water – StyleNectar

Heroes Across Time

"Heroes Across Time" 20" x 24" oil on canvas by Juliane Porter

I'm thrilled to present my latest oil painting, "Heroes Across Time", which brings to life the wonderful and fantastical question: If you could invite anyone from throughout time and history to surround you in a gathering of your choice, whom would you choose?! It's a tough one to narrow down - we all have so very many heroes with so many outstanding people from which to choose from around the world to the beginning of time. My very special client chose eight fabulous individuals to accompany him in a mysterious, blustery outdoor scene, suitable for such a magical gathering, near the water which he also loves.

Clockwise from top left: George Washington (on horse), Themistocles, my beloved client himself at center, Leonardo da Vinci, Nathanial Greene, Alexander the Great (on horse) and continuing clockwise in the front row seated right to left: Nikola Tesla, Thomas Sowell and Benjamin Franklin.

This piece began as a monumental challenge including lots of fun research on all the individuals during which I learned a ton about each great hero and their impact on history. One aspect I found amusing were the millennia of clothing styles, from the breast plate armor and skirt of Alexander the Great, to Themistocles' mohawk-like head gear, shield and full coverage armor. Leonardo da Vinci wore the belted toga and cap of the day, while Nathanial Greene's cape, hat and sword were somewhat similar to George Washington's riding gear. Ben Franklin had those fab buckled shoes, stockings and long jacket, and Nikola Tesla was quite the stylish European at the turn of the century. Thomas Sowell, being the most modern, tends to wear neutral colored suits. And, my "client" is casually comfortable, owning the scene of such incredible company!

It is said that to surround oneself with images of one's heroes serves to draw their great energy to oneself. It's why all religions & spiritual traditions around the world incorporate prayer cards, statues, altars and shrines, sing songs to great saints and gods etc.. Surrounding oneself with such heroes in a painting must have a similar affect!

Whom would you include in your portrait of your favorite heroes from around the globe and throughout time? What setting would you envision being gathered? Let me know and I'll bring it to life for you in oil paint!

Happy Autumn!

Love,

Juliane

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Art, Portraits

Lizzie Dances under the Pier in the Sands of Isle of Palms

"Lizzie Dances under the Pier in the Sands of Isle of Palms" Commissioned Portrait by Juliane Porter. (16"x12" Oil on Archival Gallery Wrapped Canvas) Click for a better, larger view.

Lizzie Dances under the Pier in the Sands of Isle of Palms is my most recent portrait of my dear, dear friend's beautiful daughter.

Art, Style

Lazy Dunes

"Lazy Dunes", Oil on Canvas by Artist, Juliane Porter, Nantucket, MA,

Click image for a better, larger view.

Please enjoy my latest oil painting, "Lazy Dunes", one of many such idyllic scenes on Nantucket.

Visit www.JulianePorter.com to view more of my commissioned portraits, landscapes & private collection pieces.

Happy Lazy SummerDays 🙂

Love,

Juliane

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Art, Style

The Grey Lady

The Grey Lady, Oil on Canvas by Juliane Porter

(Please click image for a better, larger view)

The "Grey Lady" is the nickname for beautiful Nantucket Island, referring to her appearance from the sea when fog-bound. Please enjoy my oil painting of one of Nantucket's historic marinas, captured just as the magical mist is setting in.

As always, share your thoughts in the comments below.

And, feel free to visit www.JulianePorter.com to view more of my commissioned portraits, private collection pieces & more.

Love,

Juliane

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Art, Style

“Mo-o-o-m!” Oil on Canvas, Sleeping Mama Duck & Baby

"Mo-o-o-m!" 11 x 14 Oil on Canvas Painting by Juliane Porter, Nantucket, Mass. USA

(Please click image for a better, larger view)

I couldn't resist painting this sweet little duo floating near the dock of our cottage last summer. Mama duck, who was trying to catch a quick nap with her beak tucked into her back feathers, wasn't getting much cooperation from her spirited little one!

