"Magic of Provence"

This proved to be one of my most interesting commissions! Jack Hallam, an avid art collector, needed a 60 x 36 painting to go on the wall of his Master Bedroom. He knew he wanted something with lots of vibrant color; a field of wild flowers or perhaps purple lavender. He also liked my “Aspens” series, and thought it would be neat to combine the two elements into one painting. I've never done that before, but was willing to give it a try! Jack also wanted to see figures somewhere in the painting—either picking flowers or walking down a path. He requested there be a French-type of house in the background with rolling European hills behind it. This was a tall order, but I knew if I included all of these elements into one painting, the outcome could be really fantastic!

Here is the final result…

(close-up of people picking lavender)

I sent Jack a picture of the painting for his final approval, and this is what he emailed back:

Jen,

Thank you so much for capturing what was in my mind and putting it onto canvas. I could not be happier and look forward to proudly displaying it for all to see! My wife still does not know I have done this and I can't wait to put it up on her newly redone bedroom as the piece 'de resistence (or however the French say it or spell it--LOL). I have shown it to my three daughters and they all say it is cool. My oldest has already asked that it be part of her inheritance--I told her OK, but hopefully way down the road...Thank you Jen! Your God given talent is amazing and I am glad I can now have a piece of it in our little collection.

Thankfully--Jack

Email Love

This was a sweet email I recently received:

hi jennifer...i'm a 54 yr old grandmother who has just started painting...your art has inspired me and touched a place in my heart...thank you for sharing such beauty on canvas.....we live on the east coast but love aspen trees...your pieces take me on a journey and bring back memories of our vacations to colorado!!! love your work!

--sue

Mommy Time!

This is my life! When I'm not busy painting in the studio...I become a really great hurdle for my kids to jump over! :)

Oregon Coast Gallery

About a month ago, I received a call from Talley Woodmark, owner of the "Silver Heron Gallery" in Depoe Bay, Oregon. She was interested in carrying my work, and invited me to come check out the Gallery for myself. I was thrilled. Though I wasn't currently looking for new representation, I liked the idea of being represented by an Oregon Gallery--especially one as renown as the "Silver Heron Gallery". They are among the top 5 Galleries in Oregon. Plus, the location is ideal--right on the Oregon coast, near Newport. So, last weekend, my husband and I drove up to meet Talley and her Gallery Director, Collette Black and get a tour of the "Silver Heron Gallery". Talley invited us to spend the night in their "Artist's Cottage" located in close proximity to the beach! It was darling. I only wish we had more time to enjoy it! The next morning we dropped off 6 new large pieces for them to hang in the Gallery. We couldn't be more delighted with the Gallery and staff, and we're looking forward to a successful Gallery/Artist relationship.

ChildishJoy!

I just couldn't resist snapping this shot of our Addie-cakes with a face covered in strawberry ice-cream! Life doesn't get any better than that...especially when you're three!

Pre-School Graduate!

Colton graduated from Pre-school today! Did you even know they do that? Cap and gown and everything! He's with the big boys next year!

Summertime Bliss!

My kids love it when Summer hits! Our friends invited us over for a BBQ on Memorial Day...and they happen to have both an indoor/outdoor pool and a duck pond to play in. My kids were in heaven! There was also a very cool zip-line that my three year old daughter enjoyed for hours. What a fun day in the country! It brought back a lot of my own childhood memories of growing up on acres of land and a lake in the back yard!

"Memorial Day"

Happy Memorial Day! I must say, it's fun having a Dad in Politics. He's doing a fabulous job as our Oregon State Representative. Every week my Dad (Dennis Richardson) sends out an informative email newsletter to nearly 30,000 Oregonian citizens. He feels strongly that as Americans we need to be concerned with the issues going on around us. He states it best on his website:

"Without informed and involved citizens, self-serving special interest groups take control--and the taxpayers are left to pay the bill. Truly, “the cost of freedom is vigilance, involvement and commitment.”

You can sign up for his newsletter at: http://www.dennisrichardson.org

My Dad gave a powerful speech today at the "Veterans Memorial" in Central Point, OR. Afterwards, an elderly woman turned to me and said, "Oh! If I could just clone that man! Isn't he wonderful? We certainly could use more of him!" I nodded my head and said with a little pride, "Yep! That's my Dad!"

My twin sister, Valerie Harmon, and I couldn't resist getting a picture with the honored representative. :)

Back to Scottsdale!

