy Fields is a new 3-part painting blooming in Flower Mound Studio this evening. It is a Christmas commission for a Dallas family that is almost complete. What a great excuse to continue my recent infatuation with red! Sometimes I feel very guilty about being paid to paint flowers. Imagine being paid to do something you love doing. It's one of the reasons that even teaching my first large art class at the Dallas Arboretum, I wasn't a bit nervous. Me, the gal who had stage fright all her life! I used to sit as small and still as possible in class praying the teacher would not call on me, and no one would notice I was there! Now, however, put a paint brush in my hand, and a canvas in front of me, and just step out of the way lest I splatter a bit of blue on your shoe, swinging my arms and exclaiming with joy.

When I say this is unusual for me, I need to tell you the backup story to put it all in perspective. When I graduated from high school, I was the salutatorian of the my class, and required to give a speech. I was told by the senior advisor to give my speech to the principal before graduation, and he would make sure it was on the podium. I did. And you can imagine what happened next. I remember staring out at a sea of faces, hundreds of faces, my family from St. Louis, my church youth group and pastor, and having nothing but a bare podium in front of me. Everything, every word of my speech had flown out of my mind. Ever since that night, I have had a morbid fear of public speaking. It was the last class I took to graduate College, and I took it as a summer course so it would only last four weeks. I'm not sure why painting takes away my fear. Maybe it is because I am following my bliss, to quote a very, very wise soul.

Two parts of the three part painting under construction

Hearts Wing Red Poppies and Answered Prayers by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-06T20:25:00.000-08:00

Hearts Wing Poppies
by Nancy Medina
8X10
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Hearts Wing Poppies is a new work in Flower Mound Studio, and hopped onto the canvas after an evening spent painting a poppy triptych for a client. I've mixed red paint, orange paint, lipstick pink, copper, and every warm color in that family to give these blossoms a nice variety of hues. My heart is happy today, because of a text image I received from my sister Julie. Julie is my closest sister in age. Our birthdays are two days apart, so we grew up sharing a birthday cake. We've been through happy single times together, we've been through tragedy together, and we almost speak in code we understand each other so completely.

Today, my single, crazy, fun, life of the party sister sent me a picture of her left hand adorned with a beautiful diamond ring. I've prayed for more than a decade she would find someone to cherish her, to adore her, and to love her as she truly deserves. It just goes to show, even at her age (which is, you will recall, also my age!) one can find true love. Perhaps when our dual birthdays roll around next February, and it is time for me to leave her my annual message noting that she is incredibly old and AARP called me by mistake, thinking they were calling her, she will be a Mrs. Most importantly, Julie has found love. That's the best thing of all.

New poppy triptych in progress...

Christmas Memories Red Gerbera Daisy Painting and AnnieBee the Pug in the Pillows by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-05T20:18:00.000-08:00

Christmas Memories Red Gerbera Daisies
by Nancy Medina
8X8
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Christmas Memories Red Gerberas is drying on the easel, as the prep work has begun on a new three part poppy painting for a client who confided he has a "history of giving crappy presents" to his wife at Christmas. This year, he said, will be different! I'm excited to be a small part of the surprise, creating something she will unwrap and hopefully love. This is the great part about being an artist, maybe one of the very best parts, when your artwork makes someone happy. Here is another thing that makes me happy, my little helper. Not only does AnnieBee assist in the studio, she also loves to lend a paw when it's time to make the bed.

AnnieBee in the Pillows

Red Gerbera Daisies and White Hydrangea Painting by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-04T18:31:00.000-08:00

Red Gerberas and White Hydrangeas
by Nancy Medina
20X20
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Red Gerberas and White Hydrangeas is the newest painting in Flower Mound Studio, after an absolutely packed weekend that started with an all-day private lesson in my studio, and ended today with a pug party. The Medina Foster Home for Wayward Pugs hosted seven four-footed partiers today, including three visitors who were all little cute black female pugs. There was much running and playing and the shortest guests got to watch the two footed guests eating home made quiche and other goodies they were not allowed to taste.

Tomorrow I start work on the first to two large commissions, both of which are Christmas presents from husbands for their wives. In my dining room a 4-foot wide gift-wrapped sunflower landscape commission is ensconced in a red bow and ready for pickup. Another gift for someone's wife! One of the clients confided he has a history of "giving crappy gifts" to his wife at Christmas, and this year he was determined to change that. I have a hunch at least three husbands are going to earn lots of brownie points this holiday season! I hope you have something exciting to look forward to, as the big day approaches. I'm very thankful to have another Christmas with my mom, to have two weeks off work coming up, and more time to be home and in the studio with my indispensable helpers underfoot! Happy holidays!

The studio models take a bow!

Ruby Red Gerbera Daisies and an Art Workshop in the Studio by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-03T16:14:00.000-08:00

Ruby Red Gerbera Daisies
by Nancy Medina

SOLD
10X10
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Ruby Red Gerberas are drying in the studio, after a productive day spent painting with my friend Deanna. AnnieBee and Hannah the pug were on hand to make sure Deanna and I never had a dull moment, so it was a bona fide girls' day here! Deanna brought donuts and honey buns and all kinds of delectable treats, which we did not share with the pugs, although Annie was quite eloquent in pleading her case for a nibble.

I arranged some red gerberas and white hydrangeas picked up from the market this morning, and Deanna whipped out a large painting in just a few hours, with some gorgeous red daisies and colorful hydrangeas. She finished up her flower vignette with a khaki toned background, perfect to set off the bright colors. For photos of our big day in the studio, see below! The pug helpers were also there, I promise, just a bit lower than the camera lens.

Ruby Red Gerbera models take a bow

Deanna and her floral vignette

Poppy Ballet Flower Fields by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-02T19:53:00.000-08:00

Poppy Ballet Flower Fields
by Nancy Medina

SOLD
14X14
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Poppy Ballet is the newest painting in Flower Mound Studio, and is a study for a 72-inch-wide triptych commission that I will begin painting soon. It has been a while since I've painted a field of poppies in this abstracted, loose format, so I have to build up my courage to the big paintings to come! Even after years of painting, sometimes I freeze in front of the blank canvas, afraid of starting a new painting. I am usually able to shake it off by pretending that what I am painting is just a practice piece, nothing that has to be judged or hung in a gallery, but something that is simply for the enjoyment of placing wet, vibrant color on a blank surface. The weekend is ahead, with nothing but painting, friends, a much anticipated pug meet-up, and a chance to watch some movies in front of the fireplace with the hubby on the agenda. I hope wherever you are, you have something to look forward to, and some cute little critter friend nearby to keep you smiling.

Aperitif - Rooster and Sunflower Painting by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-12-01T18:02:00.000-08:00

Le Aperitif - Rooster and Sunflowers
by Nancy Medina
24X36
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Aperitif is almost fini - my new rooster painting has been growing leaf by leaf, petal by petal, and feather by feather over the past few weeks. Take a peek at my previous blog posts to see it step by step. Aperitif is a scene straight out of my childhood, a small 20 acre organic farm in East Texas. Dad called our property The Briar Patch, and he and mom grew vegetable crops.

Back in the early 1970s, organic gardening did not have the marketing pizzazz it does today. The small 8X6 paper magazine, The Organic Gardener, would arrive in the mail every week, and my parents would thumb through the pages for all the latest tips on how to make your own mulch pile, the best way to fertilize your crops, how to baby your strawberries in order to get the sweetest fruit. Along with the crops, we raised chickens, pigs, and a few cows. I remember biting into fresh uncooked green beans, standing barefoot in sandy soil beneath seven foot tall sunflowers, and the cool dusk of fall harvest. My sisters and I never wore shoes in the summer, and the little house we grew up in was patched with tarpaper. You could see the sky through the holes in the roof, and when it rained we had to grab every pot in the kitchen to catch all the leaks.

