Jennifer Love Artwork BLOG

Follow up to my workshop post... Since my painting time is often limited by work or family demands, I am a big believer in not feeling like I have wasted any painting, even those I don't especially like or love. Typically, there are one or two areas of a painting that I really like, or sometimes love, even if I don't especially care for the painting as a whole. As a result, I have learned to focus in on those areas and create smaller paintings from them. My advice to any artist....NEVER be afraid to crop!!! The two paintings I did on day one of my watercolor workshop were definitely out of my comfort zone, but were good exercises. I didn't particularly care for either finished work as a whole, but had some favorite areas in both. So now, instead of two "so so" paintings, I have three smaller paintings that I quite like. :) Cropping makes a world of difference!

I had the opportunity this weekend to take a mini-workshop that was organized through the Utah Watercolor Society. The workshop was guided by Kristi Grussendorf , a UWS and ISA artist that I admire. She has this great ability to work with light and shadow and beautiful underpainting. So, besides just being able to focus two days on art without distraction (which was wonderful!!), I was hoping to glean a little knowledge about how Kristi achieves her wonderful paintings. The theme of the workshop was "Composition and Focal Point." We had some wonderful exercises the first day in creating floral still life paintings that were supposed to be loose, and created without a reference photo. Both things a challenge for me, as I tend to paint pretty "tight" (though I am getting better about loosening up as the years go on). And, since I paint from photo references about 90% of the time, creating work without a photo, plein air, or still life reference to look at was a real

Just a note to thank everyone who has purchased anything from me in 2011. As you may already know, I decided to donate a portion of my 2011 art sales to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. I chose to tally the work up at the end of the year so I could make one big donation...and, luckily, the company I work for has a matching grants program for charitable donations. Thanks to all of my clients (new and ongoing) in 2011, I was able to write a check of $165 to the MJFF as a donation...which will be doubled by my company's matching grant program! :) Additionally, there was a private donor match working with MJFF for every contribution...so that should have tripled our donation. :) Every dollar helps. I am so grateful for everyone's contribution and will be continuing my "Paintings for Parkinson's" in 2012 as well!

After leaving Local Colors Gallery last August, I have done a few small paintings, but find my time is eaten up with household and family demands. One benefit of being at the gallery is that I could use the time I was working my gallery shifts as "studio time." Not so at home. Little ones need much attention. :) I also recently received a promotion at work a few months ago. I haven't had much time for painting since then. So, the last few months have been challenging on the art front...and finding a way to make time for myself (where I might possibly get the creative juices flowing). I think that is the plight of many mothers. :) I decided for 2012 that I need to make sure I carve out time for this in my life again. So, starting with this past New Year's weekend, instead of doing those extra loads of laundry, dishes, or cleaning the house...I made time to finish the large ongoing Bryce Canyon painting for my friend that has been delayed and delayed by one thing or a

I haven't had time for a new painting yet, but here is my entry for the December Nibblefest - theme is Landscapes. This little painting is titled 'Bryce Canyon Color Study" and is a little color study I did in preparation for a larger painting of the same subject matter. I am hoping I might get another landscape in before the end of the Nibblefest, but not sure since I still have two little paintings and one big to finish. But, glad I had this one that would satisfy the theme for this month. :) We'll see how it does! http://www.ebay.com/itm/NFAC-DEC-Jennifer-Love-Artwork-Landscape-Bryce-Canyon-watercolor-art-painting-/200691551583?pt=Art_Paintings&hash=item2eba260d5f

Here are my entries for this month's ACEO Theme week: " Tree Frog " " Flutter By "

Nibblefest for October came and went. The theme was "Still Life." I did two little paintings. "One Pumpkin" sold during the Nibblefest auction week. "Sicilian Blue" did not, but I have revised it and reposted it on ebay. I didn't like the original background, which was all pink and didn't provide good enough contrast for the vase. I like the brown background much better. :)

Hooray for Main Street Artisans! I received my first commission check from them today for sales of various cards and also "Dancer in White"  Nice! :)

ACEO Theme week again! (Right on the heels of Nibblefest). This month's theme is masks. I was stumped for ideas, but thanks to my friend Cheryl who emailed me a good idea to get started and then I decided on two more. This is the first time I have had three entries to ACEO. :) Here are my Art Card Editions & Originals Theme Week Entries for "MASKS" " Greek Mask " " Venetian Mask " (scan doesn't show the decorative glitter parts very well, but they are there) " Comedy & Tragedy "

One of the very nice things about associating with other artists is that you have the opportunity to develop great friendships with kindred spirits. One such spirit is my good friend and fellow artist, Catherine Darling Hostetter . Catherine has been the President of Local Colors Gallery artist co-op for several years, and I worked with her closely in the year that I was with the co-op. Though I knew Catherine from UWS before, we really had a chance to become friends during my time at the gallery and I am a better artist and better person for knowing her. Another great thing about being an artist is that you get to see so much wonderful art created by people you know and care about, and often get the back story on the pieces you love. And, you sometimes have the opportunity to trade art for art! So...here is my story. Catherine was creating paintings for a featured show at Local Colors one month for an Angels and Saints theme. We were both up late one night and messing around on fa