I have a couple of clients I wanted to follow-up with after the "Celebration of Fine Art" show ended in March. I had met them during the show, but due to scheduling conflicts never got the chance to sit down with them to talk about their commissions. The three of us finally agreed upon a weekend that worked for all, and my husband and I flew back to Scottsdale to meet with them. What a fun weekend it turned out to be! Matt and I found an amazing deal online, and booked a suite at the "Intercontinental Montelucia Spa and Resort" nestled at the foot of picturesque Camel back Mountain. What a gorgeous place! We definitely needed more time to relax there. I especially wished I had time to explore their 32,000 square foot destination spa!

But the highlight of the trip was visiting with collectors: Margo and Jim Sulkosky and Jack Hallam. It was fun getting to know them better and discussing what they envision for their special commissions! It is also very helpful for me to see their home, and the space where they intend to hang my painting. I always take lots of pictures that will aid me in the painting process. Margo and Jim even gave me a couple of material swatches of their mo-hair chairs and carpet with the colors they want me to incorporate in their painting. I really love that! All those little details are helpful for me in creating their completely custom piece. Margo and Jim decided on a 60 x 48 Aspen Forest with a field of colorful wildflowers in the foreground. The painting will go in their formal dining room above the console and inside a large niche. It's a fantastic spot--perfect for one of my bold and dramatic Aspen pieces. Margo has been looking for months for just the right piece, and when she saw my work at the show, she knew instantly that she had found the perfect fit! Their house is one of the most interesting homes I have ever seen. All the walls are adobe plaster, with tones of taupe's and beige's. There are many rooms that branch off of various levels. I can't explain it, but it's very unique and grandiose! I'm honored they want one of my paintings to crown the focal point of their dining room! It was such fun visiting with them. They are the sweetest people you will ever meet. I can't wait to start on their painting!
Next, we met with Jack Hallam. Jack needs a painting for his master bedroom. He is in the process of remodeling the bedroom and master bath in the "French/ Provincial" style, so Jack has been thinking a lot about my lavender fields series. He is a man who knows exactly what he likes! He came back 3 times during the art show to look at my paintings. We perused my portfolio, and he picked several paintings that he responded to. We decided to go with a 60 x 36 painting of a lavender field with tons of wild flowers, some people walking down a path towards a French Chateau, with some rolling hills of the French countryside in the background. He knew he was asking for an uncommon amount of details, but I assured him the painting would be that much more fantastic! Oh, and the most interesting thing he wanted...something I've never had a request for...was Aspen trees in the foreground! That is an unusual combination--Aspen trees mixed with French landscape...but hey, it's Art! And why not? It will probably turn out pretty neat. I may even get commissions to do the same thing after others see it. This will be interesting...

Aspen Giclée hanging in Summer Home

What a fantastic room! A couple of posts back, I mentioned that a couple from Chicago had ordered my "Symphony of Color III" Giclée. They had recently bought a summer home in Lake Geneva Wisconsin, and needed something for above the great room mantel. Barbara was kind enough to send me pictures of the Giclée hanging above the fireplace. But what a fireplace! It spans 2 stories up! And the wall color is the perfect compliment to the colors in the Giclée. Great choice on artwork. This is what Barbara had to say about it:

"The sunroom looks out on a golf course which in the fall echoes your Symphony of Color. It is like we brought it inside! Just beautiful. Our pictures don't do justice to your work....."

"Silver Sentinels" 60 x 36 original

This is a painting I've wanted to do for a long time--a close-up of just aspen trunks. I got a little carried away with the thick texture--it's more like a sculpture than a painting! The canvas is quite heavy, in fact. This piece is a bit more "contemporary" than my norm--almost abstract seeming. There is also a little detail that I added to one of the trunks....

"Tuscan Meadow III" Giclée on canvas

In January, I received an email from a woman who was interested in my "Tuscan Meadow III" painting. This is what she said:

Hello! We have seen and love your Tuscan Meadows III piece. I think the original might be out of our price range, so I was wondering the price of the giclée in 36" x 60". We live in Texas, and my husband and I find your artwork beautiful and very unique. I wish I had some artistic talent!

Thanks!

A Giclée is a great way to go, if one is working with a budget! My limited edition prints on canvas are generally about 1/3 the cost of an original painting. We corresponded a few times back and forth, and in one of the emails, she told me that her husband had actually printed off a picture of "Tuscan Meadow" and gave it to her on her birthday. This Giclée was meant to be her 40th birthday present! I was deeply honored.