We did not have video games, DVDs, CD players, or cell phones. We had each other, our family pets, books, and our imaginations to fill our days. We never went on family vacations, and we ate out at restaurants about twice a year. We were not wealthy and wore hand-me-down clothes, but I would not trade my childhood for anything. It was where my love of animals, of flowers, and of mother nature took root. It was the perfect setting for big dreams, and some of those dreams have come true. Most of all, this is where my art journey began.

Detail: Aperitif - Rooster and Sunflowers

Ice Cream Sundae White Rose Painting by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-11-28T19:32:00.000-08:00

Ice Cream Sundae White Roses

by Nancy Medina

SOLD
8X10
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Ice Cream Sundae Roses is a new painting in Flower Mound Studio, it was a little holiday project away from the large rooster painting that is under construction. I was in the mood for something lite! As promised, here is another step from the rooster painting I shared with you step by step in my last blog post. This is step three - and I am going to call this one Aperitif. This is a scene straight out of my childhood on the farm. My parents grew giant sunflowers to attract the insects off the vegetable crops. We also raised our own chickens and pigs. Guess whose job it was to feed the pigs? I'll give you one guess...

Step three - Aperitif - Rooster Painting
Under Construction
24X30

Sunrise Sunflowers and a Rooster Painting Step by Step by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2011-11-27T16:22:00.000-08:00

Sunrise Sunflowers by Nancy Medina
11X14
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

It's been a busy weekend in Flower Mound Studio, with one large sunflower commission finished, a hydrangea commission under construction, and a call from a gallery requesting a new garden painting in some holiday colors. If you've been following the bloggy, you've seen I got sidetracked by some chickens this week. All these chicken and rooster paintings have reminded me so much of my childhood. I started a new one this morning (I usually have two or three paintings going at the same time...I'm sure there is a medication for this condition), and here is the little guy under construction, below. I promise I'm aware he has no feet, this guy is standing almost knee deep in grass and weeds. Stay tuned for more!

Rooster step one

Rooster step 2

Farm Queen - Chicken Painting by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2011-11-25T18:17:00.000-08:00

Farm Queen by Nancy Medina

12X12

Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Farm Queen is a companion painting to Little Man - Rooster. I'm on a chicken roll this week, I think the holidays are bringing back memories of my childhood. When I was driving home from Mom's yesterday, I saw a highway sign not far from her house that said This 2 Miles Adopted by the FFA. The Future Farmers of America. When I was in school, the girls took Future Homemakers of America, the boys took Future Farmers of America classes. Are these classes still offered? I wonder.

Little Man ~ Rooster Painting and Growing Up on an Organic Farm by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2011-11-23T19:32:00.000-08:00

Little Man ~ Rooster by Nancy Medina
12X12
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Little Man ~ Rooster, is a new painting drying on the easel in Flower Mound Studio. I've been wanting to paint chickens for weeks, they are as colorful as flowers and just as unpredictable. We had fresh eggs from the chickens we raised growing up. My Dad named our little farm The Briar Patch and each of us girls was assigned certain chores, and each had a different animal to take care of. The chickens lived in a little A-framed coop surrounded (aptly) by a pen of chicken wire. Every morning we would gather warm brown eggs from the coop, they were large and sometimes there would be double yolkers. The egg yolks were a deep yellow color, nothing like the watery yellow of store-bought eggs. I'd like to tell you that life on the farm was glamorous and chickens were cuddly, but neither of those statements were true. What was true was that I would not change my childhood for anything, growing up out in the country, away from the city, was a beautiful way to develop imagination and wonder. Most of all, it was a great way to learn to love nature and the creatures of this earth. I am thankful for that time in my life, it was so unspoiled. The pugs and I wish every one of you a happy Thanksgiving holiday. I am thankful for your friendship and for the comments and thoughts you share. I hope you have loved ones nearby today!

Sunflower Fields in Progress in Flower Mound Studio

2011-11-22T20:26:00.000-08:00

Sunflower Field Commission in Progress
by Nancy Medina
48X36
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Nancy Medina Web Site

A sunflower commission in progress in the studio is about half finished this evening. My rapt audience lapsed into snores as they lay in a warm pile on their bed nearby, helped along by a nice bedtime snack. I love painting sunflowers, and was delighted when my client ordered this new painting for his wife for Christmas. Their beautiful Texas stone fireplace has a golden color, so I'm hoping this will be beautiful in their living room over the stone mantel. Stay tuned, I hope to post the final painting here very soon! nodp

Brushfire Sunflowers by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-11-21T16:38:00.000-08:00

Brush Fire Sunflowers by Nancy Medina

14X14

Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Brushfire Sunflowers is a small study for a four foot sunflower commission under way in the studio today. When we were young and growing up on the farm, every weekend there was a potential adventure when the "city folk" came to visit their various properties around the area. Every once in a great while someone would fail to properly put out a fire and the smell of burning oak would fill the air. My parents would grab brooms, blankets, and buckets of water and run toward the smoke. The volunteer fire department would show up with their old tanker truck and the flames would be put out, thanks to a lot of very determined farmers.

That was back when most of the property in rural Kaufman County, Texas was undeveloped. I wish I had been smart enough to catalog the wildlife back then, especially the birds. At that time I was more focused on insects, since I had decided with utmost certainty I was going to be an entomologist. My grandmother bought me the illustrated "Bug Encyclopedia" and I still have it here in the studio today, with my rather rounded script signature on the inside cover written in number two pencil. It all seems like a million years ago now, although I do paint an occasional bug into my flower gardens.

Fleeting Moments Hydrangeas by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-11-20T14:51:00.000-08:00

Fleeting Moments Hydrangeas by Nancy Medina
16X20
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Fleeting Moments Hydrangeas is a new take on an old painting, that got a bit of holiday polish this evening in Flower Mound Studio. I boosted the greens and added some purple and blue petals to a previously rather flat looking set of white hydrangeas. I also added some tiny black seeds to my watermelon, because, for some reason, black seeds just look better on a red watermelon than white seeds.

The house is all clean and ready for Thanksgiving festivities next week, and I just got back from a visit to mom's house last night. She is doing well on her new medication for her breathing, and seemed really happy. She pulled a chair up to me at the kitchen table and put her arms around me and told me she "loved her Nan." This time last year, we were gathered around her hospital bed, and Dr. Glick had told us things did not look good. She pulled through. My mom is one stubborn gal! I am going to cherish every moment with her on Thanksgiving Day next week, her favorite holiday. I have so much to be thankful for this year.

End of Bloom Poppies and Dallas Arboretum Winter Workshops by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-11-18T19:11:00.000-08:00

End of Bloom Poppies by Nancy Medina

16X20
Oil on Linen Board

Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

End of Bloom Poppies is the newest painting in Flower Mound Studio. I couldn't resist painting more poppies even though I have a new four foot sunflower field commission I need to start. These are more of the large Utah poppies I featured in yesterday's blog post. I got some great news this week, I'll be teaching classes at the Dallas Arboretum again in January and in April, so stay tuned if you'd like to take a one day workshop with me in the most beautiful gardens in North Texas. We'll be painting winter blossoms in holiday hues in January.

