One of my Favorite Artists!

I first saw the paintings of Doug Fryer when I was an undergraduate Art student at BYU. He was getting his MFA, and he came into my class holding a little painting of a figure. My professor held up his painting for the class to see, and I remember being amazed at Fryer's wonderful use of layers and texture. It was such a wonderful little painting--a perfect blend of realism with a splash of the abstract...I've never forgotten it. I went to his Final MFA show, and there was a small painting I had really wanted to buy, but didn't have the courage to ask the price. I thought for sure it would be far outside my meager student's budget. Boy do I wish I had just done it, no matter the cost! I wonder if there are people who feel this passionate about my work. That's an interesting thought.

When I heard Fryer was in the Marshall-LeKAE Gallery in Scottsdale, and that there would be an artist reception for him last night, I just had to drop everything and go! It was delightful to finally shake his hand, and tell him the story of how he once inspired me as a young art student. Truly, I attribute my use of layers and texture today, to those first impressions his work made on me.

After the Gallery Reception, I walked through all the Art Galleries on the main street. White lights sparkled along the streets and wound around the trees. Why can't my little town in Southern Oregon look like this? It looked so magical! Every Thursday night is the Gallery walk, so there were hordes of people milling about, looking at art. I can think of no better way to spend an evening! :)

"Mountain Splendor" 48 x 48 Commission

I really love this painting! There's something really special about it. Ira and Karen Hammerman commissioned me to do a painting with Utah mountains and wild flowers. And that was all the guidelines they gave me! What a treat for me to have the artistic license to create a piece however I envisioned. I chose Mt. Timpanogos as the Utah mountain range (my favorite!) and sprinkled in gobs of beautiful wildflowers in the foreground. I emailed Karen and Ira a picture of the finished piece, and they called me today to tell me they absolutely love it and can't wait to hang it above their mantle.

Monday Ship Day!

Every Monday I ship 2-3 paintings out to my Galleries. It's hard to choose which ones to send out, and which ones to keep at the show. My paintings are like children...it's hard to see them go! Before I can ship them out, though, I have make sure each one is painted around the sides, hung with a wire on the back, and signed with title and signature.

Sweet Heart Aspens II Commission

A couple saw my 48 x 48 "Sweet Heart Aspens" in Royal Street Gallery in Aspen, CO and liked the piece, but needed it to be slightly larger for above their mantle. So they commissioned me to paint a similar piece in a 60 x 48 vertical and asked if I could "carve" their initials into the trunk of one of the trees. I really love doing that! It's a great way to personalize a painting for a client, making it more special. Plus, my thick, impasto texture--especially in trunks of trees, lends itself well to carving into the paint. The painting is all finished, and I just got the approval to ship it off!

Working on a new Aspen painting at the show!

webcam!

This is a picture from my booth’s webcam this morning. You can find a direct feed on my website (jensart.com) and watch me work at the show!

A change in the weather!

Susan Morrow (Show Director) describes the crazy weather we experienced this past week on the show's website: http://www.celebrateart.com:

The following week brought some dramatic changes in the weather and ushered in “the storm of the century” in Arizona. In 48 hours we had almost an entire annual rainfall and endured wind gusts of up to 70 mph. On Thursday of last week, our neighboring event, Russo and Steele Collector Car Auction lost two of their exhibit tents in the punishing winds. It was a very long day for all of us. We are grateful to report that we suffered no serious damage to our tents or any of the art work – just a lot of rain and some very high winds. The picture above shows what the courtyard looked like early in the day of our record rains.

It really was an incredible storm. It was the first time I wasn't allowed to work late! I actually tried, but was told I had to leave right away by a very worried show director. Apparently the Fire Marshal had stopped by and evacuated everyone. No one was allowed inside the tent that night! So, since I couldn't work, I decided the only thing left to do was go shopping! :)

"Out of Bounds" 48 x 48 - SOLD!

Elly and Steve Hammerman (Parents of Ira Hammerman) are avid art collectors and have been coming to the show for over a decade. They add to their collection every year--but usually with Western themed Art! Thus it was with great surprise when they decided to purchase my "Out of Bounds" painting. I was thrilled! At first the piece was slated to hang in the Guest house, but I've heard they have instead decided to place it in their home where they can enjoy it on a daily basis.
.

Studio Visit

Tony and Cheryl Borg have been steadily collecting my art for the past year, but I had never actually met them in person. So you can imagine my delight when Tony called to tell me they had booked flights to Scottsdale, and were planning on meeting me at the show. I always feel a special affinity to those who collect my work--they seem almost like family to me, and the Borgs were no exception. It was really fun to talk to them face to face. They purchased my "Autumn on Bells--diptych" Giclee, and I got a picture of them adding some texture with a palette knife. The daubs of paint they added are still there--and they know exactly which ones are theirs! :)

Celebration of Fine Art has a commercial!

The 20th Anniversary Celebration of Fine Art opened Saturday, January 16 at 10 am! Here is the commercial that is now airing in Arizona. Notice my lavender field painting?!!

Artist Proof Giclees!

