Strawberry Fields - Day 10 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

"Strawberry Fields"
10" x 8"
Acrylic on canvas
$65

Fallen - Day 9 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

"Fallen"
8" x 10"
Acrylic on canvas
$65

Whispering Shadows - Day 8 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

"Whispering Shadows"
10" x 8"
Acrylic on canvas
$65

Wishing on a Star - Day 7 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

"Wishing on a Star"
10" x 8"
Acrylic on canvas
$65

Carefree - Day 6 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

"Carefree"
10" x 8"
Acrylic on canvas
$65

A Glimmer of Hope - Day 5 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

"A Glimmer of Hope"
Acrylic and mixed media on canvas
10" x 8"
$65

When I originally signed up for Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge I thought the photo I submitted was for my avatar.  Instead it was for the first day of the painting challenge, so here's a photo of the painting I presented.  Tomorrow will be Day 6 and with luck, I'll stay on track for the duration.  Sorry about any confusion -- so far I'm having fun with these small studies and look forward to painting the designs larger for my upcoming show in February at ArtHouse -- "Insights Beyond Form" with Taylor Gutermute and myself.

Dirty Laundry - Day 4 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

"Dirty Laundry"
Acrylic and charcoal on canvas
10" x 8"
$65

Secrets in the Wind - Day 3 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

"Secrets in the Wind"
Acrylic & charcoal on canvas
10" x 8"
$65

Violet Notes - Day 2 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

"Violet Notes"
Acrylic on canvas
10" x 8"
$65

Mystic Sea - Day 1 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge

"Mystic Sea"
Acrylic on canvas
10" x 8"
$65

Sleep?

Here's a favorite quote that describes how I feel about 2013:  

"I'm so optimistic I'd go after Moby Dick in a rowboat and take the tartar sauce with me." 

- Zig Ziglar

Out with 2012 and in with 2013!  A new year is upon us and so is the excitement that sparkles like a newly minted copper penny.  And in my gut, I feel that this will be a breakthrough year for me personally, as well as  a year of new beginnings.  How are you feeling about the New Year??  Is your intuition giving you a big thumb's up too?

I'm continuing to move full steam ahead with my art businesses and have promised myself at least two art-related "vacations" to further expand my art knowledge and learn new techniques.  And this morning I  agreed to participate in a "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge by the uber-talented artist, talk-show host and marketing expert, Leslie Saeta.  Really!

There's nothing like starting the New Year with a bang - I'm finishing a very fun commission for a cherished client of mine; getting ready for a 25-piece show at a hospital in two weeks; and prepping for a shared show with the amazing Taylor Gutermute in February at ArtHouse in Sacramento, CA.  

So of course I figured I'd have time to squeeze in a 30-Paintings in 30-Days challenge.....apparently the sleep gene isn't in my DNA!  There will be lots of new JJ art coming your way in the first quarter of 2013 -- stay tuned.  

ART

In placid hours well-pleased we dream

Of many a brave unbodied scheme.

But form to lend, pulsed life create,

What unlike things must meet and mate:

A flame to melt—a wind to freeze;

Sad patience—joyous energies;

Humility—yet pride and scorn;

Instinct and study; love and hate;

Audacity—reverence. These must mate,

And fuse with Jacob’s mystic heart,

To wrestle with the angel—Art.

-- Herman Melville

Some Favorite Things for Artists

The holidays have changed so much from when I was a kid - and to be honest, my anticipation of the season has shifted to a bit of anxiety and overwhelm.  So this year, my friends and family have agreed to simplify (or forego gifting altogether!) and do things that embrace the holiday spirit instead of lining the retailer's pockets.

Since a lot of my readers are artists, I wanted to "gift" all of you with a dozen of my favorite freebies, tutorials and articles.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all!!

Virtual Paint Mixing application by Golden Paints - a FUN application on what color(s) you wind up with if you mix certain colors of paint

Making your Art Biz Legit - links and info on turning your art hobby into a legitimate business

How to Stay Inspired during those Artistic Lulls - fabulous article by the talented Joanie Springer

Wonderful How-to on making wood-burned kitchen spoons - easy tutorial on making some artsy kitchen utensils for your favorite chef by Alisa Burke

25 Handmade Christmas Decorations - make your own decorations for the Holidays by 36th Avenue

Gingerbread Caramel Corn recipe - YUM!

101 Healthy Soup Recipes - by Cooking Light

How-To Make a Distressed-Look Painting - by Little Blue Boo

How-To Draw Video - a 2-hour video from Betty Edwards, author of "Drawing from the Right Side of Your Brain"

A Random Tutorial Generator -- for artists, jewelers and anyone who wants to make things -- watch out, it's addictive!

101 Simple Hand-Made Gifts Tutorial - an amazing variety of hand-made gifts and how to make them!

Tutorials for Photoshop Newbies - how-to's for getting started with Photoshop

"Into the Light"
Mixed Media on paper

Some New Work

  There's something about painting multiple works at a time that inspires and excites me.  I recently

opened a package of ten 10"x8" canvases; laid them out on my dining room table; grabbed some 

supplies and started painting with wild abandon.  Here are some photos of how I started out:  

Supplies:  Acrylic paints, graphite, willow charcoal, Sharpie oil markers and India Ink

Mid-way point:  light gray and buff acrylic with charcoal, graphite and India Ink 

Added some Nickel Azo Gold with dots & lines made with the Sharpie Oil marker

Put down some Lukas Fern acrylic paint for some finish accent color

I liked the composition and designs in several of these "finished" paintings, but felt there was more I could do (plus I wasn't ready to stop painting then!) so one by one, I took these little guys into my "finish studio" aka my home office, and began the adventure I call "search and destroy."  I grabbed some thick white paint and started working with the negative space; added some glazes and introduced some more color.  Here are photos of the finished works:

"A Peaceful Wind"

"A Time to Dream"

10 Finished Paintings

To see more photos of the finished paintings, check out my website  

For purchase information, contact me at:  jjjacobs@comingabstractions.com