JensArtBlog

Aspen Commission to client in Hong Kong!

2012-04-23T13:48:00.005-07:00

Dear Jennifer and Matt,

Please to advise that the paint 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

J. Tsang asked that I take pictures of his painting in progress...but I remembered his request a little late. I wish I had a shot of the first stage when I painted in the sky. I basically covered the entire canvas in a smooth shade of blue. I always do the background first, before I start to layer in the texture with palette knives. So, the first photo depicts the second stage after I had sculpted in the thick trunk and aspen leaves with various sizes of palette knives. In this stage, I always feel like I'm frosting a cake (or canvas, in this case) with paint. I scoop up huge amounts of paint with my knife and apply it to the canvas in super thick layers. I want the paint to really protrude from the canvas in life-like texture. After that stage dries (takes about a week), I begin to fine tune the leaves with smaller knives (round in shape) and add highlights and shadows to the tree with brushes. This stage always takes the longest. It could go on for weeks before I've decided the painting is finally finished. That is why the commonly asked question, "When do you know when the painting is finished?" is so hard to answer. My response? When the painting is shipped out!

Celebrating Passion for Art!

2012-03-26T12:24:00.002-07:00

Lavender Commission Completed!

2012-03-24T14:16:00.001-07:00

"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!

2012-03-23T13:35:00.009-07:00

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!

"Desert Botanical" 48 x 60, SOLD!

2012-03-22T13:59:00.002-07:00

My 48 x 60, "Desert Botanical" painting sold today to Collectors in Scottsdale, AZ. This piece looked perfect in their formal dining room! WOW!

The Blind can Feel!

2012-03-17T12:35:00.004-07:00

Alberto Guzman is completely blind, but his disability doesn't stop him from traveling around the world and visiting new places. A native of Tuscan, AZ, Alberto decided to visit Scottsdale and come to the art show. What an amazing person he is! I thoroughly enjoyed talking to him. Unlike most artists, I welcome people to touch my painting. I want the experience to be tactile as well as visual. My work is meant to be experienced by all the senses. Because my paintings are so textured, Alberto was able to "feel" the subject matter with his fingertips. He felt the trunks of the aspen trees as they wound upwards to the sky, their leaves round depictions of autumn color. As he felt the painting, I described the scene he was experiencing. Depending on the color, some paint is more glossy to the touch. It was a very sweet moment for me to witness a person with no sight still be able to experience my artwork!

"Tuscan Romance" 48 x 60 commission--SOLD!

2012-03-16T12:54:00.000-07:00

Steve Young in the Tent!

2012-03-10T12:15:00.002-08:00

Yep! It was pretty fun looking up and seeing Steve Young in my studio. I recognized him instantly (my hubby was so proud!) He and his wife, Barb, were quite taken with my Aspen series. A commission is in the works for their home being built in Provo, UT. This show attracts a lot of celebs. Last year it was Stephanie Meyer, author of the "Twilight Series." You'll never find a better art show anywhere in the world! Ends on the 25th.

Double Trouble!

2012-03-04T18:52:00.003-08:00

There are 8 girls in my family. I'm the oldest followed by 7 sisters! I love seeing the reaction when I tell people that fact. Yes, we're all blonde with blue eyes...all on the petite side (the tallest being a giant 5' 5") and most of us wear a size 7 shoe. There is definitely an unmistakable family resemblance. So you can imagine my delight when my sister Nikki (#4 in the lineup) booked a flight to visit me in AZ! We had such a ball hanging out at the show, eating at fun restaurants, and of course...shopping! No wonder Scottsdale is such a hot tourist destination. I'm lucky to get to spend 3 months here every year.