I spent most of this week searching for a radio station that is playing Christmas music, with no luck so far. Maybe Sirius radio has something, which would certainly make it tempting to subscribe! This is my favorite time of year - then again, Texas doesn't get the brutal winters my friends in the Northern states get. We break out the jackets when it's 60 degrees outside!

Purple Heart Poppy Painting and Watching a Poppy Hatch by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-11-17T19:12:00.000-08:00

Purple Heart Poppies by Nancy Medina
12X12
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Purple Heart Poppies is a new work in Flower Mound Studio, while the cold weather puts down roots in earnest in North Texas. Pansies are on sale at the local nursery, and if I have one spare moment this weekend I am going to take my coupon and pick up a batch of purple and yellow to put in pots around the front door. Today I took a trip down memory lane to fields of red poppies the size of dinner plates that grow wild around my friend's cabin in Utah. We carried our easels out into the woods and painted the blossoms as they blew in the breeze under the aspens.

Some of you are saying "oh dear, she's telling that artist meets bear story again where surprisingly, she is not eaten by the bear," but no, I promise not to bore you with that part of the tale. Instead, that weekend, I found out why poppies are called poppies. While we were blissfully painting them, we heard a loud POP noise, and a gorgeous large poppy unfurled right before our eyes. The pop noise was caused by the green egg-shaped casing that had burst open, releasing the red bloom in a matter of seconds. Here's the poppy egg, in the photo below. Now you know the rest of the story, poppies bloom, but they also hatch.

The inspiration for Purple Heart Poppies

A fresh poppy egg casing!

Deep Purple Stargazer Lily by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-11-13T15:58:00.000-08:00

Deep Purple Stargazer by Nancy Medina

SOLD

10X10
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Nancy Medina Web Site

Deep Purple Stargazer is a new little blossom in the studio. I found a bunch of lovely deep purple blossoms at the store, and am rushing to capture them before they fade. I want to paint red and white poinsettias, red rose hips, red roses, anything that will help me capture the holiday spirit. I can't wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas, my favorite time of year. These stargazers are the closest I've gotten to holiday paintings so far, with a list in my imagination of more holiday hues waiting to hop onto canvases between now and the end of the year.

Even Howard Pee Pugpants has been getting into the mood, and laid claim to a new red throw in the living room today. He has decided this uber-soft blankey is perfect for her favorite football afternoon passtime, perch napping. Please don't try this at home - Howard is a professional perch napper, and has been practicing for years; he makes it look easy!

Howie perch nappin'

Winter Peace - Stargazer Lilies and Hydrangeas by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-11-11T17:25:00.000-08:00

Winter Peace Stargazer Lilies and Hydrangeas
by Nancy Medina
24X20
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Winter Peace is the newest painting in the studio, and was the demo for my class today here in Flower Mound. With a vase full of fragrant stargazers I could not resist pulling out the purples and greens and seeing what happened next. My student did a beautiful job on her hydrangea painting, a large one she just about finished despite having to step over my studio helpers. This student insisted the helpers participate in class today, much to their delight.

To learn more about classes click here!

Having the whole family participate does lend a few comedic moments, when all four helpers lay side by side like overstuffed sausages in front of the easel, or the Boss decides to place three of her stuffed toys directly in the path of the palette table. And then there were the moments we promised we would never speak of again, when one of the helpers had a bit of flatulence. It takes a special student to want all the babies in the studio during a lesson, so this wonderful gal earned double gold stars! Tonight I have four exhausted, happy pugs, and a new holiday painting to share with you. Winter peace to you and all of your loved ones, from my home to yours!

Sunchild Sunflowers by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-11-10T19:10:00.000-08:00

Sunchild Sunflowers by Nancy Medina
11X14
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

The studio is sparkling clean and all my little nicknacks have been dusted, pug hair removed from all surfaces, paints are set out, and we are ready to teach a class in Flower Mound Studio tomorrow. Fresh homemade quiche (made by the hubby) is cooling in the kitchen, and I've diced up fresh fruit for a salad for our lunch. Okay, I admit I bought the fruit already diced up, but I WILL have to pour it into a little bowl before it is eaten.

This lovely lady who is taking a lesson likes to have all of the studio helpers underfoot for her classes, so the pugs are going to be in for a treat, since they adore visitors almost as much as they love snacks. I picked out stargazer lilies, red roses, and sunflowers and hydrangeas, so we'll have lots of choices when the caffeine wakes up the muses tomorrow and we decide what we will spend our day painting. After he finished whipping up the quiche, Carlos played with is new IPhone, and made a photo of Studio Director AnnieBee for my screensaver. I've shared it with you below, my little snow queen. I should note this is not her happy face, since she is a bit of a tomboy and does not care for clothing at all.

AnnieBee - The Little Snow Queen

Holiday Hydrangeas and Rose Hips and The Boss in Her New Ducky Jammies by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-11-07T17:08:00.000-08:00

Holiday Hydrangeas and Rose Hips
by Nancy Medina
20X20
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Holiday Hydrangeas and Rose Hips is the newest painting in the studio, the fruit of my latest sojourn to Central Market's bountiful flower market *sound of trumpets*. I was on my way to the cash register with my arms loaded with lovely blossoms when I caught sight of a bundle of white hydrangeas and red rose hips a customer had created. My heart was going pitty pat as I quickly exchanged a few selections for my very own bundle of lovely white hydrangeas and red rose hips, with greenery, of course, as holiday backup. I also found some perky sunflowers and bundles of blue and purple larkspur.

With all this excitement over flowers, it took me a day or two to unveil the most important new studio accoutrement, The Boss's new PJs. Here she is, ready for the cold front - AnnieBee in her new ducky jammies. Her brothers were running around naked like wild animals, while she was looking all stylish. I promise I only made her wear them for a minute. Okay make that five minutes, for her photo shoot.

Holiday Hydrangeas studio peek

Annie (aka The Boss) in her new ducky jammies

Darling Diva Sunflowers by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-11-05T16:57:00.001-07:00

Darling Diva Sunflowers
by Nancy Medina
11X14
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Darling Diva Sunflowers is a new painting completed during a workshop in Flower Mound Studio. I made a special trip to my fav new flower store, Central Market (sound of trumpets), and came home with precious blossoms. The nice cheeses, the special organic chicken, the fresh loaf of bread, all meant so little compared to the wonderful flowers I held carefully in my lap all the way home. This trip I found rose hips, white hydrangeas, crisp decorative greenery, and some nice shaggy sunflowers. I'm spritzing my new blossoms like crazy to keep them fresh as long as possible, so stay tuned for new paintings right here in the next few days!

Sundance Sunflower by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-11-03T18:14:00.000-07:00

Sundance Sunflower by Nancy Medina

6X8

Oil on Linen Board

Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Sundance Sunflower is the newest painting in Flower Mound Studio and is a small study based on my flagging, fading, drooping sunflowers. They are the last of the Mohicans, the last fresh flowers left. The hydrangeas finally lost their sparkle, so I put each of them in the ground with high hopes and a nice drink of water that we would meet again next spring. I think tomorrow I'll have to sweep up the yellow petals and toss these in the bin.

AnnieBee is also a little pooped, but still has enough energy to kibitz. Her majesty had a big weekend - Sunday was the 15th Annual PugOWeen for Dallas Ft Worth Pug Rescue. She selected her lifeguard outfit for her parade before the judges. Despite her perfect figure and form fitting outfit, Annie did not take home a ribbon. With 800 peeps and their pugs competing, you could say competition was fierce! Fortunately, a little bite of hotdog was enough to assuage any hurt feelings...

