30daychallenge Archives

2 Sep 2018

Lessons from the Estes Valley Plein Air Quick Draw

by nelia | posted in: floral, Plein Air | 0

Yesterday, I went up to the Estes Valley Plein Air Quick Draw with friend and artist Andrea Gabel. We went to cheer on Jenifer Cline and pick up some tips and watch the artists paint, and see the art show. We wandered around, looking at easels, brushes, paint tubes, and … Read More

1 Sep 2018

Conversations like these

by nelia | posted in: Plein Air | 0

It’s conversations like these that keep me moving forward. Anything here sound familiar? MAE: So, are you going to do the Strada Easel Challenge this month? (MAE: my alter ego) Me: Oh, I don’t know. I thought I’d take this one off. MAE: Really, why? Me: Well, I want to … Read More

"Curiosities" 5x7, oil on panel, © Nelia Harper

4 Sep 2017

Curiosities – Day 4 Strada Easel Challenge

by nelia | posted in: Oil, Still Life | 0

Are all artists collectors? Since I was a little girl, I loved to collect things – especially miniature versions of things. Perhaps that is why I enjoy painting small? For Day 4 of the Strada Easel Challenge, I chose to paint a vignette from my collection. Knowing I had a … Read More

"Mini Pumpkin", 5x7, oil on panel, © Nelia Harper

3 Sep 2017

Strada Easel Challenge Day1-3

by nelia | posted in: Oil, Still Life | 0

Do you paint daily? Well, the announcement of the Strada Easel Challenge to paint from life for the month of September has spurred me to paint daily for the next 27 days (we are already three days in). Although I like the idea of blogging every day, I don’t think … Read More

Available Artwork

Sale!

"Through the Fog" - Egg Tempera - 12x9 on Board © Nelia Harper

Into the Fog Greeting Card | 5×7

5×7 Greeting Card

Blank Inside

Printed in heavy-duty #110 lb cardstock.

Includes white envelope.

~~$3.50~~ $3.00 Add to cart

Sold

Schoolhouse

Perched on top of the rise, this old schoolhouse looks out over the tranquil Yampa River valley and Sleeping Indian Mountain. As I painted this scene during the Steamboat Art Museum Plein Air Event, clouds rolled across the valley and I imagined what how it felt to walk to school during the winter months when the land was being settled.

plein air

oil on canvas panel, 8×16

Steamboat Springs, CO

unframed

Meadow of Gold Archival Print

This Limited Edition Archival Giclée is printed on smooth 100% acid free cotton rag, natural white, heavyweight fine art paper. As an archival, museum quality paper, this print has a light fastness rating of 100+ years under normal indoor lighting conditions.

The print is shipped in a protective clear envelope with acid-free foam core, ready to present as a gift or frame.

Each print is numbered and signed by the artist.

Size: 8×10 with a half inch white border

Limited to 250 prints.

original painting, pastel, 8×10

$35.00 Add to cart

Beside Still Waters

Mist hung in the air. Clouds filled the sky. I rounded the corner, and was startled by the blaze of fall color. The trees seemed lit from within. I was drawn to the tumultuous contrast of rioting color against the mirror like smoothness of the river. As I painted, stillness hung in the air. Two fishermen worked their way up the Poudre River, calling out as they cast and caught fish. Completed en plein air.

8×10, oil on canvas panel

plein air

unframed

$80.00 Add to cart

Sold

"Peach Study" 5x5, Pastel, © Nelia Harper

Peach Study in Pastel

I’ve been looking forward to summer and doing a peach study in pastel for a larger painting. Each year, Morton’s Organic Orchards sets up their fruit stand at the nearby farmer’s market. They begin with cherries that are so deep and dark in color, flavor and sugar that I feel ‘drunk’ after just a few morsels.

Following on the heels of the cherries, the peaches arrive. Clingstone peaches appear first – small and sweet. Then, giant freestone peaches arrive by the truckload, covered in peach fuzz. They line up, ready to be turned into pies and jams and in my case, ice cream and smoothies.

These little orbs of sweetness are surprisingly solid. I wanted the viewer to feel as though they could be picked up and held, as well as eaten.

pastel, still life, 5×5

$65.00 Read more

Twirling Syd, 16x22, pastel on UArt © Nelia Harper

Twirling Syd Archival Print

Each print is numbered and signed by the artist.

Size: 10 x 13 3/8 with a one inch white border

Each print is matted and packaged in a clear sleeve, fits a standard 12×16 inch frame.

Additional sizes available upon request.

$65.00 Add to cart