JanettMarie's Little Paintings

"Proud Lady Benton"

2012-01-27T15:07:00.002-07:00

40"x30" mixed media on canvas

This painting may look small here, but it is actually a little larger than most. It measures 40 inches tall and 30 inches wide. The title comes from the fact that this house built in 1873, it is located in historic Irvington neighborhood of Indianapolis, Indiana and is called the "Benton House".

Here is a photo I took of it.

A little note about the house that I found on the internet:

BENTON HOUSE 312 S. DOWNEY (NW CORNER, DOWNEYAND OHMER): French Second Empire, 1873. Restored by the Irvington Historic Landmarks Foundation in 1966, this unusual one and one-half story structure was built by Nicholas Ohmer as a speculative property. Dr. Allen Benton and his wife Silence resided in the home during his tenure as Butler's president from 1886-91. Now the home of the Benton House Association, it is a meeting site for various Irvington organizations.

Well, that may be a little more than you want to know, but why the title "Proud Lady Benton"?

My artist friend Leigh is knowledgeable about historic stuff told me that Victorian houses in San Francisco painted with three or more colors are referred to as "Painted Ladies". This house has three colors for sure and is painted. We decided that she is a proud lady, thus "Proud Lady Benton"! Ahh, but she is not a Victorian, she is a French Second Empire, she is French, like Martine!

Hmm, French press coffee.... mmmm...

Have a wonderful weekend! I get to paint with the kids tomorrow!

-jM

"Who is She?"

2012-01-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

8"x6" mixed media on paper mounted on canvas

Can you just imagine these two talking to each other wondering, who is that other person over there?
Maybe they are thinking about inviting her to coffee with them!

This little abstract figurative came about when I was working on the commission piece "Beth". What a nice surprise to get another painting out of the deal. I love the subconscious!

: )

-jM

"Quick Cup of Joe"

2012-01-23T20:06:00.000-07:00

7.5" x 5.5" mixed media on paper

Very abstract... sometimes in the morning this is what I am... abstract, like this coffee cup... whew.

Good morning!

-jM

"Beth"

2012-01-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

8"x6" mixed media on paper mounted to canvas

Here is "Beth", she is Clara's sister. This little painting is a commissioned piece that I finished Friday and boy did I clean my studio a bit before I could get this painting to come alive! A sure sign that I'm distracting myself from doing something or meeting a deadline, is the cleaning the studio syndrome!

I had an ah ha moment on Thursday night and found myself able to finish Beth on Friday... whew, that will make my client very happy!

A coffee cup? Yes, I have one tomorrow morning!

-jM

"Blue Mug"

2012-01-20T06:32:00.000-07:00

9"x6.5" mixed media on paper

A coffee drinking flower! I'm not sure what is on the side there, but I am sure that it needs coffee too!

This is number 54....

-jM

"Good Morning"

2012-01-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

9"x6.5" mixed media on paper

A little bit bigger painting today. A big 9 inches by 6.5 inches, whoo hoo!

This little flower is sitting happy in this cup just waving good morning to everyone! Now this is how I drink my coffee. With a big good morning smile on my face!

This is number 53 and counting down (or up)!

-jM

"Crazy Cup"

2012-01-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

3"x2" acrylic on itty bitty canvas

Number 52, "Crazy Cup". The background of this painting is a hot pink color, not easily recorded with a digital camera, but really eye catching in person! Whew!

Dare I say I'm on the home stretch yet? With only 48 more to go... hmmm, better not say it yet, maybe over the hump is better. : )

-jM

"Coffee at Large"

2012-01-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

8"x6" oil on canvas panel

This painting, I just kept looking at it and looking at it and decided that I should just stop here and go on and do another! I've been looking at this baby for about two weeks! Or so it seems... now I can get on with these paintings... this is number 51..... 49 to go! Watch out March 30th, here I come!

Happy day from rainy Indy... : )

-jM

Need a title--number 50!

2012-01-04T19:47:00.000-07:00

22"x30" mixed media on paper

Number 50. This is not the best photo, but I just had to take one so I could let you all know that I didn't just quit painting on December 31st.

This painting was still wet when I shot this picture, but this will give you an idea what it looks like. Hmm... what to name it....

See the area on the bottom left, that big stain of brown color? That is coffee. Yes, I'm learning how to use coffee as a painting medium, such fun!

Hmm.... I have more cups in progress.... I'll be in touch Friday for sure!

Aaa... what is today/ Oh yes! Happy Birthday Kimbo! : )

-jM

Kimbo's Coffee? Hmm....

"Expressive"

2011-12-31T19:13:00.000-07:00

3"x3" Mixed media on itty bitty canvas

Okay, really, this is the last painting for the year. It's small, yes, and I actually finished the last two (this one and number 48) at the same time. This is the second time this has happened to me, but this time, I accepted it better. I didn't freak out trying to figure out which one was finished first... who would know anyway? Yes, only the Muse knows...

Gotta go... the ball drops in 3 hours!

-jM

"Two For Me"

2011-12-31T19:02:00.000-07:00

3"x3" Mixed media on itty bitty canvas

Earlier this month, I believe Angela ask for two lumps of sugar in her coffee...
okay, I got a little carried away... these lumps are huge!!

Number 48...

-jM

"Coffee Break"

2011-12-31T13:34:00.000-07:00

2"x3" Mixed media on itty bitty canvas

Just a little coffee break on New Year's Eve, getting ready for the transition from 2011 to 2012.

Okay, I'm ready, I've had my coffee.... bring on the champagne!

Counting down!!

-jM

"Coffee No Cookie"

2011-12-31T09:08:00.000-07:00

3"x3" Mixed media on itty bitty canvas

It's an itty bitty for the series of 100 Coffee Cup paintings. I finished this little guy last night but had a blurry image and decided this one needed to go to sleep.

I've actually photographed this with my iPhone, yes, I just got an iPhone about two months ago. I actually really like the camera on this phone, it's like an 8 mega pixel quality. Just right for a blog photo!

Going into the archives of this blog, I think this little painting is number 46 of the series. Wow, last year at this time I had just finished 40 apple paintings. I'm just a little ahead of last years pace!

Hmmm.... can I get to fifty before tonight at midnight...... that would be four more, hmmmm.....

Oh, and the reason this painting has no cookie... I ate it for breakfast!

-jM

"Itty Bitty Yellow"

2011-12-30T22:23:00.000-07:00

2"x3" Mixed media on itty bitty canvas

An itty bitty yellow cup... worked on a few of these today. A little something rather than nothing.

Hope to have a couple more tomorrow...

-jM

"Outa Square"

2011-12-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

3"x3" Mixed media on itty bitty canvas

A good cup of coffee will almost always get you back on square.

After I finished this little painting I noticed that one of the itty bitty stretcher bars is shorter that the rest. Thus, "Outa Square" a perfect title for this itty bitty painting!

