New Painting + S A L E

February 12, 2016 Natalie Wargin

In a way this is a study for a larger painting that I'm planning. I've been wanting to paint sleeping deer ever since Maggie and I discovered the place in the woods where several of them sleep. We were walking beyond the ridge behind our house -- there are hundreds of wooded acres back there -- and we found a well-sheltered spot with eight hollowed ovals in the snow. I figured out what they were fairly quickly and the realization was accompanied by my usual "Wow!" There were trees all around, tall pines that blocked the sunlight. In fact, the soft light filtering through the needled branches almost looked green.
The place was secluded and felt safe.

Here they are, the resting deer, protected by the rare red tree. The fancy house in the background is inspired by Sunnyside, the home of Washington Irving here on the Hudson River. The Hudson banks were favored by many influential people, close enough to the city but just far enough away to be a retreat.

This is a small painting, watercolor and gouache, 5 1/2 x 6 inches. It's available in my shop here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/267191746/original-watercolor-painting-early-snow?ref=shop_home_active_2
You can find prints of "Early Snow" here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/267252295/art-print-original-watercolor-early-snow?ref=listing-shop-header-0

I am having a big birthday on Sunday. A milestone. I invite you to join in my celebration.
I am offering 25% off anything in my shop including original art.
This sale will run from Saturday through Sunday, February 13 -14.
Coupon code: MILESTONE

Bears in my yard...again

February 19, 2015 Natalie Wargin

This is a new painting of three bears in my front yard. I've titled it "Maggie" because of the dog standing near the red barn. Maggie, as it turns out, is pretty smart, especially for a very nosey dog. I've never known a dog so interested in absolutely everything but she knew better than to investigate the bears. The mother bear was very aware of Maggie, standing at one point and staring right at her. For some reason I wasn't particularly concerned but I did keep an eye on the dog from the side of the house, ready to grab her and dash in the house if I had to.

This is a watercolor and gouache painting, 11 x 14". The painting itself and prints of the painting are available in my Etsy shop. You can find them here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/222738890/watercolor-painting-original-maggie-dog
https://www.etsy.com/listing/221113089/art-print-original-watercolor-maggie-dog?ref=shop_home_active_1

Rain... A New Painting

January 29, 2015 Natalie Wargin

I see this scene often, either while running or walking Maggie. The property is on the market and I wish someone would buy it and bring in some cows. Nice black ones. Or spotted ones. There are other dairies in this area so why not? Maybe the parcel is too large or the barns too outdated. The geese love it though. Year after year they return to their spot with the pond, as geese will. Once I had a job in Chicago chasing geese with a border collie, trying to make them feel insecure enough to move away from the golf course or the botanic garden. "Goosing" would be frowned upon here. These ochre colored buildings are especially beautiful and unusual in shape and color, even for this barnish valley. These are the same barns that appear in "Winter Barns with Geese." The barns may be the same but the weather has changed. The wind is kicking up, the trees and the flowers in the foreground are being tossed. One of the geese is edgy. It's starting to rain.

Prints of this watercolor and gouache painting are available in my Etsy shop.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/216293938/art-print-watercolor-painting-original?ref=shop_home_active_1

New Work -- Circle Avenue, Kingston NY

January 19, 2015 Natalie Wargin

I was in the Stockade sitting at the bar having a glass of red. A woman sat down next to me. We struck up a conversation and when I told her where I lived she said we were practically neighbors. She said she lived on Circle Avenue, very close. I'd never heard of Circle Avenue. It turns out Circle Avenue is a couple of miles from me, circular, and completely charming. The houses are close together at odd angles, painted an assortment of colors. It feels cozy and private. I think it might be nice to live there. I saw dogs but the goats are invention. Or maybe a suggestion.

The painting is 6 x 6 inches (15 x 15 cm), watercolor and gouache on board.
It's available in my Etsy shop.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/216656451/watercolor-painting-original-circle

What happens in my front yard

January 8, 2015 Natalie Wargin

"Front Yard"

"Front Yard" detail

"Front Yard" detail

"Front Yard" detail

Black bears are one of the wonders around here. My first spring I saw a mother and a cub walking up the ridge behind the house. Everyone I told said the same thing: "Never get between a mother bear and her cub!" I may be a city girl but seriously? Since that first spring I've seen bears here and there, most recently a very large male standing next to the garage eying my thankfully oblivious dog who was goofing around in the driveway.

The bears that I've encountered seem relaxed and unfazed. Admittedly this happens at what feels like a safe distance although I'm sometimes close enough to get a good look. They are large and dark and powerful & totally intriguing. And very likely to run off at the sight of me.

Bear hunting is allowed here during a specified time. I have a neighbor who killed one last fall and hung it from a tree right next to the road. Out for my morning run I glanced to the side and saw the bear hanging there. I could have reached out and touched it. I jumped a foot in the air and continued on, sad and unsettled.

The painting is 6 x 6 inches (15 x 15 cm) on board.
It's available in my Etsy shop.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/216295300/watercolor-painting-original-front-yard?ref=shop_home_active_1

A New Watercolor! "Riot"

May 29, 2014 Natalie Wargin

This is an original watercolor and gouache painting of a sweet little shed and a "Riot" of springtime growth in the woods.

There's a little structure that I can see through the trees as I run the trail in the morning. It's beyond the woods a bit in an open field that's just been planted with who knows what. These days, with all the springtime foliage, it's harder to see but I still love to catch a glimpse. Here's a picture of what I see: a lush green carpet, the amazing Jack-in-the-Pulpits, and, of course, all the trees that almost hide the little folly.

The actual paper size is 9 x 12 inches (23 x 31 cm) with the 7.5 x 9.5 inch (19 x 24 cm) painting centered on it. The paper is 140# Fabriano 100% cotton watercolor paper, smooth finish. The painting is signed and titled on the front.

You can find this painting in my Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/190807739/original-watercolor-painting-springtime

Use code SPRING15 for 15% off any purchase through June 15.

Watercolor Painting Caterpillar #2

April 30, 2014 Natalie Wargin

This is a second version of my Caterpillar watercolor and gouache painting. I wish I had a good photo of the starring caterpillar that I saw last summer on my patio. I'd love to show it to you. I have never seen such a large caterpillar. I was startled when I first found it. Then I couldn't stop going back for another look.

This painting is for sale in my Etsy shop.
Here's a link:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/185886474/watercolor-painting-with-bouquet-and

Take 10% off any purchase with discount code SPRING10
Enter code at checkout. Discount expires May 27.