Friday, September 7, 2007



MOMENTUM
is the theme this week at Illustration Friday. I've noticed lots of the regular participants apologize if they put anything old up in response to a theme. I've never understood that, and I am not going to apologize for this being done several years ago. It's a rarity for me, an action image, as I seem to specialize in stillness.

This is one of my young sons (even younger when I did this) galloping down a hill in a local park. This park is situated right up next to a high school, and to me there was something very poignant about the wild, golden freedom of the young child, contrasting with the strictures of society's expectations and duty (as evidenced by the school building off to the left) looming in the future.

It also seems very appropriate to this Back-to-School week!

Springtime, oil on canvas, 24 x 36 inches

38 comments:

Esther Westwood said...

wow, very beautiful! so great.

Jana said...

excellent piece perfect for this weeks theme & life in general! (from another that often posts "old" images :))

Kathleen Rietz said...

Nancy, this is AWESOME! I love it, regardless of when you painted it. I am glad you posted it.

annax said...

Such wonderful work!

JO said...

I agree a beautiful piece of work is beautiful no matter how long ago it was done, and this is a very beautiful piece.

Mim said...

I think it's always great to look at an old piece with new eyes. This is really beautiful

Roberta said...

Your work is lovely.

countrygarden said...

very nice, soft, and full of feeling. perfect for back to school, i agree. glad i found your work!

Teri said...

So free and yet peaceful! I like it a lot and am glad you brought it back for viewing.

studio lolo said...

I love the emotion that goes into your work, but it especially comes through when you paint your boys. Lovely!

Eli said...

Great composition!

Anonymous said...

This is sooo wonderful! Can't you just feel the freedom of the space and the exhileration of flight!

Flora Chang said...

Alas...I wish I could paint! :)
This is so pretty!! I love your beautiful colors!

Mignon said...

Nancy, this is from the IF site: "You can use an illustration you already created if it’s appropriate to the topic." I try to do a piece each week but there isn't always time, and yes, no need to apologize for using something you've done already.
And when they're as wonderful as yours... !

carla said...

Even if this is an action piece, there is still a real feeling of peace and stillness. I love how she's twirling in the big field with the huge trees... the building in the corner has the feeling of a school building that's empty, perhaps for summer vacation. Sop I see peace and stillness with the contrast of the exuberant freedom of the spinning shild. Beautiful!

imwithsully said...

Good to see a new post from you. We've been waiting to see what you would come up with next. You have not disappointed... this is pretty amazing work!

Bobbie Dacus said...

Nancy, what a beautifully done illustration. Love it.

emilayusof said...

This is very beautiful, Nancy! Such a wonderful feeling looking at it.

Georgina said...

lovely work! so peaceful, love it

g. said...

Amazing! Your paintings are simply amazing...

thefridayfrog said...

back to school...you said it, nancy! this is a really lovely piece. the colors are just stunning. :)

Paola De Gaudio said...

I love your work! It has the exact balance between sensibility and intelligence.
Thanks for your kind comment and your visit :)

alex said...

So good to see you back! Lovely painting indeed.

Hope all is well in your world.

Tim Bye said...

Wonderful stuff!

v a l e r i a c i s said...

this painting is so incredible! I like the climate! the moment you captured... and you don't have to appologize, I don't understand nither...

rachel stoleru haim said...

wonderfull painting.

Bobbie Dacus said...

Wow, Nancy, this is gorgeous!

ElizT said...

Nothing quite like the momentum of childhood.
Please, what is a 'seating horse?'

HARDWAX said...

Your little son gaining momentum as he moves down the golden hill, and life gaining momentum and heading for him. I hope the moment of destiny is a good one. Just beautiful work!

tusen said...

I think it's perfect for the topic. And I love the golden-green space.

Todd Harris said...

wow, wonderful blog you have here. this is a great post, makes me think of my little girl.

Tami @ Lemon Tree Tales said...

Beautiful greens! I'm always in awe of people who paint with oils. :-)

giles said...

Great painting and very fitting for the topic.

www.gilestimms.com

Powpourri said...

Beautiful as always. What a nice sentiment also.

uri said...

Lovely, lovely, lovely....

Katarina said...

a very cool interpretation of the theme and a great painting!

John Shelley said...

Beautiful piece of work Nancy, you captured the moment perfectly. I really must check out this Illustration Friday thing.

Digital Scott's Illustrationblog said...

What a great scene! So beautifully done.