by Nini Eckels From Isabelle Clark’s personal collection comes this work by Nini Eckels who says: “There is a certain communication I feel when I am working on location that cannot happen in my studio.  The sounds of the wildlife around me, the rustling of the dry winter grasses.  A spring bee visiting my rich palette of colors, mistaking it for sweet flowers.  A distant dog barking.  All this becomes a part of the painting. The sun moves 15 degrees an hour, darting in and out of the clouds.  I know I must work quickly, directly, before the moment that drew me to this place is lost.  From years of experience, I know it may never look quite this way again. A multi-media artist, I began oil painting, self taught in 1983.  In 1994, I joined the Art Students League of Denver.  There I studied closely with Jay Moore, Kim Mackey, Doug Dawson until 1998.  Through plein air painting, I have discovered a new way of seeing. Working on location is a source of balance for my spirit.  I sill find myself out wandering with my kit packed with stretched linen, oils and bristle brushes searching for that wonderful space once more.”