10 x 10 Giclées!

Something small to take home to their wives!  A 10 x 10 Artist enhance Giclée is the perfect gift.

Starting off with a BANG!

We're all bundled up in the tent today!  But the cold front doesn't seem to stop our collectors from coming in!  I'm finishing up this Aspen piece today.

My Puzzles are hot!  I've been having fun signing them for collectors.  They are a great gift for those puzzle lovers everywhere!

This family came straight to us from Australia!  Such sweet people!  I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them better.  By unanimous vote, they all agreed that my "Lavender and Sunflower" painting was just the piece for above their mantle back home.  They loved the vibrant colors in the piece--and how the poppies jumped out of the canvas.  There's definitely a lot of texture in this painting!  I'm delighted they chose this piece to brighten up their home.  Come to think of it...I think they may be my very first Aussie collectors! :)

My First Collectors of the Show!

 It was fun meeting Susan and Wayne from Saskatoon, Canada.  At first they were interested in one of my small 10 x 10's, but after wandering around the show for a while, they came back and ordered a much larger piece--similar to the painting behind us.  The have just the place for it with special lights installed and all ready to go! 

Studio Completed!

We installed a TV with a video that showcases the homes of collectors and where they have hung my paitings! 

We put a pocket door leading into the "Viewing Room." It turned out fantastic--complete with red leather sofa and dimming lights!

  

I finally get to paint again!  I'm starting on a new Aspen painting, 48 x 48.

That's the great thing about this art show.  It's a "working" show.  Not only do I get to meet some amazing collectors and Art appreciators...but I get to paint at the same time!

Show Set Up: Day 3

Day 3:  Building the "Viewing Room" will be our most challenging task yet.  This is a new add on for us.  Every year I've thought how nice it would be if I had a private room in which to take my collectors and show them my paintings under special lights.  I wanted the setting to be cozy and more intimate--a place where we could really talk art.  This year, we decide to make my dream a reality!   The Viewing Room is going in today! 

Show Set Up: Day 2

Day 2: Walls are painted (except for the tower...I'll do that after we build the "viewing room."  Floor completed.  Today I'm painting the crown molding and base boards.  I'll also paint the 20' wood beams that will span the booth and hold my lights.

Show Set Up: Day 1

  

We made it to Scottsdale, AZ from Medford OR!  Actually, I can't complain too much about the long drive...because I flew while my husband, Matt, drove all by himself!  Yep, he surprised me for Christmas with a plane ticket to AZ!  I was beyond delighted not to have to make the 22 hour trek towing a trailer.  Matt timed it perfectly and actually picked me up at the Phoenix airport on his way to Scottsdale.  

Day 1:  We arrived at the Show at 9 a.m. on Monday.  We have until Friday at 4 pm to have the booth all finished up!  That may seem like a lot of time to some...but trust me, building a booth from the ground up is not an easy task!  All that is here when we arrived were the basic walls--the same walls they have been using for the past 23 years.  Not in great shape.  So first thing we did was patch, sand and paint the walls a nice shade of grey (same shade of grey I have in my studio back home).  Then we laid down the floor.  We've used this flooring for a few years in a row now, and I love it.  It's garage flooring, thus indestructible!  It pieces together quiet easily.  The only really complicated part are the edges.  The wall angles change every year, so we have to cut the floor to fit.

http://www.celebrateart.com

The Art Show in Scottsdale, AZ: "Celebration of Fine Art"

This will mark my 6th year participating with the best art show in the world--"Celebration of Fine Art," located in Scottsdale, AZ.  100 Artists from all over the world will be meeting me there.  It'll take us a week to set up our art studios, and then for the next 3 months, we'll work in our various mediums in front of an audience.  Yes, the public is invited to come and watch us work!  This is truly an unique experience!  Show coordinator, Susan Potje, states it beautifully on the show's website: http://www.celebrateart.com:

"From Point of Rocks, MD to Bend, OR, artists from across the country are packing up their art work and their supplies and making their way to Scottsdale, AZ for the 23rd Annual Celebration of Fine Art.

You will find 100 artists in their working studios January 12 through March 24 every day from 10 am to 6 pm. The dedication of these artists to their craft and to the Celebration of Fine Art is awe inspiring. One visitor to the Celebration had this to say about the experience, “Truly, you chose the word “celebration” wisely and accurately. Here, a person can stand in awe of the amazing power of creativity and evolution. The artists who most intrigued me were the ones who persistently changed, who found new media to reveal and reflect new moments, and who painted or sculpted because art is their breath and life. To meet such people is a rare privilege; not many people truly live their convictions in these days of convenience. Your artists have chosen to travel from many states, to expose themselves to strangers, and to hope for what may be the best of days.” Thank you, John, for your kind words.