In December, Cherri and Mike Disque purchased two of my "Artist Proof" Giclees. My AP's include lots of extra texture, a hand-written dedication and an original sketch on the back. I only make 10 AP's of each image, so I like to reserve them for my own personal collectors. The first day the show opened, Cherri and Mike were there. They've been collecting from the tent for years, and I was thrilled they had decided to purchase my "Walking through Autumn" and "Autumn Path" Giclees. It was wonderful to see them again and I couldn't pass up taking a picture together.

Opening Night!

The 20th Anniversary Celebration of Fine Art kicked off with a sneak preview for 300 special invited guests on Friday night. I was delighted for the chance to meet the staff of American Art Collector and got a picture with the magazine's Editor Joshua Rose and his friend Alexis Brunstedt. All of the guests at the opening reception went home with a copy of the January issue of American Art Collector which was filled with preview information for the Celebration of Fine Art along with a special publication about the Celebration and a full-spread Ad with my paintings!

Studio Set-up!

We've arrived in Scottsdale, and it's time to set up the show! We have 3 days to put a double booth together before the show starts...and I have a feeling we'll be pulling in a couple of all-nighters. Each artist is entirely in charge of putting together their own studios for the show. All that is here when we arrive are bare plywood walls. We have to spackle, paint, put up crown molding and base boards, install some kind of flooring (I, of course, have to do my black and white checker board tiles!) and hang Gallery type lighting. Good thing I have my husband here to help! I must admit, though, I quite enjoy working with power tools! Show starts Friday night, so we better get busy!

"American Art Collector"

I recently decided to advertise in American Art Collector. It is a magazine whose goal is focused on keeping collectors informed of what is happening in the art market each month. It contains previews of mainstream artists' upcoming shows at galleries coast to coast as well as authoritative columns by industry insiders like art appraisers, gallery owners, museum curators, art consultants and internationally respected interior designers. This month, the magazine spotlighted Celebration of Fine Art--the show I participate with every Jan. through March...and several of the show's artists did full page ads. Above is the Ad I put together.

"Finding Peace on Maroon Bells II"

Phil and Tamara Doss own several of my paintings, and recently commissioned a 48 x 48 of Maroon Bells. They wanted lots of bold, vibrant color with my signature thick texture. It was a fun piece to do. This is the email I just received from the happy collectors:

Hi Jen,

We got it and it is beautiful!! We will try to get a picture over to you tonight. Thank you so much for the wonderful effort. It really stands out in our house.

Thanks again,

Phil and Tamara

"Symphony of Color IV" Giclee

I just love it when I get to see my artwork hanging up in the client's house...or in this case, Law Office! My "Symphony of Color IV" Giclee was ordered through Gallery 1870 in Yountville, CA. The clients were from Edmond, Oklahoma and thought the size and colors would be perfect for their office. I heavily enhanced this Giclee with extreme texture...to give it the look and feel of an original painting. It looked gorgeous. I'm delighted they are happy with the piece!

Nice Email...

Hi Jennifer - I met you a few years ago when you were displaying your work on Union Square. Maybe it was 5 years ago? I had just moved to SF from DC.

I'm not in a position to buy your art at this point, but I wanted you to know how much I love it! I'm especially drawn to the lavendar and poppy scenes. They're very calming and remind me of my times in Europe. They make me want to go back.

I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your work via your email over the years.

Wishing you Happy Holidays!

Linda Kemby

"Mini Masterpieces" on eBay!

This past month, I’ve been busy painting and posting my “Mini Masterpieces” series on eBay. It’s been a lot of fun! Only 5 more paintings to go for this season--last posting is December 12th. Here's a link to the auctions: http://bit.ly/JensArt-eBay-DP

I just got an email from a happy client who won the auction for my 6" x 6" "Aspens in Yellow." See her email below...

Aspens in Yellow
THICK acrylic on canvas
6" x 6"

Jennifer,

Aspens in yellow arrived in Hinckley, Ohio today!!!! I LOVE IT! I can't wait for my husband to get home and see it. I told him I got one off ebay but he will be so impressed. It's amazing with all the holiday decor up that all the family and friends walk in and go WOW and they are not talking about my Christmas tree! Well I need to go and decide where the aspens will live, Maybe by my grandsons crib!!! How many more will be on ebay??

Merry Christmas!

Stephanie Thompson

Painting for new Hospital Lobby

"Autumn Jewel II"

[close-up of thickly textured knobs of aspen tree, and autumn leaves]

I was recently contacted by a Designer who had seen my work in a Gallery in Yountville, CA. She was looking for a big statement piece for a lobby of a new hospital in Simi Valley, CA, and thought my work would be perfect. I just finished up the new piece, and will be shipping it out today. I'm really interested in seeing what this hospital looks like! Apparantely it is quite beautiful; not your typical boring white-walls--but more like a spa retreat!

"Mini Masterpiece" series on eBay!

Just posted my first "Mini Masterpiece" painting on eBay today. Every year, for only 30 days, I paint little 6" x 6" canvases and auction them off on eBay to the highest bidder. This is a great way for me to offer original paintings to collectors during the Holiday Season, at a price that everyone can afford. Here's the link for today's auction.