Wednesday, November 7, 2007



HATS
are this week's theme at Illustration Friday. Very seasonally appropriate I thought. I have already started looking out the family's winter hats as our house is wonderfully cool in the summer but also in the winter, alas! Wearing a hat makes a big difference.

In fact, when winter really hits, a hat is a necessity, especially in my studio. North-facing and with a very feeble radiator, there are times when you can practically see your breath in there. No need to wrap up my palette at the end of the day...the paint stays nicely refrigerated and fresh for days on end. Me too I guess, so I wear a hat, a neck-warmer and a paint splattered down vest to work.

Self Portrait in a Cold Studio, oil on canvas, 16 x 12 inches

34 comments:

valerie walsh said...

Extremely beautiful! You will probably stay very well preserved!

Vera Pino said...

wow! really pretty image

JO said...

Lovely portrait, Nancy. Love the colors in the (your)face. Although, I live in So.CA. our bedroom has a high ceiling, and living close to the beach, you can actually see your breath in my room in the winter.

princesstomato said...

nice portrait! so soft and colorful, peaceful and pensive.

now if someone would invent some gloves we can use while painting, they would cash in! my studio is the coldest room in our home as well. T-U-N-D-R-A.

teri

Roberta said...

Beautiful painting.

alicia varela said...

really interesting protrait

shaky mouse said...

beautiful and haunting too.. the eyes are fantastic

Michelle Lana said...

amazing work, nancy. awesome job!

Ursula Shaw said...

Wow! Beautiful portrait.

froggie is... said...

stunning and very IBSEN-ISH! :)))
just lovely light, nancy! :)

studio lolo said...

beautiful Nancy! I love the tones in this piece.

Mike said...

Stunningly beautiful painting. Great great job.

paula said...

Wow, this is gorgeous! The face is shaded so perfectly - the skin tones are amazing.

Joan said...

This is really, really beautiful.
Oh how I wish I were brave enough to paint myself.
Lol, I painted Cary Grant.

http://shadesofjoan.typepad.com/

Nicole said...

Beautiful portrait! My studio sounds as cold as yours. I have to wear a fleece jacket, knitted scarf and hat too. brrr....

° said...

nice shadows tones beutifully done. maybe u need a space heater from santa this yr. i know the feeling of barely no heat in winter.

Valeriannah said...

This piece is brilliant. I love the cool tones. What a beautiful portrait. Its finally dipped down to the mid 80's here in Az. during the day. Having lived in Alaska for several years, I can definitely relate though.

Digital Scott's Illustrationblog said...

An absolutely mesmerizing face! I looked at this for the longest time...

Bearuh said...

BEAUTIFUL!! You are VERY talented! Glad I found your blog!! I will link to you :D

Wilnara said...

There is something captivating in the eyes. Beautifully done! Thanks for stopping by my blog. It gave me the opportunity to enjoy a lovely piece.

Kathleen Rietz said...

Wow!!! Awesome!! I love your fine art!

Kumikob said...

Gorgeous painting! My studio is cold too because the window doesn't close properly! Brrrr

Alicia Padrón said...

Oh this is so beautiful... Wonderful job. I sthink self portraits are extremely difficult to accomplish. You did a wonderful job though. Also wanted to tell you that I think your book cover of "Children With Visual Impairments" is truly amazing , beautiful and moving... Congratuations! :o)

Nancy Bea Miller said...

Oh thank you everybody! I appreciate your taking a look at such a late posting.

Alicia, many thanks for the compliment on Children with Visual Impairments! That was my very first book cover and I'm rather shyly proud of it.

Ellen said...

You are extremely talented! Love this piece!!!!

ELLA ELVIANA said...

my, you are a REALLY good painter! gosh, i wish i can paint like you. (how many times did i say that already?)

claudine hellmuth said...

beautiful paintings! thanks for your comment on my blog :)

imwithsully said...

Nancy, you are graced with such wonderful talent.

Brine Blank said...

Enjoy the color selections in the face...very nice

Mahmoud said...

WOWWW

bluerose said...

The colors blended for the skin tone definitely look like it was cold. Well done!

Joan Y said...

Whoa, I was just perusing your blog and WOW! you just blew me away! Your sensitive oil paintings are wonderful! Consider yourself bookmarked! Wow!

Unknown said...

love it

Shana said...

Fantastic painting! Glad I visited your site(s), though it took me forever... I love the blues, and the softness in the lips. Congratulations on having your own show!
Shana