This was the splash of colour on my desk a few days ago!
At this time of year, when grey days are numerous, my brain needs colour, a substitute for sunshine.
This little Cyclamen plant was a gift, and when I look at it I think of Winifred Nicholson's paintings of flowers on windowsills.
That's something else I find good for combating the grimness of grey skies, slowly leafing through my book of Winifred Nicholson paintings.
"Luminosity, open space and quick movements characterise Winifred Nicholson's paintings. Flowers on windowsills are a favourite subject, not only for their intrinsic beauty, or even their personalities, but above all for their living, transluscent colour".
Quoted from "Winifred Nicholson" by Christopher Andreae
I love Winifred Nicholson's flower paintings, because she perfectly captures that moment when you first look at flowers in a jug or jam jar, and you get a jolt at their beauty. They're perfectly calm, and perfectly beautiful, and it's a pure moment in a busy day.
I find art with a domestic theme powerful, and Winifred Nichoson's work had a mostly domestic feel to it. A painting of a bowl of flowers on a windowsill, affects me more than a painting expressing an artist's angst. It's not just a bowl of beauty, it can be more than that, a moment of clarity and realisation of our smallness, and how fleeting perfection is.
The painting above is one of my favourite, it sings with sunshine. Winifred Nicholson managed to capture a sunny feeling in her work without being sentimental.
You can see more of Winifred Nicholson's work here and here.
And you can read more about her, here.
I hope Winifred Nicholson's work gives you a bit of alternative sunshine, if that's what you're needing just now...................
Cheerio!
Vanessa xxx
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Your favourite is on my wall just beside the computer.
Posted by: Lucille | January 31, 2012 at 07:07 PM
I love her work too and totally agree that colour is needed especially when it's grey outside. Lucky tulips are so cheap!
Posted by: paintdropskeepfalling.wordpress.com | January 31, 2012 at 07:32 PM
Another Winnifred Nicholson lover here. I remember first seeing a print of one of her paintings years ago, my first, and being totally blown away by it. Oh to be able to say so much that is so beautiful with just paint and brush.
Posted by: Annie | January 31, 2012 at 08:26 PM
Oh what a bright spot in my day!! Thank you for introducing me to this artist! I had not heard of her, though I am familiar with, and LOVE, the work of the Cape Cod School of Art Artists who learned from
charles Hwthorne and Henry Hensche. Her work reminds me of this type of color work. I can't wait to read and study more about her life and art. Thanks Vanessa! And, as always, your blog is a thing of beauty in itself!
Posted by: Jennifer Edwards | January 31, 2012 at 09:45 PM
Dearest Vanessa
I didn't know about her till now and want to thank you for opening my eyes up to such beautiful, perfectly painted still life paintings which as you say capture the perfection in a fleeting day of our reality. Thank you, I shall enjoy reading more about her and seeking out her work xox
Posted by: Penelope | January 31, 2012 at 09:58 PM
I've never heard of her but thanks for sharing with us! But my favorite part of this post was your amazing vase full of tulips! Me wantie!! Oh honey......! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | January 31, 2012 at 10:42 PM
What a gorgeous array of flowers on your desk, how can they not lift you from the greyness of outside ... inspiring.
Posted by: Trudy McLauchlan | January 31, 2012 at 11:17 PM
One of my favourites. Wonderful work.Her colour is gorgeous.
Posted by: Kate | February 01, 2012 at 12:44 AM
This post was good for me ... I mean it was therapeutic for me. Why is it that her paintings touched me so? It is because when I view her paintings, although I obviously was not there in the moment to see the actual flowers she was painting, I have been THERE many times - in that quiet moment of reflection while admiring the flowers on the sill. In that moment I am completely alone, and yet the last thing I am is lonely. That solitude with my thoughts brings me to a such a peaceful "place" that I crave that place even when I can't quite verbalized, or pinpoint that I need it. In that moment of quiet, solitary reflection I am 100% myself, no judgements, no opinions, no trying to connect the dots that lie in the future ahead of time, nothing but the moment. Looking at the flowers on my window sill forces me to live in the moment. The paintings reminded me just how dependent I am on those moments. It is bedtime where I live, but tomorrow I will be buying some flowers for my window sill. Thanks Vanessa, I needed the reminder. Carolina
Posted by: The Muse of The Day | February 01, 2012 at 05:50 AM
Oh yes! I love WN's paintings - in fact my studio door is covered wth the postcards I bought at the WN exhibition at Kettles Yard in Cambridge. The Cyclamen painting hangs in Kettles Yard house, it's one of my favourites and I just love to pop in to say hello to it if I'm passing :-) When I bought my first little cottage I bought a print of WN's Cyclamen to have framed on the wall (it's now hanging in our cloakroom).