This was her response when it arrived:

Jennifer,

Just wanted to let you know that we got the giclée and love it!!! It is hanging in our bedroom, and looks like it was made to go there! I will send you a picture in a few days. My husband and I agreed that we need more of your paintings, so we will definitely be collectors.

Thanks again for everything!

"Symphony of Color III" Giclée on canvas

Barbara, a client from Chicago discovered my website, and fell in love with my "Symphony of Color III". She decided to order a 60 x 36 Giclée to hang above the fireplace in her Summer Home. I promised Barbara I would give her Giclée a lot of extra love and attention!

Barbara just received her "Symphony of Color III" Giclée, and this is the response she emailed me:

Jennifer,

We hung the picture in our summer home. It looks spectacular! It is over the fireplace in our great room which is a two story room. It looks a little bit different depending on where you stand in the room, and how the light hits it. As a result, the colors stand out at different times making it an ever changing picture. We love it.

Thank you for sending the information about yourself and the certificate of authenticity. Our friends who have seen it raved about it...let's see if we can't drum up some more business for you in the Midwest.

Barbara

Aspens in Fall--triptych

This was a fun commission to do. I just finished it up. Each panel measures 24" x 48"...put them all together and it is 72" x 48". I actually painted the three canvases together, to make sure that the "flow" went perfectly from one into another. When hanging a triptych, generally you keep between 2-4 inches between each panel. Triptychs are very much 'en vogue' these days! They are a great way to fill up a large wall. This commission came through my Gallery in Younteville, CA--"Gallery 1870". We just sent it off today.

This was the response of Barbara when I emailed her a picture of the paintings for her approval:

It's absolutely beautiful and 100% perfect! I know the print can't do it justice, because of the "depth" you're able to put into your paintings, so I know it'll be even more beautiful in "real life!!" I am so excited. I'll e-mail you as soon as Coke gives his "seal of approval." He's not here right now but I expect him shortly.

You'll be hearing from me shortly,

Barbara

______________________

"It's fantastic looking!" I guess it's very safe to say Coke loves it, too! First thing he actually said was, "When can we get it?!"

Thanks so much,

Barbara

"Walking through Lavender" follow-up!

Remember this commission? A few months ago, Barbara and Walter Schwamb commissioned me to do a 36" x 42" lavender painting for their home. They had admired my work in the home of a their friends (collectors Jim and Caroline Nudelman from Corpus Christi, TX,) and wanted a painting of their own! If you look closely, you can barely see two girls (their daughters) walking arm in arm down the field of lavender. Gallivanting a few paces in front of them is "Ozzy" the family dog.


Barb and Walter loved the result! This is what Barb had to say when I emailed her a picture for her final approval before I shipped the painting out:

Jen,

Just got back from Wimberley, and opened your email.....and I LOVE THIS PAINTING!!!! I am so psyched!!!! It really is perfect. I am so thrilled with the commission piece ~ thank you so very much....I can't wait to bond with it in person!!!

Barb

That was a few months ago. Recently, Barb emailed me a few pictures of the painting hanging in their home! That is always such a treat for me to see! They decided to get creative with the "frame". Instead of "framing" it the traditional way (or leaving the painting "unframed" as most do with my work), they painted a frame around the painting directly on the wall. I think it turned out pretty neat! See below...

Barb also tells me that they plan on installing special lighting to better illuminate the painting. That is always a great idea--especially with my thick texture! Light will bounce off the thick layers, and really "pop". It will be the "WOW" factor for any room. It was a treat to see these pics..but the best part of all was seeing the faces of the dear collectors who commissioned the painting! I've never met them in real life, so seeing Barb and Walter standing in front of my lavender field was a pretty neat!

New Release--"Golden Sunrise"

This is one of my favorite paintings! I sent it to "Royal Street Gallery" in Aspen, Colorado, and it sold the same day it arrived! I knew it would go fast, so before I shipped it out, I got it photographed with the intention of making limited edition prints. I immediately had some interest! A 60" x 48" Giclee went to Heidi and Greg Pierce from San Bruno, CA. They needed a large art piece to brighten up their dining room. This will be perfect for them--lots of warm sunshine in this scene! I upgraded their giclee to an "Artist Proof" (only 10 AP's are available!), which includes a lot of extra texture, and an original sketch on the back. I literally hand painted every square inch with a brush, and used a palette knife to "sculpt" in texture on the black knobs and leaves! It was stunning! Of course nothing beats the texture of an original, but I have yet to see a more enhanced print!

Commission Completed!

