Sunflowers in Provence - o/c 20.25" x 24.25"

 

How lovely is it to leisurely drive in Provence during the month of July while glancing at a field of sunflowers to one's right, and blue sky with billowy clouds above? Wonderfully so!

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Field of Blue Bonnets - o/c 20.5" x 24.5"

 

What is the best way to describe fields of blue bonnets that grow along the rolling hills of Texas in the spring? "Poetry in Nature" perhaps? 

Often, words cannot capture the true beauty of these royal blue flowers that crown the grassy green landscape in western Texas mid-March into April every year.  Butterflies abound as they collect the sweet nectar. In April, when the wind gathers strength and blows the seeds across the hills, the following year will become even more bountiful in royal blue. "Poetry in Nature" perhaps does express Blue Bonnets best.  Thus, I created this painting in oil.

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Leopard - o/c 25" x 45" - commission

"What do you buy a man who has everything?" his wife pondered as their 5th wedding anniversary was approaching. That's when I received the telephone call from her requesting a commissioned oil painting of a leopard.

I become friends with Dennis when I lived in Tokyo from 1982 to 1986. We both worked for the same multinational engineering/construction corporation, and as he passed through Tokyo from his executive post in Saudi Arabia he would visit.  After my four years in Tokyo were complete and I moved back to the corporation's main headquarters in New Jersey, Dennis and I lived only a few towns from each other. That closeness brought him, his wife and I into a special friendship that lasted over 20 years.

So, when their 5th anniversary approached, Judy thought commissioning me to paint a leopard that would remind Dennis of his sugar plantation in Rhodesia and our friendship; a perfect gift for him. It would always remind Dennis of his land in the Hippo Valley that he obtained years prior by a grant of virgin territory to clear, and build a farm to grow high quality sugar cane that became operational by 1960. Dennis' numerous stories included listening to leopards and lions roar in the evenings and he found it melodic; albeit a constant threat by them as well as hippos and poisonous snakes. He was South African, and a true internationalist speaking fluent Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa, along with English, Spanish and Italian. He named his plantation "Kwa Ingwe" which translates "To the Leopard" in Zulu.

The leopard painting was complete after one month, another month for the oil paint to thoroughly dry, and shipped to their estate on Amelia Island; where the painting hung in the master bedroom, over their bed. Dennis would quip that "Ingwe continually watches over me" and Judy would reply "yes, she's growling." Dennis' rebuttal remained steady, "No my dear, she's purring."

The Smith's were very dear to me and as life progresses, I received numerous invitations and visits to  their homes. Sadly, Dennis has passed. 

As for the "Leopard" painting, she has a new home with his son, Richard in Co. Fermanagh, Ireland. A place of pride once again, hanging in the master bedroom over the bed. Ingwe, watching over him as once over his father.

Field of Lavender in Provence with Farmhouse - o/c 25" x 29"

 I have painted numerous lavender fields over the years based on my travels to Provence. My very first time touring them, was in 1994 as a guest of a patron of mine. Seeing these fields of delicate purple flowers clumped together in rows up and down the rolling hills of sandy soil was breathtaking. 

Capturing many sites by camera, and making charcoal sketches, I have created these works from those travels. 

This painting, and previous "Lavender Field in Provence" is available though my home studio.

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Field of Lavender in Provence - o/c 25" x 29"

Original work by C. Nauman framed.

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Field of Lavender in Provence - o/c 25" x 29"

Lavender blooms the months of June and July in Provence. It's absolutely lovely viewing rows upon rows of these purple flowers growing out from the chalky soil.

The composition of this painting originated from one of my sojourns in France with a patron of mine. We were in Aix-en-Provence for a few days early July. On the drive from Aix, towards Marseille, we traveled the scenic route towards Montagne-Sainte-Victoire and came upon these fields of lavender after stopping at the site where Cezanne painted "la montagne." 

I was able to capture many of these sites on camera to create original works on canvas in my studio. 

Further comments and questions on this painting may be directed to my website ChristineNauman.com

Winter Forest - o/c 16.5" x 18.5"

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How lovely and serene is a forest when covered with the first snows of Winter? A recent visit to my home studio . . . patron felt the same.

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Red Poppies with Farmhouse in Provence - o/c 19.5" x 22.5"

 

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Poppies are abundant surrounding the farmhouses in rural Provence and the countryside. Stunning when capturing these reflections and memories on canvas. 

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Sunflower Field in Provence - o/c 28.5" x 32.5"

 

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There is something to be said about the welcoming style of French farmhouses in the way they are grouped together compared to other countries. Structures are connected together and placed at various angles in a practical living and working arena.  And in doing so, they also provide the close-knit warmth of the family within.

Windows, however few, are not facing four directions.  This is due to the cold northwesterly mistral that passes through in winter and spring. I recall humorously reading that "the mistral is strong enough to blow the ears off a donkey." Of course, not as humorous, if you're experiencing those dreaded winds first hand.

