Mission Accomplished

Two days of gorgeous weather at the Thames River Arts & Crafts Show in New London, CT. The grassy lawns of Mitchell College with their view of the river was a beautiful spot. Jaden Events really put their hearts into every aspect of the show, filling the venue with an eclectic range of high-quality, sincere artisans. Visitors were really impressed and everyone apparently had a relaxed, peaceful, happy, entertaining time of it all. 

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in the raffle, which was a highlight of each day. On Saturday, "Is That You On Bantam River?" went to the winner Reverend John Burger of Bristol, Rhode Island. Sunday afternoon "Goose Island September Sunset" was won by John Bale of Old Mystic, Connecticut. Congratulations to you both! And thanks again to everyone who bought tickets and contributed to the fun.

Most of all, many big thanks to my handsome helper Eric, who sat with me those two days and helped me pack up when it was time to go. You were a life saver, and full of wisdom too!

Congratulations Shelley and family, on a show well run!

Single Daylily

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This is "Single Daylily", a small painting composed of layer upon layer of color and gel medium. Luscious and luminous, with a surface like a quiet lake, the painting rests on a block of panels with colored edges. A pleasure to hold, it feels weighty and substantial.

Thank you Donna B for contributing this gorgeous gold-leaf covered wood frame. The painting wears it like a crown. The black velvet backing is an especially nice touch.

Come see this work of mine and many others on the 25th and 26th of June, in New London,  on the Mitchell College campus, at the Thames River Arts and Crafts Show.

Printastic to the Rescue

A big thanks to the good work by Printastic, who created my banner for the Thames River Arts & Crafts Show in New London. Super heavy-duty construction, made exactly to order with a turnaround time perfect for this anxious artist. Two weeks to go and lots more to do! Thanks Printastic - for making me look so good!

The Thames River Arts & Crafts Show will be June 25th and 26th on the Mitchell College campus in New London, Connecticut. Please come and enjoy a beautiful weekend by the Long Island Sound. You'll find me under the big blue banner!
 - Nancy Boudreau

June Roadside

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"June Roadside"

Spindle leggéd mowers
cruise the woodland
denuding the understory
but steer clear of roadside hedgerows
where orange lilies
like warning flags
wave at passing vehicles.

- Nancy Boudreau


This is a painted 4" x 6" view of a roadside in New Milford, Connecticut, in June. Orange daylilies bloom on the sunny side and are reflected in a muddy puddle left by a recent passing thundershower. These wild orange daylilies are one of the few flowers not eaten by deer. To celebrate that fact, I suggest we start referring to them as "deer lilies".


Text and images © 2016 Nancy A. Boudreau. All rights reserved. Permission required for publication. Images available for licensing.
nboudreau.com

Marsh Marigold

Earliest spring
when woods are still 
the color of deer
not gray, not brown,
when only the barberry dare to suggest
pinprick green.
Rivulets chortle through throats
of groggy skunk cabbage
and the detrius of glaciers gone.
Spring passes through lightly,
carelessly dropping her 
crown of gold and green 
at the edge of a vernal pond.

 - Nancy Boudreau


This is a quickly painted 4" x 6" view of the Silvermine area in New Canaan, Connecticut, in early spring. The marsh marigolds are "homebodies". They don't wander or spread far from where you might be lucky enough to find them. But they are enduring, returning every year to flourish for a brief time with gusto.

Text and images © 2016 Nancy A. Boudreau. All rights reserved. Permission required for publication. Images available for licensing. 

nboudreau.com

Yellow Tree Peony

for sale through Etsy

This is a 4" x 6" painting of a tree peony from the artist's garden. Handwritten on the back of the painting are her words:

"Yellow Tree Peony"

This orange confetti tassel

skirted with lemon meringue flounces

is a precious gift of life

from a good friend I've never met.

Her generous spirit reappears

each spring briefly

buoyed on woody stems

nestled in emerald foliage

incredibly, eternally, ephemeral beauty.

— Nancy Boudreau

Text and images © 2016, Nancy A. Boudreau. All rights reserved. Permission required for publication. Images availably for licensing. nboudreau.com.

