NANCY SALAMOUNY

My Four Leaf Clover

2011-03-13T16:42:00.006+02:00

60x45cm Acrylic on Canvas

Looking for and finding a four leaf clover is amazing... sometimes I wonder if they even exist. Well in this painting the four leaf clover does exist. The model is my youngest daughter Julia. Here I am depicting her as a celtic goddess... with long red flowing hair with celtic styled swirls in it. I wish her all the happiness life can bring . This painting is one of a series I am doing of my two daughters who inspire me everyday with their beauty... inner and outer! I am putting together a calendar of these paintings... I still have quite a way to go, but I am loving this project.

Mother and Daughter... by the seaside

2010-06-23T19:37:00.002+03:00

Orignal Artwork 17.5x16.5cm Acrylic on Wood Panel

This is part of a summer series I am working on "en plein air" while I work on my suntan too!

Beach Buddies, Acrylic Painting on Wood

2010-06-10T17:21:00.004+03:00

Original Artwork 17.5x16cm Acrylic on Wood Panel

I did the original sketch one year ago, last June which you can see in my previous blogs, of some unsuspecting beach goers...Tamara and Patrick who were enjoying the sun, surf and drinks. I finally found the time to dig up this old sketch and had some fun painting it!

Digging on the Beach

2010-06-09T12:13:00.003+03:00

Original artwork 17.5x16cm Acrylic on wood panel

I've been spending as much time as I can sketching on the beach, enjoying and relaxing seaside with so many unsuspecting models and figures to draw! Then when I get back to my studio, I paint. I hope to complete 5 of these a week!

Otto's Coffee Shoppe New York - Original Acrylic Painting

2010-06-02T16:36:00.004+03:00

Original Artwork 30x25 cm Acrylic Painting on Wood Panel

This is a commissioned painting of a landmarked coffee shoppe in Tribecca, New York, 42 Beech Street. Looks pretty inviting so if your in the neighborhood, please do stop in for a steamy brew! Below is the snapshot which was given to me to work from...

Bird Feeding

2010-05-28T18:02:00.002+03:00

Acrylic Painting 20x30cm on 300gram paper

Acrylic Still Life Paintings....so l d ! ! !

2009-06-21T09:52:00.010+03:00

Yesterday I was so pleased when I opened my Redbubble account to find tht I had sold TWO mounted prints of two of my favorite paintings. I hope the buyers will be happy and satisfied!

Weather I sell myart or not I absolutely love to create my art but when somebody actually pays for it, well it makes me feel that I am doing something right.

Still Life and Arch Window 1

Still Life and Arch Window 2

Life is a Beach... and I'm a Beach Bum

2009-06-07T20:32:00.005+03:00

HEY... I CAUGHT SOME SUN RAYS THIS WEEKEND!

What a great weekend... after one month at home (and a week in the hospital), I finally ventured out. I had to, I was so pale I was nearly invisible. So yesterday and today I made it to the seaside (Rimal Beach). It was a smooth ride, no traffic because of the Lebanese elections going on and so the country has shut down for 3 days. WOW.... sun sun sun... I laid down on a reclining beach chair by the pool side and didn't move, well just a little. I made a bunch of sketches of mostly unsuspecting beach goers; all of them so fit, beautiful, either relaxing, soaking in the sun or just sitting on the pool edge.....

This is Tamara and Patrick having drinks over a conversation.... I'd tell you what they were saying but I couldn't hear them. They had no idea I was drawing them, but they saw the sketch afterward and liked it !

This Is Hala Rassi, also an unsuspecting model... she was a great model... Beautiful and didn't move much!! Thanks Hala. Hala was with a group of very charming friends... I hope they like their pictures and hope to see them soon at Rimal!!!

This is Michel Aynati... one of Hala's friends... he knew I was sketching him... a funny guy and also a pretty good model (he moved a bit because he was enjoying his smoke). His wife asked me to put some hair on his head but I thought he looked cool the way he is!!!

And these are some more beautiful poolside girls.... great poses!

So I hope you like my quick figure drawings. Maybe some will turn up in later paintings. I had a great weekend making them and I guess that's what really matters!