I remember once saying WN was one of my favourite artists and being soundly put down by someone (male) who told me never to repeat that in public as WN was a 'light-weight'.
I think WN was a heavyweight with a light touch.
C
x
PS I'm sure I had that book, but can't find it.
Posted by: Magic Cochin | February 01, 2012 at 09:11 AM
Several years ago I went to an exhibition of Winifred Nicholson's paintings at Kettle's Yard. It was a good, good day. I have a collection of postcards of her work. They're very precious and regularly find there way into the postcard garland on the chimneypiece.
Posted by: Emma | February 01, 2012 at 09:23 AM
Such wonderful colour on this very cold grey day, thankyou! Tulips are my favourite and I haven't seen Winifred Nicholson's paintings for years although I remember reading once that she would put in a touch of lilac paint to bring the picture to life. I think there's a lot more to it than that!
Thankyou for spreading the sunshine! :)
Jess xx
Posted by: Jess | February 01, 2012 at 09:29 AM
Oh, Vanessa, I love your tulips - that's such a nice and colourful arrangement, I'm sure they help you to create good mood and be patient waiting for real spring. Flowers can easily transform rooms and alter emotions, as longs as you have a lot of them. The more the better :)
I also love Winifred's paintings - I've never heard of her before, so thank you for sharing this information!
Posted by: Kristina | February 01, 2012 at 05:13 PM
I remember first seeing a print of one of her paintings years ago, my first, and being totally blown away by it. Oh to be able to say so much that is so beautiful with just paint and brush.
Posted by: Insurance Check | February 02, 2012 at 02:16 AM
lovely lovely lovely! thanks for this!
Posted by: mlle paradis | February 02, 2012 at 06:21 AM
Beautiful post, Vanessa! I love Winifred Nicholson's work very much and so enjoyed seeing these pictures today. And those amazing tulips too...love the mixture of colours, like sweets!
Have a happy weekend...and keep cosy!
Helen x
Posted by: Helen Philipps | February 02, 2012 at 11:22 AM
The flowers look amazing. What lovely work. I'd never seen Winifred Nicholson's work before.
Posted by: Jo-anne | February 02, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Hello Vanessa,
I am a little late here but things are SO busy here. This nature of this post is what first drew me to your blog; the colours and subject matter are beautiful and just what we need in winter. I must confess though to being overjoyed (despite the inconviences) that we have finally had snow here near Tours. I am relishing the winter colours - snow with blue skies turning pink late afternoon - in the knowledge that soon we shall be getting similar colours to Winnifred Nicholson's paintings. I shall run off now and see if I can find her joy-inducing book.
Cheerio to you, Hugo and your wonderful dogs.
Posted by: Stephanie | February 02, 2012 at 02:46 PM
I love her work too and totally agree that colour is needed especially when it's grey outside. Lucky tulips are so cheap!
Posted by: Affordable Auto Insurance | February 02, 2012 at 05:54 PM
that was like a burst of summer sunshine Vanessa, your desk looks absolutely incredible!
Blessings to you and I hape your Feb is off to a wonderful start
XXX
Posted by: Crochet with Raymond | February 02, 2012 at 05:59 PM
well Vanessa, would you just look at all the marvelous comments that have already been left telling you about how your post has connected with those folks' eyes.
And I join the WN fan club. From the first time I saw one of her paintings, I have wanted to avail myself of more opportunities to see more.
The pictures in your post and the links you've given us provide wonderful opportunities.
I liked Celia's comment, and now wonder why it is that I have never visited Kettle's Yard.
Your tulips are splendid and I am sure that they will give you that magic entry into painting your own unique luminosity!
By now, you can tell just how much I did love this post.
xo
Posted by: Frances | February 03, 2012 at 02:48 AM
thank you for introducing her to me, i'm so glad to know her work, it's just lovely. watercolor is my favorite, and if this isn't (haven't followed your links yet) it looks very much like it.
and your tulips! oh my! in the little valley i live in there are a few dutch growers. soon tulips will start popping up in all the green houses (and some yards) to be shipped all over the world.
those really are sunshine in a vase.
xox
Posted by: lori | February 03, 2012 at 06:13 AM
I have this book and never tire of looking at it.
xxx
Posted by: lyn | February 07, 2012 at 06:23 PM
I remember my mo had that book but after the hurricane that hit our county the book is lost.
Posted by: Reylan | Labor Posters | February 29, 2012 at 12:59 AM
Winifred Nicholson is a fabulous painter. I love his work.
Posted by: Mike | October 10, 2012 at 06:43 PM