Oink and Moo!

I have been playing with a new series of paintings that are a complete departure from my Pretty Girls. And I should not be surprised how much I love painting animals - I am animal crazy! But I am surprised at how fun and loose it is.  Here are the first few from the series.  More details can be seen on my Etsy site as well.

 

Oink

  

 Daisy

  

Rufus

New Journal Backgrounds

 I just created a couple of art journal backgrounds that I love, so thought that I would share them here.  These feel like I am getting back to a stye that I was missing...like I had forgotten about it and left it behind in the name of every element needing to be mine.  Hand created.  There is something so peaceful about just flowing with images.  Cutting. Pasting.  Breathing. And out of that came a couple of pages that I can't wait to write all over.  That mean something to me.  I hope you enjoy!

xo
Jen

Starlight

 

A whisper in the moonlight. A glimpse in to the future or a breath of the past.

A notion of time passing.

This is Starlight.

24x36

Find her on Etsy!

 

 

 

She has my heart - I hope she finds yours.

xo

Jen

Pinkie

eyes luminescent bright light shining through reflecting what is inside where do the words come from what have i seen where do i extend to next pools of soul falling dropping like splashes on the page

the next pretty girl

xo

jen

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.

 

My Own Connection

Connection comes in so many ways.  Connection is the energy between people.  It is emotions felt, expressed and left crackling. It is light and love and sensitivity. I know that the root of my images is connection. And yet - I keep my own connections pretty deep.  You get glimpses of it in my photography and in talking to me.  But I am very conscious of crossing the professional line to allow the deeper glimpses of my rock star underneath. And in session today with my amazing business coach, Laura Watson I/we realized that in reining it/her in, I haven't been true to my art, to myself and most importantly, to my soul. I thought - this is a blog for my business, and though I have deviated slightly, it hasn't strayed far. And yet, my photography is art.  And art comes from the soul. If I can't show my soul as an artist - what do I have?

So - Laura challenged me to cross that line.  To smash it.  And bare my soul.  To share who I am.  I thought I would do this in a separate blog.  It felt safer and potentially less alienating. But no. It needs to be here.  Because we never know when the words we share make a difference for someone else. So here she/we are. Her name is 9er and she has come to represent the better/crazier/more interesting/ligther/artsy parts of me. I am unleashing her in hopes that people will connect with my story, emotions and more. I welcome comments and interaction.  Pass it along if you like.  I am reaching out without (in theory) fear and I hope you enjoy the ride. 

Grace and ease (below) isn't done yet. It took me 3 months to journal over the background because I was in love with the marks. I know there will be more on the other side, but wanted to share the process.