Duck on a Bike

"Duck on a Bike", acrylic on canvas, 12" x 9"

I have a great collection of vintage toys, and this colorful tin litho duck is one of my favorites. When you wind him up he pedals his little tricycle and his propeller hat spins furiously. So fun to paint!

The Divine Goddess

"Michelle Stretching", charcoal and pastel

Our model at the figure group last week was Michelle, a beautiful dancer and aerialist dressed in her ballet gear. Her poses were lovely. It's easy to see why she bills herself as "The Divine Goddess!"


"Pensive", charcoal and pastel

"Lacing her Shoes", charcoal and pastel

"Michelle's Back", charcoal and pastel

Paris Sketches



Eiffel Tower

We went to Paris in September -- it was fantastic! We rented an apartment on the top floor of a 19th century building across the street from the Jardin des Tuileries and a five-minute walk from the Louvre. The views from our balconies were spectacular! We could see the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, the Hotel des Invalides (Napoleon's Tomb), the Grand Palais, and of course, the Eiffel Tower.  I didn't do nearly as much sketching as I'd thought I would, but I did manage to do these sketches from our balcony.  I took a lot of photos, though, so I have a wealth of images and memories to paint from. So inspired!

The Louvre

The Musee d'Orsay

Hotel des Invalides (dome) and Basilique de Ste. Clotilde (spires)

Susan Monson as La Bonniche

Our model at the Brentwood figure group this week was the beautiful and talented Susan Monson, in character as La Bonniche, the French upstairs maid (aka the girlfriend.)  So fun!

"I will dust your house, but I will not enjoy it!", acrylic on paper

"La Bonniche, Gesture", acrylic on paper

"Dusting Le Tour Eiffel", acrylic on paper

"Le Break", acrylic on paper

"Le Big Pillow", acrylic on paper

"Catching up on le news", acrylic on paper



"Un Petit Nap", acrylic on paper

"Tea with Hedwig", acrylic on paper

"La Bonniche Dreams of Becoming an Actress", acrylic on paper

Vaudie Va Boom

Our model at the Brentwood figure group last night was the lovely Vaudie Va Boom sporting a retro red minidress and shades. In the portrait I'm afraid I didn't really capture her likeness, but I hope it at least catches a glimmer of her glowing spirit.

 

Vaudie Va Boom, acrylic on paper

Vaudie Reclining, acrylic on paper

Gesture with Sunglasses, acrylic on paper

Vaudie at the Table's Edge, acrylic on paper

 

Vaudie Becomes One with the Chair, acrylic on paper

New Drawing Class for Adults and Teens

"Toy Tractor", pencil sketch by Nancy Roberts

I love to draw!  If you do too, but feel like you could use a little jump-start, here's a class I'm offering at the Delta Gallery in Brentwood starting October 2 (new date):

Drawing with Confidence (Adults and Teens age 13 and up)  If you already have some drawing experience and would like to strengthen your skills you'll enjoy this fun and encouraging class. Working from life, photos, memory and imagination, you'll explore techniques for rendering your subject realistically while also expressing your own creative vision. Students who've worked with Nancy before will receive new challenges to build on personal progress. Plan to bring your own supplies. For a list of suggested materials visit www.nancyrobertsstudio.com/materials.  Instructor: Nancy Roberts. Fee: $95 (5 weeks)  Fridays, Oct. 2 - Oct. 30 (new dates), 4 - 6 pm (new time)

To register for the class call the Delta Gallery at (925) 516-5935 to reserve your spot, then pay in person before the class begins. The gallery is located in the Streets of Brentwood Shopping Center, 2485 Sand Creek Rd., Suite 128, next to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

I also offer classes for kids at the gallery.  Click here to see my Fall schedule.  I hope to see you soon!


"Half Dome from the Merced River", pencil sketch by Nancy Roberts




Hillside Home

"Hillside Home", acrylic on canvas, 16" x 12"

One of my collectors commissioned me to do a portrait of his home in the Oakland Hills. It was a pleasure painting this beautiful house with its lovely palette of soft greens, peachy golds and natural wood elements. The Japanese maple in the front yard gave me a good excuse to use my favorite red-violets, and the eucalyptus grove across the street cast a pretty pattern of cool shadows.