<![CDATA[Dave McNally

<![CDATA[Dave McNally - BLOG]]>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:38:23 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[Abode of the Gods]]>Fri, 15 Apr 2022 21:41:29 GMThttp://www.davemcnallyart.com/blog/abode-of-the-gods

The definition of the word Himalaya is “the abode of the gods”. It’s easy to appreciate the name when standing at 26,000’ watching the sun come up! We were leaving Camp IV on our summit bid for 28,250’ Kangchenjunga when I snapped this photo. Kangchenjunga is the third highest peak in the world, situated on the eastern border of Nepal. We made our attempt on the Yalung Face in 1995.
This painting was accepted as a Finalist in the 2019 International ARC competition. The Art Renewal Center is one of the premier organizations promoting contemporary art in the world today

]]><![CDATA[The Heroes' Journey; Separation]]>Wed, 13 Apr 2022 21:12:41 GMThttp://www.davemcnallyart.com/blog/the-heroes-journey-separation

This painting was inspired by Joseph Campbell's book "Hero of a Thousand Faces". My friend, Peter Nichols was visiting me and I was inspired to throw an old wool blanket around him and light a candle and put it in his hand. I took several photos of him and the inspiration grew from there.

]]><![CDATA[The Mountain Light]]>Wed, 13 Apr 2022 21:07:35 GMThttp://www.davemcnallyart.com/blog/the-mountain-light

This painting is a result of a good day hiking the Teton backcountry. I was on the return from Lake Solitude and the cloud patterns and light kept changing all the way down valley.

]]><![CDATA[One summer Evening]]>Wed, 13 Apr 2022 21:05:08 GMThttp://www.davemcnallyart.com/blog/one-summer-evening

I stopped along the Teton River one evening and sat on the bridge watching the swallows feast on mosquitoes. There was a thunderstorm passing to the south which made for dramatic light.

]]><![CDATA[Higher Realms]]>Wed, 13 Apr 2022 20:42:57 GMThttp://www.davemcnallyart.com/blog/higher-realms

"Higher Realms" is the result of an early morning drive through Grand Teton Nat'l Park. I got an early start to do a long Teton hike and passed the Grand at the perfect time to catch the morning alpine glow."

]]><![CDATA[Soar]]>Wed, 13 Apr 2022 20:33:31 GMThttp://www.davemcnallyart.com/blog/soar

This is a scene I took from a day of wandering the hills above Jackson Hole. The treetops in the lower part of the composition connect heaven and earth, but just barely. It was easy to imagine soaring across the sky like and eagle!

]]><![CDATA[Gokyo and the Turquoise Goddess]]>Wed, 13 Apr 2022 20:30:29 GMThttp://www.davemcnallyart.com/blog/gokyo-and-the-turquoise-goddess

Gokyo is the Nepalese village in the mid-ground and the “Turquoise Goddess” is otherwise known as Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world at 26,906”. I climbed Cho Oyu in 1997 with two good friends, from the northern side in Tibet. But this view, from the Nepalese side, has always been one of my favorites. I return to the Gokyo valley often and have painted it several times. There are several emerald glacial lakes along the Ngozumpa glacier. Gokyo is on the shore of one of them.

]]><![CDATA[Om]]>Tue, 05 Apr 2022 20:33:13 GMThttp://www.davemcnallyart.com/blog/om

The subject for ‘OM” is a Saddhu, or Hindu Holy man, who I came across one day while exploring the streets of Kathmandu. He is a practitioner of yoga and meditation. Although he spoke no English, it was clearly understood what I wanted when I asked for his photo. He smiled and gladly posed while making this common gesture with his hand. It is the gesture for the word “OM” which is one of the most common chants to Buddhists and Hindu’s alike. It is said to be the sound of the Universe. What I found most striking in this man was his penetrating gaze, which I felt revealed the strength of his soul.

]]><![CDATA[Yogini]]>Tue, 05 Apr 2022 20:32:37 GMThttp://www.davemcnallyart.com/blog/yogini

When I paint a portrait, I am looking for the spirit or the spiritual essence of my subject. Sometimes, that essence seems a little closer to the surface than others.
I asked Kari Svenson, a local yoga instructor, to demonstrate several yoga poses for a photo shoot. When considering the photographs, in my studio, an image came to mind of the many Thangka paintings I have seen in Nepal and Tibet, in which, a deity or bodhisattva is depicted with multiple arms such as ‘The Green Tara” or Samaya Tara Yogini. I found this composition to be an unusual and interesting updated version. The impression that comes to mind when I think of Kari is that she smiles easily!

]]><![CDATA[Bliss]]>Tue, 05 Apr 2022 20:31:53 GMThttp://www.davemcnallyart.com/blog/bliss

“Bliss” is the second painting I did of local yoga instructor, Kari Svenson. I was initially interested in the yoga poses she was doing and had planned to paint her full figure in a pose. However, as I studied the photos later in the studio I became more captivated by the expression of bliss on her face rather than the vehicle that brought her to it. I chose to focus the painting on her elevated state.

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