Rainy and Cloudy days are great painting days

My blog today is about cloud painting. This painting was done while sitting on my porch in Taos, New Mexico on a very cold and rainey day. I hauled my painting stuff out, put on a jacket, and painting for about four hours under the canopy of my porch. It was wonderful sitting there painting clouds while the rain came gently down. Plein aire experiences can work in any weather-you just need to be open to the moment. Happy Painting!

Jennylynne

Blue Springs Art League Exhibit and Sale

These two paintings will be in the Blue Springs Art League Exhibit this weekend. You can see all the wonderful artwork on display this Saturday and Sunday at the Vesper Hall Center on Vesper Rd. in Blue Springs, Missouri. The opening reception where you can meet the artists is Saturday from 7-9pm. You can buy tickets for the opening at the door.

Come on out and say hi!

Jennylynne

What do awards really mean?

Today's blog came about because I listended to two of my students bemoan the fact that they haven't received awards at the shows they have entered. It seems to be a re-current theme among aritst that enter shows. I have heard several of my artist friends who are devastated by the fact that they don't win awards.

What is it about awards that make our lives so centered around whether we "win" or "lose". When did it happen that it became more about the award and less about the art? Don't get me wrong awards are great. They are a validatioin that for that piece, on that day, someone thought your art was a stand out from the rest.

What I think we forget sometimes is that awards are someone's opinion about our work and the work of others in that particular show. What I think should be more important is how you view your work. Is it the best you could have produced? Does the composition and values work well for the concept? Are you proud of this piece? Is the drawing accurate? Does the art "say" what you wanted to say when you produced this piece? Does this piece move you and therefore your audience?

Art in the long run is a personal journey of each artist. Enjoy the journey and the process and your art will always be an "award" winner.

Happy painting,

Jennylynne

Two paintings that will be in the Blue Springs Art League Show

Coming up March 21 and 22nd is the Blue Springs Art League Show at Vesper Hall in Blue Springs, Mo. The painting "Toward the Light" featured here will be in this show along with a painting called "Waiting". Hope all of you come out and see all the great art that will be on exhibition and for sale.

Michael Davis, one of the woodworkers in the Gragg Art Gallery, will also have two pieces featured at this show.

The opening reception is Saturday from 7-9pm.Tickets to the reception can be purchased at the door the night of the reception $8.00 each or $15.00 per couple.

The Exhibition is open free to the public.

Miko, a tribute to a special little lady

Last week, we lost our beloved Miko. She had cancer which finally took her life. She was the love of my husband's Michael's life. She was a 14 year old shih tzu with personality plus. He commissioned me to do her portrait for him to hang in his den. This is the portrait done with love. Hope you enjoy her and her spirit which I think I have captured in her portrait.

Jennylynne