Spring is Sprung!

It's been an exciting spring in the art studio. I've just completed my new portfolio book which should be available in the studio within the week. This book is the culmination of many hours' work and I'm thrilled to be sharing it with you!

Luminous Language
A Catalogue of Works by Laurie Nelson

FEMALE FORM EXHIBIT
The Female Form show at the Workhouse Art Center was very well received and was an exciting opportunity to meet with art lovers and fellow artists. A big thank you to my friends and collectors who came out to the opening reception and/or visited this wonderful exhibit during the month of the show. I have a few pictures to share:

Chatting with collector Ellis Glover and fellow artist Susan Glazier during the reception.

Midsummer Night's Dream hanging in the exhibit.

Visiting with collectors Mrs. Marjorie Bertman, Dr. David Bertman and Mr. Ellis Glover during the opening reception.

My talented young voice student, Ryan Alexander, Midsummer and me at the gallery reception.

Birth of Mars hanging in the exhibit.

Gallery shot of the Female Form exhibit.

To check out what is currently happening the Workhouse Art Center, visit
www.workhousearts.org/calendar.php

The Road Less Travelled By, Detail

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzUm0wqhE7E

The Road Less Travelled By

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

...Robert Frost

For a wonderful rendition of this poem by Alan Bates, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzUm0wqhE7E . Union Bank of Switzerland, notwithstanding.

New Painting!

The Road Less Travelled By, 48 x 36 inch, oil on canvas
A girl rides a unicycle in a tree, with her party hat on.

Women Interpreting the Female Form

Two of my paintings, Midsummer Night’s Dream & Birth of Mars have been selected to hang in the juried exhibition "Women Interpreting the Female Form" at the Workhouse Arts Center. The exhibit runs from March 2-27 in Gallery W-16. www.workhousearts.org/events/392/women-interpreting-the-female-form--juried-exhibition,-march-2--27/

There will be an opening reception Sunday, March 6th, from 2 – 4PM. Friends are welcome! For directions and a map of the workhouse art center, visit www.workhousearts.org/directions.php

Life!

Kaboodle in the music studio

Happy February, Valentines and New Year! It's one month into 2011 and life is moving along at its usual mad dash pace. All of the usual challenges keep me busier than a one armed paper hanger; painting, singing, teaching, organizing, submitting artwork and proposals, exercising the body, planning concerts, celebrating birthdays, finding time for fun and love with friends, hubby and family. Whew! I think it's time for a long winter's nap.

The art studio was particulary festive and busy this December; here are some pics of it festooned in holiday finery and felines:

New Commission

Interest in the Woodland painting has led to a commission based on the piece for an office space here in Northern Virginia. My client works with children with special needs and wants artwork for her space that exudes peace and healing energy. At her request, the new piece will be more in the blue palette with accents of rose and clear greens.

New Painting!

The first of a new style for me:


Woodland
30x40" acrylic, oil and liquid gold leaf on canvas

New Painting!

A new piece for my Song Cycle Show.


Lucy In the Sky
36x24" oil on canvas

Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds
The Beatles

Picture yourself in a boat on a river,
With tangerine trees and marmalade skies.
Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly,
A girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

Cellophane flowers of yellow and green,
Towering over your head.
Look for the girl with the sun in her eyes,
And she's gone.

{CHORUS}
Lucy in the sky with diamonds,
Lucy in the sky with diamonds,
Lucy in the sky with diamonds,
Ah... Ah...

{VERSE 2}
Follow her down to a bridge by a fountain,
Where rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies.
Everyone smiles as you drift past the flowers,
That grow so incredibly high.

Newspaper taxis appear on the shore,
Waiting to take you away.
Climb in the back with your head in the clouds,
And you're gone.

{CHORUS}

Picture yourself on a train in a station,
With plasticine porters with looking glass ties.
Suddenly someone is there at the turnstile,
The girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

New Painting!

A new painting for my Song Cycle Show. Coming soon.


Singin' In the Rain
24x36" acrylic, oil and liquid silver leaf on canvas

My expression of this idea is on the dark side. If you read the lyrics thinking satire, you'll get it. In my piece, the universe "melts", the hand of the "almighty" is reaching, the umbrella is leaking, but we sing blithely on.

Lyrics:
Doo-dee-doo-doo-doo
Doo-dee-doo-doo-doo-doo
Doo-dee-doo-doo-doo-doo
Doo-dee-doo-doo-doo-doo...

I'm singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain

Dancin' in the rain
Dee-ah dee-ah dee-ah
Dee-ah dee-ah dee-ah
I'm happy again!
I'm singin' and dancin' in the rain!

