First show of the Season was at Akron's Home and Garden Show. It was nice to set the new tent frame up inside and learning what I might need to do and not do in the future with it. A good start on new paintings and getting back into the flow of the shows. I am using a lot more fabric with the acrylic and loving the texture it gives to the paintings. The coaster tiles are new and i am loving how sweet they turned out.

Could it really be January with all this lovely warm weather? I don't mind it at all! Recently got back into the studio to start the inventory for this year and applying to the shows. Felt good to take a break and feels great to be back into the paint again.

Balance is the goal for this year. So, taking my time and slowly building up to the fast furry of it all is key. Last year I was painting to keep up at break neck speed. Fresh new ideas and work are emerging and I think I will be able to enjoy it more this year.

Cheers!
jen

This is the New Store, LP Designs, in the Short North! My lovely friend, Leslie Pannelle, owns the shop. It's full of original art, Lots by Moi, fun gifts, and fabulous home furnishings, made by some truly talented people. This weekends Holiday Hop should be wonderful! The forecast says cold, but the SUNSHINE will be out. It's always the best Hop of the season, I think it puts you in the holiday mood for sure.
I am looking forward to being able to enjoy the evening without the pressure of a show... aaahhhh,,, relaxation. Hope to see you there!
Cheers!
jen

My parents with me in Atlanta,,,, aren't they adorable?


So, very grateful for all the wonderful new friends I have met this side of the Mississippi this summer. Also, I could not have made it through without my family and friends traveling with me, listening to my joys and pains. Just so very grateful for everything right now. Thank you is such a small word and does not seem to be enough.

New art will be posted on the ETSY link in mid October. One more big show, then I will be listing some fun work. Just finished St. James Art Show in Louisville and feeling so inspired to get busy with some new creations.

Until then, Hug someone and tell them you love them. :)

getting ready for the Yellow Daisy show in Atlanta! So much to do, and so super excited!

Can't wait to see my southern friends and absorb some of that music, art, and food.

From my yoga teacher this morning, "where your gaze goes, intention flows"... True that!

It's a playful journey kind of day in the studio... jazz is playing softly in the background, dogs have been walked and are sleeping outside the door, I can hear them breathing.... sun is shining and giving a warm inviting glow to the day outside, sunbeams stream inside... feeling relaxed and flowing with the day. (smile, sigh)

Where does your gaze go?

I hope your day is filled with simple joys.

xoxo

This is the whirlwind I have been living in the last month.... Buckle up!

East Lansing, MI

The Art Festivals have been wonderful this season. So much inspiration in new places. A lot of work, don't get me wrong, there have been tears and deadlines and traveling and the joys of meeting some wonderful new artists, clients, and making friends along the way. These are some recent set ups since May. Still a lot more shows coming up. I will be back in the Cleveland area this weekend at the Willoughby Art Festival, then Columbus, then off to Syracuse NY the end of the month.

Shaker Heights, Ohio

Yellow Springs, Ohio

LaGrange, KY

Easton, Columbus, Ohio

Claudia Carreon, Copper, Brass & Silver Design. Beautiful Claudia is a friend of mine and we do a lot of shows together. We even get to travel together to Syracuse this month. Girl road trip! Yeah!

Shellyey Vail, Acrylic Paintings

LOVE her big bright paintings!! I do have one in my studio now. Total Love. And Shelley is just as kind, sweet, bright, and fun as her paintings. This was at Easton in Columbus, but, she lives in the Cleveland area, so check her out.

vailacrylic@gmail.com

Teresa Morbitzer, designer and owner of Vintage Vamp jewelry. Her amazing work is designed using vintage pieces and I have to say, I love every peice of hers I have. I love spending time with her in her amazing studio. It's above and old carriage house in German Village where she holds open houses a couple times a year. You have to check out her website and make sure to find where she is.