The mixed media portion of this painting is coffee (a little bit), ink, acrylic and oil paint that is really shiny!
Guess you would have to see that effect in person, it has a certain attraction of its own!

-jM

"Morning Jolt"

2011-12-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

22"x30" Mixed media on paper

Here it is, one big cup of coffee! Not an itty bitty or little painting, but a bigger painting although not huge, it is bigger.

Two more are on the easel and should be coming along soon hopefully, before the end of this year!

Mmm.... coffee....

-jM

"Venti for You"

2011-12-27T20:19:00.001-07:00

3"x2" mixed media on itty bitty canvas

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Venti is 20 ounces of coffee for you! Okay, so there is really just a splatter of coffee in, I mean on this cup!
The mixed media of this painting is coffee, acrylic and ink!
Whoo hoo!

Just waiting for the New Year to bring its self in!

A big cup painting tomorrow....

-jM

"Boxing Day Coffee"

2011-12-26T19:18:00.001-07:00

2"x3" acrylic & ink on itty bitty canvas

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What a day! We've already put away the Christmas tree, I can't believe it! It feels like we just put it up!

Boxing Day for us today was boxing all the Christmas decorations and putting them away. At least we still have the wreath up outside and tomorrow night, it may have some snow on it! Oooo......

Happy Boxing Day!

-jM

"Pajama Claus Up Close"

2011-12-24T16:07:00.001-07:00

8"x6" oil on canvas panel

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Merry Christmas!! Ho, ho, ho! I just couldn't wait until Christmas day to post this Santa. I've had him painted since November, but that was too early. Now seems to be just right!

Happy happy Christmas! This includes Merry!

Ho, ho, ho!

-jM

"Parrot Head Cocktail"

2011-12-23T21:05:00.001-07:00

3"x2" acrylic on an itty bitty canvas

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Well, it is late and it is time to celebrate the holiday's now isn't it?

The colors in this itty bitty just made me think of the Jimmy Buffet fans... Parrot Heads... it is all about the colors isn't it?

Happy, happy, holiday's!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

-jM

"A Small Splash"

2011-12-23T08:55:00.001-07:00

3"x2" Acrylic on itty bitty canvas

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Good Morning! An itty bitty splash of coffee to get us all started!

Yesterday, I was so busy painting with the kids and painting with the adult-kid painters that by the time I made it home, I was too tired to post any coffee cups! It was a great day all in all, even the Colts had a good day with a last home game of the season win. Oh, and of course the IU basketball team won too! Indiana may be a little chilly and rainy, but that doesn't keep us from having fun!

More later!

-jM

"Fill 'Er Up!"

2011-12-21T19:30:00.001-07:00

3"x2" acrylic on an itty bitty canvas

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This is a full cup. We need a full cup this time of year, with all of the parties and late night shopping. And early morning shopping and gathering with friends and family... yes, we'll need a big full cup of coffee!

It may be small, but it's mighty!

Today, I worked on my paintings that are 1000 times larger than this one. I'm working on translating a smaller painting into a larger painting. I hope I can pull it off!

Talk with you tomorrow!

-jM

"One for You & One for Me"

2011-12-20T15:58:00.001-07:00

2"x3" acrylic & ink on an itty bitty canvas

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Two more red cups to take to Bonnie's house for coffee. It's really cold up there so she said she would make hot chocolate with marshmallows also. I think for Myra and others that don't really drink coffee. I guess they pass it up for the sweet taste of chocolate!

It's Christmas week, I hope everyone is doing splendid! I am..... I started three new paintings today. Coffee cups of course and they measure 22" by 30".... yes, it's 1000 times bigger than this one!!!

Page asked how I can paint so small.... well, smaller brushes and many canvases at once, to keep me busy.
On the flip side when painting bigger.... yes, larger brushes and many canvases at once, to keep me busy!

No, I'm not kidding! Remember this image?

Nine six inch by six inch canvas panels

Have a great evening... Happy Hanukkah!

-jM

PS: Does any one know where Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada is located! Okay, I'll google it!

"Northern Exposure" -Sold

2011-12-19T19:25:00.002-07:00

8"x6" Oil on canvas panel

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Let it snow! It is the season for snow, but the temperature reached 50 degrees here today! Just a little fair weather tease, I'm sure.

I finished four itty bitty's today. I was going to post one tonight, but I didn't get the images into my "dropbox" correctly this evening, so.... tomorrow, there's always tomorrow!

Happy Birthday to my sister Suzie today!!

-jM

"Cup for the Road"

2011-12-15T16:41:00.002-07:00

2"x3" acrylic on canvas (itty bitty)

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Oh, my day got away from me today! I went to the Indianapolis Museum of Art and spent time in the library checking out a book I'm curious about. I got to the museum at 11AM when they opened but the library didn't open until 2PM! Oh, I couldn't just leave, so I wandered and wondered around the general exhibit. I think I may have accidentally gotten into one that you're suppose to pay for, but I didn't know until I tried another room and was asked for a ticket... oops! All good.

About 1PM I decided I better get to the studio and get a cup painted, but before I left the museum I decided to get the library hours so I could look at the book another time. I took out my camera phone and was photographing the hours that were posted on the glass door, when I had a couple people ask if they could help me. My guess is it had something to do with security, what do you think? Well, the best thing happened! The librarian let me in early and got the book for me to look at! Wow! I love that place. When I open the cover, inside was a sticker that said the book belongs to the Herron School of Art Library. Wow again, I went to art school at Herron and I loved that library so full of art books. I could spend hours there and at the time I could check out the books. Now the library is no longer there, but now I know where the books are! Even if I can't check them out of the library, at least I can still read and enjoy them! Life really is good.

Enjoy your coffee!

-jM

"Three Different"

2011-12-14T18:11:00.001-07:00

8"x6" oil on canvas panel

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Here we go three cups. Three different but yet, the same. I may tweak this one a little more too, I'm still looking at it... a few touches here and there....

It certainly does help to look at these as a photo, I get a little different perspective on life, I mean the cups!

Bonnie, here are three cups so far, I know we will need more. I'll see what I can find tomorrow!

-jM

"Planning the Future"

2011-12-13T13:42:00.000-07:00

8"x6" acrylic on paper mounted on canvas

Which cups shall I take to Bonnie's coffee gathering? I have an idea and I will bring several because we may have more than the expected number of participants!

This little painting is mostly acrylic, but I do have two little dabs of enamel from Mike Swolsky's work table that Leigh acquired for me. It is metallic copper I believe and I have a bit of Acrylic Artists Ink, but that is acrylic, but it is ink. Oh, there I go... thinking again! Yes, this is a mixed media piece no matter how small the mix!

Bonnie, the cups are coming, hope you have a huge coffee pot!