I have snapped photos over the years of these farmhouses, and leafed through books creating various compositions of these original works in oil. Remaining true to my artistic style, I add the appearance of ivy growing up the walls to give the appearance of the farmhouse's antiquity.  And trees and shrubbery surrounding the structures for protection from the mistral, and shade from the summer sun.  This also provides harmonious color and depth between the sunlight and shadows.  Beyond the shadows and structured interior, I evoke added interest into the viewer's imagination while gazing upon the painting.

A sunflower field is especially inviting when the stalks are tall, and flowers in full bloom.  And those in the foreground appear to droop sadly; due to the weight of their seeds and pedals they are lush and ready for harvesting.

Besides sharing a story about "Sunflower Field in Provence" . . . did you know that while the color yellow signifies HAPPINESS, the sunflower symbolizes LOYALTY and LONGEVITY?

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Poppies in Provence - o/c 28.5" x 32.5"

 

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Traveling from the site of Cezanne's view of Mont Sainte-Victoire that he depicted in his paintings, there was abundant visual beauty surrounding small residences and farmhouses.  Multipal blooms of poppies with their deep red petals and purple/black pistil stand erect, protected by the dense greenery and gentle breeze throughout the landscape in Spring.

Depending on the contrasting light of day, the flowering white trees become mirror images with the billowy clouds.

A feast to one's senses of sight and scent is Poppies in Provence.

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Tiger Lily Reflections - 33" x 29"

Recently, a patron of mine from the northeast forwarded a photo of how she has displayed "Tiger Lily Reflections" in her private residence. How beautiful to view how her personal design style has been arranged to compliment my original oil painting.

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Sunflower Field in Provence - o/c 20.5" x 25"

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How beautiful is a Sunflower Field in full bloom?

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Field of Red Poppies - o/c 20.5" x 25"

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Another original landscape in the series created from memories traveling throughout Provence when fields are covered with poppies.

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Iris and Daffodils - o/c 20.5" x 25"

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Vivid colors are bountiful with iris and daffodils in spring.  How inviting is this landscape painting for the viewer to imagine walking among these flowers?

http://www.christinenauman.com 

Winter Snow Morning - o/c 19.5" x 22.5"

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"Winter Snow Morning" is a recently completed painting depicting the architecture of trees gathered in the forefront of the distant horizon. The application of white, gray, brown and icy blue -- the orphans of the color spectrum conveys tranquility.  Bright yellow hues of the early morning sun barely showing herself, draws one's eye and imagination into the start of a new day.

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English Garden Border - o/c 29" x 33"

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Throughout my years traveling, many of the estates visited in England have some of the most beautiful "borders" created around their gardens. Often stone or brick, or very high coiffured hedges, I've found none of them to give one an impression of being confined. This particular one is rather more serene in it's design, yet the blue doors are inviting with boxwoods balanced in front, and barren trees dusted with snow.

I have always enjoyed the cycles of the four seasons, yet during winter, I prefer to create my landscape paintings as "unspoiled and pristine."

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Early Moonrise - o/c 19.5" x 22.5"

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I have created numerous paintings in oil of landscapes with a full moon in morning and evening in order to portray tranquility during that time of day. 

In "Early Moonrise" above, no breeze whispers to pass, so the distant river is without ripples.  Over decades, a section of the river has overflowed dividing the tree lined ridge, causing a stream to cascade downward. The moon, full and bright, is reflected in the water and provides atmospheric realism to my classical landscape painting.

All other "moonscapes" have been acquired, and this painting, recently completed after weeks of work in my studio, will be available for viewing by end of March.

http://www.christinenauman.com

Early Morning Winter - o/c 19.5" x 22.5"

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"Early Morning Winter" completed after weeks of working in my studio and returning to sketches and notes for specific details. Early rising required to maintain truth with the various colors in the sky and at the horizon while the light seemingly changes every second.

Yet all this, is worth the time spent as the painting breaths life within and promises the gift of a new day.

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A Clearing in Provence with Poppies - o/c 21" x 25"

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"A Clearing in Provence with Poppies" recently complete is an original oil painting depicting springtime when the poppies are in full bloom. Growing along the landscape they are limitless and provide beautiful contrast to the blades of grass and foliage on the trees.

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Sunset Reflections II - o/c 25" x 29"

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The second in the series titled "Sunset Reflections" was inspired from the nature trails along the "Stage Coach Trail" in northwestern Illinois near Galena.

Beautifully serene autumn colors are depicted throughout the oil painting and the bright reflection of the setting sun highlights some trees and foliage not yet shadowed or hidden behind the hill or dense foliage.

While some leaves have already dropped from the trees to lay at the base of their trunks, one can almost imagine the crinkling sound under one's feet before jumping across the narrowest part of the stream to walk upward to view the setting sun at the horizon.

The painting is in the beginning of the drying phase and near the holidays, will be available for viewing.

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