During show hours (10am-6pm) Nikki helped me paint. She got pretty good at laying in the backgrounds. Boy that was nice. I could really use an assistant! Occasionally she would take break to walk around the show, and everyone just assumed she was me. It was pretty comical. I'd forgotten just how similar we look. Even our mannerisms are the same. But that's not all we share in common. We both have 4 children--all the same ages, 5 up to 12. She has 3 girls and a boy, and I have 3 boys and a girl. We were pregnant with our first at the same time and ended up giving birth (Thanksgiving Day) in the same hospital just hours apart! Our Mother went from my birth, straight to Nikki's. The poor exhausted woman! She's been to all of her daughter's births. We just couldn't do it without our Mother! That makes 26 births (two daughters have yet to start their families...so it's 26 and counting!) And she never forgets a birthday. Talk about full time job!

Anyway, sisters really are the best! I'm grateful my parents kept trying for that boy! "Michael" just wasn't meant to be! :) I really loved spending the weekend with my little sis. It was way too short! Every year we all try to get together for a "Sister's Trip." This was kind of like a "Sister's Trip, minus 6!" Okay girls, who's next? Show ends March 25th, so hurry!

Aspen Painting SOLD!

2012-03-01T17:28:00.004-08:00

Cathie is one of my favorite collectors I met at Celebrations this year. She and her husband, Bill, visit the show on a weekly basis. They love art...especially art with lots of color! Cathie calls my work her "Happy Paintings!" I'm thrilled that today she decided my 36 x 36 "Spring Loveliness" needed to be added to her growing Vranes art collection. It couldn't have gone to a better home. She's suffered tremendously this past year from health issues, and wants to surround herself with positive and uplifting art. She's off to a great start!

Mission Acomplished!

2012-02-29T19:29:00.002-08:00

It was wonderful to get this email today from Linda who bought my 3 pack puzzle last May. She finally completed the puzzles, and emailed me these photos. Congratulations Linda, you did it! This was her email to me:

Jen,

Just wanted you all to know that I'm sure it took me much, much, much longer to put the 500 piece puzzle together than it did for you to paint it! But, perseverance prevailed...

Puzzles and more Puzzles!

2012-02-28T23:39:00.004-08:00

Last year, Ceaco, one of the biggest puzzle manufacturers, contacted me about making my paintings into jigsaw puzzles. The President of Ceaco had seen one my advertizements in a magazine and thought my work would translate well on a puzzle. The thought had never crossed my mind! It took me a month to call him back. I'm sure glad I finally did. They chose 6 of my paintings to publish as puzzles and have since sold over 15,000 on Amazon and in stores like Toy's R Us and Target. I brought the puzzles to this show and they have been very popular! It's been fun autographing them for my collectors. They are currently sold out in most stores...but if you would like an artist signed puzzle, contact me via my website, and I'll send you one!

40 x 40 Aspen Painting, "Into the Rough"

2012-02-28T21:47:00.000-08:00

"Into the Rough" 40 x 40, thick acrylic on canvas

My client commissioned a piece similar to my "Out of Bounds" painting which normally depicts a meadow of blue and purple flowers. The original "Out of Bounds" also had a tiny golf flag on the green that was barely noticeable. My client wanted me to include the golf flag, but change the colors to cranberries, golds, and pinks! The blues and purples wouldn't work with their decor, but this warm color palette would. They loved it the finished result!

"Out of Bounds" 48 x 48, thick acrylic on canvas

48 x 48, Lavender Field Painting

2012-02-20T00:48:00.001-08:00

And you thought original Art couldn't go in a bathroom? WOW!!! Thank you Patricia Molano for sending me this photo. My "Summer in Provence" couldn't have found a better home.

Flash from the Past!

2012-02-13T18:48:00.003-08:00

I had just finished up talking to some clients when I spotted a lanky guy standing with his back to me, looking at one of my paintings. He looked very familiar. It took me about 5 seconds to realize who he was. It was Tyler..an ex boyfriend back from BYU college days! It had been 15 years since I had seen him, but I knew just by his stance that it was him. I was right! He turned and saw me looking at him and just laughed. The last we had seen one another, he was an undergrad and I was a little art major trying to figure out how to paint. It was fun catching up and showing him around my studio. He also has a family--4 kiddos, just like me. Similar ages and names, even. A lot has changed over the past 15 years. He couldn't believe the once hippie girl in baggy cargo pants and raggedy t-shirts had actually become a successful artist. It was fun to see the surprise on his face and to reconnect after all these years.

