Wednesday, June 20, 2007



REJECTION
is the theme of this week's Illustration Friday (I'm very very late getting to it.) This painting is only tangentially related to the concept of rejection. It's mostly about newness: it is a marvel to see young children and babies experiencing the world for the first time. It is not all wonder and delight, but it is all interesting.

This is my friend Kelly and her young son H. They were visiting me and had stopped at a farm stand and brought peaches as a gift. We cut some up, they were lusciously ripe, and Kelly gave a piece to H...his very first experience with a peach. There was something so beautiful to me in the way she was watching him quietly, to see if he'd like it. And also in the way H took this dripping, tender and velvety morsel, then ruminated over it, tasting it carefully. We waited. He rejected it. Then Kelly took another piece and carefully peeled off the fuzzy, powdery skin. This time: acceptance!

Strange Fruit, oil on canvas, 30 x 44 inches

30 comments:

ElizT said...

I like that a lot; the moment and the painting of it.

° said...

nice work and u gotta lov kids never sure how they will react to a first time situation and as here it seems it was priceless like most.

Kay Aker said...

Beautifully captures the moment!

andrea said...

What a totally delightful story. The painting is impressive but you managed to add so many more dimansions with the anecdote. Lovely!

Powpourri said...

Another beautiful piece. A big one at that. How do you get such great photos of your work? Do you have a photographer? I am really struggling with these large pieces.

JC said...

This is indeed beautiful. You've captured this tender moment in such a wonderful way--the colors, expressions, and your narrative. Very impressive!

Janice Ykema said...

its a very precious moment... and most wonderfully captured

Pamela K said...

I can relate so much to your story.. I have a 2 yr old at home....You have captured it so well..especially the look on the boy's face..vy skeptical..

Kathleen Rietz said...

This is just so nice! You captured the moment so well. It is usually the common moments in life we can all relate to, if captured well, as you have done here.

Tina Poe said...

Absolutely gorgeous painting, I love the warmth of the light!

Rabbit said...

Thanks for the comment on my blog.
I love yours! You really have captured a great moment and the little boy’s quizzical expression so perfectly.

Dave M! said...

Wonderful technique. Your colors and composition tell the story a lot more accurately than any air-brush or photo-realism. The only nit-pick is the 1-point perspective seems a bit off. A minor blip ... overally great painting! | My iFriday

Catalina Alvarez said...

Wow!
Superb!
You capture the essence of the moment.
Bellissimo.
Cata.

Amy Huntington said...

This is a lovely piece. I love the rich planes of color and the gentle movement.

Mia Charro said...

this is so beautiful!!! very sweet :) thank you for your comments in my blog ;)

Nina Seven N7 said...

Nancy - This is so beautiful! You really are able to capture moments in time. Thanks for your comments on mine, I messed up getting the thumbnail in this time, so didn't get many views!

emilayusof said...

Truly beautiful, Nancy! Love your post too!

aeneadellaluna said...

WHat a wonderful smooth realistic and tender style you have..I saw your photos in the other blog too..you seem to be very sensitivy person! with an eye for all that's pretty! :)

Mônica said...

What a wonderful painting, Nancy Bea. All you said is captured so tenderly in the painting. Your friend's expression, her body language, it's all there, with beautiful color and light. Great work!

Eugenia Gina said...

nice paintings! like I can imagine it right in front of me..:) and I really like the way you describe it..

Paola De Gaudio said...

Oh,Nancy! Your blog is so delightful!!!
Thank you for sharing your art and sensibility .

AscenderRisesAbove said...

oh my gosh - that is a wonderful piece of work. i found it startling!

ascenderrisesabove.com/wordpress

Hello! said...

Another beautiful painting!
Sorry I've missed it last week.
As I probably said before, you have this wonderful ability of capturing moments, like slices of meaninful peacefulness... if this makes any sense in english! :)
When I leave comments I often whish I could express myself better!LOL

:) Silvia said...

beautiful :)

alicia varela said...

great work!!! congratulations!

JC said...

again, this is a great piece! thanks for your comments last week -- by the way, I actually did a part 2 to my "rejection" illo. =)

imwithsully said...

This is absolutely beautiful! You have painted a moment most people never even think twice about. I love it!

Digital Scott's Illustrationblog said...

Yeow! Outstanding! Great mood and sense of light, and much more.

Tracy said...

This is gorgeous! It looks like I'm really observing the "rejection" in person! Great work. :)

Katarina said...

a beautiful story and a perfect illustration about it.