Category: nta
Two Tree’s
Two Tree’s
Two Tree’s
The Neva
“The Neva is the main waterway of Petersburg and the town is situated along its banks and across the islands of its broad delta. It is one of the largest rivers in Europe by volume of water and also one of the world’s shortest major rivers at only 74 kilometers. The Neva connects Lake Ladoga, the largest lake in Europe, to the Baltic Sea. For centuries, it was of great strategic importance for transport and so the interests of the Russians, Swedes, Finns, and Balts clashed on its banks. From the 8th-13th centuries, the Neva was part of the trade route from Scandinavia to Byzantium, the road “from the Varangians to the Greeks.” In 1240, the Novgorod militia led by Prince Alexander Yaroslavich defeated the invading Swedish army on the banks of the Neva. Because of the victory, the prince was thereafter nicknamed Alexander Nevsky (of the Neva). But the main page in the history of this great river began to be written, of course, in 1703 when St. Petersburg was founded at the mouth of the Neva.” (source – http://www.saint-petersburg.com/rivers-and-canals/neva-river/)
Karalian Outhouse
Karalian Outhouse (source – Karalian Outhouse)
beachgrass
Ammophila breviligulata (American beachgrass or American marram grass) is a species of grass that is native to eastern North America, where it grows on sand dunes along the Atlantic Ocean and Great Lakes coasts. Beachgrass thrives under conditions of shifting sand, sand burial, and high winds; it is a dune-building grass that builds the first line of sand dunes along the coast. Beachgrass is less vigorous in stabilized sand, and is only infrequently found further inland than the coastal foredunes. A. breviligulata was introduced to the Pacific coast of North America in the 1930s. It is proving to be invasive, and is increasingly important to coastal ecology and development in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. (source – Wikipedia)
playing with a new brush – 3
playing with a new brush – 2
Playing with a new brush – 2
playing with a new brush – 1
playing with a new brush – 1.
Coastal dunes
“Coastal dunes make up roughly one third of the Cape Cod National Seashore, covering approximately 8,500 acres from Chatham to Provincetown. Dunes predominate on barrier beach and spits, along the coastal margins of the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Cod Bay, and across the northern tip of the peninsula – an area known as the Province Lands.” – (https://www.nps.gov/caco/learn/nature/sand-dunes.htm)
View from my friend’s window
View from my friend’s window in Hanko Finland. Hanko (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈhɑŋko]; Swedish: Hangö), is a bilingual port town and municipality on the south coast of Finland, 130 kilometres (80 mi) west of Helsinki. Its current population is 8,835 (31 March 2016), with a majority being Finnish speakers and a strong minority being Swedish speakers (44%). – (source Wikipedia.com)
Abandoned greenhouse
I stumbled across this “abandoned greenhouse“ in Botzovo in Lenigrad Oblast several years ago. The other day I painted it using a restricted palette.
Japanese flowering cherry
The Japanese flowering cherry (also known as the Yoshino cherry) is the darling of the flowering tree world and the star of such renowned events as the National and International Cherry Blossom Festivals. This stand-out tree is, of course, known for its vibrant display of white-pink blossoms and faint almond fragrance in the springtime. In the summer, this tree will be a highlight in the yard with its oriental branching pattern, glossy bark and dark green leaves. (Source https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=812)
Family “KOT”
Here is our Family “KOT”. The Russian word for Cat is “KOT”.
“It is different. Russian word for cat is kot (the k and t sounds are different from those of english). in armenian cat is katu again k and t are different from that of english . Cat kot katu . These words are not the same, but they are similar. Anyway all these languages are indoeuropean. / written by Mihr Aharuni, An Armenian from Diaspora.”
Given Name EKATERINA
“Given Name EKATERINA – GENDER: Feminine – USAGE: Bulgarian, Macedonian, Russian – OTHER SCRIPTS: Екатерина (Bulgarian, Macedonian, Russian)
PRONOUNCED: ye-kah-tye-REE-nah (Russian), ee-kah-tee-REE-nah (Russian) [key] – Meaning & History – Bulgarian and Macedonian form of KATHERINE, and a variant Russian transcription of YEKATERINA.” (source http://www.behindthename.com/name/ekaterina)
Our marriage in Russia
Our marriage in Russia is official. It might sound funny to anyone who has never come face to face with Russian burocracy. Marriage in Russia is one of the easiest things to accomplish. But only a state marriage is considered official. Here we are throwing snow up in the air in Leningrad – Saint Petersburg to prove it!
