Jennifer Love Artwork BLOG

Kristi Grussendorf ~  An eager and lifelong student! After spending the last year on the board of the Utah Watercolor Society with Kristi Grussendorf at the helm as UWS President, I am honored to say that I know this amazing woman. She is a nationally-known, award-winning artist and instructor with incredible talent for drawing the viewer to the main focal point in her paintings, and a master of working with value.  Dogs at Millcreek  ©Kristi Grussendorf You probably see a theme of water media artists in my features so far. There are several reasons for this. First, because most of the artists I know specialize in water media. Second, because watercolor is one of the most challenging and unforgiving mediums to work with (ask any artist you know), and I think each of these featured artists are among the most skillful in the world. Third, because I love watercolor! I have worked with many mediums myself and have enjoyed many different met...

Hi there!  I'm still here! We have been dealing with the "den of germs" at my house the past two weeks as both my sons have been sick (oldest, then the youngest, then the oldest again, and now they are both sick), and my husband too. Viruses, Fifth disease, and now more viruses (and/or allergies). Consequently, our house got a good airing out this weekend and I have turned to help from essential oils, honey cough syrup, slathering vapo rub on feet, running humidifiers, and other natural remedies in order to help. OTC meds aren't working much with my oldest son (other than ibuprofen keeping down fevers). I'm just learning about all this essential oil stuff. I used to know more about herbal remedies in my 20's, but it's been a while. I am re-learning things! Please feel free to offer me any advice on natural remedies that you find are helpful for colds, fevers, congestion, asthma, and cough. :) I hope to be back with a fresh FRIDAY FEATURE this week. S...

I was so lucky to attend a fabulous and fun Utah Watercolor Society mini-workshop with Nancy Maxfield Lund at the end of March! I learned about staining paper, reviewed composition and design, and how to create watercolor collage with the papers I had stained and/or other paper. Painting with paper! AWESOME! My work table Hand-stained papers Stained papers drying Stained papers drying and partially used I have long admired Nancy's work in the 12 years that I have known her, and have been wondering how she creates her wonderful collage work. Now, after a decade, the question has been answered! (At least on a basic level). :) Nancy demonstrating Nancy is a great instructor with helpful hints to share and she gives you straight-up feedback. I'll be honest...my brain was hurting by the end of this workshop! I only managed to get three paintings completed during my time there - ...

Twas the night before workshop And all through the hous e,  An artist was scurrying,  As fast as a mouse Paints and paper all packed Anticipation abounds Palette, cardboard and towels No scraps of paper left to be found (okay...maybe a few...) The hour is late As she checks her list twice Do I have all my supplies? Missing some wouldn't be nice Morning will be hurried, Make sure things are ready Tuck the kids into bed With a blanket and teddy The artist is tired She hopes all is done Tomorrow she's off  To learn from Nancy Maxfield Lund ! Paints, palette, papers all packed for workshop. This is my "empty" studio space. :) I'm registered for a two-day collage workshop with the awesome Nancy Maxfield Lund  that starts tomorrow. This is another "mini workshop" sponsored by the Utah Watercolor Society . I am super excited! Hopefully, I will have some interesting art to share afterwards. :) As always, thanks for sto...

What I love about mid-March in Utah are the sure signs of Spring that seem to appear almost overnight. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. SUN in general! Daffodils blooming, buds appearing on my lilacs, leaves on my butterfly bushes, and tulips poking out of the ground in my flower beds! Our house is West-facing, so the tulips are always coming up later than most of the neighbors, but they also bloom later, so I have flowers longer. :) I have found, over the past few years, that I increasingly crave the sunlight and find the gray days and dark nights of Winter to be increasingly depressing for me. There are some sunshine days that are beautiful in Winter, and I see the beauty there. But, the lack of light and the prevalence of gray make the overall season more and more difficult. So, as Spring approaches, the light increases, the flowers start popping out, and the weather starts warming up, I feel more cheerful, more energetic, and more inspired! Today, the temperatures are warm, my k...

Random topics today? Perhaps.  It is Monday. First day of a super busy week for me. Day six of my personal "No McDonald's for breakfast" challenge. You can follow my daily challenge at my Instagram account or @JenniferLoveArt on Twitter if you want! Or follow JenniferLoveArtwork on your Instagram app (since that's really what Instagram wants...no websites for those folks!)  My challenge is the daily count-up (how many days can I go?) of replacing my usual McDonald's breakfast meal with oatmeal or Cream of Wheat. I am trying to cut out the extra calories, time, and money that my McD breakfast cravings have created in my life in the past few years. Small steps towards getting healthier...and long life = more time for me to create art!  #savingmoney #eatinghealthierbreakfast #21daystochangeahabit Instant oatmeal instead of Sausage/Egg McMuffin! Here in Utah, we moved our clocks forward one hour at 2:00am on Sunday morning in observance of Day...

The last year and a half have been a challenge for our family and, in particular, the last nine months have taken much of my attention as Mom. Our youngest son was diagnosed Anxiety, causing ODD behaviors last June. We have been in therapy with him since that time. Weekly at first, then every two weeks, then three, then every six weeks - until yesterday - our most recent therapy session. Apparently we have "graduated" and that will be our last session (unless we have a major resurgence of problems). Admittedly, I am a little nervous going it alone, but the the therapist seems to have confidence in my skills to assess the situations and adapt our approach to his behavior in order to achieve positive results. I think child therapy sessions would really be more aptly named "parenting therapy." We have learned some great tools and techniques to help us better communicate with our little one as well as improve behavior and cooperation. But, there are always setbacks and ...