JENNIFER'S ART BLOG

Cutie Cousins.....

2010-12-31T10:26:00.001-08:00

Camp Cuties! (Anne & Amy) Acrylic on canvas 20" X 16"

This is the completed painting that my cousin Amy commissioned me to do as a Christmas present for her Nana & Pop!

It is a nostalgic piece from a happy time in their youth when they would go to a certain camp in the summertime.

This piece was challenging because I was creating it from several reference photos and using lots of "artistic license", lol!

I am please with the finished product and I hope Nana & Pop LOVE it!!!!!

2010-12-31T10:13:00.000-08:00

Self Portrait Acrylic on wood "20 X 16"

FINALLY! Mom's painting is completed in time for Christmas! She LOVED it! Now she has all 3 of us on her wall. I wanted this painting to relate tp the painting I did of my daughter a couple of years ago, hence the wings!

What's on my easel this week?

2010-11-24T17:21:00.001-08:00

Self Portrait 20" X 16" acrylic on wood

This is a belated birthday present for my mom. After this is completed she will have a wall of portraits in her living room of her entire family, Dad, Lanny & Me.

I'm looking forward to adding some finishing touches and highlights and then sending this to her!

Kyle & Konner

2010-09-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

Kyle & Konner - 20" X 16" Watercolor

This is my "labor of love" from this summer! A portrait commission for a client and friend of her two boys, Kyle & Konner. This is based on a reference photo that she provided me with.

For some reason, I had a challenge being satisfied with this project and it took me much longer to complete than expected but I feel it is well worth the wait and I absolutely LOVE IT!!!

2010-02-24T08:43:00.000-08:00

COMPLETED

"Dad" Acrylic and collage on Wood 21" X 18"

Now that Dad's portrait is completed I can tell you the whole story about it. The painting is done on a panel of wood that came from a credenza that him and my Mom bought together when they were first married. At that time my Dad used an old label maker to write a love note to her and stuck it on the inside of one of the drawers. I have included the original note in the painting. Here is a close up of it......

It says, "I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH KATHY."

I have also included a piece of one of my Dad's baseball caps as seen in detail below...

As with the portrait that I made of my brother Lanny, the process of painting my Dad, who passed away over 6 years ago, has been one of healing and letting go for me.

A friend of mine, who is also a healer and intuitive, has suggested that I write my Dad a letter and read it out loud and then burn it in front of the painting. Very good advice......I will definitely take her up on it!

I get to present this painting to my Mom when she comes up to NY for Easter next month!

I think she's gonna love it!!!!!

2010-02-17T10:12:00.000-08:00

"Dad" Acrylic on wood 21" X 18"

I haven't worked on this in 2 days. Today I layed in the backround. Not sure if I will get to it again today but I am excited about adding more details and highlights to Dad to really make him "pop"!

2010-02-14T13:53:00.000-08:00

"Dad" acrylic on wood 21" X 18"

So I have been working more on this painting today and I wanted to present it here in stages so the progression of the painting can be seen. I still have a lot of work to do. I am also contemplating adding some "mixed media" like pastels.

2010-02-13T15:25:00.000-08:00

"Dad" acrylic on wood 21" X 18"

I started Dad's portrait today. This is my second attempt. It was supposed to be a Christmas present for Mom but the first one was really not working out so I had to paint over it and start over. I am finding that it is more challenging painting on wood than on canvas, but I am pleased with how this is coming out so far. I think it's time to sleep on it and start fresh tomorrow. "Good Night Dad!"

2010-02-11T11:56:00.000-08:00

Here's what Floyd's portrait looks like framed......

"Floyd" (completed!) acrylic on canvas 20" X 16"

The finished portrait of Floyd! Well, Amy....just another thing to look forward to on returning from Canada, Eh?

2010-02-10T17:50:00.000-08:00

"Floyd" acrylic on canvas 20^X 16"

Finally started this portrait of my cousin Amy's cat Floyd! What a cutie! It's long overdue! I hope to finish it tomorrow. "Meow, meow!"