AnnieBee as LifeGuard Puggy

Crepe Myrtle Lane of the Dallas Arboretum by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-31T19:25:00.000-07:00

Crepe Myrtle Lane ~ Dallas Arboretum
by Nancy Medina
11X14
Oil on Linen Board

Nancy Medina Web Site

Crepe Myrtle Lane is based on another scene from the Dallas Arboretum. I used a watercolor wash technique for the trees in the distance, which was quick and fun to create. I love it when one medium intersects nicely with another - I began painting in oils, then switched to watercolors for a few years, then back to oils, then to palette knife, now back to brushes and oils again. You could say my art has meandered a bit!

The path in this painting is located just to the left when you enter the grounds of the Dallas Arboretum, near the stone bridge and close to the lake. I was lucky to be here in the late afternoon, when the sun was streaking sideways across the sky and casting light on the fuschia and white flowers. I'm no architect or designer, but it is always fun to change the shape of the paths in the paintings, and veer away into other directions than what was really there. What a beautiful place to meander on a fall day!

Walk With Me - Tulip Path of the Dallas Arboretum by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

Walk With Me
Tulip Path of the Dallas Arboretum
by Nancy Medina
11X14
Oil on Linen Board

Nancy Medina Web Site

Walk With Me is a new painting in Flower Mound Studio of one of my favorite paths in the Dallas Arboretum. I've spent so many hours wandering around the grounds, but I always find some new treasure each time I visit. You will find this scene if you are coming from the rose gardens and walking out back toward the main entrance.

At the end of the day, the sun throws a golden light on top of the flowers, and I tried to capture a bit of that here. Thank you to every one of you who has walked with me on my art journey, some of you have followed my work for months, and a few maybe for years. It's good to have a supportive friend by your side. Especially for those times when you are not sure you are on the right path, but you are trying. Your comments and kind words mean a lot to me. Thank you so much for sharing them.

Queen of the Night Black Tulips of the Dallas Arboretum by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-26T19:14:00.000-07:00

Queen of the Night Black Tulips
by Nancy Medina

SOLD

11X14
Oil on Linen Board

Nancy Medina Web Site

Queen of the Night Black Tulips is the newest painting in Flower Mound Studio, and is based on my favorite tulips of the Dallas Arboretum. These tulips are most striking at the end of their bloom, when their edges curl and reflect colors that are a combination of deep cold purple and hot orange fire. How mother nature can take such different colors and make them work together so beautifully is a wonder.

Open Arms Sunflowers and Daisies by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-24T18:41:00.000-07:00

Open Arms Sunflowers and Daisies
by Nancy Medina
16X20
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Open Arms Sunflowers is the newest painting in Flower Mound Studio. I'm celebrating the bunch of sunflowers I acquired from Central Market (sound of harps) this weekend. They had so many great flowers to choose from I am thinking of switching my flower shopping binge sessions away from my local grocery store to Central Market (sound of harps). How to justify an extra 37 mile round trip every week for flowers in between having a full time day job as a magazine director and a full time night job as an artist, taking care of four puggies and keeping the house clean and going to see mom every weekend? I'm still working on that one...

Fall Flame Sunflower by Texas Artist Nancy Medina and a Trip to Central Market

2011-10-23T16:15:00.001-07:00

Fall Flame Sunflower by Nancy Medina

SOLD

12X12
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Nancy Medina Web Site

Fall Flame Sunflower is drying on the easel in the studio on a Sunday evening. Today we took a rare trip to Central Market and picked up delicacies that were totally unnecessary and thoroughly awesome such as three kinds of cheeses from the South of France, a fresh cherry cobbler with crunchy brown sugar topping, "real crab" California rolls, freshly made lobster ravioli, and of course an obligatory bunch of gorgeous sunflowers. It's a good thing we don't live closer to Central Market, we would not be able to pay the electric bill. Today was an especially timely event, since it was Meet The Cheese Week! The ladies at the free cheese sample tables raised their eyebrows when I went back for thirds, claiming the extras were for my husband.

And you thought I was just kidding
about it being cheese week, didn't you?

Castaway Blue and White Hydrangeas by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-22T17:29:00.000-07:00

Castaway Blue and White Hydrangeas
by Nancy Medina
14X14
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Castaway Blue and White Hydrangeas is the newest painting in Flower Mound Studio, and it was a beautiful fall day in North Texas. I talked the hubby into coming outside with the pugs and I to get photos of me and my foster girl, Hannah. Hannah is off her prednisone now and doing great, she even did a little spin and run (aka Pugtona) around the living room yesterday. She is the funniest little pug, she loves to be held and kissed and hugged, and more than anything she likes sitting on the couch by Carlos while he watches TV. She has a paralyzed larynx, but manages pretty well, and loves running outside the patrol the yard. I've noticed lately she follows Howard everywhere, even imitating him if he is napping - she is napping. If he is on patrol, she is right next to him, on patrol, too. I think she may have just a bit of a crush, don't you?

Me and Hannah, my foster baby girl

Love Song Hydrangeas by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-20T21:07:00.000-07:00

Love Song Hydrangeas by Nancy Medina
16X20
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Love Song Hydrangeas is the newest painting in the studio, as I pack up for a trip to East Texas to visit Mom this weekend. AnnieBee always gets to join me on these forays to the farm, where she is treated to mashed potatoes and other goodies she never gets at home. We have our little routine down pat, with her bag of toys and her bed in the back seat. I bring a soft blanket and lay it on the console, where she promptly curls up and goes right to sleep for the duration of the 2 hour ride. AnnieBee loves these trips, and I do, too. I get to spend quality time with my Mom, and she gets to spend quality time with hers. I can't think of a better way to spend the weekend.

Pumpkin Souffle Hydrangea Bouquet by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-19T18:59:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Souffle Hydrangea Bouquet
11X14
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Pumpkin Souffle Hydrangea Bouquet is the newest painting in the studio this week, starring another one of those cute little mini pumpkins. I bought half a dozen in the grocery store before I left for San Francisco last weekend, and now I have them scattered all over the house to give a festive feel. I'm sure if I were Martha Stewart I could whip them up into some delicious holiday recipe when I'm done, so nothing would be wasted. I'm a bit more Irma Bombeck than Martha, however. I would love to hear some easy ways to decorate for the fall season - have you got some tried and true decorating hint that only takes a few minutes? I know if I go to Etsy I'm going to get overwhelmed instantly!

Blue Hydrangeas and a Tiny Pumpkin by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-18T19:43:00.000-07:00

Blue Hydrangeas and a Tiny Pumpkin
by Nancy Medina
11X14
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Blue Hydrangeas and a Tiny Pumpkin is a nod to one of my favorite times of year, when the weather starts getting chilly and the neighbors start hanging paper ghosts and spiders in their trees. Halloween is a big deal in my neighborhood, and so we'll be stocking up on bags and bags of candy. If I'm smart, I won't pick up any of my favorites. I'll only buy the stuff I won't eat!

How do you spend your Halloween? I think I will dress up AnnieBee this year and let her help me answer the front door. She has two giant bags of outfits, so there is bound to be a cheerleader, nurse, or lifeguard outfit in there somewhere.