Providence Rhode Island Downtown Skyline

2009-06-04T20:26:00.004+03:00

These paintings of mine are a little tribute to my home state, Rhode Island. Take a look and then have fun reading the facts about RI.

Providence at Night View
Acrylic 40x30cm

(donated to Saint Raphael Academy, Pawtucket 2007 Spring Auction)

A Rainbow Providence

Watercolor and Black Marker

40x20cm

Providence, Rhode Island...... a Colorful City

Watercolor and Oil Pastel

40x30cm

Rhode Island Facts and Trivia

1. Rhode Island is the smallest state in size in the United States. It covers an area of 1,214 square miles. Its distances North to South are 48 miles and East to West 37 miles.

2. Rhode Island was the last of the original thirteen colonies to become a state.

3. Rhode Island shares a state water border with New York.

4. The Cogswell Tower in Central Falls was the site of an Indian observation point in use during King Phillips War in 1676. The tower was built in 1904 as part of the last will and testament of Caroline Cogswell.

5. Rhode Island never ratified the 18th Amendment prohibition.

6. Polo was played for the first time in the United States in 1876 near Newport.

7. Rhode Island was home to the first National Lawn Tennis Championship in 1899.

8. St. Mary's, Rhode Island's oldest Roman Catholic parish was founded in 1828. The church is best known as the site of the wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier to John Fitzgerald Kennedy in 1953.
9. The state was home to the first open golf tournament. The event occurred in 1895.

10. Rhode Island has no county government. It is divided into 39 municipalities each having its own form of local government.

11. The Flying Horse Carousel is the nation’s oldest carousel. It is located in the resort town of Watch Hill.

12. The first circus in the United States was in Newport in 1774.

13. Ann and Hope was the first discount department store in the United States the property was opened in Rhode Island.

14. Rhode Island is home to the Tennis Hall of Fame.

15. Rhode Island's official state name is Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

16. George M. Cohan was born in Providence in 1878. He wrote, "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy," "You're a Grand Old Flag," and a wide variety of other musical entertainment.

17. Rhode Island is known for making silverware and fine jewelry.

18. The world's largest bug is on the roof of New England Pest Control in Providence. It's a big blue termite, 58 feet long and 928 times actual termite size.

19. At the Point Judith corrosion test site material samples sit exposed for years and are analyzed to determine the toll taken by ocean air and the sun.

20. Rhode Islanders were the first to take military action against England by sinking one of her ships in the Narragansett Bay located between Newport and Providence. The English ship was called "The Gaspee".

21. Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first practical working model of Democracy after he was banished from Plymouth, Massachusetts because of his "extreme views" concerning freedom of speech and religion.

22. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams publicly acknowledged Roger Williams, as the originator of the concepts and principles reflected in The First Amendment. Among those principles were freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of public assembly.

23. The era know as The Industrial Revolution started in Rhode Island with the development and construction in 1790 of Samuel Slater's water-powered cotton mill in Pawtucket.

24. The first British troops sent from England to squash the revolution landed in Newport.

25. Though second in command to George Washington, Nathaniel Greene, a Rhode Islander, is acknowledged by many historians as having been the most capable and significant General of the Revolutionary effort. Cornwallis feared Greene and his forces most. Greene ultimately defeated Cornwallis.

26. Standing 11 feet tall and 278 feet above ground the Independent Man is a gold-covered, bronze statue placed atop the State House on December 18, 1899.

27. A reproduction of the original Liberty Bell is in the entrance hall on the south entrance to the State House. It was donated to the people of the state by the United States Treasury Department in 1950, when Harry S. Truman was president. It is about 3-1/2 feet tall and the diameter of the bell at its widest part is approximately 3-1/2 feet. It is such a realistic copy that is even has a crack similar to the original Liberty Bell.

28. At Little Compton is home to the gravesite of the first girl born to colonists in New England. The baby was the daughter of pilgrims John and Priscilla Alden.

29. Warwick enjoys a reputation of being Rhode Island’s Retail Capital.

30. Built in 1880 Channing Memorial Church was named for William Ellery Channing, a leader in the Unitarian Church and the abolitionist movement. Julia Ward Howe, author of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic", attended this church.

