New paintings in progress

November and December, 2011 were extremely busy months for me, as I spent most of my waking hours submerged in my glass studio (freezing cold!) creating hand-made Christmas ornaments, wine stoppers, bowls, candle holders, and other assorted trinkets for the Holiday season.  Besides making the items, I have to "cold-work" the finished pieces; sign them; price and inventory each individual item; and deliver them to the various galleries that I supply.  I was also one of the featured artists in December at Arareity Jewelry & Glass and of course, kept regular hours at my own studio, Bell'Arte Studios which included two 2nd Saturday shows for the masses.

I love working with glass -- I've been working with it in various forms since 1999 and am drawn to this shiny and complicated medium like moths to a flame.  Working with glass is physical.  And challenging.  And can be extremely frustrating....especially when you're working in the studio while the kiln is burning, and you hear a distinct "fffpprtttt", which generally means something has exploded during the firing.  Yikes....you'd think after all these year's I'd get the annealing schedules down but it's complicated sometimes.  And this complexity is what keeps me interested.

Now it's January and I've stayed away from the glass studio, gearing up for some future classes and attempting to paint again after a 2-month hiatus.  The painting hasn't flowed like I had hoped it would but the past few days I finally hit a bit of momentum.  Here are some of the works in progress  (just click on the first painting to begin the slide show).  These are rough shots but proof that I haven't been sitting on my lazy behind :-)  I'll post final shots as I finish the paintings.  Enjoy!

A New Year and an amazing gift

"Beginnings"

by JJ Jacobs

I've been revving up the creative juices as I strive to come up with new glass designs for spring and paint some new abstract expressions for the licensing contract I recently signed with All My Walls (my designs are currently in production and should be available around 4/1/2012).  It's been challenging to find balance between my personal time and my "work" time though, and I find that the day is over well before I have accomplished what I set out to do earlier that same day.  Even with a "to-do" list, I feel as though I'm not doing everything I want or need to do, as I table the leftover tasks for the next day. 

It's a rainy Sunday here in Sacramento, and as I was getting ready to do another "to-do" list and mentally flog myself with the proverbial wet noodle for not finishing everything from the previous lists, I stopped and re-read some amazingly profound words of wisdom from my dear friend, Anne Eversmann. 

Beginning on Christmas last year, Anne sent me an email that simply said:
"On The First day of Christmas
A gift for you and me:
An inner serenity"
 
Every morning for the next 11 days, I received an email from Anne with another phrase (think 12 Days of Christmas song!).  Here are the phrases from those 12 special days:
 
12 rambling thoughts
11 " hows " to pray
10 " whys " we are called to pray
9 dances for the spirit
8 heartfelt hugs
7 year end musings
6 highly receptive senses
5 reasons for change
4 ways to let go and be
3 insights to joy
2 priceless presents
AND A QUIET SERENITY

 On January 6th, the last email from Anne came with the title "Epiphany."  Here's what she wrote:

As we stand before the Light of All Creation let's say,
" We give YOU our best
not only today
but in the every NOW that we live."

Today as I re-read this wonderfully original and fantastic gift from Anne, I had a huge Epiphany of my own.  I'm doing my best right here and right now, and I am doing it every day.  Some days my best may seem more productive than others, but there are different types of productivity.....and my rambling thoughts are actually dances for my spirit, as I watch each and every day unfold into another opportunity.

Thank you Anne for this amazing and wonderful gift of wisdom, words and insight -- you are simply the best.

PA RUM PA PUM PUM

Rolling Stones.........

"Stones #1"

Acrylic on canvas

16" x 20"

I recently did a series of five complementary color studies using some Lukas Cryl acrylic paints.  Here's one of the first paintings completed in that study -- blues and oranges.  These are high quality acrylics imported from Germany, and I prefer to use the more liquid ones that come in a squeeze bottle.  

At last -- 2012 is here!

It's been a good year for me in many ways.  A year filled with endings and new beginnings, and I'm looking forward to starting the New Year.