A Field In Connecticut

for sale though Etsy

This is a 4" x 6" painting of a field full of blue flowered Cow Vetch growing on Fairfield Hills in Newtown, Connecticut. The following poem by the artist is handwritten and signed on the back of the artwork.

"A Field In Connecticut"

I saw you in the grass

of a fur-smooth field

basking in a bowl of sun

rimmed by verdant woodlands

blue eyes twinkling

delighted to hear bobolinks again.

I was with you.

 — Nancy Boudreau

Text and images © 2016 Nancy A. Boudreau. All rights reserved. Permission required for publication. Images available for licensing through nboudreau.com       

White Iris - Power of Surrender

for sale through Etsy

This is a 4" x 6" painting of white iris flowers from the artist's studio garden in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. Painted on a 1/2" thick panel, it is ready to hang, unframed. The following poem by the artist is handwritten on the back of the artwork:

"White Iris - Power of Surrender"

Knobby rhizome - Artist sits

lies in rocky sand - at blank easel with unmixed palette

with a mandate to produce

something from nothing

surrender fear

open to what is

a dearth of nutrients - lack of resource

a long wait - interminable isolation

finally a little rain - glimmer of inspiration

a bit of sun, warmth - a positive comment, encouragement

a rootlet, a shoot - a brush stroke, two colors blend

a stalk, leaves - an outline, contrast

rising above the earth - a composition forms

bud unfurls - canvas fills

petals spread, relax - brushes laid down, hands rest

open wide to gather - stand back to bask in

wild breezes, suns rays - the whole view

and gather appreciative passersby.

 - Nancy Boudreau

Text and images © 2016 Nancy A. Boudreau. All rights reserved. Permission required for publication. Images available for licensing through nboudreau.com

Tulips in a Crystal Vase

"Tulips in a Crystal Vase"

This is a digital drawing done on my old Kindle Fire using a Sketchbook Mobile app. You can have a small print or greeting cards made from this artwork by contacting me at nb@nboudreau.com.

"Offerings" Etsy Shop New Icon

Etsy has prompted it's shop owners to join in a re-design, asking us to produce new mastheads, photos, and icons for our businesses. To that end, I offer you this morning my first attempt at an icon. It's a bit busy, but it incorporates the two directions I've been pulled in lately: painting and coloring books.

The uncolored version of this line drawing is offered for digital download through my Etsy shop, for your own coloring pleasure - only .99¢

Coloring As Unusual as April Snow

"What's On The Roof?"

A nonsensical abstract to color upon, appropriate for equally nonsensical weather such as an April ice storm.

Upload the image from Etsy, to make it your own.

Color Me a Landscape

Let's put a little color into this springtime landscape - download the jpg file from Etsy.

Welcome Spring!

Welcome Spring!

Eggs Nest with a little color

. . . and a sample of what "Eggs Nest" might look like when you start applying color.

Download a JPG for .99¢ and fill the nest with your own favorite colors.

Print your finished art on professional quality paper or canvas with 

GicléeOne .

Eggs Nest Coloring

"Eggs Nest"

Okay, now it's your turn to color eggs. . . click for an instant download of the image.

This reminds me of one of my favorite brunch restaurants, The Eggs Nest, in High Falls, New York. Ya gotta go there at least once.

Plastic Easter Eggs

One sleeve of twelve plastic eggs

crinkling cellophane, metallic sheen

six colors: pale yellow, gold, spring green, teal blue, violet, magenta

I must have them.

                     - NB
   

This is a 5" x 7" acrylic painting on cradled panel with layers and layers of clear self-leveling gloss gel medium to enhance that irresistibly slick and delicious eye candy. For auction on EBay

Touchscreen Fingerpainting

"Flow"

. . . with a little color. . . 

. . . playing with opacity and erasers.

For an instant download of the line drawing, click here.

Like coloring Easter eggs. . . on another planet

"Easter Octopus"

The abstracts I love the best are like road trips with no destination. By the end of the journey I arrive home with a neat package of adventures.

