Fine Art WebSite

I've happened upon a new (to me) website this summer, while meandering through the internet. It's Fine Art America and gives all artists and designers a venue to show and sell their work online...inexpensively and easily.

Although many artists and designers have their own website, this site seems to be a community that allows us to connect, look at what's going on in the art world around us, buy some if we are interested in it, as well as offer up some of our own work for sale.

As a first time user, the process was nearly painless. It's easy to upload, price and market your work (can connect to Facebook with a click.)

So...take a look at this at the site...whether you're a photographer, fine artist or something in between, this may give you a gallery online and another chance for the world to see your work :)

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/nancy-slater.html

Let me know what you think!

Sketching...a combination of meditation and pure joy

Working on sketchbook...having a great time drawing...forgot how much fun it is...how relaxing...and how gratifying.

What is it about drawing with graphite that is so satisfying to me? The resulting art isn't necessarily terrific, the subject matter is normally mundane, but there is something about sketching that IS great. In the last couple of weeks (with my pencil) I've discussed my political beliefs, studied those great little lizards that occupy every corner of my yard, looked very closely at a bottle of beer I was drinking and drawing, did a study of a flower in a painting, made up a cup pattern, studied and drew a tea bag with intensity...and the list goes on. So to remind myself of the reasons to draw when I get busy with life and don't...here goes:

For those of you who draw or sketch, you'll understand this...first, when drawing and listening to music, tv, etc., it seems to forever link my drawing with that particular activity, show, music or occurrence. I love to look back at sketches and sketchbooks and remember.

Secondly, it's way that I can do art and continually revise (with the eraser) parts of the art that I don't like. It's like looking at life in black and white...what you like, you keep...what you don't, you get rid of with no ill effects. Simple. Especially gratifying when I wish my life was simpler...but isn't.

Thirdly, less toxic, less messy, more portable than a lot of other mediums...you can travel lightly and use the tools in good health.

And finally, while you can draw with the computer and get great results as well...drawing with a pencil in your hand is an unbeatable high. And...the more you do it, the more you love it, the better you get at it. Try it! You'll love it!

Doing some freelance work this summer...

Herrera Homes Rentals

Another endeavor...just in case there wasn't enough to do in my life. Here's a link to it's website along with the blog associated with it.

Let me know what you think.

http://www.sandovalslater.com/

http://herrerahomes.blogspot.com/

Creating in Italy...

It's been almost twenty years since spending six weeks in Perugia, Italy. Still looking back on it with great memories, occasionally I'll pull out sketch books created during that time.

Here is some verse written then...

Light
 
Reflecting back on previous journeys
Tiny flecks of light appear--
Giving sparks to imagination,
flames to passion, and
illuminating our passages
through dark tunnels that lie ahead.

Occasionally, faltering and flickering,
The lights diminish...
Until almost sightlessly
We blunder and plunder
Through thickets and brambles
Ripping yesterday's wounds,
Trekking through today's uncertainties
Towards tomorrow's unknowns.

Yet when our way seems lost
And darkness inevitable,
The flecks reignite...
Like flashes of lightening piercing the sky,
Brightness becomes our life,
Pathways are straight, our journey direct;
Today a pleasant reality
Tomorrow a warm promise of desire fulfilled.

-Nancy Sandoval Slater

And a drawing completed from photographs of the trip...aaahhhh...such great memories :) Am thankful to this universe for a life well lived thus far...and the promise for so much more to come!

Mother's Day_2012

Looking at past mothers' days, this one seems to be one of the best. And maybe all seem to be that way the day after, right? Although one of my children is working out of town and was unable to come over, he did remember call/text me...wished he could have been here too. The others were there, with their children...what a great day.

Starting motherhood at the barely legal age of eighteen (during the late 60's it was either war or parenthood), my own mother and father helped tremendously. Babysitting had not been one of my favorite activities and this coupled with having no younger brothers or sisters, having a baby was a shock! Being a voracious reader (parenting books) and with a supportive family, somehow my first daughter made it through my novice parenting skills to become a successful lawyer, loving, giving, doting mother and great partner to her husband Rick. Their son is brilliant and will do great things for humanity some day.

Over the next several years and a couple of failed marriages my instincts for mothering did improve. Still a career woman, homemaking seemed to be always rushed...fast food, quick kisses good night, and on to the next item on my list. That and a philosophy that in order to take care of anyone (parents, children, spouses, friends and relatives) you had to take care of yourself made me a mom of dubious skills (in my eyes.)

How then...did my offspring develop into such good parents themselves? My second daughter has her masters degree in life skills, and has worked at a woman's shelter for several years. She is a thoughtful, pragmatic, risk-taker. She's a great partner to Nick and the absolute best mom to my grandson...how does that happen? Although she mirrors me (she probably doesn't realize that) in many instances, she is a much smarter mom....and her son is so lucky to have her. He will be a gentle giant in whatever he chooses to pursue...something active as he is all movement!

My first son and third child is brilliant, extremely hardworking and will develop into a great businessman, and I fear, a staunch Republican. He has slowly completed his bachelors degree while working full time (with excessive amounts of overtime) the entire time. We rarely agree on politics (me being a staunch anti-Republican) but we do agree on the value of smart, hard work. His daughter does not see him often enough unfortunately as he has so much to give. My hope is that he will soon realize his value to her (and to the world) and start giving back to them both. She is his 'spitting image' with a smart, vivacious, live hardy attitude.


My second son and fourth child is the one that reminds me most of my father. Sensitive and sincere, his son is so lucky to have him as his dad. I watch as he teaches him math on the garage floor, science in pond scum, and the value of hard work on the excavator. Although he hasn't fulfilled MY desire for him to go to college, he follows his own path...taking over his dad's excavating business and prioritizing it after his family...something neither his dad nor me could figure out how to do. He too is brilliant...one of those that just figures things out, by looking, thinking and trying (all things.) His son is brilliant too...knows how to turn on the charm...and hopefully will prioritize learning, as he could rule the earth with his smile and his smarts.

And that's how it looks this year...can't wait for the next to see how things develop!

Kimberly Page Creations: The end of a wonderful winter semester is h...

Kimberly Page Creations:        The end of a wonderful winter semester is h...:        The end of a wonderful winter semester is here. This is our Portfolio class all together. Many of these students are going on to ot...

Agreed, Kim! Couldn't have said it better myself...so I didn't :)