-jM

"The Journey Begins"

2011-12-12T19:40:00.001-07:00

8"x6" acrylic on paper

We have the cups and Bonnie has the coffee pot. She lives in Canada so that's her house way up North in the distance with the snow. It is December!

We should be there in no time, we believe in the magic of the season!

There is an itty bitty coffee cup in this painting. I'm not sure if the painting is finished quite yet, but I wanted to give you a sneak preview!

Have a wonderful day!

-jM

"Red Returns"

2011-12-03T21:59:00.003-07:00

6"x8" acrylic on canvas

A little red cup for now. Just to let you know I am painting a little... I'll have more next week, I'll be home and I'll have paintings to share!

This is a cup with a big handle! Can you imagine if that handle was one of two big ears! Whew!

Have a great weekend!

-jM

"True-Blue"

2011-11-22T19:27:00.001-07:00

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

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Here it is the last, the number ten of the Myra Coffee Cup series. This cup has the handle on the right side, I guess I've been drinking from this cup! I'm right handed!

Sorry I haven't taken the time to post this sooner, but as we all know, life happens! Yes, I have been busy with other stuff and now I want to take this time to tell you that I'm gonna take about two weeks away (maybe) and let some more life happen.

Let me say... "Happy Thanksgiving!" and I will be back in touch around December 8th or so!

-jM

"Ahhh Nutcracker" revisited -Sold

2011-11-14T13:47:00.004-07:00

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

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The season is here! Just around the corner is Thanksgiving in the USA and then Christmas!

A show at the StutzArtSpace is opening the first Friday in December and it is titled "Small Treasures".
I thought this little painting would be perfect for the show! I did add a few touches of highlights to spruce it up, so that indeed makes it a new updated painting!

On another seasonal note, how about snow! Below are three of my young artists from last Saturday's Cookies and Canvas painting class showing me their masterpieces!

Young Painters from Cookies & Canvas.

Silly me, I forgot to get their names!! Oh, they had a great time. Oh, so did I!
Did I tell you they have the best Auntie in the world? She brought them to Cookies & Canvas!

-jM

"It's What's Inside That Counts"

2011-11-11T15:59:00.001-07:00

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

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It's What's Inside That Counts... yes, usually. Maybe I need a coffee now. I know it's late, but...
it just sounds good to me right now!

Mmm, mmm good!

Have a beautiful weekend everyone!

-jM

PS: This is the ninth of the Myra coffee cups!

"The Yellow Cup"

2011-11-10T22:37:00.001-07:00

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

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Thee Yellow Cup.... I had to google the title to make sure I had not used this title before. "That Yellow Cup" came up, so I'm okay! So did just "Yellow Cup", thank goodness! Here we are then "The Yellow Cup"!

I must say thank you to Bonnie Fillenwarth my art buddy across the court yard for helping find the problem I was having with this one. You know, sometimes an extra pair of eyes come in handy! I think the painting is better now! I know, it had to do with the handle.... but it wasn't the handle, it was the side of the cup!!

Shoot.... Hopefully I'll have a cup tomorrow! It's Friday tomorrow, I'll need to have fun!

Gotta love a full moon! Did you notice?

-jM

"4AM Coffee"

2011-11-10T02:59:00.002-07:00

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

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Now this is some black coffee! At 4AM through the sleepy red eyes, does a white coffee cup look red?

Maybe it just looks red because the eyes are not open yet!

Good Morning!

-jM

"4PM Coffee"

2011-11-08T16:20:00.001-07:00

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

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Coffee or tea? Maybe 4PM coffee needs to be a light coffee, not as strong as what I would need in the morning at 6AM or 4AM.....

This is like number 3 of the Myra's coffee cup sub-series, some where in the shuffle I missed it. Yesterday about 4PM I discovered that I hadn't posted this one, thus the title!

-jM

"Pink Cup"

2011-11-07T10:45:00.001-07:00

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

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This is Joanie's cup! I think Joanie is right handed or the cup is turned so the heart is just right! All that makes this cup just right!

Below is the photo that Joanie sent to me. I think I'll put more hearts in the cups! This is too cool!

Joanie's original cup

More tomorrow!

-jM

"From Deep Within"

2011-11-05T15:07:00.002-07:00

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

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Ooo, it's a heart in the bottom of this cup! Thanks Joanie!

Joanie Springer sent a photo of a cup that her daughter gave to her. This painting is a combination of Myra's cup and Joanie's cup. I have a Joanie cup on the painting table, just about finished, at least the first one of the Joanie cups!

Am I having too much fun with these cups?
Just enough! Like I tell my young artist painters, "have fun when you paint!"

Here is a group of my young painters! Yes, they are having fun!

-jM

"Plum Dive"

2011-11-04T19:09:00.001-07:00

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

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Happy Friday! Looking at this painting, I'm thinking, it's hard to believe this is a result from doing one little painting inspired by the "Last Cup of Coffee" icon!

Thanks again Myra!

Transformers!

-jM

"More Coffee for Myra"

2011-11-01T11:43:00.001-07:00

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

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Another Myra coffee cup. Maybe this is orange coffee. Do they make orange coffee?

Myra said she found this cup in her cupboard, it says "#1 Mom"... can you see it? Use your imagination now...

I'm going to let this little oil painting dry a bit more then tomorrow, I may add a glaze to get more of a shadow effect on the front side of this cup.

The handle is on the left side of this painting. Myra, are you left handed? I've noticed when I set up my coffee sup models the handle tends to be on the right, I'm right handed. Inquiring minds.....

-jM

"Myra's Coffee"

2011-10-31T14:07:00.001-07:00

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

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It's Monday. This is the first of ten, yes, ten of Myra's coffee cups. This one I did looking at a small printed out copy of Last Cup of Coffee's icon place holder doodad. As I sit here at my computer, I noticed that I printed a bigger copy and I can read the little cup napkin better. Looks like the next one will definitely have a slightly different look, of course.

After I had this little painting about half finished, I distracted myself by taking out 9 more 6"x6" panels and drawing the same view of this coffee cup on the other nine. At about number 5, I thought, maybe I'll just do six total, repetition, repetition for automation. After the sixth was drawn, I decided that I started with a goal of ten, so continue to ten, so ten I did.

I also changed the Christmas Coffee painting a little bit... here is the revised version...

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

Looking forward to Tuesday!

-jM

"Christmas Coffee"

2011-10-28T14:52:00.002-07:00

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

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Mmmm.... I imagine this coffee has peppermint in it! Mmmm... candy canes.

Okay, it's okay, to be thinking about Christmas. Everyone likes Christmas... cookies! Oh, cookies, yeah.

Here's to cookies!

-jM

"Really?"

2011-10-27T17:08:00.001-07:00

8"x6" oil on canvas panel

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"Really?" This is what the vase is asking the Gerber Daisy.

