A Dream to Paint, my first art video...

I'm sharing my first video made with the help of my amazing mom.  She's more tech savvy than I am.

The music is "Dream" by Priscilla Ahn

You can see a better quality version HERE. :)

Hope you like it.

My friend Concetta Perot tagged me in recent blog post. 

Thank you for thinking of me Concetta, here are my answers. :) 

1. How do you keep a sense of balance in your life?

I am better able to balance when I get up early, get dressed, & fix my hair/makeup before my family wakes up. It is a daily challenge for me.  Painting helps me breathe and feel balanced after a busy day.  

2. When was the last time you felt like a child?

I totally felt like a kid last week when I fell while running with my dog. I skinned my elbow and limped all the way home.  My sweet daughter put a band-aid on my elbow for me.  

3. What is the most unusual art / creative material you have worked with?

I once used old dryer sheets to add texture to the background of a painting.

4. How do you feel at the moment when you have finished creating a piece of art / making?

Elated!  Painting is pure bliss for me and when I finish a piece I get so excited and want to share it.

6. What visual image / work  of art leaves you awe-struck?

Davinci’s work always leaves me awestruck. 

7. Would you prefer to live in the city, by the sea or in the mountains?

If I had to choose, I think the sea.  Neskowin and Manzanita are two of my favorite places.  Hawaii would be nice too. ;)

8. What do you do / say to yourself to bring calm when you are anxious / overwhelmed?

I paint. I tell myself out loud not to worry, everything will work out.  Music helps too. 

9. What is the best thing about blogging?

I love the friendships I have made through blogging.  The love and encouragement with other creatives is amazing.  I’ve been lucky enough to meet some of my blog friends in the real world, including the lovely Concetta Perot.

10. What is the worst thing about blogging?

It’s hard to think of one, I love blogging.  I guess it’s frustrating when I have an idea during the week for a great blog post, but when I sit down to type my mind goes blank. 

11. What is your most treasured possession and why?

I keep a little box of treasures that hold love letters from my husband, notes from my children, and a few special photos.  My family means everything to me.   

Sending love from Oregon,

Jenny

Published!!! Happy PPF!

Happy Friday All, it is a great day!  The sun is shining and I'm feeling so happy in this moment.  

I drove my boy to school this morning and we were singing the whole way there.  

It's not like that every morning, today was just special.  We're feeling relieved that my father in law is ok.  We got news yesterday that he was in the hospital having chest pains.  The doc thinks he may have just exhausted himself doing yard work.  He is having some tests but will hopefully be heading home to rest soon. 

We are loving this song by the new American Idol, Phillip Phillips!  

I stayed up late to vote for him and I'm thrilled that he won.  Did anyone see the show?  

I totally cried, he was so sweet and humble.  It's magical to see a dream coming true.

One of my dreams came true this week!  My Jane Eyre painting was published in the summer edition of Somerset Studio Gallery with a story by Misty Mawn!!!  I was thrilled to be there along  with fellow artists: Karen Kay, Carissa Paige, Maureen Clancey, and Andrea Woodyat.  

A few of my favorite blog friends were featured too, Francesca Di Leo, Diane Salter, and Wanda Miller!

I've been on a roller coaster of emotions going up and down.  I'm still hoping and dreaming to go to Italy and paint with Misty Mawn.  I have reached 10% of my goal thus far.  I keep going back and forth wondering if I should just give up because it seems impossible.  I want to believe it will happen.  I requested the time off from work just in case.  I did the math and if all my facebook friends sponsored $7.00 I would be able to go. 

Thank you so much to my friends and sponsors, I'm grateful for your kindness♥

Keeping the Dream Alive,

Jenny♥

My name in print!!!

close up of the messy stage

on my art table

working on a custom portrait

Hi from Lucy

Painting and dreaming...Happy PPF

I am here with no make up on and paint on my hands.  I need to get myself presentable and get the house picked up but I'm pulled to my paints.  I started working on this portrait last night.  She reminds me of a young Marie Antoinette.  As I kept working she started to become the classic Marie with big hair.  I like her so far, I'm not sure where she will take me yet.  I love the journey.

I decided to let her rest awhile while I worked on the plaster piece pictured below.  

I may add some birds to it.  I'm working slow and feeling it out.  

