And Now For Something Completely Different...

So it's not photography, and yet it's related.  I love the feeling when things are organized and there is a place for everything.  I am not inherently organized, so the more systems that I can have in place, the better chance there is that things will find their way home. It's all about managing my mind as much as managing my tendency to clutter. I was browsing through Pinterest (yes working hard) and came across a very cool idea for displaying and organizing sunglasses.  And for once, instead of just pinning it, I thought - hey - I need a break and this is something that I can do that is immediately tangible, solves a problem in my house and gosh darn it....could make me feel good too! So I scrounged through my ridiculously out-of-control stack of extra frames that may never find their way back in to use again.  I found this beauty; it is a lovely gold/green tone that will work beautifully with my Bryant Gold walls. Some black paint to spruce up the inside and make it aesthetically pleasing, some repair jobs to the front (especially after I figured out the hard way that my staples from the first attempt went through the frame...duh...think first impulsive girl) with A bit of Tim Holtz lacey bits for the trim, and voila! I replaced the old, dated mirror that was on the wall and replaced it with this bit of loveliness.  I still have my little hat hangers underneath (which I may now paint),  and I love that all this storage space nice to look at, as well as functional.

I love love love the use of frames for an unexpected purpose - especially with some of my favourite pictures thrown in the mix too!

xo

Jen

Sapphire

She started as a simple sketch...a journal page. 

Perhaps a design under a transfer.

Play with some watercolour...wait - 

that's working...more colour...more paint...

Copics and ink and water soluble oil pastels...the layers grow. 

Luminescent eyes that shine with inner light. 

More Copics...more refinement.

I present Sapphire.

She is how I regained my sanity a bit today.

xo

Jen

"She Saw Her Past"

I just released a new painting to the world.  It can be viewed and purchased on my Etsy site.  Or just enjoyed here! As a side note....I think it's interesting that I keep wanting to call it "She Saw Her Future"...maybe there's more to her story than I thought...

I love the vintage photos and bits of an old film.

 

 

 

xo

Jen

Fortune 82

FORTUNE

Dreams of paint dripping and pretty girls, 

gold gilding,sparkles and pretty swirls.

Elements of mystery with layers unfolding,

reaching to snare you into beholding

the wonders.

I collect fortunes.  Those tiny slips of paper tucked in to a tasty little bit of cookie.  Over the last few years, I have amassed a substantial collection, knowing that they would become art.  I regularly think about the many ways to work with them and yet, when I sit down to create, they stymy me.  They sit in their bag, taunting me with their messages. Until today.  This one leaped out of the pile and spoke to me. The Fortune series has begun. The dictionary defines Fortune as:

1 often capitalized : a hypothetical force or personified power that unpredictably determines events and issues favorably or unfavorably

2 obsolete : accident, incident

3 a : prosperity attained partly through luck : success b : luck 1 c plural : the turns and courses of luck accompanying one's progress (as through life) fortunes varied but she never gave up

4: destiny, fate fortune; also : a prediction of fortune

I love all the different elements of this definition. Here is where we begin, at Fortune 82

 

 

 

xo

Jen

 

Bliss

 I just finished my latest painting "Bliss". She has already found a home, but I still wanted to share. I especially love the shiny glass beads on her dress and the layers of wax that reveal her. Thanks for looking!

 

Clown

 Ahhhhhh!!!!! And the angels sing.  I have been battling with this painting almost since I started the drawing on it.  I needed to step out and try one that wasn't just a pretty girl. Once I did the actual first painting on it, I nearly tossed it. Until a friend said, are you nuts?  Try something else with it! There's no point in just getting rid of it. So I pushed it and added more layers and glitter (which was almost a tragic mistake).  And then I was pretty happy with it.  So, this morning I thought...it needs wax.  I played with my new batik pen and then melted a layer of lovely lovely beeswax over the top. Gave it a polish...and that's when I heard the singing.  I LOVE IT!!!! It's hard to see the details in the scan, but trust me.  It has such a lovely presence! You can see it on my Etsy site here.

 

Brooklyn

I was doing some housecleaning on my computer and came across these pictures from a year or two ago.  I was fortunate enough to be asked to do a Life Art album for a good friend's niece.  I had forgotten how much fun it was and how much I love how it came out!  This is something they will have forever - what an incredible legacy to pass down to Brooklynn when she is a bit older!

Paris Girl

I finally had a chance to finish the painting I have been working on for a few weeks and I LOVE LOVE LOVE how she came out.  The colours are so vibrant and there is a lot going on in this piece.  The edges are finished with vintage english and french book and dictionary papers. So much fun. Check it out on Etsy at:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/67373515/paris-girl-original-mixed-medial?ref=pr_shop

If Ever - New Mixed Media painting on Etsy!

I just completed my first in a series of Portrait Mixed Media Paintings. It is listed on Etsy with a tag of $200. Wouldn't it look lovely in your daughter's room? And the Winnie the Pooh quote will always remind you both of the bond you share.

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together...

there is something you must always remember.

You are braver than you believe,

stronger than you seem,

and smarter than you think.

But the most important thing is,

even if we're apart...

I'll always be with you.”

Winnie the Pooh

I hope you love it as much as I do!

Jen

Christmas Connection

New Art Journal Backgrounds

I went to an evening crop at The Scrap Yard on Saturday night and had an absolute blast.  My friend and I stepped out of a traditional crop and worked on our journal pages.  Here are the backgrounds that I created that night.  They make me happy everytime I look at them. And I completely love the cyclops thing going on.

NYC Journal Page

 I realize that I have used this images a number of times, but it occured to me that I should have it in a journal, as it may not always be on the wall. I had the perfect background journal page that worked with the colours in the image. Combined with a bit of journaling that sums up the root of how I feel about NY, I'm happy with the overall feel!

I love tapes. Not the cassette kind that we mixed up in the 80's and 90's. Washi, transparent, masking and this uber-cool metal tape I found at home depot.  What a lovely, lovely surface to work on. It embosses under my pencil; the pencil rubs away with subsequent media, but the mark remains. It paints beautifully. It also gives one hell of  paper cut...but what's a little blood between friends? This tape inspired me to push past my comfort zone and attempt a bit of a sketch. And then go beyond it. And spread my wings.

Sigh. So many lovely things to play with.

Mood

I just uploaded a new mixed media piece to my Etsy Shop. It is an intimate 9x12 entitled Mood. I love how the text interacts with the image to tell a story. Here is a preview of it with a detail shot as well.

Deconstructing 9er

It's official.  9er has been launched.  I have entered the world of Etsy.  Fot those of you who don't know Etsy, it is SOOOOOO worth checking out.  It is an amazing, online resource for all things vintage and handmade. Think Ebay, without the auctions crossed with the best market EVER! I'm a little excited...can you tell? Deconstructing 9er is my play place.  A place to put and sell the art that I am so passionate about.  For my art prints and encaustic paintings.  And for all of the other stuff that is swirling around in my bean these days. I would so love if you would check it out! There isn't much on there now...but stay tuned...so much more is in the works! In the meantime, here is a sneak peek of one of the pieces on there...and if you have any feedback...let me know!

xoxo

9er