We Finally Meet!

2012-02-12T00:16:00.000-08:00

Brian and Melissa Banfield heard about my work via a mutual friend/collector and ended up ordering a 48 x 48 Giclée of "Poppy Paradise" a few months back for their home in Mesa, AZ. We communicated via phone and email but had never officially met in person. The Art show (Celebrations of Fine Art) provided the perfect opportunity to become personally acquainted. It was so fun to finally meet Brian and Melissa and to show them around the show. They were surprised at how thickly I painted, having never seen one of my originals in person. My website just doesn't capture the 3-D texture, they told me. Their next art purchase, they concluded, would definitely be an original painting!

Sweet Email!

2012-02-11T00:45:00.006-08:00

Hello,

I recently saw a few of your works at a conference held at the Santa Fe Hilton and was blown away! As a native of Colorado, I don't think I've ever seen art that has so vividly captured true beauty, color and character of an aspen tree as what you've done.

Then as I read "About Jennifer Vranes" and saw you have 4 kiddos I realized that you have to be just about the most amazing woman in the world. I run a 111 bed long term care village and only have two kids and I'm in bed by 9:30 every night.

Please keep sharing your amazing God-given talent with the world and someday I will own an original Jennifer Vranes and be inspired to be a better "me" everyday!

--Cindy

Aspen Painting, "Autumn Concerto," 34 x 48

2012-02-10T00:37:00.000-08:00

Hi Jennifer,

The painting arrived and it is WONDERFUL! We hung it today and it just makes the room. After twelve years with a blank space above our fireplace, I know why we waited to find the right piece. Thanks so much! It took me 2 years to find the right piece among your many great options. Once I saw it, I knew it would be just the best.

Thanks again!

Louise

Home for newest Poppy Painting!

2012-02-05T11:20:00.004-08:00

I was just applying the finishing strokes to 36 x 36, "Poppy Happiness" when a collector saw it on my easel and just had to have it in her life! It was love at first sight. That same day I delivered and installed the painting in her Scottsdale home. "It brightens up the whole room!" she said. "It makes me happy every time I look at it!" I was thrilled my painting brought her such joy. Art really does have the power to uplift!

10" x 10" Giclée series...HOT!

2012-01-28T23:42:00.003-08:00

I usually paint on a rather large scale...so I thought it would be practical to offer my collectors something small they could easily take home with them in a car or on an airplane. My 10 x 10 Giclées are the perfect size--they fit anywhere and look great by themselves or clustered together as a grouping. They have been wildly popular this year at Celebrations. Each one is printed on canvas and Gallery wrapped with the image stretched around the sides. No framing is necessary. I enhance each Giclée with a palette knife to add some nice texture. They are sweet little pieces of art and at $250 a pop are also very affordable.

Bill and Cathie Cline came to the show and instantly fell in love with them. They thought a grouping of 8 would be perfect for a wall in their dining room. Here are a couple of pictures they sent me after they got the Giclées hung up! Cathie posted several more pictures of the wall on my JensArt Facebook page and left this comment:

"I Love, Love, Love them!!! These are my Happy Pictures. Thank you so much Jen! --Cathie"

Interview on Fox 10!

2012-01-27T01:04:00.010-08:00

I was selected out of 100 artists to be interviewed at the Celebration of Fine Art on the morning show for Fox 10 News. I painted live on camera while talking about my 3-D texture on the Aspen and Birch trees, as well as the Lavender fields. It was a lot of fun! Cory sure is a character. These were some of the comments posted on my JensArt Facebook page:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Have my TV tuned in...waiting for my girl!!!

Will check back Jen!! Can't wait to see you in action! Loved your Xmas showing of all the homes;that have beautified their space with your art!!

SAW YA...REPORTER WAS GOOFY...FLIRTY...BUT IT WAS GREAT EXPOSURE... LOVE YA...

That was really cool. I'm glad you explained the 3D thing because it was difficult to see over the computer screen. Your paintings must weigh a ton. :-)

That's awesome!