31. The White Horse Tavern was built in 1673 and is the oldest operating tavern in the United States.

32. Rhode Island Red Monument in Adamsville pays homage to the world-famous poultry breed.

33. Rhode Island founder Roger Williams established the First Baptist Church in America in 1638. The existing structure was built in 1775

34. Settled in 1642 Pawtuxet Village in Warwick lays claim to being New England’s oldest village.

35. The Redwood Library and Athenaeum in Newport is the United States' oldest library building.

36. The Crescent Park Carousel in East Providence is the official state symbol of folk art.

37. New England's oldest Masonic Temple in Warren was built in the 18th century with timbers from British frigates sunk in Newport Harbor during the Revolutionary War.

38. Nine Men's Misery monument in Cumberland is the oldest known monument to veterans in the United States. It was erected in memory of the colonists killed in Pierce's Fight during King Phillips War in 1676.

39. Portsmouth is home to the oldest schoolhouse in the United States. The school was built in 1716.

40. Since 1785 Bristol has the longest running, unbroken series of 4th of July Independence Day observances in the country.

41. The Touro Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in North America. Built in 1763 the synagogue houses the oldest torah in North America.

42. Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge in Foster is the only remaining covered bridge in Rhode Island.

43. The first Afro-American regiment to fight for America made a gallant stand against the British in the Battle of Rhode Island.

44. The first torpedo boat "Stiletto" was built in Bristol in 1887.

45. Pelham Street in Newport was the first street in the country to use gas-illuminated streetlights.

46. Cumberlandite is the official state rock. It is dark brown or black with white markings and found on both sides of Narragansett Bay but not north of Cumberland.

47. The Quonset hut was invented at Quonset Point a key naval reserve base.

48. Jerimoth Hill is the state's highest point at 812 feet above sea level.

49. Newport. Judge Darius Baker imposed the first jail sentence for speeding in an automobile on August 28, in 1904

An Apple a day....watercolor

2009-06-03T15:19:00.005+03:00

An Apple a Day...

Watercolor 20x30cm

I thought that since I am well on my way to a full recovery, that I would post this cute little crisp watercolor painting... you know what they say... an apple a day keeps the doctor away... so have two!

Once upon a time my back went... but now I'm BACK!!! (pun intended)

2009-06-01T14:07:00.008+03:00

Once upon a time....

Me and My Stage Set

8x2 meters Tempera Paint on Styrofoam Boards

This is where I was one month ago... happy, at work teaching art and preparing one of the three stage sets for the school's Year End Show.... I guess I could say this stage set was like the old saying "The straw that broke the camel's back". Or should I say this is "The stage that broke my back!" I really shouldn't put all the blame on this beautiful stage (which I painted over the course of 2 days, about 6 or 7 hours total time; in between teaching my art classes). But this is actually the last project I was working on when I felt my back go wrong. First of all I should clarify that I have had back problems (a surgery a dozen years ago), but I have always seemed to be able to bounce back after several days if I had an episode.... But last month, I guess my back was ready for a revamp.

The pain came fast and hard. So on doctors orders, not that I had a choice (I couldn't even walk), I was sent to home to rest, with an appointment for an MRI the following week and a bag of drugs... anti-inflamatoires, pain killers and more pain killers. After a week of no sleep and constant pain in my back and my leg (which was NUMB and PAINFUL at the same time) the day of the MRI arrived; this was an excrutiating event in that I had to lie flat on my BACK for 30 minutes and I had not been able to lie flat on my back now for over WEEK! But I was determined to find out how to remedy my back and got through the MRI. The MRI revealed a second shattered and fragmented disc impinging on several nerves and surgery was needed ...asap.

Below is one of many drawings I had done during the week between the MRI and awaiting my surgery. The days and nights just didn't seem to stop rolling and they were all the same...painful. I wasn't sleeping, nor eating much, just enough to take the pills with. On the side of the drawing I wrote the phrase:

The days are long, the nights are longer

The pills are strong, the pain is stronger

I hated the nights... I should be sleeping....everyone else was sleeping and dreaming and finding relief from their daily lives. But for me the weeks before surgery were just one long stretch without relief.