On the way home to Oregon from Scottsdale, Matt and I stopped near San Francisco to deliver 4 special commissions to Lisa and Mark. Remember my "Dream Commission" from last month? Well...above is the end result! Lisa and Mark needed 4 custom paintings created to fit inside their four niches--two 87 1/2" x 27 1/2" niches in the entry by the front door, and two 56 1/2" x 33 1/2" niches upstairs in their Master bedroom. Big, dramatic paintings with lots of color and texture was what they were looking for...and that happens to be my specialty! I had been visualizing these paintings hanging in those niches for weeks...and I couldn't wait to see the finished result! We first brought in the two aspen pieces. After what seemed like an eternity, Matt finally got all the plastic wrapping off, and we placed them inside the niches...and WOW! They looked fantastic! I was so thrilled.

This was the first time Lisa and Mark had actually seen my work in person and the extreme thickness of the texture! The aspen trunks literally protrude from the canvas three-dimensionally. Mark couldn't help tugging on one of the black aspen nobs! They said the trees looked and felt so real--like they were there in that scene looking up at "Maroon Bells". I do feel that these two pieces are among the strongest work I've painted. Just the sheer height of them, makes them extremely interesting. At over 7' tall, I had to stand on a ladder just to paint the top. They were the perfect pieces for that grand entry, and it gave the room all the drama it craved. In one of the trees, I carved Lisa and Mark's initials with a heart and an arrow. It actually took them a few minutes to find it (kinda like finding Waldo); I like to keep those details very subtle.

Next, we went upstairs to the Master Bedroom. I think Lisa and Mark were a little more anxious about the two painting upstairs. They hadn't even seen a picture of the completed pieces, so this really was a surprise! All they knew was that one would be a poppy field, and the other a lavender. This is what they had commissioned. We could barely breathe as Matt carefully unwrapped them. And...voila! Lisa first saw the poppy field unveiled, and loved how the poppies stuck out of the canvas--as if you could pick them! And then she saw the lavender, and she got really excited. She loves purple! She exclaimed that she couldn't wait to wake up in the morning and look up at all that purple! The two pieces are so vibrant together. I actually created them as a "diptych". The rolling hills and sky are a continuation into the other. The lavender field contains splashes of red poppies, and the poppy field has sprigs of lavender sprinkled throughout. They are stunning side by side! And, I wouldn't have ever thought of doing a "diptych" like that, had Lisa and Mark not commissioned it that way. It was fabulous!

I also added a couple of special touches that will make the paintings even more meaningful to Lisa and Mark. In the distant hills in the poppy field painting, very subtly, I painted their actual home. It fit perfectly with the "Tuscan" motif, I just had to tint the roof a little 'orange'. In the lavender painting, Lisa and Mark asked that I paint a miniature version of them walking hand in hand. It was fun adding those little details (now you know why I was still painting even after the show ended!). I titled the paintings "Love" and "Happiness" to symbolize the new life that Lisa and Mark will have together (they recently got engaged!). They were excellent clients to work with, and I'm thrilled they picked me to help them solve the 'problem with the empty niches!'

Still Painting?!!

"Will someone please tell her that the show is now over?!!"

It's true...they were tearing down the walls all around me, and I was still painting! It was quite comical, really. I was officially the last artist off the premises. The truth was, I had to finish up a couple of commissions that I was to deliver on my way back to Oregon! Talk about pressure! You can't really rush the creative juices! But I did finally get it all done. When the show coordinators came 'round to check on my progress (or lack thereof), I couldn't help look up at them in shock and say in utter bewilderment, "Hey! Where did everyone go?"

Show Fiesta!

Every year, the "Celebration of Fine Art" show hosts a catered dinner for all the artists and their families. Luckily for me, I have a sister who lives in Goodyear, AZ, and she and her husband Steve, joined us for the event. We had a ball! Not only did we eat some great Italian, but we enjoyed a gorgeous Arizona sunset.

Aspen Art!

I met Debbi Eischen last year at the show, and she has been thinking about my work ever since! What a sweetie. She was determined this year to get a painting, but deciding on which piece to take home proved a little more difficult. For three weeks, she kept coming back to my "Crimson Forest", and just when she had decided that it was the one...I shipped it out to a Gallery! Poor timing on my part. But, I told her I would paint her up a similar piece, and this is the result! She came in today, and loved it! I've painted this scene several times, but I do think perhaps, this one is my favorite! Such great reds in this piece. Lots of layers of texture, too. It is surprisingly heavy to hoist. It was a delight to re-connect with Debbie, and I'm thrilled she'll be taking home a painting!