Encouragement

I am posting this endorsement here on my blog as an example of how we can encouragement and support others: friends, partners or fellow workers..."Yes...you really are special!" These days we all have the need for more praise in our lives. I find myself referring to the note below on those occassions when I am at a dead end!  These are words that encourage me in my daily work... when I am alone and not in the public eye. Sometimes for artists, we need this support to go on and create, using the gifts we are given. What words can we share with others? Check out the underlined words that really encouraged me in the note below... Pass some of these encouraging words on to a gifted one in your life!! It will make thier day! (and yours too!!) Blessings ~Denise

Note of Recommendation from publisher Penny Shrawder: May I just share? “Having worked with more than a hundred artists in my business as a digital imager and graphics/web designer, Denise's artwork stands on top in terms of creativity, unique style, innovative use of art materials and the highest quality of paints and canvas. If you are looking for artwork that will continue to stand fresh and alive through countless trends and fads in art, you will definitely want an original by Denise Mancour. Her designs are inviting and colors are very soothing and will fit in with any decor. She always puts her spirit and creativity into each piece and strives to reach the essence of beauty. Check her website for samples of her work: DeniseMancour.com, and her show schedule is always up to date on her site. So, stop by one of her art shows to see her work and meet her—she is delightful to talk with, or you can visit her studio for a personal tour. Denise is a prolific painter and always has new originals for sale. If you want to learn how to paint, be sure to ask her about her personal and small-group art classes—you will have a fun and creative day! Her talents are vast and professional, and it is a pleasure to work with her and to consider her a good friend.”

Traveling Gallery!

Try to keep up with me!!!   I have what I call a "traveling" gallery.  I show in Palm Springs and Borrego Springs, CA in the winter and Lake Tahoe in the summer.   I do travel to Mammoth Lakes for the 4th of July and Labor day which ends my summer season.  This in itself is not so relative except to let you know where in comes my inspiration!  Palms to pines, mountains and plains, lakes to oceans.

The next part of the process of creating my art is of the relationship between artist and collector, first time buyer or even just a casual observer.  This part is so valuable to me.  Suze Orman always says "People first..."!  When I sell a painting, a part of me goes with it so it is important to know about a potential collector and to be able to match that personality to a painting.

Learning about people helps me to grow as an artist.  Who are you?  What are your interests?  Where  are you from?  The conversation is a step to introducing my art so I want to know about what interests people.  You won't find me sitting at the back of my booth ...there are so many wonderful people to engage, learn from and welcome!  

I have met people from China to Canada, Australia, England and beyond!!!   They might be interested in what I have painted or maybe not but I receive the blessings of just knowing such diversity exists in our world...and art is as diverse as the people I meet!

So, don't be shy, come in to my gallery (booth) and look...take in the color, the flow, and the technique and let me share with you...the gift of art from my heart! (No charge to look!)

DeniseMancoursArt: The Painting Process...More Than Brushes, Paint & Canvas!

I thought you might enjoy learning about the process that goes into my paintings.  How they travel from my head and heart to the finished painting.  I have been asked the question for years "how long did it take you to paint that picture?"  to which I usually answer: "all my life"!!  Maybe here I can shed a little more light to that answer...

Since I was a child I observed every creation trying to remember by drawing what I could.  Now when my husband and I travel, I see paintings everywhere!  I photograph these views for safe keeping so I can remember what I saw (memory thing-ha!)  The images collect in my mind and I work them over for what sometimes seems like ages.  When my brain is so full of images I can't fit any more (on the left side!)...that is when the process of creating begins.

I remind myself of these "mind paintings" when I watch a slide show from the photo albums on my MAC.   Listening to music with the slide show helps me get the mood and flow of ideas for my paintings.  As I study, the images take hold in my heart, knowing that it is time for thoughts and images to become paintings.

There are some days I sit and stare at the blank canvas and utter a prayer..."Dear Lord
...where do I start??"  We often have these conversations!  So He says to me "just put the brush on the canvas" (dummy!)...and it all flows out!  Amazing!

Embrace your gift through your heart and let it all flow......

Tahoe & Mammoth Shows

Show Notes:
Two shows this summer...

4th of July weekend through Monday at Mammoth Lakes.

Lake Tahoe Festival of Fine Arts...July 9th & 10th at Lake Tahoe Middle School.

TAP is featuring a painting I did of "Dusk @ Tahoe"...no posters this year...we are trying out
t-shirts with the image...tanks for the ladies and t-shirts for the men.  Let me know what your thoughts are on this new venue for TAP.
Have a great summer and hope to see you at the shows!

Denise Mancour's Art: Children's Art

Denise Mancour's Art: Children's Art: "Don't you just love children's art? They are so uninhibited and liberating in thier art. I see them with a large piece of paper...a little..."

Welcome!!

Welcome to my new blog ~

I hope to reach out to all of you through my paintings & drawings...to share the feelings I have when I observe creation.  To me the beauty of our world is so overwhelming that I see paintings everywhere I look.  When I see the design and color of a tree or mountain, I photograph it...and even the photograph doesn't do it justice it gives me a place to begin.  So I put the paint on the canvas or paper and I know it is only my heart that is creating.

Artist Statement

Philosophy

The beauty of God’s creation is awe-inspiring. I live in Lake Tahoe in the summer and LaQuinta, CA in the winter and spend parts of spring and fall in my Michigan studio. The mountains and the desert are incredible and I am blessed with the best of both worlds. 

I am overwhelmed by the magnificence of God’s creation. My aim is not true-to-life realism or to “re-create” what has been done to perfection but to respond to those feelings of beauty...to share what is felt in my heart.

Style

Contemporary with a touch of orient describes the majority of my work. The "flow" of the paintings come from another form of art: music. I love to listen to music when I paint. The movement of the music inspires the color, form, line and texture. I also enjoy learning the techniques of artists from the past. They have inspired the elegance found in my figure series and in my oil paintings on Belgian linen. We all observe so differently and I enjoy painting "variations on a theme" as demonstrated in the "Loving Leaves" series.

Technique

Paper... I love painting on paper. Oil on paper dries quickly, which allows me to detail with pen and ink. This technique provides the flow and openness not found in canvas oil paintings. The "Loving Leaves" series is painted on a stiff canvas (not stretched) on which I create wonderful texture and detail with pen and ink. The more formal paintings are done on Belgian linen and I will experiment with oil and silk in the future. Pencil is another medium I enjoy because of its versatility of texture. Pencil is used to create the lines and soft edge of the figure drawings. Limited edition giclee prints are made on the finest papers and canvas and come with a certificate of authenticity.

I invite you to share with me through my paintings and...

                        "feel in your own heart" ... the beauty of God's creation.