Gotta work on the lighting of my set-up's. Just felt like a struggle tonight, don't know if it's just a phase or what. Gonna work through it, hope you all can tolerate me! Listening to me complain... I should apologize right now. Sorry, we can get through this..... maybe it's the weather, yes, that's it! I'll blame the weather.
Whew, I feel better all ready!!

This is cup number 23! Thanks Myra for giving me a count. I didn't count the little drawing on paper, but I did count the pieces I did on book pages. I'm thinking about tearing them out of the book. I've had a couple stick together and well, now they look a little different than what I posted this summer... oops.

Okay, I'll try again tomorrow. I think since tomorrow is Friday, I'm gonna have to go crazy, this tighter painting is making me tense!

-jM

"Martha's BB Cup"

2011-10-25T15:34:00.001-07:00

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

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Not sure I'm getting the dramatic effect I'm looking for in these last few paintings. So! I'm gonna keep trying!

How many cups is this Myra? I'll count them and come back with a number tomorrow!

-jM

"Mushroom's Cup"

2011-10-24T19:36:00.001-07:00

8"x6" acrylic on paper mounted to canvas

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What color cup would a yellow mushroom have? Randy said red, so red it is here!

This little painting I did for the "Shoot and Paint Art Challenge" for October. It's such a cute crazy looking mushroom, it was hard to resist! Of course, I added a cup!

A still life of a cup Martha lent to me, tomorrow.... what is "BB" again? It's on the bottom of the cup.

I think I'll stop and get a fresh flower to go with the cup before I get to the studio in the morning too!

Good night!

-jM

"Small World"

2011-10-21T15:12:00.001-07:00

8"x6" oil on canvas panel

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Do I laugh or do I cry? Well, I laughed, a little. Today working on this painting for Myra, I was trying to put the paint down thicker than the last few oils I've done lately. I've been reading the book "Alla Prima" that Richard Schmid wrote, and he says that you should try to put the paint on the canvas without making any noise with the brush. That was easy, but he also talks about not letting the texture of the canvas show through. So I have this painting with really thick oil paint on it and I'm getting ready to photograph it. I dropped it face down into my hands... oops and yuck, you should have seen my hands!

I photographed it anyway, I can see where it hit my hands, maybe it helped.

Martha was on her way out and I caught her in time to share my story. She didn't mind the smudges too much and was drawn to the cup right away, "Oh, it's my cup!" Thanks Martha, I have several of your cups and I need to get them back to you.... maybe one at a time will be okay. Heck, she even lent me another cup earlier today!

One thing that did bother Martha was the dark shadow behind the baby sunflower.... she also made a point that if it bothered me too much (the shadow and the smudges) I can always go back into it!

The blue marble on the bottom right, ....that is the small world.

Myra, sorry I dropped your painting, I guess I'll have to just paint another!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.... : )

-jM

Flower spent...

2011-10-20T12:55:00.000-07:00

Poor little flower!

Sorry no painting today, but I did get the arrangement figured out for tomorrows painting. Sometimes I think it takes longer to put the "set" together than it does to paint the painting!

I briefly thought about doing the same set up again today, but like I told you yesterday, I didn't think the little flower would make it another day. As you can see in the above photo, she's not looking too good. The painting may have been a little too weird with a dying flower... hmmmm... dying love... hmmm... no, let's keep this upbeat!

I'll report back tomorrow with Myra's painting request!

-jM

"Save a Spot" -Sold

2011-10-19T16:21:00.002-07:00

8" x 6" oil on canvas panel

It is a cup, it's actually an expresso cup. This painting I think may be too high key at this point so I think I will try this little white cup (well, off white) and plate again. The flower will not make it another day, my lighting was a little too much for it. I was lucky I captured the flower first and the cup and small vase last.
Hmm... who is the star of this painting? The cup?

Thanks Angela for asking for a painting today!

: )

-jM

"Group Hug" -Sold

2011-10-05T12:26:00.002-07:00

8"x6" Aquamedia on paper mounted on canvas

Group Hug! Everyone gather 'round, what would we do if we didn't have each other?

This piece is another made with the "peels" of acrylic and will be in the SAS show for October.

Check us out at http://www.stutzartists.com/skin.html

-jM

"Sent From Heaven" -Sold

2011-10-04T18:01:00.002-07:00

8"x6" Aquamedia on paper mounted on canvas

Absolutely all my friends are sent from heaven...

This is aquamedia on paper mounted on canvas. I call this mixed media aquamedia because there are pieces of acrylic paint that was dried on my palette, that I peeled it off and used in this painting! Robert Burridge calls the pieces of dry acrylic "skins"....

-jM

"Come Along Little Sister"

2011-10-03T19:32:00.000-07:00

6"x6" mixed media on canvas panel

A lot can be read into this little painting, so I'll let you the viewer do the reading.

This painting is acrylic and oil paint stick and more acrylic. An abstract with a bit of attitude!

See you tomorrow!

-jM

"Cathedral Mug"

2011-10-01T09:07:00.001-07:00

8"x6" mixed media on paper mounted on canvas

Click Here to Bid

My artist buddy Martha observed that most of the coffee cups I've painted so far have been coffee mugs!
Guess that is because I tend to drink my coffee out of a mug? Watch out you coffee mugs, some cups will be coming on the scene!

This little painting has a few acrylic "skins" on it. Playing with those skins again. Speaking of skins, if you have a minute, check out the project that some of the lady artists (me included) from the Stutz have been putting together!

Women of a Certain Age: The Artist Revealed 2012 Calendar

and Leigh's famous now she was on TV! Her interview on WISH-TV.

Oh my goodness, what will we do next?!

-jM

"Good to the Last Drop"

2011-09-27T13:28:00.001-07:00

6" x 8" mixed media on paper mounted on canvas

Click Here to Bid

Remember that red cup? It is like two blog posts ago, well, here it is and it is one tough cup painting.
It has been through the ink wash, more paint, pastels and I'm not really sure of all the materials. I know I've used steel wool at one point to remove some stuff I didn't like and isopropyl alcohol to remove stuff too! Yes, the red cup has even been through a name change... "Good to the Last Drop".

Whew, hope I can handle another cup painting! I hope you can too!

-jM

"Black Cup"

2011-09-25T11:55:00.001-07:00

8"x6" acrylic on paper mounted on canvas

Click Here to Bid

Black coffee cup. I started this painting with black acrylic, thinking about a black coffee cup that we have in the cabinet at home. Then I was going to paint back into it. When I looked at it the next day, I decided that it looked done! So I have declared it finished.

My homage to Franz Kline!

Off the subject and just for fun check out this video about Bob... maybe you have seen it. Be sure to watch past the first set of credits.

