For the LOVE of Oysters

I received the cutest email a while back:

"Hi Jennifer,

I stumbled upon your website in the most unusual way recently.  I’ve been surfing the web in search for a gift for my sisters upcoming birthday.  We share a love of oysters. –it’s actually an obsession really.  We have spent a summer of gluttony slurping dozens and dozens AND dozens…a ridiculous amount. I live seaside in NJ, my sis is in NYC and summertime she spends half her weekends here with me at the shore. 

I have been reading oyster blogs and reviews of oyster books, found some cool oyster knives and shucking gloves that would be very useful especially shucking after the wine has been flowing J  Anyway, I somehow landed on your blog.  I really like your work and the light airy way you’ve written about your inspirations.  I had a nice reminiscence of my own summer fishing, crabbing, boating and sunsets on the dock. –Autumn has arrived here in the northeast and soon we will be hibernating.

Two pieces of your work I would like to have for myself. “oyster on blue” 4x6 and “oyster trio” 6x12 both oil on canvas.  I hope they are still available."

This just makes me smile!  I packaged up the requested artwork and sent it up to New Jersey.

Here are the pieces she unwrapped:

After following following up with her to make sure she received the artwork and that she was pleased with it I got the following response:

"I LOVE LOVE LOVE my oyster paintings! They make me happy every time I see them!

Thank you for checking back.

Happy New Year! I hope it’s the best one yet!"

So, now my artwork is being enjoyed by an "Oyster Lover" in New Jersey.  I just think it's amazing that the internet allows us to share artwork and ideas so easily from all over the country and the world.  Have a blessed day! :)

Anniversary Surprise

I got an email recently from a man who wanted to surprise his wife for their anniversary.  He had an idea to get an oil portrait of the place where he proposed to her - Samford Hall at Auburn University.  He also wanted included, small figures of himself and his wife in the portrait, re-enacting the proposal.  What a creative husband!  He even provided details of what they were wearing, who was standing on what side and the time of night (for the clock face).  This is a photo of the painting at one of it's final stages.

"Samford Hall Proposal at Night", 16x20" Oil on Canvas

I think he gets a lot of husband "points" for this one.  And, get this, he's a Bama fan!!!   :)

Open Art Studio at Christmas on the Hill

Please join us for the "Christmas on the Hill" celebration this Sunday, December 4th from 1-5pm. Along with all the other merchants in the Springhill area, my art studio will be open with coffee and cookies and good cheer! New artwork and Christmas specials, with original gifts in every price range. I spent most of the day decorating the studio and getting everything neatened up. Thanks to my suite-mate, Abby Stimpson, from Very Vintage Jewelry, for getting all of our "snowflake" themed decor! Here's some shots of my studio with my new work:

I will be having some special guests artists in my studio on Sunday, as well.  First, Morgan McGehee, age 10 and founder of The Hope Project - creating paintings to raise money to build a well in Africa.  Here is some of her work that I hung up today.  I have my eye on the blue cupcakes!!!  And, with any purchase or donation to The Hope Project, receive a coupon for 20% any artwork or non-portrait commission from Rabbit Creek Studios.  Come take advantage of this rare promotion!  To learn more about Morgan and her artwork, visit www.Facebook.com/TheHopeProjectMobile.

My second guest is my mother, Suzanne Fox.  She is a potter and also paints watercolor on paper.  Here is one of her beautiful pitchers.  I have a few of her popular "berry bowls" - a small pottery colander, perfect for rinsing and displaying berries.  They will go fast and would make a great gift for anyone on your list!

Kick off the Christmas Season on "The Hill" with Santa, Carriage Rides, 99.9FM broadcasting live!  See you there and please spread the word!  Christmas Blessings to you all!!!

Christmas Jubilee

I have a display at this year's Christmas Jubilee Art Walk, as I have in several years past.  This year, the difference is that I have shared half of my display area with my friend and fellow artist, Morgan McGehee.  Morgan has had (God given) artistic talent from an early age.  When she heard about the fact that over 5,000 children perish EVERY DAY from lack of clean water, she decided to use her artistic talent to do something about it.  She started the Hope Project to raise money for a well in Africa.  What's incredible, though, is that she is only 10 years old!  I worked with her parents to get ready for this, her first art "show".  Here is her display after I set it up on Wednesday of this week:

Doesn't it look great?  Most of these works employ a several step process.  Morgan applies a textured medium to the canvas to give the subject depth.  Then, she paints her design.  If needed, fabric and beads are applied (like the "sprinkles" on the cupcakes).  Lastly, with her parents help, a thick, glossy resin is applied over the whole canvas.