The little pumpkin takes a bow

Home Soon Blue and White Hydrangeas by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-17T21:14:00.000-07:00

Home Soon Blue and White Hydrangeas
by Nancy Medina
30X30
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Home Soon Blue and White Hydrangeas is the last large painting I will be able to coax from my studio models, I think. They have held up for more than a week now despite the humid Texas weather. I had to travel to San Francisco for a few days and was certain that when I returned this morning they would be faded and done, droopy and dry. Fortunately, the hubby fed and watered them, just as diligently as he fed and watered my little thundering herd of puglets! Flowers perky - check. Puglets fat and sassy - check! It's always good to come home, but especially nice to arrive home to a bunch of happy pugs and beautiful blossoms.

Home Soon Hydrangeas under construction

Kaleidoscope Color Hydrangeas by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-13T22:02:00.000-07:00

Kaleidoscope Color Hydrangeas
by Nancy Medina
16X20
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Kaleidoscope Color was inspired by a few photos I took of the studio models late last night. I held the camera as high as I could and just pointed them straight down into the big group of flowers. I saw a professional photographer do this with pet photos once, where instead of pressing the camera up carefully to your eye, you just aim it randomly at the subject to see if you can get an unexpected and cool shot. Out of about 60 photos, I got two unexpected and cool shots. The rest were blurry or off center. Obviously I am not a professional photographer. Even in the blurry photos, though, I loved the color! Color makes me happy. How about you?

Love Is Endless Hydrangea Garden by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-12T17:10:00.000-07:00

Love Is Endless Hydrangea Garden
by Nancy Medina
36X24
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Love Is Endless Hydrangea Garden is the newest work in Flower Mound Studio, similar to another large hydrangea painting I finished yesterday evening. I have to paint these hydrangeas quickly, they are not going to last forever. I already have plans to transfer the largest plants to pots on my deck, in hopes they will survive the winter. Hydrangeas tend to do well in Texas, with the exception of this recent, record breaking hot summer that just concluded. Maybe we'll be given a cool summer next year, with rain and breezes, to make up for this one, and my flowers will come back in full force.

One of my favorite parts of the garden is the little area I dedicated to the memory of my beloved wiggley jiggley pug Winnifred Wigglepants. Winnie died at the age of 7 from encephalitis. She was my little velcro muffin, so full of love and so full of wisdom. This little retired champion came to me later in her life, after winning all the ribbons and points a show dog could earn. There are no words to measure how much I loved her, and always will. I am thinking of her especially today, because a dear friend lost her little heart puggle to cancer two days ago. Losing Winnie was one of the darkest times in my life, but my friends carried me through, sending notes and giving hugs. One friend at work whom I shall always cherish let me sob in her arms the next morning. They say you are never given more than you can bear. I know one thing for certain, I could not have carried Winnie's loss alone. I could not have done it without my friends.

Studio peek at Love Is Endless Drying on the Easel

Winnie's Garden with the custom sculpture
made for my garden by Garden Deva

Let It Rain Hydrangea Blossom Container Garden by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-10T19:01:00.000-07:00

Let It Rain Hydrangea Blossom Garden

by Nancy Medina
24X36
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Let It Rain Hydrangea Blossoms is the completed hydrangea container garden that I posted earlier today. Here is another step of that painting before it was completed, and a peek at the studio models peeking at their portrait. I can clearly see that the purple models are a bit miffed that the white blossoms got top billing, and the blue flowers got front and center. Truth is, the purples were my favorites, so big and full of color! I hope these beauties last until I return from a quick trip to San Francisco this weekend so I can get them planted into my new hydrangea flower beds. I'll have to text the hubby reminders to water the flowers! And yes, he will probably think I'm nuts.

Another step in the progression.

The models critique the painting...

Hydrangea Container Garden Oil Painting Step by Step by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-10T08:43:00.001-07:00

Hydrangea Container Garden in Progress
40X30
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Nancy Medina Web Site

One of the benefits of teaching a flower painting class is when the surviving studio models decide to hitch a ride home with the teacher. These blossoms are taking up residence in my studio after spending the day being painted at the Dallas Arboretum last weekend by my enthusiastic students. I started my class there on Saturday morning with two demos, one of sunflowers and white daisies, and the last one a 30 minute painting of two hydrangeas side by side, one blue, one purple.

In my studio last night, I decided I wanted to paint them all together in one large container garden painting, but I needed just the right size shelf for my setup. My still life stand was too high, my rolling work table was too low, but my desk was just right! Here are a few photos showing how the sausage is made, along with my painting in progress. I'll post the finished painting for you tonight, so stay tuned!

Instead of hold music while you're waiting, here is a photo of Studio Director Action Annie (accessories sold separately).

I had to scooch over all my desk accoutrements
to make room for the hydrangea models.

There was no way I could let these blossoms
go to waste. I had to paint them together.

I don't have all day, mom!!!

nodp

October Moon Sunflower and Hydrangea Blooms and a Dallas Arboretum Class

2011-10-08T20:16:00.000-07:00

October Moon Sunflower
and Hydrangea Blooms
by Nancy Medina
11X14
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

October Moon Sunflower Blooms is drying on the easel in Flower Mound Studio after a very busy day at the Dallas Arboretum. I spent the day painting with 13 of my students in the Education Center. This was my first big class at the Arboretum, so I was a bit nervous yesterday evening as I packed up my supplies imagining the worst - would I drop my paint? Would I call green yellow?

The only foible was the absolute collapse of my work easel at the beginning of class. It seemed a vital screw had come loose, and rolled away into the dark under a large piece of furniture in the classroom, never again to be retrieved. Some might compare that loose screw to a few of my own personal loose screws, but the Arboretum staff came to my rescue, and brought me a great easel within minutes to save the day. As the ladies and I painted away, families traipsed by the plate glass windows, taking picture of their children around the stacks of pumpkins and mums of every color. What a perfect day!

My class filed up so quickly, the Arboretum PR director has asked me to teach again in the spring. I'll be lining up a three day workshop then, and I also have classes here in Flower Mound studio for those who would like a smaller setting with the occasional pug underfoot to keep things interesting. Stay tuned on my Web site for dates for upcoming workshops. I can't tell you what an honor and a thrill it is to be asked to teach at the Arboretum. Imagine having a classroom for flower painting in the most beautiful garden in North Texas! I'm a very lucky gal.

Saying cheese with my students!

Fuschia Fantasy Blue Hydrangeas by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-07T20:17:00.000-07:00

Fuschia Fantasy Blue Hydrangeas
16X20
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Fuschia Fantasy Blue Hydrangeas is the newest painting in the studio. I am always my most productive when I'm procrastinating. I should be packing paints, preparing my palette, washing brushes, boxing up potted hydrangea plants, and getting ready for my class tomorrow! Instead, I am practicing some well honed avoidance behaviors. This skill also comes in handy when I'm painting a subject that I find challenging. That's always the best time to get housework done. Do you procrastinate, or do you just dive right in? I'm not quite sure why I am wired this way. Maybe it's something in the Flower Mound drinking water....

A peek at the purple studio models....

Backup Singers Purple and Blue Hydrangeas by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-06T18:57:00.000-07:00

Backup Singers Purple and Blue Hydrangeas

11X14

Oil on Linen Board

Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Backup Singers is the newest painting in Flower Mound Studio. This afternoon I went to the grocery store to shop for flowers for my painting class at the Dallas Arboretum Saturday. As I walked in the door, I was so afraid the only thing in the flower stands would be some old mums and maybe a few faded roses. What a thrill to see they had a whole new shipment of purple and blue hydrangea plants! They also had some small sunflowers, and even a few stargazer lilies in the bargain bin. I've never had a cart so full of flowers.