I have a "ritual" I do every New Year's Eve, and I'm getting ready to do it again tonight.  I start with 2 sheets of paper.  On one sheet I make a list of the accomplishments I've done this past year that have made me happy or proud; on the other sheet I list the events or situations I'm not overly enthused about or that want to move past in addition to the names of people I need to forgive (or forget!). 

I take the first sheet and read it out loud 3 times.  After reading it aloud for the 3rd time, I burn it over my gas stove in a metal pan.  I do the same for the second sheet.  After the ashes quit glowing, I douse them with water, take the pan outside and toss the contents into the garden. 

This is my version of turning these memories over to the Universe, and wiping my internal "slate" clean, to start fresh for the new year. 

Next comes the Vision Board (or collage or Treasure Map).  This is the fun part......I cut pictures and words from magazines and start arranging them on a piece of heavy paper.  I sometimes add photos of people I know, and once I'm happy with the arrangement, I glue everything down onto the paper base.  After everything is glued, I trim the edges; turn the board over to start writing down my intentions and accomplishments I want to achieve in the coming year.

I got a head start on this last part of my ritual yesterday when I made a Vision Board at my friend's house.  Unfortunately some of the content is cropped off on the right hand side......but basically I want to achieve several things in 2012: start traveling again; regain my confidence in myself and my business that I feel I lost over these past few years; find an emotionally healthy man to have a romantic relationship with; sell lots of paintings and make lots of money; start meditating and practicing yoga again and get a furry friend (the 4-legged kind).


Here's a photo of the Vision Board I made:

HAPPY NEW YEARS

and I hope each and every one of you has a

 safe, healthy, fun and prosperous 2012!!

A Glimpse of Spring

"Glimpse of Spring"

20" x 16" acrylic on canvas

There is ice on the neighboring rooftops, clear blue skies above, scarlet red berries on the Heavenly Bamboo shrubs and a handful of bright red leaves still clinging to the Japanese Cherry tree in my backyard.  I'm enjoying a steaming hot mug of tea as I finish wrapping a few small gifts that I'll be giving my niece and nephews at my Mom's house early this afternoon.   On the way to Mom's I'll be stopping by the cemetary to deliver a small hand-picked bouquet of flowers, Lavendar, Rosemary and red berries for my Dad's grave, and to say a prayer of thanks for this special day.

In the midst of this cold Winter morning, I find that I'm already longing for the warmth of our next season.  I stop and consciously remind myself of Eckart Tolle's powerful and wise words -- "live in the now." 

Today is Christmas and I hope each and every one of you has an awesome time celebrating with your friends and family!!



Happy Holidays to All!!

"City Celebration"

60" x 48"

I'm absolutely amazed that the Holidays are upon us already and Christmas is just a few short days away.  My Jewish friends are celebrating Hanukkah, and millions more will begin celebrating Kwanzaa next week. 

No matter what religion or spiritual belief a person has, it is our time of year to give thanks for our many blessings and to spend time with loved ones, making memories and celebrating traditions.  For me, it's a time of reflection, family, and preparation for the coming year.  It is my time to reflect on what worked for my life this past year; and what didn't; and fervid anticipation of what I want to manifest for the coming year. 

Happy Holidays, my friends, and may you all have a wonderful time celebrating this special time of year with your friends and loved ones.

Slideshow of paintings for you!

About Passion.....

It's been a month since I've left the "day job" and concentrated on following my passion, which is being an artist.  Well -- a month and 2 days, to be exact, since my 1st day off the job was 11-1-11, and today is 12-3-11.  I've accomplished a lot during this past month, and in a nutshell here's what has transpired:

My glass ornaments and glass art are now in 7 stores:  Arareity Jewelers, The Flower Farm Inn, both outlets of Fire & Rain Galleries, Trezhers Gifts, Krazy Mary's Boutique, and Christmas & Company.  I will be licensing my paintings to be put on metal art for All My Walls, and was interviewed for an upcoming article about women who leave a successful career to follow their passion by MORE Magazine. I also updated my website and decided to give my ETSY shop another try. 

