Jacqueline’s Blog

CREATE Mixed Media Retreat!

CREATE Mixed Media Retreat!

The poster outside my classroom

I have been in Lisle on the outskirts of Chicago for several days “doing art” at CREATE, 2011!  My favorite part was making new friends and sharing creative ideas!   I am already looking forward to the CREATE retreat in Irvine, California. 
I thought I would come home and clean up and organize my studio, but instead, I was so jazzed about the new things I learned and the encouragement I got about my journals, that before my suitcase was even empty my studio became messier than ever!  I think that I now have about 4-5 projects going – all in the different stages of completeness.  Watercolor, watercolor journaling, book pages, and even painting on fabric!  Yes, you CREATE fabric folks made an impression on me!
Is this how you like to create?  Or are you more of an organized, neat, finish one project before starting the next type of artist?

More photos from my Flip, Flaps & Fold-out Class at CREATE:

I love traveling through the San Francisco Airport.  They always have an interesting artistic display.  This month it was a look at old TV shows and board games.  Do you remember the Twilight Zone Game?  Lost in Space?

Chickens – Update….. 5 just born!

Chickens – Update….. 5 just born!

Just out of the shell and one still to come out! August 17, 2011

My brooding hen of 21 days reminds me of a painting I did a couple of years ago.  Chickens are a great subject to paint, practicing soft edges, reflected light and big shapes.  Sometimes when I am at a loss as to what to paint, I always dabble with chicken paintings.

Ethyl is Out, Watercolor
Just Pecking, Watercolor

The excitement around our house yesterday was that we heard little chirps coming from the six eggs we gave Laverne, our sitting hen.  While Laverne was up, stretching her legs and getting her self-induced regime of eating only once a day, I actually saw one of the eggs move! Today is the 21st day and the chicks will be breaking out of their calcified confinement. 

Laverne sitting on eggs

Curious onlookers

Playing with Color for the CREATE Retreat

Playing with Color for the CREATE Retreat

Rainbow Studies

Flip, Flaps and Fold-Outs

CREATE Mixed Media Retreat is two weeks away and I have been excitedly getting ready for my classes that I am teaching.  Even though the Flip, Flaps and Fold-Outs class is full, there are still a couple of spots left in the Rainbow Studies Class.  This class will focus on using the color wheel to create harmonious little watercolor painting studies.  If you struggle with color, this class will be of great value.  I look forward to meeting all the artists that will be at CREATE!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, A Peek Inside My Watercolor Journal

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, A Peek Inside My Watercolor Journal

There are at least two female Ruby-throated hummingbirds coming to the feeder at our camp, Tern II.  Each one has a different personality.  One likes to sit and perch at the feeder, taking long drinks of sugar nectar.  The other never perches and seems more cautious, always suspended in flight and looking quickly around after each quick sip.  While I paint, I hear the lobster boats in the distance and a Thrush or Warbler singing in the background.  The tide is moving in.
Painting at the Marina

Painting at the Marina

On most Mondays, the Plein Air Painters of Mount Desert Island, Maine, meet at different locations around the island.  On Sunday evening, local artist and author Gail, sends out a email with the painting location for the next morning.  Last year was my first year of joining the group and I had the pleasure of doing so again this year.  We met at the Northeast Harbor Marina.  That meant boats, boats, more boats and water; both of which I am not very familiar at painting coming from the high desert of Central Oregon.  First I did a warm-up in my watercolor journal.  I pick a smart looking red boat to paint.  This was fun, small and spontaneous.  Then I attempted a 1/4 sheet watercolor painting.  By the time I started, I had less than an hour to finish before the group stopped painting for critique and picnic lunch.  So I did not get very far with my larger painting as I felt it was important to get the shape of the boat somewhat correct.  I will share with you my journal entry:

My Watercolor Journal Painting of the Red Boat at Northeast Harbor Marina

             
Photo of the Red Boat    
More Scenes of Maine – Every sunset is different

Arriving at Isle au Haut – View from the Mail Boat

Rocky Coast

Lobster Dinner at Sunset

Seals on the Rocks
Art on the Go

Art on the Go

Second Chances Art at the San Francisco Airport

It is fun to find art in unexpected places!  Today while traveling through the San Francisco airport, I had a few moments to enjoy an art display of recycled items, “Second Chances – Folk Art Made from Recycled Remnants”.  Most of these were made out of metals but then there were very clever dresses made out of candy wrappers. These were incredibly intricate and colorful. Also very colorful, were baskets woven out of discarded telephone wires.

Candy wrapper dresses
Miniature chairs and toys
Colorful baskets made from discarded telephone wires
Miniature metal trucks
Bugs made of metal

Artist Reception

Artist Reception

Blue Vase and Polka Dots
I am the featured artist at Alleda Real Estate for Bend’s First Friday Art Walk tonight.  There is an artist reception and I will be there from 5:30 pm until 9:00.  Please stop by, see my new paintings and say “Hi’!
25 NW Minnesota (next door to Thump Coffee), Bend, Oregon
A Peek Inside My Provence Watercolor Journal, Flower Pots

A Peek Inside My Provence Watercolor Journal, Flower Pots

Flower pots of Provence

Here is a page from my watercolor journal that I just finished.  I had to add more darks and shadows and then finished up with some words in the spaces between my little paintings.  I consider this a study of different terra cotta pots that are found through out Provence.  While traveling and painting in your journals, consider doing a study of one item and painting it in different locations, colors and sizes. 

 What kind of paintings have you done that you would consider a study?

Kitchen Kaleidoscope Event This Saturday, June 18, 2011

Kitchen Kaleidoscope Event This Saturday, June 18, 2011

“Spring in Central Oregon is a painting of the view from my backyard during that magical time in spring when the flowers start to bloom and the mountains are still covered with snow.” 

The Assistance League of Bend, Oregon’s semi-annual Kitchen Kaleidoscope is this Saturday.  If you have seen the posters around town or have your tickets, you will recognize my painting, Spring in Central Oregon, as the featured painting for the event.   This is a fund raising event that will benefit the low-income families of Bend.  Tickets are $25 and you will be able to tour seven beautiful private homes in North Rim and Northwest Crossing.  My painting will be on display at the Riley house in the North Rim section.  I will also have some small originals, prints and cards for sale.  My two great friends, Karen and Karen, will be helping me with my table.  Stop by and say “Hi!”.


A Peek Inside My Provence 2011 Watercolor Journal

A Peek Inside My Provence 2011 Watercolor Journal

I love painting on location but often there is not enough time to finish a painting.  Usually I have time to do a drawing and a watercolor wash or two.  Then it is easy to finish the painting later when I have more time.  Often I will finish these paintings when I am on the airplane ride home or when I am back in my studio. 

Here is an example of a watercolor painting in my journal that I finished at a later time. 

     
This painting was actually finished while flying over the Atlantic Ocean