As I strolled the aisles looking for peanut butter and lo fat creme, I wondered if folks thought I was absolutely nuts with all those flowers sticking out everywhere and hardly any room for real groceries in my cart. Fortunately, all the Flower Moundians were so focused on their IPhones and smart gadgets and blue tooth thingy ma bobs they hardly even noticed. The first time my mom came to visit us in Flower Mound, she asked, "Honey, where are all the old cars?" as we pulled into a store parking lot. It's true there are definitely a few Stepford pills in the water here - it's an ultra planned community with bike paths and sanctuary neighborhoods. It was the closest thing I could find in North Texas that was remotely like Orange County, California. But I promise if you go 20 minutes in any direction, you can find a mobile home park. You have to really look, but I swear they are there. Okay, make that 40 minutes....

Morning Glories and Hydrangeas and a Dallas Arboretum Workshop by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-05T18:16:00.000-07:00

Morning Glories and Hydrangeas
by Nancy Medina
16X20
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Morning Glories and Hydrangeas are drying on the easel in Flower Mound Studio, as I pack up supplies, flower pots, paints and canvases for my workshop at the Dallas Arboretum Saturday. This is my first workshop at the Arboretum, and I'm excited to be spending the day painting in one of the most beautiful gardens in Texas.

Tomorrow I'll start scoping out the flower selections in all the local stores. Cross your fingers and toes that I'll find some great flower models. They need to be perky and alert for their big moment in the spotlight! One of my friends who teaches said once that male teachers at the front of a class are always wondering how their painting looks to the students. The female teachers are always more concerned about whether their jeans make them look fat, and whether they're having a good hair day. I'm a bit nervous - will I drop my turp can, will I forget to bring Ultramarine blue.... but I'm also really excited - after all, the absolute best part of the day is we will all be painting flowers! What on earth could be more fun....!

Rain Dance Purple Irises by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-04T17:01:00.000-07:00

Rain Dance Purple Irises
by Nancy Medina
6X8
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Rain Dance Purple Irises are dancing up a storm in Flower Mound Studio tonight, sending big wishes for big rain to South Texas. We just got home from a visit this weekend to the Texas Hill Country, and the area is in desperate need of wet weather. I worry so much about the wildlife when it is this bad, not only from the wildfire danger, but from the extreme thirst and lack of vegetation for them.

I don't know about you, but I need some cheering up! I think I'll talk the hubby into making me a frothy mocha coffee with whippy creme as a special treat. There is a beautiful, unspoiled Hershey bar all chilled and crispy in the fridge right now. I can break out the cheese grater and get real chocolate flakes on top of the whippy creme. And just think, with all that caffeine, we may be up painting all night!

Calliope White Poppy Painting and AnnieBee Does Fredericksburg by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-03T19:38:00.000-07:00

Calliope White Poppy by Nancy Medina
10X10
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Calliope White Poppy is a new painting in Flower Mound Studio this week, while the studio director rests following her whirlwind tour of Fredericksburg, Texas. AnnieBee accompanied me to The Good Art Company Gallery last weekend to deliver more than a dozen new paintings. She is much in demand at these events, and everyone lines up to have their photograph taken with her (evidence below).

There were some tearful moments when she discovered Studio Dog Bob was unavailable for the much anticipated tryst, but she soon overcame her sorrow thanks to a trip to the Cookie Bar at her fav boutique, Dogologie (evidence below). After emptying the bottom shelves of the cookie bar, AnnieBee glued herself to her shopping bag, which dangled just above her nose for the excruciatingly long 2 minute walk to her limousine.

The ride home was all that she hoped for, with five iced cookies in her fav colors, and a nice chewy tendon to keep her preoccupied in between a busy four hours massacreing new toy squeakers. With the exception of not getting to bump noses with Bob, this was just about the most satisfactory trip she said she has ever taken to Freddyburg.

Elsie, AnnieBee and her mom, and Mary Katherine at GAC

Annie wonders if they have larger bags.

Anticipation is way, way over-rated.

Garden Medley Purple and White Irises by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-02T18:36:00.001-07:00

Garden Medley Irises
by Nancy Medina

SOLD

Oil on Linen Board
8X10
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Here is one more little iris garden from the studio today - Garden Medley is based on the flowers of Argle Acres Iris Gardens. Our latest box of rhizomes arrived a few weeks ago and were promptly planted in my own new iris beds in the back yard. My husband Carlos and I both like all of the colors to be mixed together, and so in the spring when blooming starts, it will be fun to see what colors end up next to one another.

Purple Hearts Red Roses and Hannah, a Pug With a Mysterious Past, by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-02T16:25:00.000-07:00

Purple Hearts Red Roses
by Nancy Medina
10X10
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Purple Hearts is a new small work on the easel today, as I pack up paintings to ship to California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Providence Village, Texas. I always start my day with the housekeeping chores, the packing and shipping, the turpenoid cleanup, the studio tidying. The best part gets saved for last (well, yes, the best part is when the pugs get fed, but that's a different story.)

The best part is when I get to retire to the studio for an evening of painting. Before that, today, we had some time to sit out in the garden and enjoy the beautiful sunny weather. Hannah, my foster girl, was the sunbather today. She's quite glamorous with her big bobbley eyes and tiny little nose. I'm sure in some past life (she is, after all, a woman of international mystery, having come from Germany), she was a silent movie queen, or perhaps a spy. For now, she is my just little snuggley potato.

Hannah soaks up the sun

Lacey Breezes White Irises and a Shining Stars Art Show Honor by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-10-01T18:33:00.000-07:00

Lacey Breezes White Irises
by Nancy Medina
11X14
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Lacey Breezes White Irises is the newest painting in the studio, on a day when the weather was so exceptionally beautiful it was a real joy to sit on my old bench in the back yard and let the sun shine down while I watched the pugs play. They are predicting this nice weather will be with us for a few weeks, so I'm planning to take every moment outdoors I can.

I received some good news this weekend - my painting, Gentle Slumber Rose Bouquet, won second place in the Shining Stars 2011 Art Show. The painting was donated to the group to benefit the arts in North Texas, and I was delighted and honored to receive the award.

Gentle Slumber Rose Bouquet
11X14

Second Place Winner
Shining Stars 2011 Show
to Benefit the Arts in North Texas
www.shiningstarsartleague.com

Tip the Sky Blue Iris by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-29T20:48:00.000-07:00

Tip the Sky Blue Iris by Nancy Medina
11X14
Oil on Panel

Nancy Medina Web Site

Tip the Sky is my newest blue iris painting, and was a small study for a 30X24 painting this evening of the same subject. I've got irises all over the studio today, but I think I'll work on that large painting just a bit longer. I noticed all my blue irises in the big painting line right up like little soldiers across the canvas. It's funny how sometimes I don't spot these obvious errors until I see the image on the computer screen!

Fire in the Sky Blue Iris Painting by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-28T19:17:00.000-07:00

Fire in the Sky Blue Iris by Nancy Medina

SOLD

11X14
Oil on Panel

Nancy Medina Web Site

Fire in the Sky Blue Iris is the newest work in Flower Mound Studio, as I finish up new inventory lists for paintings heading to the Texas Hill Country this weekend. The pugs are tickled pink their Aunt Bitsy is staying with them this weekend, since she finds ways to spoil them rotten that defy the imagination. Watching movies, sleeping late, snacks in the kitchen, there is no end to the delights that await them once Aunty is in charge, according to Howie, who says he would like to trade his mom for Aunty.