-jM

"Yellow Cup"

2011-09-21T16:49:00.001-07:00

8" x 6" mixed media on paper mounted on canvas

Click Here to Bid

A "Yellow Cup", yup, made this one up right out of my brain. Having a loosey (like Lucy) time.
This little painting has gouache, acrylic and dry pastel. I found dry pastels in my studio the other day and wow, so soft. I have them right where I can find them again!

Red Cup after ink washed off

Here is the red cup after I washed off most of the ink. This is the piece that I really laid the gouache on thick before I inked it. Next, I will go back into the painting again to finish 'er up.

Talking country today... giddy up cowboy.... nope I don't have cowboy boots or a cowboy hat...
hmmm...

-jM

All 100 Apple Paintings in One Place!

2011-09-20T17:39:00.000-07:00

Here it is my video of all 100 Apple Paintings from one to 100!

I hope you like it. It's not too long, but it sure did take me a long time to make it!

I am working on putting together a little book of the paintings, it is just taking me a while to write the introduction and the ending. I'm on a roll though!

Tomorrow, I will post another coffee cup and what I've learned from the gouache project!

-jM

Are you ready for this?

2011-09-19T20:08:00.001-07:00

6" x 8" Mixed media on paper mounted on canvas

Okay, I may have made a mistake... or maybe not. The above image is the final piece with a bit of work added... some dry pastels, more gouache, ummm, black india ink pen.

Ink washed off

Here is the painting with the ink washed off and no additional work. It seems to me the whole piece got a little dull on me, so I thought I would try again!

Red Cup before ink

Here is a quick study of just the cup, but I used solid red for the cup. I laid the gouache on really, really heavy this time and hopefully I let it dry enough before I poured on some india ink.

Red Cup with india ink

Okay, not a great photo again, but I do hope you get the idea. Rather than brushing the ink on, I poured it on then kind of allowed it to flow around by tipping the paper different directions. I also left some areas free of ink. Control areas I guess they would be in the experimental (scientific) world. In the first picture, the white line that indicates the horizon or table top has no paint on it. It is the white of the gessoed paper. I wanted to see if the ink would make a black line out of the un-gouached places.

Okay, tomorrow I will wash the gouache!

Two experiments here: 1. Will laying down the gouache thicker allow the painting to come out brighter, and 2. Will the un-gouached areas become ink black?

Tomorrow....

-jM

"Nesting Cups"

2011-09-17T19:27:00.000-07:00

5.5" x 7.5" mixed media on paper

This is the first step to one of the next cup paintings. This is a photo of the painting before I put ink all over it. Below is a photo taken with my ipod (ie; bad photo) of the painting with india ink spread over the surface!

India ink all over the surface!

Tomorrow, I will carefully remove some of the ink from the surface by running this painting under a stream of running water. Scary...... Most of the painting is acrylic, but then I went back onto the surface with gouache and some gold ink. A little experimentation here... this is the before and tomorrow....

I will show you more!!

-jM

"Jane's Favorite Cup"

2011-08-30T16:31:00.004-07:00

7"x5" mixed media on canvas panel

This morning I received an email that just had a couple of photos of a coffee cup. Hmmm.... a nudge, I think so! The email was from my sister Jane, hmmm.... maybe this is her favorite cup? Or maybe this is just one of her favorite cups.... or maybe, this is the cup she was using this morning! Maybe she will tell...

Thanks Jane!

-jM

"Study this Mess"

2011-08-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

How about this little messy pig. This painting is the beginning of something big... I hope, I joke, I mean I hope I will do better than this with a little more practice. I just had to get back into the saddle and just start making painting part of my daily routine, whether it's painful or not!

Patience, patience, patience! And I decided that it is only fair to share it all with you! "Full Monty", well... almost.... at least show you the beginnings of paintings that I feel I will definitely have to work back into some more.

I picked up a book from the library today, it is titled "Alla Prima" by Richard Schmid, have you heard of him?
I'm looking forward to seeing what he has to say, the book itself to purchase is quite expensive. I really want to find out... why.

Going away for the weekend, I will catch back up with you on Monday.

Have a lovely weekend!

-jM

"Apparently..."

2011-08-22T17:48:00.004-07:00

8" x 6" oil on canvas panel

This little gem is from Saturday's time at the easel in the workshop. No cup in this painting, but the blue vase is one that I believe Connie said her son made. It is a beautiful turquoise color and sat completely still while the sunflower just moved it's little face all around the place. Guess it was following the sun!

This is the last of the paintings from this past weekend, guess it's time for me to get back into the studio and get to work!

-jM

"Strawberries and Tea"

2011-08-21T15:55:00.001-07:00

6" x 8" oil on canvas panel

Well, I made it through a three day workshop and man am I mentally exhausted!

This is the painting I produced today and well, not like my typical stuff lately... but change is good. I did learn a lot of new and different ideas. Like the way a painting reads and the way you would like the viewer to read your painting(s). And setting up still life's and the lighting! I love good input.

This photo was shot quickly today, I will try to get a better photos of the studies I did this weekend, later this week.

It was nice to work in oil again. I really do like it.

Oh, yes, that is a coffee cup on the right, the handle is hidden on the back side.... or maybe this is a European cup? Hmmm.... take care!

-jM

"Sunflower in a Cup"

2011-08-19T17:56:00.001-07:00

6"x8" oil on canvas panel

This weekend I am attending a painting workshop in Noblesville, Indiana, that is being taught by Qiang Huang. It is tricky trying to step outside the box and try something new, but I recommend it to any artist. It is good to always continue learning. He presented some really good information today and I am looking forward to tomorrow!

Fresh ideas!

Yes, there is a red cup in this painting, the sunflower is sitting in it! One of the easier cups I've painted lately... maybe because it is mostly hidden?!

-jM
Thanks Connie for letting borrow your camera!

"Tyger & Coffee"

2011-08-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

Mixed media on old book page

This morning, Tyger and I were having our coffee. He asked if I could get some tuna flavored coffee. He is quite serious about this request, he really likes tuna.

Later, he asked if I was serious about inviting Myra and her dog Tiny for coffee. I didn't say anything. I'll let Tyger chew on this thought for a while, it is a long drive from Texas. And, I don't know if Tiny can drive a car!

From this image it looks like Tyger has the magical cup. It's floating! I may go back into this sketch or I just may do another... or both!

I'm enjoying this old book sketching. Who knows, one of these images may turn into a painting yet!

-jM

"Coffee Shop"

2011-08-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

Mixed media on old book page

Looking for a good coffee shop. I'm pretty sure Myra told me about quite a few good ones to visit, but I've forgotten. I knew I should have written them down in my sketch book. Oh.... I'll find them, come on memory, kick in gear!

I think I'll just wonder around town and see what I find...

-jM

"Kathleen's Red Cup"

2011-08-09T14:58:00.000-07:00

Mixed media on old book page

Here we are, another page out of the old book.