I have admired Jurate (Yura) Phillips vibrant paintings for a couple years now and had the pleasure of meeting her this season. She will be showing at Art on the Lawn in Yellow Springs this August, and I think I will indulge in some of her work this year. You can feel good energy coming from her and her work!

Husseim Saidi, I just love this boy. Look at that smile. It's as infectious as his work. I have seen him at big shows in the past, been drawn to his work and met him in East Lansing this year. Joe and I had dinner with him and his friend and we laughed the entire night. Check out his website because he hails from the East Coast and travels everywhere!

Susan Kline is the most amazing, down to earth, talented artist! Her work just makes me smile and so does she! Bright & Fun & Soulful. There is love in everything she does. Have you ever had someone that you admire tell you they like your work?! Really? Me? LOL! Her work inspires and reminds me to be happy. Life is too short to take seriously. Thank goodness I met her this year. I have called upon her during my crazy creative moments and she is right there with kindness, laughter and reassurance. I think this woman is an angel. She does quite a few shows and a lot of traveling too. Make sure you say HI if you see her.

Paul Tepper a new friend from the shows! He lives in the Columbus area and will be doing more shows. What I like about Paul ( and the other artists ) is how approachable and fun he is. We were beside each other at Easton this year and I could hear him laugh all day.

Now I am off to get my hands in the paint. Here I go again.

See you soon at the shows!

xoxo

jen

What's Happening

Back from New Orleans, and this is a current work in progress, inspired by Audoubon Park. Spent a morning walking under the oak trees, past fountains, over bridges, and watching the boys run in 5K.

New backgrounds that are getting prepped for East Lansing Art Festival this weekend.

Taking advantage of the beautiful weather and holding a recent Cork & Canvas Class outside.

New Art Class Schedule HERE

art journal

Some images from my Art Journal... Took these with the phone, not a vibrant as they really are.

I am searching for inspiration, tired, scared of ruining something, pushing forward looking for something new in the paint, another muse to inspire me. I need a fresh perspective. Going to keep on going with this.

Everyday my commitment is to the Art Journal. As much as I love to paint, do you know it's like exercise? It feels great when I'm done, but, I hate getting started. Now I feel it right under the surface... Something is coming up. It's in my dreams too.. I am having the most vivid dreams lately. Peaceful, vivid, and I have no idea what they mean.

Thank you to EVERYONE who came out to the First Annual Holiday Open House at the Studio. The first night was amazing and it was so fun to see old friends. What a relaxing evening for me to be able to host a "show" in my studio. Much less stress than traveling and setting up a tent. Ok, there was a little stress getting the studio clean, but, definately worth it!

A couple Updates:

1. There is still plenty of original artwork and I am really in love with a few new works. Don't forget, everything is still 20% off this Tuesday night, December 14th, at my studio, from 6-9.

2. Right now I am working on a couple commissions for the holidays, but, I will be listing some new work on ETSY this week and promise that if you order by Friday I will ship it ASAP for the holidays. As always, free shipping online.

3. If you live in the Dayton area, I will be gallery sitting this Friday, December 17th, at Village Artisans. It's 3rd Friday, The HOLIDAY HOP, and there will be plenty of good things happening in the Village. Free found art is back for the holidays, and you know that means you can walk away with the art you find. Cocktails and Snacks will be served from 6-9 at Village Artisans.

Cheers!

jen

Excited about the North Market Holiday Extravaganza this weekend

December 4 & 5th

I am thrilled to be a part of it this year. Funky, Fun & Beautiful Vendors! I can see doing a lot of Holiday shopping myself there!

I am also getting ready for the First and to be Annual Studio Open House. I am super excited to open the studio up as well as my home to so many friends! If you are reading this, consider this your personal invitation, that is, if you live in the central Ohio area or feel like traveling.

Holiday Studio Open House

Visit my Studio for Holiday Cheer, Easy Shopping with Cocktails and a chance to win original Artwork!

December 10 & 14

6-9pm

Contact me if you need the address, I just feel strange putting it out on the web!

nolaagallery@yahoo.com