AnnieBee, of course, will be joining us for the trip, and leaving her brothers at home, out of the public eye where they belong. After all, she directs all gallery related activities. Annie doesn't actually select the paintings that will be packed and shipped, but she does occasionally roll her ball behind one of them (an occurrence that results in loud commands and insults if I fail to quickly retrieve the ball as she has trained me to do.) The trip is always more fun with Annie along. I'm sure she'll be rewarded for her toil with a new toy and cookie for the long ride home.

AnnieBee in Fredericksburg, Texas, building
up her shopping mojo on Main Street

Full Moon Iris Blooms and a Monarch Flies Home by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-27T19:30:00.000-07:00

Full Moon Iris Blooms by Nancy Medina

SOLD

14X14
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Nancy Medina Web Site

Full Moon Iris Blooms is the newest painting in a studio that is very quiet. All the televisions are off, all the pugs are sound asleep, and AnnieBee has taken a 10 minute break from barking at the crickets. This week I shipped a painting to a lovely lady in Canada who commissioned a Monarch butterfly for her home. The butterfly symbolizes a beautiful memory for her of her husband who passed away recently. It is my prayer and wish that this little creature will bring comfort and good memories when it arrives safely home. Hopes, prayers, and friendship may seem insubstantial, but they have the power to sustain us.

Butterfly in flight in Flower Mound Studio

Memory Garden Poppies and Irises by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

Memory Garden Poppies and Irises
by Nancy Medina

28X22
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Memory Garden is a refreshed version of an earlier container garden that has been sitting in the studio for a few months. I perked up the poppy petals, freshened the daisies a bit, and deepened the yellow shadows on the sunflowers. This is a bright, fun version of reality. I wish I could make reality more fun every day, but for now, I'll just have to be content with doing it with paint!

Daisy Jungle Dance by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-25T17:25:00.001-07:00

Daisy Jungle Dance by Nancy Medina

SOLD

14X14
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Nancy Medina Web Site

Daisy Jungle Dance is drying amidst quite a bit of activity in the studio today. This morning I packed up paintings to ship to Maryland, California, North Texas, and Ontario Canada. Then I framed and tagged a few dozen paintings for the trip to The Good Art Company Gallery this week. All this moving and grooving really exhausted the pugs, who have a habit of following me from room to room. It's nice having my own little entourage, though I have to tiptoe around constantly to watch out for little toes. I still have about a jillion things to do before the gallery trip, but we did set aside six trips to the back yard today for the most important task of all: tossing a new Martha Stewart toy for AnnieBee. When the boss is happy, everypuggy is happy.

Pink Poppy Part Deux by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-24T18:01:00.000-07:00

Pink Poppy Part Deux by Nancy Medina
6X8
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Pink Poppy is a new work in a happy studio today. This morning I chauffered AnnieBee to her favorite country retreat, her grandma's farm in East Texas. She enjoyed two dinners, hers and her skinny cousin Abby's (ignoring the yipping objections from Abby), then ran right up the stairs and scarfed down one more snack that was laying about unattended in Abby's bedroom. By the time AnnieBee arrived back home at the Medina Foster Home for Wayward Pugs this evening, she was stuffed and content. We are both wearing pink today to support pug rescue and breast cancer awareness. I am so very thankful to everyone who sent love and support while I was waiting for word on my biopsy this week.

The same time I was having my biopsy, a very special little heart pug in Washington was also having a biopsy. Max was my foster a few years ago. Max was adopted by one of the most loving families. His mom, Sarah, and I have stayed in touch over the years, and she told me last week they had found a mass on his chest the doctors were very concerned about. Today she received the results from the lab reports, and the cancer was stage 1 and they got clean margins. His prognosis is very good! I wish he were close enough for me to hug and kiss, one more time. It has been a good week for Max and for me, too. I think prayer has more than just a little bit to do with it.

Me and the boss, AnnieBeeBelly, wearing pink today!

Max, sweet foster baby!

In the Stars White Poppies by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

In the Stars White Poppies
by Nancy Medina
11X14
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

In the Stars White Poppies is a new poppy landscape freshly bloomed in Flower Mound Studio tonight. The puggies are contentedly snoring, and about a dozen new paintings are drying in the garage for the trip to a couple of Texas Hill Country galleries at the end of the month. I explained to AnnieBee she would be having another adventure soon, with the requisite visit to her favorite store, Dogologie, and a morning breakfast on the porch of the famous pastry shop, Rather Sweet. She seemed more interested in my tossing the blue elephant across the yard than any future plans. Just like her brothers, she lives in the moment!

Thank you again for all the good thoughts, the prayers, the candles, pughugs and sisterly embraces from my friends. I received two phone calls this afternoon, from two of the doctors. The radiologist called first (the gal with the cute spiky red hair) and the surgeon called second (the tall guy who was so exceptionally kind). Both seemed so happy to share good news - my biopsy showed nothing at all to be concerned about. I got a sense from each of them that they had called the instant they received the results, and I could also tell this was a call they both looked forward to making. My next thought was for the other calls they made, and the few they may have made this same day with different news. Prayer is powerful, and I believe it in wholeheartedly. Thank you for the prayer that was sent my way. I am taking those gifts and sending them forward to those dear ladies who did not receive good news. Strength to them, to their families, and to their friends for what is to come.

Sisterhood Hydrangeas by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

Sisterhood Hydrangeas
by Nancy Medina
11X14
Oil on Linen Board
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

Sisterhood Hydrangeas is a new painting, one that I wasn't at all sure I could complete tonight but I'm really glad I did. Thank you to everyone who sent prayers, good thoughts, and words of encouragement - my breast biopsy today went fine. I was really fortunate to have a great doctor, and she was fast and did everything she could to make sure it was painless as possible. As soon as I arrived, the Nurse gave me a warm blanket because she thought I looked cold. I carried it around like security blanket as they shuffled me from room to room, and then when it was time for the procedure, the tech held my hand through the whole thing. She was a young gal, very smart, I could tell, and probably half my age.

The doctor was very professional, but she had a great bedside manner. She had short, spiky red hair, cute glasses, and an intellect that had me convinced I was in the absolute best hands. She kept insisting that if I needed more of the anesthetic, to be sure and let her know. (and I did at least once!). We watched the whole procedure on a screen and she took four tissue samples. When she was done, she inserted a marker that looked like a tiny comb with three titanium teeth. This will guide them for any future surgeries. I should have results by Monday, since their lab is right there in the same hospital.

I thought I had made a big mistake not asking for anesthesia so I would sleep through the procedure, but I'm glad I just went with the local and stayed awake. It was not as painful as I had feared, and I also feel like I achieved something today. I was terrified, but I did it and I did okay! As I lay there, I thought about every one of you and what you said, and the experiences and good thoughts and prayers that I knew were coming my way. I cannot tell you how much that helped, and how much it still and always will mean to me. As one dear friend said tonight, our social media has allowed the friend and sister circle to be large and embracing. Thank you to each of you for that embrace. It carried me.

Circle of Friends Hydrangeas by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-21T18:32:00.001-07:00

Circle of Friends Hydrangeas by Nancy Medina

SOLD

11X14
Oil on Linen Board

Nancy Medina Web Site

Circle of Friends Hydrangeas is a new painting drying in Flower Mound Studio. It is dedicated to everyone who has sent notes of support and thoughts of strength and good wishes for my breast biopsy tomorrow.

My procedure is just a little blip on the radar of what many of you have been through, some of you multiple times. I am embarrassed to think how frightened I am, but I am also absolutely certain I will be fine. I will not shriek when they stick the needle in. I will not run screaming from the room when they start laying out the giant syringes on the metal tray next to my left ear. (Can you tell my imagination has been running away with me?) And I will stop kicking myself for choosing the procedure sans anesthesia.