Each year we find ourselves being humbled by the immense talent and passion that every artist puts into their works and their willingness to share the intimate details of the inspiration behind each work of art. Amazing discoveries are waiting for you at each and every studio as you stroll the 40,000 square feet of studio space. The artists’ enthusiasm for sharing their visions and for encouraging fellow artists is what makes the Celebration of Fine Art an experience like no other.

We look forward to welcoming you to the 2013 Celebration of Fine Art. We want to hear your story and find out what the Celebration means to you and how your life has been enriched by the art and the artists of the Celebration! We promise that your days spent at the Celebration of Fine Art will be an experience to remember! See you soon!"

--Susan Potje

Vineyard Commission for Bay Area couple

Stacey and Seth bought a new home and were in the process of decorating each room.  They started with the formal dining room.  The tables and chairs and credenza were in place, now all they needed was something for the walls.  Stacey knew she wanted artwork with lots of rich color and thick, palette knife texture. When she came across my work, it was exactly what she was looking for!  She discovered a triptych I had previously painted of a vineyard, house, and swing.  She asked if I could paint her a similar version of the piece, but with their two daughters walking down the vineyard path.  Of course, personalizing paintings for collectors is my favorite thing to do...so I told her that yes, I'd love to do that.  All she needed to do was send me a picture of her daughters.  Very easy!  Commissions are actually a lot easier than people think.  I love working with collectors to get them that special painting they envision.  I can make their piece as personalized and unique as they want.  Since this family lived in the Bay Area, I decided to change the background hills to Northern California ones.  They loved the end result!  On a trip to San Francisco, I was able to stop by and personally deliver the paintings to them.  It was fun meeting Seth and Stacey and hanging their new artwork.  I always love seeing the final result with the painting in place on the wall.  Such a thrill for an artist!  It was also wonderful getting to know Stacey and Seth in person.  Project Dining Room complete...now for the living room!

"Home Sweet Home--Triptych"
24 x 24 ea panel
thick acrylic on canvas

Aspen Paintings for Home in Alberta

Val and Tony, from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, were vacationing in the Napa Valley when they happened upon Gallery 1870 in Yountville, CA.  They saw my work and thought my 48 x 48 "Lovely Autumn" would be perfect for their dining room.  They purchased it on the spot.  Working with the Gallery, they then commissioned me to paint them a 48 x 72 companion piece for the adjacent wall.  Collaborating with the couple, I painted "Autumn's Shortcut" to perfectly compliment the first piece.  It was a powerful duo.  You can imagine my excitement when Val and Tony emailed me a photo of the paintings hanging up in their new space.  The room was perfection!  This was their email to me:

Jennifer,

We received our two paintings and put them up over the weekend.  They look absolutely stunning - much better in real life than the pictures.  Your paintings have certainly exceeded our expectations.  Thank you very much.  We will enjoy your work for many years to come.

Best regards,

Val & Tony

Lovely Autumn
thick acrylic on canvas
48 x 48

Autumn's Shortcut
thick acrylic on canvas
48 x 72

Aspen painting, "Meadow of Amethyst" 48 x 60

Laurie and Chris first saw my work at Chloe Fine Arts Gallery in San Francisco.  They immediately fell in love with my "Meadow of Amethyst" painting that was hanging in the front window.  They both knew instantly that this was their piece.  The size and color scheme was perfect for their living room.  This is the post they sent me on my Facebook JensArt page:

 "Hi Jen. We will be rewiring the room to get the proper lighting on Meadow of Amethyst. We are thrilled and fortunate to have your work in our family!"
--Laurie De Seguirant

Months later, I was able to finally meet the De Seguirants in person at a show that Chloe Fine Arts hosted.  It was such a thrill talking with them and getting to know them better.   I can't explain the connection that exists between collector and artist. But it's real, and I love it!

Christmas Surprise!

Ashley and Nate B. had a pleasant surprise when this Christmas present arrived on their front porch! Ashley's mother, Sandy, had ordered "Autumn's Shortcut" as a house warming present and focal point for their new home. 

"I'm amazed at how you can make a gift of God's creation look so much better and bring it to life!"  --Sandy E.

Aspen Commission for Canadian Collectors

36 x 24, Autumn Walk

Karen and Dennis, collectors from Saskatchewan, Canada...first saw my work in San Francisco at Chloe Fine Arts Gallery on Fisherman's Wharf.  They bought "Autumn Walk" on the spot and a few months later, commissioned me to paint them another piece for their dining room.  After browsing  through my website, they decided a similar painting to "Jewels of Autumn" would be the perfect companion piece!  This is the email they sent me before I began their painting.  I post it to show how important it is for client/artist to establish an open dialogue together before the project even begins.  Karen and Dennis did a wonderful job with communicating their thoughts and feeling to me on exactly what they were envisioning for their special piece.  It made my job very easy.  This was their email to me:

Jen,

We had a cozy weekend at home with time to reflect and refresh our thinking for the commissioned piece.  We've put our heads together as a family and we independently and together all agree - what we really want is the original Jewels of Autumn!!