Busy month, busy girl.  Yet I'm feeling it's not enough.  Inside of me is this little child that is saying "I want it now" which essentially means do more, more, more.  And the adult side of me is saying "Be patient -- some things take time."  Thus ensues the inner battle which probably sheds a little insight as to why I'm prone to burn out, and why I need to take conscious steps to ensure it doesn't happen again.

While working in my glass studio the other day, I was listening to a fascinating program on Hay House Radio about burn out by Joan Borysenko, PhD.   During the show, she mentioned that people burn out  because they are passionate about what they do, and when they don't feel appreciated or validated by their efforts by their self and/or others, burn out happens.

So -- my goal this month is to stop the negative mind chatter and focus on taking care of the new accounts I've gotten.  Get ready for our upcoming Holiday Boutique & 2nd Saturday Sale at Bell'Arte Studios as well as the show "Glowing" at Arareity, and enjoy the heck out of my family during the Holidays. 

2012 is going to be a kickass year for me, and I hope for each and every one of you too.

Many Thanks for Thanksgiving

I truly have so much to be thankful for in my life at this time.....I'm doing what I love for a living; enjoying good health, friends and family; and getting back in touch with my long-neglected Inner Child who had been nearly buried with my oh-so-adult-like-serious approach to life.  Since my "freedom" date of 11-1-11, I've been bouncing out of bed around 6:00 a.m., ready to take on the new day with a happy vengeance.  I'm going to bed around 10:00 p.m., enjoying a few moments of reading before falling into a peaceful sleep.  My patience level has gone from a negative number to nearly a 10.....and the month of November isn't even over yet!  Money-making opportunities have been falling into my lap, and as of this writing I am officially showing my art in 6 galleries.  I'm getting my property management business back on line and am looking into going to Philadelphia in February for a conference about the art business.

I've exceeded my modest expectations and am basking in the knowledge that "I did it!"  I really, truly did it.....after all this talk of leaving my comfortable day job, I have jumped off the comfort cliff to do what I know I was meant to do, and it's all working out gloriously.  I'm eternally grateful to each and every one of you for your support and friendship.  I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy the time you spend with your friends and family. 

They're back!!

Every year since I began fusing glass (1999) I have designed a Christmas Ornament.  In 1999 I began with a Santa on clear glass then did a Rudolph ornament in 2000.  The Christmas Tree on clear came out in 2001 and the Snowman appeared in 2002.  To be honest I've lost track of which ornament happened in what year afterwards, but I'm happy to announce that the 2011 ornament is an adorable happy little penguin!  Special thanks go to dear Rachel Stark for her wonderful suggestion :-)

I'm also thrilled to announce that I've been super busy since I "quit the day job" and became a full-time working artist!  My ornaments have been instrumental in getting my work into 4 new venues since 11-1-11:  Christmas & Company in Old Sacramento, CA; The Flower Farm Inn & Nursery in Loomis, CA; and both the Folsom & El Dorado Hills stores of Fire & Rain Galleries! 

I am looking for more stores to carry my ornaments as well as other fused glass items; lampworked bead jewelry and paintings, so if you know of any galleries or gift shops that might be a good fit for my work, I would love to know about it!!  Just shoot me an email at jjjacobs@comingabstractions.com or comment below.  If my work gets accepted into your suggested store, you'll get your pick of 3 ornaments signed by me!!

It's Happening!!!

Today is 11-1-11 and this morning I awoke, basking in the knowledge that it was officially the first day of my being a full-time artist!   Wanting to hit the ground running, I filled a bag with a bunch of my fused glass Christmas ornaments, garden people, jewelry, and other JJ-designed items and headed out to meet with Patty, the owner of The Flower Farm in Loomis, CA.   Patty loved my items and will now be carrying them in her fabulous gift shop :-)  Not a bad way to start my first morning of self-employment! 

Feeling excited and inspired, I decided to hit another uber-cool gallery called Fire and Rain Gallery in El Dorado Hills.  As luck would have it, the owner Judy was there.  I asked if I could show her my glass Christmas ornaments and she agreed -- after she saw them, she asked what other types of items I made?  So I went back to my car and brought out the items I had shown earlier that morning.  I'm happy to announce I'm going to be in both the El Dorado Hills Fire and Rain Gallery AND her newest store in Folsom!! 