When I checked in with the Art Walk chair late this afternoon, after only ONE day of the three day market, ALL but TWO paintings had sold!!!  Of course, Morgan is thrilled.  Since she doesn't have any more paintings to sell at the moment, she will ask those that want to offer support for her Hope Project to do one or more of the following:

* Commission an original painting - choose your design and colors
* Place an order for notecards or prints
* Donate art supplies or money to The Hope Project
* Join her Facebook Page and Share with others
* Pray for her ministry
Visit her Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/TheHopeProjectMobile for more information on purchasing or donating.

We are all just thrilled with the incredible response to her artwork and her project!  If you are at Christmas Jubilee this weekend, stop by her display to see if there are any paintings left, to read more about her mission and get a business card.  She also has beautiful necklaces displayed for sale that benefit Sonrise Baby Home in Uganda. If you missed her at Christmas Jubilee, she will have a display table at my studio during Christmas on the Hill, Sunday, December 4th from 1-5pm.  Come support this wonderful cause!  Any purchase from The Hope Project during the Christmas on the Hill Open House, will receive 20% off any purchase from Rabbit Creek Studios.  See you there!!!

Sacred Heart Chapel Commission

I got a call from the "always entertaining" Mike Lyons over at Lyons Share Gallery in Fairhope, AL.  He had a customer that wanted to commission a mixed media painting of Sacred Heart Chapel, located right on Mobile Bay off Scenic Hwy 98 right outside of Fairhope.  But, the customer couldn't decide if she wanted the chapel painting mounted on an antique tin ceiling tile or antique wood.  So, I gave her a call and told her I'd make both and send them over to the gallery where she could then choose her favorite.  She was delighted with the idea and I am more than happy to do whatever it takes to make my art patrons completely satisfied with their artwork.

Here is the chapel on wood:

12x20" Oil on hand-cut metal, mounted to Antique Wood salvaged from Atmore, AL farmhouse 1907.

Here it is on tin:

12x12" Oil on hand-cut metal, mounted to antique tin ceiling tile, over 100 years old.

Anyone want to take a guess on which one she chooses?  I have my guess already....

Laissez les bons temps rouler

A friend of mine was the recent president of a local Mardi Gras organization.  After all the festivities were over, she wanted to present gifts to all the officers that helped make their year so successful.  She showed me some snapshots of all the ladies, dressed in various bright costumes, holding flags, and coming out to get on their floats. 

For their gifts, she wanted some small abstract paintings that conveyed "the busyness" and revelry of that day.  So, instead of stretched canvas, I chose some gallery wrapped 4x4 hardboard panels to give it a modern feel.  After several attempts (abstracts are NOT always easy), I finally captured the look and feel of what she wanted.  I really love these and my friend does too!  And, these ladies will have a nice piece of artwork to help them remember a fabulous day.  Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Casual Family Portrait

I just finished up a wonderful casual family portrait this week.  This is a client's three adult daughters and her two dogs sitting in her own back yard.  It's especially sweet since the Bassett, "Scarlet", has since passed away.  The reference photo we used was a snapshot taken recently but we also supplemented with other photographs of the girls.  This is a huge portrait - approximately 4x6 feet - and was accurately measured to fit perfectly over a mantle in her living room.  It's a gallery wrapped canvas, and the painting continues over and onto the sides.

When the portrait was finished to the client's exact specifications, I transported it down to Ashland Gallery where they will do a "floater" frame in which the canvas recesses into a box-type frame, with the sides still showing.  A very nice choice!

Speaking of Ashland Gallery, they will be having a great portrait workshop coming up October 20-21 given by Karen Stastny, an artist and teacher from New Orleans.  The fee is only $250, so if you have ever had an inkling to try portrait painting, this might be your opportunity.  For more information, just call Ashland Gallery at 479-3548.