I received a nudge from Myra last Friday, asking me "where are you!". Basically, she was asking if I was still painting or just being a slug on a log!

I was in Cleveland, OH for a family reunion, in a hotel, but I had my book and a few painting materials with me. So! On Saturday night I did a quick start of this red coffee cup.
I found this cup in Kathleen's free stuff pile when she moved studio's last Spring. It has a little chip in it but I've glued the piece back in place and it's almost good as new.

I love that red. Kathleen has some pretty red hair too, so it only makes sense to me to be Kathleen's red cup. Well, this is a simple version for now but I have a feeling, things are going to get a little more involved and complicated here!

Thanks for the nudge Myra!!

-jM
PS: I received a gift cup today from Carol and it's her birthday! Hmmm... chocolate chips! Cookies...

"Just Judy's"

2011-07-28T17:37:00.000-07:00

Mixed media on old book page

Just Judy's is a local family run restaurant. We love it! The price is right, the food, especially breakfast, is perfect. I had my book with me and started this sketch of my coffee cup. I was barely started and my breakfast arrived so I had to finish this at a later time.... here is the result. I really took a look at the handle but breakfast got here so fast, I'll keep looking.

I have a bit of a dilemma going for myself. I'm painting these coffee cups in my old book and I don't know if I should count these as part of the coffee cup series or if they are studies for the coffee cup series. To me they all look like finished paintings, but.... I just don't know....

-jM

"That Yellow Cup"

2011-07-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

That yellow cup, I love that yellow cup. Oh, now where is that yellow cup?

A yellow cup, sort of, it has purple and blue in it.... and orange... well, to me, it's that yellow cup!

Lazy dayz of summer....

Hope yours is going well!

-jM

"Little Pink Cup"

2011-07-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

Found this little gem today sitting on my painting table just asking to be finished. This is one I started oh, maybe a week and a half ago. I guess it needed some drying time and me some time away from it. It's another one of the cup paintings I made up (no model). I have to tell you, after the cup sketch/painting yesterday of the apple cup, and the fact that it was painted from a live model, I looked at this handle a little longer today and thought.... time to use the live models.

Please stay cool and careful today, our heat index is 110 degrees F!

-jM

"Apple Cup in a Book"

2011-07-10T19:50:00.000-07:00

Mixed media on old book page

Does this count? It's a cup painting, but it's in this old book. I used Joanie's great idea of painting on/in an old book. This is old, like 1904 or something. The coffee cup is my friend Leigh's and it has an apple on it, so I just had to do a painting of it!

Early today, I picked this old book, that I had gotten free from an old library that was being torn down a few years ago. It doesn't look like it's worth much as it is, maybe I can help it along! I'll tell you more about the book as I learn more about it... like I think it's a book of sermons or something.....

As I promised days ago, I want to include a photo and a link to the photos from the 66 poppy painters at the Wine and Canvas event last Wednesday... it was so much fun!!

Link to the rest of the Wine and Canvas Photos

-jM

"Number Four"

2011-07-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

8"x6" oil on canvas panel

Cup.... coffee cup number four. I haven't come up with a nice title for this one yet, so for now, it's just "Number Four".

Thanks Rene' for helping me stop and start another here. This is just the beginning, I need to keep the drive alive and not get bogged down on a little painting! Keep going JanettMarie! (Sorry a personal pep talk!)

I'm trying to see what kind of fun I can have with oil paint, so again, no model, well maybe I did remember what my morning coffee cup looked like but, no set up really. Just crazy loose!

How about a little exciting news.... something different... I don't have the photos yet, but tonight I did a Wine&Canvas event we had 66 participants! That's 66 painters! You should see the paintings, I am impressed with the artists. For a lot of them, it was their first time! Oh, I will show them to you soon... and a new coffee cup.... okay?

Promise!

-jM

"Left Handled Cup"

2011-06-30T11:57:00.000-07:00

6"x8" on on canvas panel

Have you ever heard of such a cup? Maybe, right, I mean correct? This is number 3 and the name comes from the fact that I just wanted to paint the handle from the other side of the cup! I'm right handed, I usually pick up my coffee cups with my right hand, this one, well, I may have to be a little more careful when I go to grab for coffee!

Last night I went to a 2 hour workshop about writing an artists statement. That made me wonder what I would write for this series, let alone the last series of apples. I may have to run a few lines by you in the coming days. Just a little warning...

-jM

"Red White Mug"

2011-06-29T12:15:00.000-07:00

6"x8" oil on canvas panel

Here it is! Coffee cup/mug painting number 2 finished. Thought it is hard enough to make any sort of commitment, let alone 100 of them, so I thought I would free form or free spirit the first few or so.

Like this handle, I just sort of made it up and it works okay, doesn't it?

Thanks Joanie for the Tribute to Coffee Cups and their handles! Now I have an idea how to approach or tackle those handles.

Thanks to Myra for the idea about getting models for this series at a reasonable price. Yesterday, I went into a Goodwill Store looking for a personal fan to help speed the drying time of the oil paintings of cups I've been doing. I didn't find a fan but I did find four new cup models! All for a $1.57! Interestingly, I found myself studying the handles of the cups. Hmm, a sub-series of cup handles....

Have a great day, I'll be back with more! I have 3, 4, 5 and 6 started! Three may be finished, I have to look at it again to make sure, maybe talk with it over coffee. : )

-jM

"Morning Coffee"

2011-06-24T14:25:00.000-07:00

6"x8" graphite on paper

Thanks Joanie, I did this little sketch this morning while drinking my coffee.

Yup, gonna keep practicing these handles!

The little bird is after the little bird that Carol Marine did in one of her paintings... it's a morning bird here!

Have a great weekend.... I'm warming up!

-jM

Number Two started and Goal Date

2011-06-23T19:46:00.000-07:00

6"x8" oil on canvas panel

This is the beginning of coffee cup number two.... okay no model again, because... I wanted to make up my own handle! When I started this cup, I was thinking about the coffee cup that caught my eye today. I'll have to go back and get one of those cups to use as a real live model. I wonder what that cup will charge me in modeling fees... I better start saving my pennies or selling more paintings so I can afford to pay these models!

Edging myself into using a little cold wax medium too. Guess I'll have to go back and look at Joanie's pieces where she is the one that brought my attention to cold wax medium. Tomorrow, I'll see if I can put a few links onto some of these mentions....

The deadline.... for number 100 Coffee Cup Painting to be finished.... March 30th, I've put it on my calendar. This is 3 weeks before the 2012 Stutz Artists Open House, seems realistic to me and... gives me about one painting say every 2-3 days... I think, I haven't done the exact math....

Goals, ya gotta love 'em!

