Rollin' on the River

As some of you know from Facebook, I was able to take advantage of a warm day here in the Deep South and take a boat ride on Rabbit Creek.  I wanted to try out a new camera I got for Christmas.  I got some neat photos, as the river is always changing.

Water wearing away this stump makes it look like a flower pot.

This log looks like a horse!

I like the bare trees.

Even bridges can make an interesting design element.

My husband has a real interest in trees, especially the cypress trees that grow along the water's edge.  He really loves the cypress "knees" that grow from the roots of the tree.  I was able to zoom in on a few clusters of them and got a good shot of one spot in color and the other, I thought looked good in black and white.

My husband, grew up on the river - boating and fishing from an early age.  He asked me to get a shot of this old sign.

As the sun breaks out, all the pines and cypress are silhouetted.  We are blessed to live in a beautiful area of the country and being on the water cures a lot of "what ails ya".

I pray for a Happy and Healthy New Year for you all!  Bring on 2013!!!  May it be filled with love, laughter and, of course, beautiful things - like art!  :)

Painting Boats

I have been in the mood to paint boats lately.  Maybe it's the end of summer.  At any rate, I have three pieces that I've finished and I really like.  The blues are soothing and the paintings make me wish I was "there".

The first two are based off of a photo I've had for a long time.  I've painted something similar before, that sold quickly.  So, I thought I'd revisit these canoes: once larger and another time in a higher "key".  In "Boats on Blue II", notice that there are tiny "pops" of burnt orange in the dark shadows.  It's like the painting isn't finished for me, until I can figure out the "odd man out" color that really sets the work off.  I once took a cooking class in New Orleans where they were talking about using spices in food.  There are flavors that are similar, but for a really phenomenal dish, you need a little bit of an "odd man out" flavor -- a spice that is opposite but complementary at the same time.  This is what I try to accomplish when using color in my work.  I am very happy with the results and will apply a gloss varnish on these for a really nice watery effect.

"Boats on Blue II", 24x24" acrylic on gallery canvas, $350.

"Canoe Trio", 12x12" acrylic on gallery canvas, $95.

Secondly, I have really been wanting to paint some sailboats.  I don't sail, but I have a dear friend and also a neighbor that do.  Something about flying over the water, with no motor noise, has got to be wonderful.  I tried to keep the colors airy and breezy and I think I did well with that.  I still had to pop some tan and darker blue in there to make it interesting.

"Sails on the Bay", 12x24" acrylic on gallery canvas, $200.

Enjoy the last few weeks of warm weather!  Can you believe that Labor Day is next weekend????

Slumber Party!!!

I first read about Theresa McPherson and her "Lights of Empowerment" ministry in the newspaper.  I felt called to share my artistic talent with these girls.

http://blog.al.com/pr-community-news/2011/01/empowering_teen_girls_new_mobile_nonprofit_reaches_out.html

Theresa and I made several calls back and forth and tried to get something set up for her summer camps.  We could never work out the details and the idea to help began to fade...

Then, last week, I saw Theresa on the evening news.  They were interviewing her in response to a local high school prom video that hit You Tube in which girls were not dancing very nicely, to say the least.  I told my husband that I sure hated that I missed that opportunity to help her and her ministry.  So, guess who calls me the VERY NEXT DAY?  Theresa!  She was having her monthly "BFF" sleepover and had thought of me to come and do some art with the girls.  How weird is that????  Anyway, I told her I was DEFINITELY interested!

I  then enlisted the help of my favorite 10 year old girl artist, Morgan McGehee and her mom Laura.  We decided that the girls could paint a cupcake or a ice cream cone, similar to the ones Morgan paints and sells to raise money for a well in Africa.   (To see Morgan's work, go here:   http://www.facebook.com/TheHopeProjectMobile).  We gathered supplies and met at Lights of Empowerment behind a local church on Cottage Hill Road last Friday evening.

The girls were just starting to arrive -- in their pj's and with cute sleeping bags and pillows.  They played board games while waiting for all the girls to get there.  Theresa said she expected about 20.  What a fun night she had planned!  Theresa started with a devotional and scripture reading, all designed to encourage the girls that they are all special and beautiful.  The girls then had several activities they rotated in groups to: our painting room, face painting, making bead necklaces, a "spa"/personal hygiene area, Wii games, etc.  All the while, fun music is playing and girls are busy having fun and doing all the activities.  Then, refreshments - nachos, pizza, drinks, cupcakes!  As we were finishing up the art room, they had started a limbo game - cue the music "Hot, Hot, Hot..."!  :)  Wow, what a fun time!!  Miss Theresa sure knows how to throw a fabulous sleepover!  Alas, us art teachers had not brought our pajamas or sleeping bags, so we had to pack up to go home.  As we took this last photo as we left, I had a feeling the party had just begun...

To learn more about Lights of Empowerment, please visit www.lightsofempowerment.com and consider donating your time or talent to this great organization.

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!!!