Jennifer Love Artwork BLOG

February's ACEO contest is coming up on ebay (ACEO TW). The theme week always starts on the first day of the month. Like Nibblefest, there is a monthly theme. ACEO is an acronym that stands for Art Cards Editions and Originals. What qualifies an ACEO is the size, which is 2.5 x 3.5 inches (6.4 x 8.9 cms) just like sports cards. The theme for February is "Winter Wonderland." Since I am preparing to do a commissioned painting of Delicate Arch...and since Delicate is wondrous and beautiful, I decided to do a little ACEO of Delicate, but make it winter time. This took a little imagination on my part, since my photos were taken in July, but I thought the results turned out okay. :) My auction will start on Feb 1st at 6:30pm Pacific time. :) http://www.ebay.com/itm/200707614318?ssPageName=STRK:MESCX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1554.l2649

After the wonderful watercolor workshop I took last weekend, I have been feeling my creative juices flowing again. So, I decided to get back in the Nibblefest game this month and created three new paintings based on the January theme: Letters, Symbols, and Numbers. For those who are unfamiliar...Nibblefest is a monthly art contest on ebay. Each month there is a theme assigned. Artists who participate may list up to three auctions for artwork created around the theme. Two of the three must be original, one may be a reproduction. All auctions must be listed on or after the 20th of the month and must end on the 27th. All auctions must start at $0.99. The winners of the contest are determined by the auctions with the most unique bidders. I enjoy this contest and it's a fun way to stretch your artist's brain. I love looking at all the auctiosns to see other artists' interpretations of the theme. You can view all the Nibblefest auctions by searching "NFAC" on ebay

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! :)