It is amazing how easily these opportunities have come to me recently......last Wednesday, my office took me to lunch to celebrate my new adventures.  Afterwards, we visited Christmas & Company in Old Sacramento, which happen to be tenants in one of the buildings my former company developed and built last year.  I showed some of my ornaments to them and they want to sell them too! 

I truly believe these opportunities are the Universe's way of telling me I did the right thing, leaving my "secure" job and following my passion.  I honestly can't wait to see what happens next. 

Stay tuned......

Moving On

"We don’t get a chance to do that many things, and every one should be really excellent. Because this is our life."

"I want to put a ding in the universe. "

"… You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."

"Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.  They somehow already know what you truly want to become."

"Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."

All of these quotes are from one of the greatest minds of our time, Steve Jobs -- a brilliant, insightful and successful genius who passed yesterday, way too soon.  His tenancity and innovation will be missed by all.

Jobs was a man who had a dream and followed it throughout his life.  He never waivered or compromised -- he pursued his passion; created a legacy and built an empire.  To me, he was a true inspiration and example of can happen when you do what you know you were put on this earth to do.  

Yesterday afternoon (and prior to hearing the news of Job's death that evening) I gave notice to my partners at work to let them know I am finished working there and will be out by 10-31-11.  I physically and mentally cannot continue to do something I am not passionate about, simply to pay the bills and receive health insurance benefits.  I just can't do it. 

Amazingly enough, I have not had one ounce of anxiety since I made the announcement.  None.  No anxiety after I met with my partners; none last night; and not even a tiny bit when I woke up this morning.  I don't know if I'm in shock or if my angels are saying "Hallelujiah -- she finally did it!" and are rejoicing in my decision to quit.  My guess is the latter :-) 

All I know is deep inside my gut I know I've made the right decision.   Little things confirmed that decision.....yesterday afternoon my studio mate Dianne sold several of my fused glass items to someone who walked into the gallery.  Last night I slept soundly through the night for the first time in months.  Today, I woke up feeling relaxed and energized.  And right now I'm HAPPY -- yes, content; relaxed and happy.

Yesterday a brilliant genius departed from this earth and it is my hope that my inner muse can connect with this man's muse to guide me in my forthcoming journey and meet with an equal success.  Tall order?  Perhaps....but I'm putting it out there. 

As Steve Jobs would say -- "....have the courage to follow your heart and intuition...." 

Now I'm off to put my own "...ding in the Universe."

Soup Time is here!!

This year's Bead Soup exchange was a challenge for me.....a definite challenge.  Let's face it -- I'm NOT a jewelry maker.  I prefer to to get my creative jollies by personally torching the beads and components that others can utilize in their fabulous creations and leave the jewelry making to the experts.  So it's fair to say I had to stretch my imagination a bit to incorporate the gorgeous blown glass Orchid focal bead that my talented partner Karen Tremblay sent along with some exquisite free-form pearls, blue & gold crystal beads and some lovely, delicate seed pearls.  Throw in a double-strand gold clasp and I fell off my safety platform altogether.

I played around with several necklace designs and tried (I mean I really REALLY tried!) to do the beautiful focal justice and I failed.  Miserably.  Horribly.  Embarrassingly failed. 

So when Lori sent the post giving us permission to make something other than jewelry with the beads, I went for it.

The beautiful glass orchid focal became the dangling charm of a mixed-media winged, wooded heart with the hand-made enameled crow centerpiece called "Create Beauty."

Some of the seed pearls and crystals were added to more crystal beads to use the double-stranded clasp Karen sent.  The I wanted to make a pendant using something gold so made a fused glass "Goddess" that is precariously hanging from the strands.

Last came a simple set of earrings using the free-form pearls, blue and amber crystal beads. 

So here's what I did -- one of these days I'll learn how to take better photos! 

There are over 360 participants in this year's Bead Soup Exchange.  Click here for a complete list of all of the participants and please feel free to leave comments!!