Pondering Picasso

"Pondering Picasso", acrylic on wood, 8" x 6", © Nancy Roberts

As this couple contemplated one of my favorite Picassos, I loved how they almost became one with the painting. This is Picasso's "Arlequin et Femme au Collier" at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. (Sold)

Sacre Coeur



"Sacre Coeur", acrylic on wood, 8" x 6", © Nancy Roberts

I loved this amazing view through one of the huge clocks at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, with Sacre Coeur gleaming above a mosaic of rooftops. Now available at Delta Gallery in Brentwood, www.deltagallery.com.

Bead Buddy

"Bead Buddy", oil on canvas, 6" x 6", © Nancy Roberts

I love this vintage baby toy with his cute roundness and cheerful pastel colors! For this little painting I decided to place him in a bright, amorphous space, the way a baby might see him.

Texting at the Louvre

"Texting at the Louvre", oil on canvas, 16" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

I saw this young woman sitting in a window alcove at the Louvre, focused intently on her phone. In the soft window glow, surrounded by gleaming marble, she had a quiet, timeless beauty.

Blackhawk Cascades

"Blackhawk Cascades", acrylic on canvas, 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

A few weeks ago I painted at Blackhawk Plaza during the Alamo Danville Artists' Society's annual Primavera event as one of the featured plein air artists. This upscale mall in Danville, California has a beautifully-landscaped creek running through its central open space, splashing and gurgling its way down a series of terraced levels. The place is alive with ducks and kids playing with ducks.  It was a fun day!

For anyone who's interested, here are some shots of my painting in progress.  I finished it a few days later at home in the studio. (Sold)

Beyond the Knot Garden

"Beyond the Knot Garden", acrylic on canvas 12" x 12", by Nancy Roberts, © 2016

A couple of weeks ago I spent a lovely day painting at Filoli, the beautiful historic estate in Woodside, California.  Beyond the highly-manicured formal gardens I came upon the Knot Garden, a fragrant jumble of heather, sage and herbs planted in a Celtic knot design. With the late-afternoon sun glowing through the woods, this spot had a peaceful, almost mystical feeling.

The Knot Garden at Filoli

Knot Garden and red hedge

My view, with the Knot Garden in the foreground

My block-in

My painting, almost complete