Finally,the day of the surgery arrived!!! It has now been 10 days since my surgery and I am home recuperating. I have come through it a new and whole and painfree person. I thank my doctor, Dr Elie Daou for his expertise and care in restoring my health; I am truly in debt to him and my loving family and all the staff at the hospital that took care of me.

They say when God closes one door, He opens a window somewhere. I believe this. Since the surgery, I have been able to reprioritize myself, and health is up there on top. I also found that my art was a saving grace....as I felt it, I sketched it and somehow the pain would go out through my hand to the pencil to the paper and it made some sort of therapy for me.

So now I am more than happy! I am being very patient, a patient patient. The healing process needs to take its time. But I am happy to let it take its time and mend my back, hopefully stronger than before.

One week prior to my back problems I was fortunate to have hooked up with an online community of artists at Redbubble. I had uploaded some of my favorite pieces of art work and was thrilled to recieve great feedback. I even made a sale the first week!!!$$$ So now, not only am I am home recovering physically and healthwise, but with Redbubble I am also rejuvenating my passion and love of art and appreciating the gift I have as well as the incredible gifts of my fellow artists! "click here too see my art":http://www.redbubble.com/people/nancysalamouny

"click here too see my Gallery":http://nancysalamouny.redbubble.com/

Bechara Church, Lebanon....from Photo to Sketch to Watercolor to Greeting Card

2009-05-14T20:17:00.006+03:00

Unfortunately I have been in bed for over a week now with a back problem. I have not been able to step out of the house for one week and I am stuck in bed. Usually most days I enjoy a morning walk, not just for health and exercise reasons but mostly because I always feel good after a 30-50minute morning walk, gets the inspiration flowing (and perspiration), gives me time to think through my day. And I ALWAYS have my eyes open looking for a spot to sit and sketch and paint or take photos later on; a scene just beckoning to me.

Last week I had started a new series of small paintings(20x20cm) of Beirut scenes (mostly upclose windows, balconies, ... and had hoped to complete 2 a week.... Well due to my back, that's not going to happen now. But I would like to post a series I did about a year ago. The subject is a beautiful greek Orthodox Church, Bechara (which tranlslate from arabic to english as The Church of the Annunciation). This church is just around the corner from my house and I can hear the church bells ring every morning at 7:00,usually when I am putting on my walking sneakers, but not this week. And as I lay here, the sound of the church bells reminds me not only of a beautiful day last year when I had sat and painted the church's dome, but it reminds me of all the beauty waiting out there.

So following is the pencil sketch I did while sitting on the steps of yet another church (St Antoine) which is just diagonnally across the street from Bechara.

After a 3 hour session sitting and drawing the church, I returned home and began the watercolor. The original artwork is 40x35cm on 300g Canson Coldpress. (this painting was a gift to the Parish Priest at the church). But greeting cards of this painting are available for sale at my Redbubble site. (see the redbubble link above at top of blog)

And below is a shot I took of the church while I was sketching so that I could refer back to it for colors and lighting. As you can see in the foreground there is a wall of metal panels.... a high rise building is being erected there...and unfortunately, it will block this view (they are already about 5 or 6 flights built up now). So I am grateful I had the time and the opportunity to capture the church in my photo, sketch and watercolor. (I've stated in previous posts about how the city is being reshaped with new high rises... there are still a lot of paintings and shots to get done before these views are all obstructed!)

Abstract Art in my Gallery

2009-05-08T13:19:00.002+03:00

A Painting in a Painting with a Doorway

100x90cm Acrylic on Canvas

Abstract with Green Triangle and Turning Page

100x80cm Acyrlic on Canvas

I enjoy the challenge of painting abstract art, to let the shapes and colors merge in and out and find their place on my canvas. It is always a challenge when an empty canvas stares back at me, challenging me sometimes; inviting me sometimes. What image or feeling do I want to express. Is there something in me trying to surface? If I chose to set up a still life, or paint a view from the neighborhood or perhaps a lounging woman then I have a starting point. But an abstract piece of art, there is no exact point where to start. It doesn't come from looking out and trying to paint what you see, it comes from within and trying to paint how you are feeling. So how do I begin... I just feel it and let the drawing come from inside me and through my hand to my canvas and enjoy the journey! Its like if you need to write a composition, if you can just write the first sentence or two, the words begin to spill out one after amtoher.