-jM

"Basic Cup"

2011-06-22T16:24:00.000-07:00

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

Are you ready for this? Am I ready for this? Here it is... Number One of the new series of.... Coffee Cups!
Heck I did a one hundred painting series before, why not do it again! I struggled with the idea of doing 100 of anything again, but life is short, life is fun, why not... carry on!

This is a basic cup no handle... I have trouble with handles, I'm sure it's a mental problem, but this will help me get over it if I continue with this Coffee Cup Series!

This basic cup is black, white and grey has no handle and came right out of my head! No model. I didn't want to block myself anymore than I already have with just getting this project started. I guess the next decision to make will be when I will have this series finished.

Yes, I learned from doing the Apple Series that if I don't give myself a deadline, the project may never get finished. Hmmm.... how long should this take? Let's be realistic. Okay, I'm going to sleep on it and I will get back to you tomorrow!

See a good deadline already, have a deadline by tomorrow! Oooo, did I just put that in writing? Oooo, yes I did!

-jM, stepping out, once again!

"Frog on the Beach!"

2011-06-15T15:22:00.000-07:00

14"x11" acrylic on canvas

A painting for Cookies&Canvas, the kids version of Wine&Canvas!

This is a very unique frog that he is sitting on a beach! I wonder if he's from Texas and he's looking for Myra. Someone told him she was painting at the beach, lying down! He wants to see this in person!

Knee is getting better, I've been standing and painting a lot today!

-jM

"Margaritaville"

2011-06-14T12:42:00.001-07:00

Wine & Canvas painting, 16"x20", acrylic on canvas

Hi, I just had to post something!

This is a painting for the Wine & Canvas venue for the month of July.

Exactly four weeks ago I messed up my knee playing racquetball and I've been a little slow. I usually stand to paint so that created a problem for me (not too good with change I guess).

Anyway, enough excusing for now. Talk to you tomorrow!

-jM

A "Teeny Weeny Party"

2011-05-29T17:29:00.000-07:00

3"x2" Mixed Media on Canvas

This is what this weekend has been about.... Party in Indianapolis! Memorial Day weekend and the Indy 500 Race, oh my! This city was one continuous party everywhere!

A week ago today I help some kids party with a private birthday event with Cookies and Canvas. We painted the "Horned Owl". Fun was had by all!

Cookies and Canvas... "Horned Owl"

Ana's Owl

And here is Ana with her painting. She did a great job. You can't see it, but she put a mouse in her painting. I suppose when I talked about the owl's big eyes so he could hunt for mice, Ana picked up on that! Too cool! These kids are smart!

-jM

Tres Sunflowers

2011-05-25T06:54:00.000-07:00

"Growing Up

"Happy Day"

Oh wow! Here are three itty bitty sunflower paintings I painted for the Open House in April and I forgot to show them to you! Guess I was a little busy, just a little....

I'll have to report back to see if they are still in my studio. One or two may have found a new home, as did many of my paintings that weekend.

Did I tell you the "Big Buzz", the big coffee cup found a new home? Oh, and it does look good in it's new location. It's a perfect fit! Thanks Joe!

"Lookin' Out"

Painting has taken a back seat for me here lately, I've had a few loose ends to tie up after the big event (open house) in April. We had 4000 people come through on Friday night and 2000 come through on Saturday afternoon. Wow, exhausting, that's a lot of people to talk to.

One of the best things that happened to me that weekend was... I had a personal visit from Myra Anderson! I couldn't believe it! She called me on the phone Friday morning, I was so busy (did I tell you I'm the treasurer for our association) I missed the call. She left me a message that I finally got around to listen to about a half hour after she called and I'll tell you I was walking on sunshine the rest of the weekend. I received a personal call from a celebrity! I hope I can do the same for her one day : )

Oh, Myra! Thank you! I'm still walking on sunshine just remembering!

-jM

"Crazy Monster"

2011-05-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

Cookies and Canvas, one of my favorite activities to do. I love helping young artists learn what they can do with a paint brush on canvas. We did this "Crazy Monster" on Saturday, May 14th at the Wine and Canvas studio in Indianapolis.

Dom and his Mother Sarah.

Above is Dom and his mother Sarah, with Dom's painting of the "Crazy Monster". Dom wasn't sure he liked his painting, but everyone I've shown it to loves it! I hope he likes it by now and will paint again and again. Little artists just like big artists, we are our own worst critic. Did I mention that Dom is 5 years old?

"Crazy Monster" by the young artists at Cookies & Canvas.

Here is the whole group from the day. All the monsters are pretty scary! Or does this monster just think he's scary!

I'm not sure who has more fun.... the kids or me!

-jM

Final Phase... Big Apple

2011-05-09T18:39:00.000-07:00

Finished! Kaput!

What next? Well, I have been thinking about that a lot lately. After the Open House I've been so busy and tired I have not painting anything... so sad.

Yesterday, while visiting my sister Suzie, I mention what to do next and she looked at me and said, finish the pears right? I'm thinking... hmmm, she's right. Remember when the number of pear paintings were catching up to the number of apple paintings? Well, it makes sense to finish the pear series that's not really a series! The next question though is, how many? Would 25 or fifty be enough? I'd really like to try a series of drink paintings or coffee cups or tea cups or more blue moons..... or... so many paintings... so little time!

-jM

The partying has begun!

2011-04-30T06:08:00.002-07:00

Thanks Myra for coming to the party! I wouldn't be one without you! Thanks for all the great food and the balloons! Oh Bonnie, thanks for organizing the party, it is a lot of work to organize a party and this is a good one, it must have taken weeks to get ready! Oh, there's Kay, I must introduce myself! Hi Kay!

The balloon have been released! The party has begun! Pop the champagne corks off of the bottles!

Oh Myra, these are so festive! I want to paint more apples! Should I paint more apples?

Oh Myra, this just looks rich! Thanks! Should I paint chocolates next?

Oh my goodness, these are so cute! Should I paint itty bitty coffee cups next?

Yummy drinks from Myra. Should I paint strawberries next? Maybe limes? Maybe drinks?

Check out the cake that Bonnie brought! It has cherries inside. Should I paint cherries next? Maybe cakes like Bonnie's!

-jM

Celebration Foods!

2011-04-29T15:39:00.001-07:00

Champagne, apple pie and cheddar cheese!

A good start

-jM

"Big Apple" Number 100!

2011-04-28T21:42:00.005-07:00

48"x48" acrylic on canvas

I can't believe it.... it's finished and here it is, the "Big Apple".... I have learned a lot Bobbi, I will tell you about it later. Like after our big Stutz Artists Open House this weekend!
I think my painting itself has reached another point at this time in my life. It's exciting! Wow!
I will also post the finishing and celebration movies later. So much to do, could someone else do all of this so I can paint the rest of the pears that I started? Wait, did I start that or did I just get carried away?

