Aids Walk Houston on Sun March 9 th [link to]

Support My Efforts in AIDS Walk Houston

The 19th Annual AIDS Walk Houston will take place on Sunday, March 9. It is an exciting 5K walk event that raises money for HIV/AIDS initiatives throughout Houston, increases community awareness and educates Houstonians about HIV/AIDS.

Please assist me in reaching my fundraising goal. Now, more than ever, we need to join to fight this preventable disease that is affecting so many individuals in Houston and the world.

To show your support, please follow the link in the title of this entry.

Thank you!

Nicola

Be True (Poem)

Busy times exhaust our days.
The clock ticks,
Life gets shorter.
Friendships and relationships
Feed our soul.
Ignoring is ignorance,
Rudeness is lack of sophistication.
Excuses are escapes from the truth.
Be thankful for all encounters,
Every experience counts.
Nothing is further from the truth,
Be true to those around you,
And life will be true to you.
Be honest,
Be happy,
Be true.

© Nicola Parente, 2008

Frozen New York... I clapped at the end!

Think About...

Recent Paintings, 2008

Edge of Urban Time Series (NP 148, NP 149), 2008
© Nicola Parente

Recommended Exhibition - The Menil Collection, How Artists Draw...

Pablo Picasso
Violon sur une table (Violin on a Table), 1912 (Paris, autumn)
The Menil Collection
© Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

February 15 - May 18, 2008... Celebrating the strength and diversity of the museum’s drawing collection, which includes gouaches, sketches, watercolors, and collage, “How Artists Draw: Toward the Menil Drawing Institute and Study Center” presents a selection of The Menil Collection’s most significant drawings in combination with exceptional works on paper from private collections. The Menil Collection assembled important groups of works on paper by Max Ernst, René Magritte, Pablo Picasso, Kurt Schwitters, Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning, Ellsworth Kelly, Jasper Johns, Michael Heizer, Robert Gober, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, and Cy Twombly.

Beauty of our Heart (Poem)

The beauty of today, like everyday, lies in the heart,
For the heart is the soul of mankind.

© Nicola Parente, 2008

A Voice to Creation (Poem)

Tingle of excitement,
New memories to cherish,
New songs to write,
New visions to create,
New phase in life,
New friendships to grow,
New journey to embrace.

© Nicola Parente

Recent Paintings, 2008:

© Nicola Parente
Part of Edge of Urban Time Series, 2008:
each 12 x 12 x 2.5 in., mixed media on panel

Disappointment, Life's Journey (Poem)

Disappointment fills my life,
The now fills my mind.
The whys occupy space that consumes me.
A change is needed in perception.
Anticipation can be hurtful,
Only if you let it.
No more I say.
Write your history while we speak.
Don’t waste today thinking of
Would ofs, could ofs, should ofs.
Let today stand alone and speak for itself.
If you feel like calling, it’s that easy, just call.
If disappointment sets in,
Just grab it,
Acknowledge it,
Learn from it,
Just let it free your soul
And not fill your mind.
© Nicola Parente

River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO) Features My Artwork During a Recent Concert

For those of you who love classical music... this is a must see!
What a beautifully engaging and inspiring concert! I have never attended a conductorless orchestra before and I must say I did not miss staring at a backside... and the orchestra did not miss a beat... what talent! ROCO would not be possible without its founder and Principle Oboist, Alecia Lawyer and the 40 very talented musicians. One of the highlights was feeling the amazing energy from violin soloist Brian Lewis ...

Thank you Alecia Lawyer, Kilby Dixon Hoskins and Tasha for your kindness and sincerity and for including my artwork. A special thanks to David Brown, Spacetaker.org for introducing me to ROCO.

Nature's Rhythm and Blues (Painting)

© Nicola Parente
From: NATURE WITHIN SERIES:
Nature's Rhythm and Blues, 2007
Acrylic, ink and pen on synthetic panel
Nine parts, 12 x 12 inches, 30.4 x 30.4 cm (each)
Total size, 4o x 40 inches