Please do let me know your thoughts. I always appreciate them a ton 🙂

Much Love,

Juliane

You may also enjoy:

Corner of the Marina

or

The Art of a Fly Fisherman

Music, Style

Water Night

"Water Night" first took my breath away when I heard it performed on "From the Top" by the highly aclaimed Norman North High School Chorale in Oklahoma. This translation of a Spanish poem, adapted by Eric Whitaker, is a beautifully evocotive, metaphorical piece formed in a series of vignets about the connection of the water to the soul, and the quest to find the innermost spirit in ourselves. Further interpretation reflects the experience of holding something difficult inside over a period of time, and finally letting it go to find peace.

"Water Night" is the inspiration for one of my upcoming paintings.

(Please press play. Feel free to read along with the lyrics below.)

Water Night

Night with the eyes of a horse that trembles in the night,

night with eyes of water in the field asleep

is in your eyes, a horse that trembles,
is in your eyes of secret water.

Eyes of shadow-water,
eyes of well-water,
eyes of dream-water.

Silence and solitude,
two little animals moon-led,
drink in your eyes,
drink in those waters.

If you open your eyes,
night opens, doors of musk,
the secret kingdom of the water opens
flowing from the center of night.

And if you close your eyes,
a river fills you from within,
flows forward, darkens you:
night brings its wetness to beaches in your soul.

Octavio Paz, 1914-1998
(Adapted by Eric Whitacre, Translation by Muriel Rukeyser)

**The original poem is "Agua Nocturna" by Octavio Paz. Peace is connected to a long tradition of "night" in visual art, poetry and music.

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Food

Homemade Granola

Homemade Granola~recipe adapted from Bob's Red Mill

I wanted to title this post, Vanishing Homemade Granola, because quite honestly, even if you make a double batch like I do, this delicioso meal/breakfast/snack-on-the-go will not last long! But alas, I've already used the dissapearing concept (see Vanishing Blueberry Ginger White Chocolate Cookies)

…but don't say I didn't warn ya!

Incredibly easy to whip up and SO very delicious, you'll wonder why you ever considered buying the pre-made stuff. Plus, it's easily customizeable. Just use the same ratios and sub in your favorite nuts or seeds, use maple syrup if you're out of honey, or perhaps add dried fruits like raisins & chopped apricots at the end… You get the idea. Point is, you'll KNOW what's in your fabulous version: delicious, healthy, satisfying ingredients that will keep you humming along happily for hours.

Homemade granola makes a most welcomed gift presented in mason jars- though I won't blame you if you can't bare to part with any of it:)

Homemade Granola Snack Cup

Homemade Granola (makes 15 servings)

Ingredients:

3/4 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup flaxseed
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
1/4 cup chopped nuts
3/4 cup + 1 tablespoon non-fat, powdered (dry) milk
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 cups Bob's Red Mill extra thick gluten-free rolled oats

Method:

1. Combine all dry ingredients together into a large bowl.

2. If necessary, soften honey by heating it gently. Then mix it with the oil, and water until well blended.

3. Stir liquid mixture into dry ingredients and mix well until all the dry ingredients are moistened.

4. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Add the granola mixture to the cookie sheet and bake at 350° for about 35-45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes so mixture is evenly toasted.

**If desired, stir in your favorite dried fruit after baking.

Homemade Granola~recipe adapted from Bob's Red Mill Oats

What was your favorite after school snack growing up? Mine was graham crackers & milk. Problem was, Mom expected me only to have 1 or 2 crackers & I was always hungry enough for an entire sleeve!

Art, Music, Style

In Celebration of Autumn

"Prelude to Fall on the Savage River" by Juliane Porter (30″ × 40″ oil on archival linen) Please click painting for BETTER LARGER VIEW.

Download 08 Symphony No 8 In F Major Op. 88 – 3rd Movement – Allegro Grazioso – Molto Vivace

Before you read on, first click the above music link!

Autumn had just begun turning leaves copper and gold when I painted this scene of the Savage River last year. I was hypnotized by the rhythm of leaves, sunshine and water skipping along boulders then smoothing into a deep ribbon along the calm, mossy bank.

A beautiful adventure of life leading life.

Then, just last weekend, as my husband and I basked in our first indoor fire of the season, listening to Dvorak's 8th Symphony, I was instantly transported back to the scene of my painting.

Take a listen to Dvorak's gorgeous symphony singing the emotion and adventure of life that so spoke to me when I painted "Prelude to Fall on the Savage River".

What pieces of music do you associate with Autumn?

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