Nadine Yura - Calligraphy of Color

I hope this painting speaks to you as it's subject spoke to me. Please enjoy "Summertime" 8" x 8" Oil on Canvas. 

Sometimes it is a challenge to find subject matter to paint. Sometimes when I find an object or an idea that sparks my interest it takes me a long time to set up an interesting composition, longer than it takes to paint it! 

BUT I am a firm believer in this quote from Florence Scovel Shinn, "the thing you are seeking is seeking you". This painting is evidence of that. This straw cowboy hat when I am not wearing it when working in the yard to shield my face from the sun, sits perched on top of my china cabinet. It is my summertime go-to hat. One morning while have tea at the dining room table I could swear I heard the hat yell "PAINT ME!". I looked up at it and  immediately visualized the painting then sketched it in charcoal . 

Here is the study for "Summertime". 

Although you cannot see their titles the three books chosen randomly for this composition represent treasured memories of my past.

My father was Cantor of our church for many years and throughout  those years accumulated a vast library of  books on liturgical music, cantoring, church history, bibles and prayer books. So many of the books where gifts from priests and  friends who by giving them to my father knew that they would be studied and cherished.  

The middle and bottom books hold the prayers for different Liturgies. Both are slightly tattered, but I especially  love the beautiful deep burgundy ribbon in the middle book marking a page last read . On top is actually my prayer book from my First Holy Communion. 

I tried to keep the brushwork loose in this painting but there was SO MANY beautifully colored shadows and highlights bouncing off the vibrant red of the textile onto the books that just begged to be painted! I couldn't help myself! 

Please enjoy the fourth painting in my Treasured Series "From the Library" 8" x  8" Oil on Panel