Sandy Dune
A sandy dune is a hill of loose sand built by wind or the flow of water. Dunes occur in different shapes and sizes. – (source Wikipedia)
Finnish Sauna
“The Finnish sauna is a substantial part of Finnish culture. There are five million inhabitants and over three million saunas in Finland – an average of one per household. For Finnish people the sauna is a place to relax with friends and family, and a place for physical and mental relaxation as well. Finns think of saunas not as a luxury, but as a necessity. Before the rise of public health care and nursery facilities, almost all Finnish mothers gave birth in saunas.” (source Wikipedia)
koryushka fish
The body of the koryushka fish (European smelt) is typically 15 to 18 cm long, slender and slightly flattened on either side. Larger fish may reach 30 cm in length. Smelts have a slightly translucent body. The back and sides are grey-green to pink in colour, the flanks bright silver. The tailfin has a dark border. The smelt lives for up to six years. One characteristic is its intense smell, reminiscent of fresh cucumbers. (source Wikipedia)
Hammock in Fiji
This Hammock in Fiji was just outside the beach front bungalow I lived in for 11 days in 2011.
Barn
Barn
Snowy wood barns
Snowy wood barns are in a secret spot somewhere where no one can find. I have looked and have never found these snowy wood barns. Painted from a dream.
Imaginary winter-scape
Imaginary winter-scape was painted following along closely with a video tutorial by Karen Bonaker of the Digital Art Academy. It is hard for me to follow instructions without wandering off on some tangent. Im very excited about this new technique Karen is showing us in Painter 2017.
more dacha flowers
Every where one looks there are more dacha flowers. Every corner of this tiny piece of land explodes with beauty every July. Every other corner is crammed with fresh growing scallions, carrots, tomato’s and potatoes. This is great spot to eat fresh salads every day. This place with more dacha flowers is a great spot on this planet.
Russian snow market
Last year my wife took a photo of this Russian snow market. This week I turned it into this painting. I’m not sure Russian snow market really exist. But it sounds good so I’m going with it. I added the snow storm.
Kartusha’s first Christmas
Our baby girl Kartusha is 11 months old today. This will be Kartusha’s first Christmas. She has her own Christmas tree. Today she picked out a wooden toy train at the local toy store. Again painted in Painter 2017 I used the new glazing brushes and both new texture categories. I also took all my own source photos except for Santa. Kartusha giggles constantly and makes life so nice!!!!!
Nick’s Shop
Christmas logo for Nick’s Shop. The text was created using the 3D module in photoshop. The painting was created using the texture cover brushes in painter 2017.
Visit Nick’s Shop @ https://www.redbubble.com/people/ntartworks/shop
Argentina Painted Flower
Argentina Painted Flower. A bit of a an over done paper background. Looseness great and brushwork too? Tonight I am my best friend. Not bad Nicky
flowering russian weeds
These flowering Russian weeds are abundant in the mother land. Locals snarl and growl as these local weeds overtake every meter. The damn things are everywhere and really difficult to control. In reality these Russian weeds are incredibly beautiful.
priozersk landscape
This priozersk landscape was painted digitally using Corel Painter 2017. Priozersk is a small town 3 hours north of Saint Petersburg Russia where my “photo smudged wife” is from.
my photo smudged wife
My photo smudged wife was painted in corel painter 2017. She is always a happy available model as she was on this summer day. I think I really “blew her nose” however!
Pear Winifred
Im not sure I like this pear Winifred, but really having fun learning the Source and Cover Texture brushes – And remebering how you taught us to paint pears when we had no creative juices flowing – xxx always
Shoe
I painted this shoe out of frustration with all the crashes in Painter 2017. I painted this shoe in Rebelle a great watercolor program out of eastern europe somewhere. Years ago to be allowed to be a lowly student at RISD one had to draw a shoe, a bicycle and another contraption that I forget this second. And some anonymous jury would decide your future. Oh sh…… Wish I was on the admissions committee at RISD – I would admit myself again with a full scholarship!!!! and maybe a few of u!!!!
cape beach umbrella and fiji sunset
Cape cod beach umbrella and fiji sunset.
Learning the ins and outs of Painter 2017.
Pushing colors to a limit beyond the comfort zone of most human beings.