New Paintings

One of 3 new pieces for my Song Cycle Show. Where and when are in the works.


A Stitch In Time 36x24" oil on canvas

Jethro Tull Song, A Stitch In Time
Lyrics

A stitch in time saves nine
Said Cock Robin from the wall.
It's an early bird catches the worm.
Show a little pride before you fall.
So I flew to the south sun with birds of a feather
to drink in the warm nights and tell of fine weather.

A stitch in time saves nine.
Said Cock Robin from the wall.
It's an early bird catches the worm.
Show a little pride before you fall.

Listen all you young folk your lives on a timetable,
clocking on twenty-one fly while you're able.
A stitch in time saves nine.
Said Cock Robin from the wall.
It's an early bird catches the worm.
Show a little pride before you fall.

New Painting!

Titania 30x24" oil on canvas

New Painting!
Titania is a commissioned piece, planned as a surprise for my clients' daughter, Lindsey Mitchell. The piece includes many elements which are personal to Lindsey, not least of which is the subject and title. Lindsey played the role of Titania in Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dreame this year at Shenandoah Conservatory. To learn more about Lindsey Mitchell the actor, visit: www.lindseyerinmitchell.com

Winter seems to be finally losing it's grip on Washington DC, but the snowy weather left me with artistically productive time on my hands. A new piece is complete and a commissioned piece is currently on the easel.

Plans are on the table for my brand new art website, and I will be publishing a book of my paintings late this Spring or early this Summer. Pictures of the newest work are coming soon!

December was a busy month, and January promises to be even busier! I'd like to share some photos from an event we attended at the moveable theatre/art space at the Westminster School in Annandale Virginia this December. The event, planned in honor of the birthday of art collector Ellis Glover, doubled as an art show. The evening featured a performance by the Muddy Vesture Band and select pieces from the private art collection of Mr. Glover. My artwork was showcased, as well as paintings by Hector Vargas, Susan Glazier and Steven Schuman. Below, you'll find pictures of the sumptuous evening enjoyed by Mr. Glover's guests, as well as photos of the featured artwork and the Muddy Vesture Band.


The Party


Party guests enjoy the evening. Images of Steven Schuman's "Eyes of the Beholder" and Susan Glazier's "Tangled Hierarchies" grace the backdrop.


Steven Schuman's "Eyes of the Beholder"


Hector Vargas discusses his painting, "Dali's Crosses Guarding the City" with a party guest. "Dali's Crosses Guarding the City" is a 36x40" oil painting on canvas. See more of Hector Vargas' work at http://www.angelfire.com/art2/hectorvargas/


A guest studies my painting, "Ellis" 48x36" oil on canvas. This "Life Portrait" was commissioned by Ellis Glover. Ellis stands amid images of people and places that inspire him. Some images, such as the school tower and the guitar, represent his own life's work both in the arts and in education.


"Ellis" 48x36" oil on canvas


The glowing colors of Susan Glazier's "Presence" create a mystical backdrop.


My piece, "Papageno", is installed at the entrance to the theatre of the Westminster School. This piece is 48x36" and is rendered in oil on canvas. Papageno is the birdman from Mozart's Magic Flute. His name is believed to be a composite in Italian composed of papagalo (parrot) and genio (genius, smart). The meaning becomes: "a smart parrot". The animated sun behind Papageno represents the priest, Sarastro, and his followers; the moon and stars represent the Queen of the Night.


"Papageno" 48x36" oil on canvas


The Muddy Vesture Band featuring Ellis Glover (rhythm guitar and lead vocals), Brent Buckley (lead guitar), Brad Davis (Drums) Bill Flexsenhar (Bass) and Susan Glazier (background vocals). Learn more about Muddy Vesture at www.MuddyVesture.com.

Art work for Accidental Charm's Latest Release

Vintage Accidental Charm, chez the Artist currently known as Laurie Nelson


Accidental Charm will release their current album, "With the Crowd" on Saturday, January 16. I worked with Accidental Charm on the artwork for their last album, "Dream At Your Own Risk" and was commissioned to do the artwork for this CD as well. I worked with Guitartist/Singer/Songwriter Tom Godsman to create a look that worked with his concept for the album; the concept is satirical, with the band heading in the opposite direction from the crowd. This album primarily features the songwriting of Tom Godsman.

To learn more about Accidental Charm, visit www.AccidentalCharm.com

You can also see videos of some of the band's cover material at http://www.youtube.com/user/jackestra AND the albums are for sale on itunes.


Front Cover


Back Cover featuring 4 miniature portraits


Artwork for previous album, Dream at Your Own Risk, Collection Dr. David and Margie Bertman