For a feeling about the size! I'm not 7 feet tall!
http://www.wthr.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=5794433&flvUri=&partnerclipid=

The open house is so exciting, the whole building is a buzz this week and in the wee hours of the night too! I think half the excitement for the show is getting ready for it. Like Spring cleaning or something. The building, the "factory" as Turner calls it, is beautiful. All painted and decorated... we are ready for our guests! I'll let you know next week how many attend! In the mean time here is a professional video clip about the show... oh yea, I'm in it and so is "Big Apple"!

-jM

How long does it take?

2011-04-27T22:49:00.001-07:00

3"x2" acrylic on canvas

Oh these two olive paintings are starting to all look the same to me.... not like the apples... hmm, that should tell me something.... but what? What?!

Okay, how long does it take to show/finish the last painting of the 100 apple paintings series... well here is a video of phase two... and, I promise to post the last, well, number 100 anyway, of the apple paintings tomorrow, Thursday afternoon! Number 100, you know the "Big Apple"!

Ah... the video....

-jM

"Aomori Apple" -Sold

2011-04-25T19:23:00.002-07:00

11"x14" mixed media on canvas

The $5.00 apple. That is the story I read about the Aomori apple. Apparently they are wrapped and cared for so that they will be perfect. The perfect apple. Apple number 99!

I would add the video for 100, but I haven't quite finished editing issue #2 of the movie.... it will show up, I'm sure of it!

-jM

"Mary's Apple" -Sold

2011-04-24T16:59:00.001-07:00

6"x8" mixed media on paper mounted on canvas

Poor little blue apple... it didn't translate well here, the white lines on the apple are really a rich pink color.
Oh well, this is a good apple for Easter. This is number 98! This the the blue apple for Mary Madeline and the book that Tamra is reading... made me think of the DaVinci Code.... anyone else read that book....

Happy Easter again! I'll see what I can do about the movies this week!

-jM

Apple Painting 100 Preview!

2011-04-23T19:23:00.002-07:00

Link to Part 1 of Big Apple Movie

Today is the day I was going to post apple painting number 98. I have it photographed but I forgot to load it onto my computer. Ooops, it's still on the little SD card in my camera and not here with me.

Instead, I spent some time figuring out how to make a better movie. It's not so long, hopefully a little entertaining and well.... I'll let you decide. : )

-jM

"Could be a Crabapple"

2011-04-22T13:33:00.000-07:00

3"x3" mixed media on canvas

This is an itty bitty apple painting, number 97! Does anyone really know that today is the deadline day?

Truth is number 98 and 99 are finished, but I need a title for 99. I have one in mind, so I will definitely post these soon. 100 is 3/4's the way finished!

Patience everyone!

It's fun Friday!

-jM

"96"

2011-04-20T16:07:00.000-07:00

3"x3" mixed media on canvas

This little gem is a small 3"x3" in size and mixed media. Graphite, oil paint pen, acrylic, oh all kinds of things!

I have to confess, I am working currently on the 100th apple painting and it may take me a little while to finish because, well.... it's big!

Maybe tomorrow I can work up a preview for you. That will be between me and that tricky video camera!

-jM

"Sheri's Sunflower" -Sold

2011-04-18T16:37:00.000-07:00

3"x2" mixed media on canvas

Not an apple, it's an itty bitty sunflower that I painted using a photo of Sheri's as a model.

Oh! Julie wanted to know why I named it "Sheri's Sunflower", now she knows!

-jM

"La Pomme Bleue" -Sold

2011-04-17T15:10:00.001-07:00

6"x8" mixed media on paper mounted to canvas

Can you believe I've gotten to apple painting number 95 before I paint a blue apple! Who would have thought a blue apple. I'm still in disbelief... hmm...

Grapes anyone? Big..... grapes.....

-jM

Number 94! "Feeling the Magic"

2011-04-16T10:20:00.000-07:00

12"x12" mixed media on canvas

Can you feel it? Wow, I can, leigh feels it, Tamra feels it, Bonnie, Catherine, Myra, Jane, and on and on and on.... closer baby, closer.

This painting is 12"x12", just had to break loose with a little bigger than the 3"x3" today. This one is considered mixed media because I did use an oil paint pen and a bit of that isopropyl alcohol, hmmm, maybe it's not... hmmm, it's the fixative again!

-jM

"Closer to the Core!" Number 93

2011-04-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

3"x3" mixed media on canvas

Another itty bitty, I can tell you for sure that number 94 is a little bigger. It's sitting around here drying so I can look at it to see if it needs something more... I know it does and that of course is why it's not finished...
Why am I talking about 94... this is 93 and I actually used graphite for some of the top finishes... number 9B I believe it is... wow that is soft!!

See you tomorrow! I'm running out of days! Counting down.....

-jM

"On the Home Stretch" Apple 92

2011-04-14T11:46:00.001-07:00

3"x3" mixed media on canvas

How about this one? Number 92, it's an itty bitty... but they all count!

Just working, working... my next big issue is going to be how exactly will I display all of these paintings?

Keep working, keep thinking, it should come to me, maybe in a dream it will come to me.....

-jM

"The Golden Years" Apple 91" -Sold

2011-04-13T16:09:00.001-07:00

6"x6" mixed media on canvas

The golden years.... what exactly does that mean?
Aren't all years golden? Well, they are in my eyes. I know I live in this ideal world, but I like it here. Anyone is welcome to live here in my world as long as you're nice to yourself and to others in your world.
If someone is not nice no matter how hard you try, don't let them mess with your world, just let them move along to another world where they may be happier.... whoa... I need to stop spraying the fixative inside my studio!!

-jM

"Can We be Friends" Apple #90

2011-04-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

3"x2" mixed media on canvas

Here we are apple number 90!
A little daffodil found its way into the picture!
Closer and closer I get to the goal... 100 apple paintings....

-jM

"Really Red"

2011-04-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

3"x3" aquamedia on canvas

Here we go "Really Red" ...apple painting number 89 and more to come!
The color doesn't really translate (again), I swear it's the reds are some wave length that is digitally difficult to capture.

Elevan more to go!

What will I do then?

-jM

"Little Sister" Apple #88

2011-04-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

3"x3" aquamedia on canvas

Do you know the song...."Little sister something something, big sister something, something...." okay I'll work on that...

This little painting is number 88, I did a little stenciling, a bit of the india ink, an oil paint pen on the top surface... the weather has me thinking about dragonflies....

Celebrate the day!

-jM

"Teeny Martini" -Sold

2011-04-07T15:22:00.001-07:00

3"x2" mixed media on paper mounted on canvas

Sometimes Friday sneaks up on you before you know it! I know that today's not Friday but it really would be a good day for a "Teeny Martini"... hmmm.. maybe any day would be a good day for a teeny martini! : )

Well... cheers to you!

-jM