And having so much fun doing it!
flowering pet plum tree
Here is a portrait of my flowering pet plum tree. I call this painting my flowering pet plum tree portrait as it was painted for an on line class about “Pet Portraits”. Digital Art Academy (DAA). I don’t have a pet. This guy flowers for about one week a year just outside our house here on cape cod as I walk bare foot to our outdoor shower. Like to make sure we are home that week every spring.
Loving this photo blending technique even though I thought it would be a bit like cheating but happy it is not as bad as doctoring someones will!
https://nicholasthompsonartworks.com/myfatherarchitectbenjamincthompson/#.V9nPwzswfXg
Half tide rising
Half tide rising continues continuously here on cape cod and all over this planet. So many painterly scenes waiting for an artist to describe visually. This is just one of them here on cape cod in Provincetown a few years back.
Sandy Neck Dune
Just another Sandy Neck Dune. Many nice moments. So happy this is my semi private spot.
Damn all you 30 to 100 thousand dollar motorboat tourists who invade us every calm day in July and August! My $900 12 foot aluminum motor boat is just fine on a splashy atlantic ocean day and can be lifted up by one drunk idiot – me! The best moments in life have been spent here in Barnstable Harbor. So happy this spot is ours. Why don’t you all learn that the tides go up and down by 12 feet twice a day – idiots!! Don’t get calmed, just open your eyes and watch the tide line!
some random guy
My last trip home from Russia some guy sat down behind me on jam packed crowded Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Boston. I had just made my connection from Saint Petersburg. Some random guy sat next to a young pretty thing one seat behind me. I was jealous, (even though I was newly married). He chatted away to her for almost the entire seven hour flight. I could not sleep because of his chatter. Learned all of his secrets and that he was a married MIT professor. When the plane landed and we were debarking I turned around and said hello to him and the pretty young thing. He ignored me and looked down his long nose, did not acknowledge me.
He quickly turned away from my face and looked down his short cute nose at the young pretty thing and said “funny what some random guy will say!”
From that moment on I have felt like “some random guy” on this planet!
one & a half russians
This painting includes one & a half russians. Grandpa is visiting from the “motherland”. Kartushka is 7 months old, in control of us all. She is half Russki, half Amaeriskanski. Hope you all will wish her luck on this planet?
abstract watercolor sailboat
This abstract watercolor sailboat floated contently in Barnstable Harbor the other evening.
Mudflat party the other day here on cape cod
Muddy sand flats-sun-tide going down – every second here on cape cod is another painting waiting for you all to paint! here is Nick’s todays attempt (ps I dont work for the chamber of commerce here)
abstract self portrait
This is a theme and variation on an abstract self portrait I did in about 2 minutes the other day. Started on an I pad-pro using Paint-storm. And then took the image into Corel painter 2017 and used the new interactive gradient tool. So much fun.
A gradient Coyote
A gradient Coyote this guy is.
Watercolor Canoe
Watercolor Canoe is my latest attempt at digital painting using Corel painter 2016. The source image was taken in Provincetown Massachusetts several falls ago. I am pleased with my progress but there is lots of room for improvement. A bit muddy and a bit to much paper texture. Soon I will nail it.
beach umbrella
A beach umbrella and four chairs on a sand bar.
digital watercolor sandy neck
This is another digital watercolor sandy neck beach in Barnstable Harbor on Cape Cod. Painted with Corel Painter on july 25, 2016.
At the beach the other day
At the beach the other day the sand was glowing. The water was a bright turquoise. People were bathing and having picnics. And the boats were bobbing.
sunfish provincetown
Seascape watercolor
first watercolor rose summer 2016
Cape Cod Deep Winter Photo
Cape Cod Deep Winter Photo
Cape Cod Deep Winter Photo is an image snapped on new years day 2011. That cold cape cod winter and for the following few years I was experimenting like hell, that day with HDR Photography.
Sliders buttons and filters in Photomatix Pro
Some of the sliders buttons and filters in Photomatix Pro were pushed to the limit by a guy who had a few to many bloody marys that new years afternoon. Now those sliders buttons and filters need to be revisited and softened. Five years later I see this image needs a serious attitude adjustment. Visual attitude adjustment is my goal from now on, at least tonight. I hope to find time to rework many of my old HDR Photo’s in the future. Cape Cod Deep Winter Photo and many other of my attitude adjusment needing photo’s are posted very early on in this blog.