Click here for an instant download of the jpg.

Color away!!!

What's the Color of Your Coffee?

"Good Morning Coffee" or "Dizzy Diner"

Does that pattern in the tabletop look familiar? Mid-Century, when black and white televisions and boomerangs were the newest thing. 

A line drawing is like a musical score - a theme for artists to fill out with their own colorful jazz. Sort of like "Oh yah, I recognize that. It's Georgia doing 'Dizzy Diner'"

For an instant download of the line drawing, visit my Etsy shop.

Better yet, after you finish coloring on your pad or tablet, get a professional quality print of the art with GicléeOne. Makes a sweet one-of-a-kind gift.

More Coloring Nonsense

"Green Olives with Pimentos"

A suggestion. . . this coloring page is just for fun.

Go to my Etsy shop for a .99¢ instant download of the jpg.

TIP: after coloring your jpg, have it professionally printed on high-quality paperstock by GicléeOne, who can also frame it for you.

Deconstruction - coloring for artists

"Deconstruction"

Floating geometrics, remind me of construction debris and office papers tumbling through the sky. Color it your own, for a framable collaboration.

For an instant download of the art, click here.

A peek at my first test drive, coloring on an old Kindle Fire, using Sketchbook Mobile:

I'd love to see your interpretation! 

Email it to me at nb@nboudreau.com. 

Coloring the Windy City

"Windy City"

For your coloring pleasure, a downloadable jpg of this image is available in my Etsy shop.

Started  playing with this one . . . 

Sleepy Time Coloring

"Quilt"

Hand drawn in Photoshop, and available as a downloadable file for your coloring pleasure through my Etsy shop.

Hmmmm. Started this one and not quite liking the color scheme. 
But that can be changed easily.

Fly Fishing in Montana

Wishing the Kommander a happy birthday. 

Coloring for Big Kids

"Galactic Confetti"

Coloring for big kids who know how to laugh. Available in tablet form (with no prescription) for those who prefer touchscreen finger painting.

Available as a JPG file for immediate download through Etsy

(All images copyrighted, so play nice. No bullies or cheats allowed on these monkey bars)

Ooooh, liking this one. . . a sample coloring from my old Kindle Fire.

Try Coloring This

"Tattooed Universe"

For your personal coloring pleasure. . . and I'd love to see the results.

Available as a JPG file for immediate download through Etsy

(All images copyrighted, so play nice. No bullies or cheats allowed on these monkey bars)

Though it's not finished, this is my favorite drawing for coloring so far.

Bet it would look great as an enlarged print on good paper stock.

Send me your version at nb@nboudreau.com

My contribution to the Coloring Craze

"Batik"

Are you ready? 

Here come a series of black and white drawings 

for your coloring pleasure.

I've been uploading these to my Kindle Fire and using the Sketchbook Mobile app to color them in. Touchscreen "finger painting" is a great way to pass time in a waiting room or airport lounge. Check upcoming blog posts for new images and tips on how to get these onto your own tablet.  

Available as a JPG for immediate download through Etsy

(All images copyrighted, so play nice. No bullies or cheats allowed on these monkey bars)

Friends and Aficionados!

I'd like you to know how much I appreciate that Rich Correale of GicléeOne, is hard at work making my kayaking paintings available as premium quality prints. 

How else could I affordably share those beautiful visual experiences with everyone?

Please do Richard the honor of visiting his website 

and treating yourself to the fountain of inspiration you'll find there:

AZ Hiking Sketchbook 2015

AZ Hiking Sketchbook 2015

By Nancy Boudreau

Twenty-four watercolor sketches 

from the beautiful wilderness trails of 

Phoenix, Cave Creek, and Sedona.

Click on the cover above to see a preview of the full book, courtesy of Blurb.

Back to Cave Creek

This is the last page the Arizona travel sketchbook. Returning to Cave Creek after a week in Sedona, for a walk up the trails through Spur Cross.

If you love to run, as I used to, and would like to support the town of Cave Creek in preserving their open space from urban expansion, you might consider participating in the Cave Creek Trail Run on March 26th.