2009-06-28T18:31:00.000-07:00

"Spirit Works" 16" X 20" Acrylic on Canvas

So I am very excited to have completed Uncle Frankie's painting, his gift for his 60th birthday!

The idea for this painting came to me in a meditation after following a friend's advice on how to choose the medium and my color scheme. First I wrote down watercolor and acrylic on 2 separate pieces of paper and folded them up to randomly pick acrylic with my eyes closed. Then I chose 5 tubes of paint from my paint basket, also with my eyes closed.

This was a fun process because it really forced me to trust my intuition!

This painting represents my brother working in our lives 10 years after his death. His presence if felt by all he was close to and he had a special connection with my uncle. Many of you know that my 2 uncles and my mom won big in the Kentucky Derby this year, using the formula that my brother came up with before he died. Hence, the horse running along the beach.

I think that I managed to incorporate the symbolism that I wanted without making it too hokey. I had a lot of fun creating this! I can't wait to see what Uncle Frankie says when I give it to him!

2009-06-28T18:26:00.000-07:00

Eve - A study in Watercolor - 16" X 20"

OK, so it's been awhile since I've posted! I am afraid I have succumbed to long bouts of artist's block! However, I am back in the groove and I am committed to staying inspired and busy!

The Above is a watercolor study of my beautiful daughter Eve! I previously did an acrylic painting from the same photo of her. I may still do more with her clothing and the backround but I was so excited to be working in watercolor for the first time since HS that I wanted to share!

I am very pleased with this painting.

New Look, New Adventures!

2009-03-02T13:31:00.000-08:00

"Serious Fairy" Acrylic on canvas (20"X16")

This is a portrait that I Just Finished of my daughter Eve. I will be posting my artwork here as I am working on and completing new projects and would appreciate your feedback and comments.

The previous post about my brother was the spark that began my re-entry into the artworld after a 10 year hiatus while raising my children.

This has also developed a new avenue of income for me. To be earning a living doing what I love is truly a blessing and I am excited to be sharing this journey with all of you!

Happy, Happier & Happiest

2008-11-11T06:57:00.000-08:00

Portrait of Lanny - Oil Pastel on Black Paper 18X24"

January 17, 2009 will mark the 10 year Anniversary of my brother, Lanny Charton's death.

My brother Lanny died at the age of 29 after losing his 4 year battle with Leukemia and complications following a bone marrow transplant. He was a very strong presence in my life as I naturally looked up to my big brother.

I'm sharing this because when he was sick he had a powerful message and philosophy that rings true today.

When he was bed-ridden, he told me that his new motto in life was "Happy, Happier & Happiest". It's pretty self-explanatory, focus on what will bring happiness and joy into your life. It's only complicated if we make it so. I guess being restricted to a bed and eventually, learning that your time on earth is coming to an end, it's easy to see what really matters.

This ties in with a book I'm reading by Deepak Chopra, "Why Is God Laughing?". In it Chopra stresses that we need to find happiness inside of ourselves, regardless of our current situations and problems.

If you are constantly striving for the brass ring and it is always out of reach, then you know what I am talking about!

"I'll be happy if.........I loose 10lbs, I pay off my credit cards, I get that job I want, I get that relationship I want, I get the house, the car, the whatever....I want" You get the point.

I've learned that if this is what we base our happiness on, we will always be striving for happiness and never attaining it.

These are exciting and challenging times in our country right now. We are being challenged to not give into the fear and chaos of the economy and bring our focus on what is really important. To stay positive and hopeful as we figure out new solutions and new ways of looking at life.

If your happiness is based on the price of gas then guess what? The oil companies are in control of your joy. The good news is that you can take back the control! By focusing on our blessings and expressing gratitude for them. By helping out our neighbors that are hurting. By uniting ourselves with our fellows instead of seeing ourselves as separate. We're all in this together and we are all connected.

So, slow down this holiday season. Don't spend money that you don't have. Now more than ever we can use our imagination and creativity to show our friends and family that we care, without spending a lot of money. Give someone your time. Donate a coat or food to the needy.

Focus on what will TRULY make you happy and you can't go wrong!