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

Round Valley Rhythms

"Round Valley Rhythms", acrylic on canvas, 12" x 12" by Nancy Roberts, © 2016

I started this at Round Valley Regional Preserve in the Spring and finished it in my studio today. I love painting this beautiful area with its patchwork of oak trees, grassy slopes and vineyards cradling the quiet banks of Marsh Creek.

May the Fourth (be with you)

"Aja Victorious", charcoal and pastel by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

 Last year on May 4th Aja de Coudreaux and her friend Alain Bloch donned their Star Wars gear to pose for our figure group in Brentwood. Alain teaches Star Wars-themed saber choreography at the Golden Gate Knights Academy in San Francisco, so his poses with the light saber were very active and dramatic. What a treat it was to draw these two talented people!

"Allies", charcoal and pastel by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

"Dueling", charcoal by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

"Aja Vanquished", charcoal and pastel by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

"Alain Vanquished", charcoal and pastel by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

"The Challenge", charcoal by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

Jersey Island Twilight

"Jersey Island Twilight", acrylic on canvas 12" x 24" by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

I live near an archipelago of beautiful delta islands, wide open spaces inhabited by cows and shore birds. Huge, graceful power towers stride across the landscape and cast heroic shadows as the sun sets over a distant slough.​

Peach Blossoms

"Peach Blossoms", acrylic on canvas, 12" x 12", Nancy Roberts copyright 2016

Started this one during a paint-out with friends at the old peach orchard on Eureka Avenue in Brentwood.  The pink blossoms were dazzling!

Orchard Storm

"Orchard Storm", acrylic on canvas 16" x 12" by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

These old, gnarly peach trees produce the most glorious pink blossoms every year. I started this painting in the orchard a couple of days ago as storm clouds loomed, and finished it today in my studio.

Siouxsie the Banshee

"Siouxsie, gesture one", charcoal by Nancy Roberts

Our model at the Brentwood figure group this week was the beautiful and talented Susan Monson in character as Siouxsie the Banshee.  Channeling a hippie vibe and playing a Native American flute, this Banshee can steal your soul by doing your laundry.

"Siouxsie, gesture two", charcoal by Nancy Roberts

"Siouxsie, gesture three", charcoal and acrylic by Nancy Roberts

"Siouxsie Seated", acrylic by Nancy Roberts

"Siouxsie Reclining", acrylic by Nancy Roberts