I've attached the photo and in the end, there's really nothing we would change.  We would be grateful for a painting as close to this original as possible!

We love the vibrant and lifelike detail of the bright color leaves along with the placement, size and shape of all bushes and trees, the lovely layers in the landscape, the contrast, depth and openness of the painting - we love it all!

As a family, we discussed all the things we love about it.  Here's what we talked about:

- the detail and realism of the leaves and their rich saturated color (my daughter wants to touch them) as well as the chosen level of detail for the various elements throughout the piece
- full bushes of glorious leaves (the detail of the golden leaves on the right is spectacular!)
- the reach and subtle play of small branches and bright leaves in front of the trunk that is furthest forward, and the others as well
- the 8 lit aspen trunks, and then different types and dimensions of dark trees, trunks and branches into the distance
- the openness, as though you are looking over a hill through the trees into light in the distance

The Jewels of Autumn color palette is perfect.  We deeply appreciate the vibrancy and variety of color, the darker and brighter shades and would only want this preserved to full effect.

 So, there we are.  Jewels of Autumn has captured our hearts and imagination.  We are very happy with this decision and so appreciate your willingness to work with us on this new commission!

Karen, Dennis and family

 After I completed the painting, I emailed Karen and Dennis a photo for their approval.

36 x 60, Canadian Autumn

This was their email back:

Oh Jen - what a gift - this is awesome!! Yes, please do arrange shipment - it will be so exciting to welcome this new addition and it will welcome folks to our home with views from entry through living, dining, sun room and even from our kitchen.  It is a lovely piece full of hope and emotion - it will be enjoyed!

Karen, Dennis and family

Karen unwrapping the painting

Hi Jen and Matt,

It's here, it's here!!  It was so exciting to unwrap this treasure!  Canadian Autumn (great name!) is now hanging comfortably on our feature wall in the dining room.  It's interesting to watch how the character of the piece changes with the setting sun - like sitting in the forest, as only you can paint it Jen - it's beautiful!


Thanks for your careful attention to this piece and for getting it safely to our home. 

Dennis and Karen

photo of the two pieces hanging up together in the dining room!

Tuscan vineyard painting for collectors in Eugene, OR

The story continues...After I dropped off the commission to "Grandma Purdy" her son Dwight and wife Barbara wanted to view the pieces I had taken with me to the event at Ardiri Winery and Vineyards. I knew one painting in particular would be perfect for their master bedroom. It had all the right colors -- lots of browns and golds with accents of burgundy. I remembered their bedroom color scheme from a past visit, and actually painted "Tuscan Fall" with that in mind. It was a perfect fit! We all knew it the moment we hung the painting on the wall. After 21 years of enduring a bare wall...the Purdy's now have something beautiful to look at every day. That makes me happy!

This is a view of their living room.  The Purdy's commissioned their first painting from me last September -- a Tuscan villa in a field of sunflowers.  What a beautiful room!  You see the painting the moment you walk through the front door.  I love the lighting they have illuminating the artwork.  That always makes such a big impact--especially with my vibrant, highly textured work.

My lovely collector, Mary K.

On our way home from the vineyard, we stopped in Eugene to deliver a commissioned painting to Mary K. - my most senior collector by about 25 years! She's ordered several pieces this past year, and now wanted a painting with mountains (Mt. Hood), water, aspens, and wildflowers, to remind her of her honeymoon!

________________

Sent from my iPhone 4s

Memorial Day Event at Ardiri Winery and Vineyards!

Join me for the Memorial Day Weekend Event at Ardiri Winery and Vineyards located just outside Portland, OR.  Ardiri Winery sits atop a hill overlooking the picturesque Willamette Valley, in the heart of Oregon's beautiful wine country. I will be there with 10 of my latest pieces from my "Romantic Series" and will be painting live during the event.  Here is the invitation with more information. See you there! 

Aspen Commission to client in Hong Kong!

Dear Jennifer and Matt,

Pleased to advise that the painting arrived this morning, safe and sound, and is now on display in our dinning room. Looks outstanding. Thank you again for a wonderful piece of work.

Cheers,

J. Tsang

Celebrating Passion for Art!

Lavender Commission Completed!

"Scent of France" was created in a 36 x 48 for David and Barbara Mizes who met me at Celebrations of Fine Art.  It was such a fun piece to paint!  They wanted me to add their dog, "Scruffy," to the lavender field. They sent me a photo of the piece hanging up in their living room and this email:

Jen,

It is perfect! Thank you so much for putting Scruffy in the painting. We just love it. Hopefully we can meet again-maybe in Central Point or Fort Jones.

Barb and Dave

Aspen Painting, "Sunlit Walk"--SOLD!

24 x 36 Aspen painting, "Sunlit Walk" sold today at the Celebrations of Fine Art show.  I loved this piece--lots of great color and sunlight...but I'm glad it will going to a good home.  Collectors intend to place it in their dining room!