A need to carve....

This is a photo of a totem Randy and I saw last February on Captiva Island. We have this big block of wood on our front door step that is a house warming gift from a friend of ours. Well, okay it's really a joke, but I've been wanting to carve it into a totem pole and this seemed like a great model for the job.......what do you think?
Sorry, no painting yesterday or today, I am sick with the flu and I just don't have the energy...tomorrow, for sure, I feel a little better tonight. I guess that is what sleeping will do for the flu/cold bug!

-jM

Friday Evening Open House at Stutz

Here they come and here they are!! The second photo is a smallish crowd inside my studio. The first photo is the crowd in the hallway. Very busy night, my little paintings did well. Tomorrow I will put the "sold" signs on the post!



Okay, one more day to go. Saturday we are open from 2 PM to 7 PM. Whew About Wednesday, I should know the numbers. Last year we had about 6000. I think we had more so far this year.

-jM

Stutz Open House Display

This is the display board I made for better viewing of my little paintings for the big Open House this Friday and Saturday.
I actually have 22 total, the last one I did, "Eye Know You" is still a little wet. I must have used too much oil. I also have another little sign to go into the left side of the black display.
Maybe tomorrow morning I can do one more little painting before my life becomes a mad house for two days.
Good night for now............

-jM

"Eye Know You"-Sold

This photo doesn't do this one justice. I'll work on getting a better photo set-up one of these days soon.

There is a little reflection in this vase that I hadn't noticed when I first started this painting today. I had taken a little break, came back to the painting and there it was a baby sunflower reflection. This made me realize that I need to keep looking and looking and looking.............

-jM

"Cindy's Martini"-Sold

I'm not sure what to title this one. Maybe I'll think of something eventually.........

-jM

"Before You Go" -Sold

I used a new brush today, Faux Squirrel, and the shape is like a "sash" brush or like a trim brush in house painting. What does Brad call it?... a cut brush, for cutting in the trim.

This painting is pretty loose...okay, do another!

-jM

"Morandi Daffodil" -Sold

This is my Morandi version of a daffodil in an olive jar. Looking at round jars straight on take the ellipses out of the equation, but by no means did it make the painting any easier to do as I initially hoped...........work, work, work work, work.

-jM

Penfolds & Grapes-Sold

The glass is "off" a little, I think I need to work with some rectangular shapes for a while---- and the grapes!...I thought grapes would be easy, I was wrong again- I think I'm making it too hard or being too critical- step back, step back, step back...

-jM

Hmmmm Flower

The past couple of days, I've been working on laying down a stroke of paint then going back to the palette and reloading the brush with color, or similar color as needed. I'm learning that when I put down a stroke, the brush actually picks up some of the color around or under the color that is put onto the canvas. If I make two or three passes without cleaning or reloading the brush the color gets muddy or muddled......... Thanks CM!!

-jM

Painting for Marilyn-Sold

Haven't titled this yet........... but........

This is a commissioned piece for Marilyn. She is giving it to a close friend this weekend. The Susan G. Komen run/walk, "Race for a Cure" is this weekend, downtown Indy. Marilyn's friend had a double mastectomy and this is a gift for her. A group is participating in the "Race" and the martini theme is involved.........thus the martini painting : ) ....... cool ......... Marilyn is having all the girls sign the back of the painting, then they will present it to their friend....... again..... cool ..... I feel privileged to have done this painting for such an emotional cause.
-jM

Stutz Artists Open House

This is the front of the postcard I'm having printed for the 2009 Stutz Artist Open House. This took a little time, the other side has my name, artist statement and contact info, whew.

This is one of the major events of the year in Indianapolis. Last year we had over 6000 people attend. This is our 16th year and my third. It's a two day event and it is exhausting for the exhibitors! Here is a link for more info http://www.stutzartists.com/openhouse.html.

I have also finally gotten my artist info on our Stutz Artists Association's website, which is big for me. I have such trouble writing my artists statement, that always slows me down, but I did it! Check out my page on the site at http://www.stutzartists.com/artistJanettmarie.html .......... : )

Today, Brad and I spent the day painting the walls of my studio, so my little painting isn't quite finished. Started, but not finished. Tomorrow, I have all day to paint and that is what I'm going to do!

-jM

"Approaching Storm" -Sold

I did have sunflowers as models for this painting. I'm discovering that I need the proper lighting not only for the still life, but in my studio to illuminate the canvas as I'm painting.
The still life also needs more controlled lighting. Okay, one thing at a time.... what is that called... a shadow box?
This little ditty would not photograph. I think I'll change the camera that I've been using. It's all the dark purple in this painting that throwing it off... I think...keep painting...I'm really liking painting with oils rather than acrylic, seems oils are more malleable...
-jM

"Loose Cherry"

Today I've been working on a 18" x 14" that I needed to step away from and let dry a little, that will be finished tomorrow, ideally.
What I decided to do, so I could post tonight, is a really loose and whimsical painting of a cherry martini. I found an old sketch that I had done two years ago and decided to combine a little what I've learned and a little fun. This is the result. I know it's not elliptically correct, but it's fun.
Here is the sketch...

-jM

"Are We Really Related?" -Sold

This painting started out as an acrylic and has now been finished in oil. I'm not sure if this is mixed media or not. I think not really........A couple of sunflowers for my friends : )
I think I may be a little too close to the left and bottom edges of the canvas........Do another.......
jM

"An Unlikely Pair"

Whew, this is what I attempted today. Wow, I think this may have not been the right combination for me today. Red on red.
Can you tell what it is?
This is the most still lives that I have done in my entire life!! I better put together a type of still life box to do these paintings.
The way I'm working now I have too many variables, too many light sources and directions. Okay enough whining, I'll see what tomorrow brings! jM

"Granny Green"-Sold

This is Friday's painting. I think this is a Granny Green apple but I'm not sure.
Still working......... jM

"Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA"-Sold

The other day I googled how to draw ellipses, so I continue to practice them. I do need more practice.
This is a glass of Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, if you drink microbrew beers, you may know this one. I think this painting took at least 60 minutes or more to set up, paint and photograph. Just getting everything set up takes time and patience.

jM