Last weekend I took a step towards a dream...

I had been hoping and wishing to take a painting class in Italy with one of my favorite teachers but it just wasn't possible due to the cost.  My husband and I pooled everything we had to send our beautiful girl on a senior trip.  It was a once in a lifetime experience for her and she loved every minute of it.  

I knew the only way I could realize my dream was to speak it out loud and ask for help.  It was not(is not) easy to ask for help.  I took a deep breath and posted my wish on facebook.

When my dear art friends showed up to support me I was overwhelmed.  Happy tears filled my eyes for the love that was shared with me.  To all of my Sponsors and Friends...Thank you♥♥♥

I still have a long way to go, but there's real hope now that my dream could become a reality!!!

If you would like to help too the information is on my sidebar.  :)

Happy Painting and Happy Weekend!

Much Love,

Jenny♥

Sending goodies to my friends and sponsors♥

PPF

Happy Friday All!  

This is a piece I finished this week.  I thought you would enjoy seeing some progression photos too.   

It it glorious here in Oregon today.  The sun is shining and its got me smiling big. :)

Sending love to all my artist friends!  Thank you for visiting. :)

Much Love,

Jenny

sharing a little sidewalk love i found yesterday morning 

May 6th 2012

I had a million ideas about to share with you this week but as I sit here to write it out my mind is blank.  Most of my ideas came while driving and were swiftly replaced as I walked through my front door with ideas of how to get dinner, baseball, and homework taken care of.  This time of year is always a whirlwind.  

As I sit here tonight I'm feeling incredibly thankful for my sweet family.  My husband, my babes, and my animals mean the world to me.  They have been asking me what I would like for Mothers Day.  I'm hoping for art supplies, always...My sweetheart has been so supportive lately.  In the beginning of my passion for painting he was a wee bit irked at the mess on the kitchen table, but now he is my biggest fan.  

His support of what I love to do makes me love him even more.♥

I leave with a few pictures of what I've been painting.  

Sending love to you and wishing you happy!

Jenny♥

Portrait commission in progress

adding paint over graphite and stabilo

1/2 view of the same portrait with more layers added

portrait of my daughters dear friend honoring her Maori heritage

4/27/12

Hello Friends!  

I'm trying to get back to regular blogging, I've been hibernating the last couple of weeks.  The gray days here can really get to me.  The sun made an appearance over the weekend and it felt so good.  

Thinking of warmer weather means less layers of clothing to hide my plump backside so I need to get myself moving.  I just finished a workout with just dance.  It is so fun! Has anyone ever played it?  Now I just have to make this dancing thing a daily routine. 

I'm still working on a commission for a friend and another friend asked if I could paint a moose for her.  I've never really painted animals but I'm gonna give it a try.  I started another portrait while working on my commissioned piece and I'm absolutely loving it so far!  I shared a few pics below.  

Sending wishes to all for a Happy Weekend!

Much Love,

Jenny

PS:  I've added a sponsor/donation button to my sidebar if you would like to help me get to Italy for a painting class with Misty Mawn.  Anyone who sponsors me will receive a print of one of my paintings and I will add your name/blog to my sidebar with love.  I've been wanting to go for months but it just didn't seem possible.  So I'm dreaming BIG that it can happen!♥♥♥

Janie & Lucy were begging for attention while I was trying to finish my article for Somerset.

Me, exhausted after I finally finished re reading and editing a million times. 

On my easel

pastel portrait

same portrait with acrylic paint over the pastel

Still working on it...

Lucy soaking up some rays in Grandma's backyard

Oh, hello :)

Hello Friends!  It's been crazy busy lately so I haven't had a chance to post anything.  The last couple of weeks was spent getting my daughter ready for her trip to Europe, a quick trip to meet dear art sisters in Seattle, and BIG NEWS...I'm writing an article for Somerset Studio!

I am so excited and nervous all at the same time.  I'll keep you posted on the details, it's a dream for me!

Here's a few pics of what I've been painting.  Hope you've been painting too. :)

Much Love,

Jenny

Getting a feel for a new painting

first stage- working on my first commissioned painting

a little more progress

messy sketching

adding a little color

Finger painting, so much fun...You should try it!

Finished finger painting

This painting used to have wild red hair and a dark background but I wasn't feeling it so I changed it♥