So exciting!!!

Finally was able to view the spot:Oh,how I'd love to be at the Show! What a wonderful event with 110 Artists Live & In Person! Only $10 charge & for the St. Mary's Cause! Finally got to see you in action with the swirling palette knives! Great side shot of the paint build-up for the 3-D effect!! Also,seeing you in a live video:I could see your love for what you do...Plus your pretty cute! Thanks for sharing!!

Congratulations! Sorry I missed it! Will it be on YouTube? Would LOVE to see you being interiewed! LOVE YOUR WORK!

Congrats. You did a great job

My friend is famous!

Congrats indeed. I love your work!

Just saw your work great my favorite tree

That is so awesome Jen! Love the interview. Hair is super long!

You totally deserve it, u r so talented!!

Oh Jen , congrats...I would love to come see you work. I have crazy kids...I might have to make it a date with my hubby and get a baby sitter. I would love to see your art in person and up close. I really want to get one.

Congratulations!!!! That is great!!!

Congrats! Thats so awesome. You are so gifted and your paintings are beautiful...cant think of a better artist to have that opportunity!

Jen you are so incredible! I love you and I love your paintings. I posted this to my wall also cause I love bragging about you. :)

Fun to watch .... And now I know what you sound like !

Awesome job Jen Richie! I enjoy seeing your work, God has given you such a great talent!! Sharing on my wall so others can see it too!

Have already commented before...But will share,too!!

awesome. Very good work Jen

Jennifer.....you are AWESOME and I love the way you bring life in such vivid colors in your paintings. Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.

great interview--and thanks for posting. Have a wonderful show.

LOVE IT!!!

Aspen Commission!

2012-01-20T23:00:00.002-08:00

Timothy B. commissioned a version of my "Skyward" painting in a 30 x 40 with more yellows and reds.

Commission completed! Tim and Traci were delighted with the end result. The painting was finished just in time for their big super bowl party they host every year! They also ended up adding one of my 10 x 10 Giclées to their collection.

Map to Celebration of Fine Art!

2012-01-17T22:55:00.002-08:00

New location map. SW corner of Hayden Rd and Loop 101, off exit 35.

If you wish to use MapQuest to find the show site, please use the address of our neighbor about 1/2 mile south of us. Sheraton Desert Oasis at 17740 N Hayden Rd. Our tent is about a 1/4 of a mile to the north of this property.

Susan Potje, the show's coordinator states:

The 2012 Celebration of Fine Art is in full swing. All we can say is “wow”! The show looks spectacular! The artists have definitely brought their very best works of art. In addition, they all did an amazing job with their studio set up. The transformation is completely awe inspiring! The response from our visitors has been overwhelmingly positive!

First day of the show!

Studio Finished!

2012-01-16T22:38:00.006-08:00

Here are a few pictures of the finished studio! We finished it up just in time for opening night!

This is where I set up my painting section. During the 10 weeks I will be painting in front of a live audience.

This year we added a 10' tall triangular wall. I love painting those tall 7' verticals. This will be a perfect spot to hang them!

Collectors always enjoy relaxing on my leather couches. Now they can also watch a video showcasing my artwork hanging up in collector's homes.

Show Set Up!

2012-01-15T22:05:00.007-08:00

I can't believe it's time to head back to Scottsdale, AZ to participate in a 10 week art show called, "Celebration of Fine Art." You can read more about the show at: http://www.celebrateart.com. Set up began at 9 am on Monday, Jan. 9th....with opening night scheduled for that Friday, Jan. 13th. It would take all 4 days (and nights) to get my studio ready in time. My husband, Matt, proved to be as invaluable as ever! With his help we painted the walls, laid the black and white checker board floor, painted and hung moldings and baseboards, installed the lighting (we went with fluorescent this year--more bang for the buck!), moved in the furniture, and organized my painting area with easel and paints. Whew! It was quite a project. But, we got it done just in time for me to change from yoga pants to fancy black dress with seconds to spare before art collectors began showing up for the opening event.