Blog
Posted on 1/4/2025 5:49:15 PM
By Nancy M Paden
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Hello Old Friends, watercolor
The Story Behind Hello Old Friends: A Celebration of Nature and Connection
Inspiration can come from the most unexpected places, but for me, it often begins with a camera lens and an enduring love for turtles. Over the years, I’ve accumulated a treasure trove of photographs from my visits to zoos in North Carolina, Virginia, and Birmingham Alabama. These snapshots capture turtles in their serene, timeless existence—a perfect muse for an artist.
When I began working on Hello Old Friends, I knew I wanted to spotlight one of my four different photos, meticulously crafting a composition that would encourage the viewer’s eye to explore every corner of the painting.
For me, the process of creation is rooted in three essential principles: composition, values, and texture. As I painted, I focused on enhancing the interplay of these elements to draw attention to the spotted turtle—the heart of the piece. The surrounding environment was just as important; I designed a background that ebbs and flows, inviting viewers into the quiet world of this small creature.
To add a touch of whimsy and balance, I included two dragonflies. Their delicate wings, shimmering and almost elusive, serve as a counterpoint to the turtle’s solid, grounded presence. These dragonflies are a personal nod to my own experiences by my fishponds, where I’ve spent countless hours watching them dart and dance. Their ephemeral beauty is a challenge to capture, but one I relish.
Including the dragonflies was also a deliberate callback to an earlier work of mine, Hello Again (2015), which features a box turtle and a single dragonfly. Revisiting this motif felt like a conversation with an old friend, fitting for a painting titled Hello Old Friends.
The final scene feels idyllic: a peaceful moment in nature, where a turtle basks on driftwood and raises its head to acknowledge the dragonflies with a silent greeting. This tiny, shared moment spoke to me, resonating not just with the world of nature but with my own life.
As an artist, I often retreat into solitude, immersing myself in the work of creation. But like the turtle lifting its head, I find joy and reassurance in reconnecting with friends. These moments of sharing—whether with old friends or through my art—make life richer and more meaningful.
Hello Old Friends is more than a painting; it’s a reflection of nature’s beauty and a personal reminder of the connections that sustain us. It’s a celebration of the quiet, everyday interactions that make our world better, both in the wild and within our hearts.