I am going to be brave! It didn't help, though, when the surgeon's nurse called today and after asking me if I had suffered any major traumatic injuries this year such as being struck by a car, she followed up by asking me which breast they would be operating on tomorrow. I pretended I didn't know, because I wanted to be sure she looked it up. If they start prepping the wrong breast, however, I am out of there. Please think positive thoughts for your wimpy friend. And while I'm counting down the minutes, I've added a funny photo below. We all need to laugh sometimes, yes?

A peek at the studio models in situ...

This little fellow
was at the Project Pugway Fashion
Show recently for DFW Pug Rescue. And this
was my favorite photo of the event!

Tick Tock White Hydrangeas by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-19T06:44:00.000-07:00

Tick Tock White Hydrangeas by Nancy Medina

SOLD

11X14
Oil on Linen Board

Nancy Medina Web Site

Tick Tock White Hydrangeas is drying on the easel in Flower Mound Studio, where it is nice and quiet except for the contented snores of the studio assistants, who, in this frigid 85 degree weather, were forced to pile into one big heap in the big bed. (Illustration provided below). I was delighted today to find white hydrangeas for sale at the grocery store, and of course I grabbed a fresh bunch of sunflowers while I was there. I wonder if there is any person on earth who spends more on sunflowers than I do. Surely there is a Guinness designation I could shoot for here...

The click is ticking for these fragile studio models!

Pugs have a proclivity for piling...

Trick of the Light White Roses by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-18T16:30:00.001-07:00

Trick of the Light White Roses
by Nancy Medina

SOLD

11X14
Oil on Linen Board

Nancy Medina Web Site

Trick of the Light White Roses is drying on the easel, named for a book by one of my favorite authors, Louise Penny. Trick of the Light is her newest book in her Detective Armand Gamache series. If you've never read her, you are so lucky because there are half a dozen books just waiting that you are going to love. Louise is a four time winner of the Agatha Award for best mystery. I do my "reading" on CD when I'm driving to and from work. It's the only spare time I've got. And I have to confess, I'm such a rabid fan, I even follow her on Facebook. No worries though, I haven't any nursing background and I've never been arrested for kidnapping or holding an author hostage before.

All Dressed Up Sunflowers by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

All Dressed Up Sunflowers and Larkspur
by Nancy Medina
20X20
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Nancy Medina Web Site

All Dressed Up Sunflowers and Larkspur is the newest addition to the Flower Mound Studio family. I have two beautiful bunches of sunflowers that have been waiting patiently for their turn in the spotlight, while I obsessed over my perky hydrangeas, painting them as quickly as possible before they lost their perk. In the meantime, the reliable, dependable, unwavering sunflowers kept right on looking great! Just one of many reasons I do adore them.

Thank you to every dear friend who has checked in lately, I finally got the phone call today to schedule my biopsy. It will be September 22. I am such a wimp about these things. Please send good thoughts and brave vibes my way!

My studio models!

White Hydrangea Solo by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

White Hydrangea Solo by Nancy Medina

SOLD

6X8
Oil on Linen Board

Nancy Medina Web Site

White Hydrangea Solo is a new small work in Flower Mound Studio, finished after an afternoon of packing up paintings. I could not find any white hydrangeas at the market, so I had the pinks stand in for their white cousins on the studio table tonight. Would you believe these pinks are the same bunch I bought last weekend and - thanks to my refrigerator - they are still perky and fresh? I wonder if maybe I should start sleeping in the refrigerator every night. Then I could wake up perky and fresh and dewy eyed every morning!

Shh, don't tell, I painted the
pink ones in white!

Farm Girl Sunflowers by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-13T02:32:00.000-07:00

Farm Girl Sunflowers
by Nancy Medina

SOLD

11X14
Oil on Linen Board

Nancy Medina Web Site

Farm Girl Sunflowers was painted last night after finishing the larger hydrangea painting. Farm Girls hopped onto the canvas and immediately made me think of the flowers that grew on mom's and dad's farm when I was little. The sunflowers were not for show. In fact, I never once recall mom bringing any of them into the house and putting them in a vase. They were never admired by my parents, I think I was the only one in the family who ever loved the giant sunflowers that were planted between the rows of vegetables on our organic farm. The flowers were used to attract insects off of the food crops. They served a very utilitarian purpose. Nowadays I spend tons of money on them and pay grocery store prices, with usually at least two varieties in vases in the studio at one time. I have to make up for all those years on the farm these beauties went to waste!

Azure and Pink Larkspur and Hydrangeas by Texas Flower Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-12T17:46:00.000-07:00

Azure and Pink Larkspur and Hydrangeas
by Nancy Medina

24X30
Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Purchase Information

Azure and Pink Larkspur and Hydrangeas is the newest painting in the studio, and likely would not have been possible if I hadn't learned some great tips on how to keep hydrangeas fresh. The gal at the supermarket who works in the flower department (yes, the one who gets a big grin on her face every time I enter the store), told me some very common sense ways to keep hydrangeas fresh.

She said they are based on the word "hydrate," thus they love water - she said to spritz them with water a few times a day. I noticed as I was browsing her lovely selection that her best bouquets were in the back in a refrigerated section of shelving. So last night, before I went to bed, I nestled my pink hydrangeas right next to the iced tea inside the fridge. This morning they were fresh as daisies! With all these cool tips, maybe they will last me a whole week! Just think of all the paintings I can do if they hang on that long. Then these $8 per flower beauties may actually earn their keep, instead of fading away much too soon.

A studio peek at the models as they pose

Keep them refrigerated overnight!

Spritz your hydrangeas with cool water!

Sunshine Sunflowers and Carnations by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

Sunshine Sunflowers and Carnations
by Nancy Medina
24X20
Oil on Linen Board
Buy Now

Shop in My Daily Painters Gallery
Nancy Medina Web Site

Sunshine Sunflowers and Carnations may be the last painting I will be able to coax from the studio model bouquet. The flowers are just starting to droop this morning, and since Texas is in for another scorcher this weekend, I don't expect they'll be perky enough for prime time tonight!

Candle Flame Sunflowers by Texas Artist Nancy Medina

2011-09-09T19:52:00.000-07:00

Candle Flame Sunflowers by Nancy Medina
6X8
Oil on Linen Board
Buy Now

Shop in My Daily Painters Gallery
Nancy Medina Web Site

Candle Flame Sunflowers is drying on the easel in Flower Mound Studio, as the assistants wind down from a day of playing with two new squeaky toys that arrived in their absolute favorite mode - a crinkly, crackley plastic Target bag. Java learned at a very early age that every time Mom came home with one of these bags, good things were inside. As each additional pug arrived in Java's home (he was the first pug, we are all HIS GUESTS, I often tell him), he wasted no time in schooling them in the fine art of claiming ownership of anything that arrived in a crinkley Target bag. He and Annie often fight over the toys, while Howie looks on wondering why on earth they want anything that one cannot eat. Inevitably, the toy I give Annie winds up in Java's mouth, and vice versa, as if this were some rule of the pug universe. Whatever you got, is better than what I got, and I want it. Another good reason to have studio assistants about, you learn some new and important life lesson every day!

Thank you to all the kind friends who reached out to me yesterday following my post about my scary mammogram. Your words, calls and notes mean so much to me, I cannot even begin to say how much. I hope that this all is over with very quickly, each time the phone rings my stomach does a flip flop. This is really interfering with my general practice of snacking all day!