New Series of Painted Views of Lebanon: AUB, Lebanese Balcony and Stain Glass Window

2009-05-03T18:55:00.005+03:00

I have painted on location in my neighborhood in Beirut (usually with my watercolors) and had to deal with the noise, traffic, weather... just the overall hecticness of painting on location in a city. And sometimes I have seen a great view for a potential painting when i'm walking through the city but didn't have the time or my art materials with me. So now I have taken many photographs, digital pictures that I can refer to in my studio to develop paintings. Sometimes if I just go through my pictures, I'll remeber a view... a balcony, a doorway, a vegtable stand... and either pack up my stuff and off to paint it. Or, in my studio work from the picture and my memory and even go back to the location with my work to further paint it. There is just so much inspiration and views which I want to do that I have started a New Series of Acrylic Paintings on a small scale 20x20cm on wood panels. Following are the first set of paintings in this series. My goal is to complete 2 a week. If your interested in purchasing, please contact me nsalamouny@hotmail.com

American University of Beirut
20x20cm Acrylic on Wood

The following painting is of a typical balcony of a Lebanese house but with the added feature of the carpets...as I sat and painted this one on sight I thought about how my own carpets could use a cleaning. But I’d rather paint right now.

Lebanese Balcony with Hanging Carpets
20x20cm Acrylic on Wood

Lebanese House with Stain Glass Windows
20x20cm Acrylic on Wood

Woman Reading

2009-05-01T22:05:00.002+03:00

Woman Reading

120x 60cm Acrylic on canvas

This is a favorite pasttime of mine, reading. If I am not painting I love to read. But lately the painting is taking over. I am spending more time walking in my neighborhood and finding inspiration in the things we usually overlook. It takes focus and discipline to keep your eyes and heart open to your surroundings, don't take everything for granted. Tke time to appreciate what youe senses are therefore...look....smell.... listen... touch... Enjoy it!

Girls Night Out

2009-04-28T21:14:00.003+03:00

Girls Night Out

Acrylic on Canvas 50x45cm

Above is a whimsical painting, in which I may have been inspired by my three beautiful sisters living back home in the USA and who I miss so much!!! I picture them out on the town, dressed to kill (no husbands 'round) enjoying exotic drinks with sexy names. But in reality they really enjoy quiet nights at each others homes, playing scrabble... but the sexy exotic drinks would be there as well. Cheers!

I Have news today regarding my internet expanse... besides this being my third day blogging and I am happy with it I've been asking all my friends and collegues about displaying my art work on the web, the low down. I was guided to a few sites and today I joined a website where you can view and purchase my whimsical art work as prints and greeting cards. Check it out... the site is http://www.redbubble.com/ and if you put in the search bar on the top right my full name without spapces (nancysalamouny) my work will pop up. So go see and let me know what you think.

A Little Pink House in Lebanon

2009-04-27T22:16:00.004+03:00

PINK HOUSE

Acrylic on Canvas

100 x 100cm

Today was the first day back to school and teaching my art classes after the long Easter vacation. On the vacation, I was inspired everyday during my morning walks through my Beirut neighborhood which has the old and the new (the new buildings which seem to be popping up and taking over the skyline of beirut more and more... luxury 20 story apartment buildings everywhere) So when I see a beautiful old Lebanese home standing strong in the center of this metropolis, I try to remember its beauty and I tend to take a lot of photos and do on the spot sketches. Above is a painting I did a of a pink house in Achrafieh which I am haappy to say is still standing. Some other buildings in some my paintings have vanished:( and i am grateful that i took the time to admire and paint them.

Photo of the real Pink House

My Art Table

2009-04-26T15:55:00.003+03:00

My Art Table

Acrylic on Canvas

70x50 cm

Here's hoping for a long , happy and healthy blogging life......Well, this is the first of my blogs... it's all new to me, so I'll just learn as I go. I set this blog up so I could share with family, friends and anyone who is interested my paintings which bring me joy to produce and I hope to those who view them! The painting here shows how happy I am when I have my art tools around me.