Working Big, Working Hard

Here are two more 40" x 30" paintings to go with the former "Zoom" painting that was posted awhile back.  I've been painting big; painting fast; and painting often this past week.....These two paintings are part of a triptych I named "Falling" -- with names like Zoom, Splash and Gravity, the name for the series just felt right.

In addition to these two new beauties, I managed to sneak in 5 more smaller works.  Crazy, I know!!!

Why all the creative energy?  I could push the blame towards Keith Richards again (damn caffeine drinks from HELL!) or I could let you all in on a little secret or two I have been keeping lately......

#1 -- I'm working with another talented artist friend to open an Art 4 Rent business for lobbies, model homes, residences, and corporate settings in the greater Sacramento area.  Details coming very, very soon.

#2 --  MORE Magazine is publishing an article next month (April, 2012) about women who leave their jobs to follow their passions -- and I'm one of the featured women!!!

#3 -- I've got a MAJOR case of Spring fever, and it's manifesting in painting instead of Spring cleaning.

Or......ALL of the above.

In any case, I've been slinging paint; cutting glass; torching rods and firing enamels like there is no tomorrow.  Yes -- I have a lot of new work to show for it.  And yes -- it's about freaking time this "cold, empty" spell broke.  Now I've got to manifest some of that energy into updating my websites to add the new works and to start marketing some of these new pieces.

I'm looking for businesses and people who want to hang original art but who might not be able to afford to purchase right now.  If you know of anyone in the greater Sacramento area who might fall into this category, please let me know!!!

Making the Marks

"Zoom"

Acrylic on canvas w/graphite & spray paints

40" x 30" on gallery-wrapped canvas

I've been on a painting frenzy these past couple of weeks (thanks Keith!!) and have edged my way into a whole, new series of works.  They're non-representational abstracts, with acrylics, graphite, and spray paint.  The spray paint is what I use to make the letters and numbers with (think stencils), and the lines and oval shapes are from a brayer and the lid of a deodorant stick.   

Numbers, letters, equations and calligraphy have always fascinated me, and it's been a lot of fun incorporating them into my paintings.  I call these new paintings my "Hidden Messages" -- even though they don't have any special or hidden meaning to me.  Perhaps they will have meaning for someone else, but for now I'm happy with the way they complement the compositions of my work.

Here is another set that I did -- it's a triptych called "Playground" -- made with (3) 12" x 12" canvases.

I think this new series would look great in a lobby somewhere.....or a really cool loft with tall brick walls.  Stay tuned for more photos -- I'm on a roll!

To Keith -- "A Burning Love"

"A Burning Love"

36" x 12"

Acrylic on canvas

I've never been much of a "heart" person but recently picked up some new acrylic paint pens and just had to go a little crazy!  Here's "A Burning Love" that I made late one evening/early morning a couple of weeks ago, when I couldn't sleep because of Keith Richards. 

The Keith Richards in question is not a new man in my life, but instead a high-octane caffeine drink made by a local coffeehouse.  A Keith Richards is 2 shots of espresso with Shasta cola, poured over ice.  I generally save this treat for special occasions, or for when I have a long day ahead and know I'm going to need some extra fuel to make it through to the end.  I usually get one of these beverages between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m., as I know I'll have an active, busy 12-hours ahead with a caffeine buzz.  Unfortunately, on this particular day I chose to get one of these cups of liquid speed at approximately 11:00 a.m. and I will swear they must have added an extra shot of espresso!

Named after the talented though sometimes troubled Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, this drink is legal liquid speed.  And thanks to Keith, I broke my "dry spell" and am painting again like a crazy artist!  "A Burning Love" is my tribute to Keith, to Valentine's Day (aka Singles Awareness Day) and to hooking up again with my muses.  Enjoy!

SOLD!

"Kelp Garden"

"Moon over Miami"

I know the economy has been slow and unemployment rates in California are still through the roof.....but for this artist, 2012 is turning out to be an awesome year with art sales.  I really have to sit back and count my blessings.  On Friday, a friend stopped by the studio and purchased these metal/fused glass sculptures that I did last September with fellow metal artist, Ed Haag.  (sorry about the sucky photos -- obviously I took them myself!)  Last month, I sold two of my personal favorite paintings -- "Glimpse of Spring" and "Fires Down Below" to two wonderful collectors in addition to several small glass art pieces. I have also been collecting steady checks from the galleries that I've been showing my glass work in, which is another added bonus. 

Amazingly enough, the majority of my bills are managing to get paid with the proceeds of my art sales, and I'm eternally grateful, humbled, and astounded that I had the nerve to walk away from a successful career to follow my dream and my passion. 

I've got so many ideas and artistic money-making opportunities brewing.....there's the interview I did recently with a national magazine as well as the licensing contract with All My Walls.   I've also got several galleries asking for more works geared towards Spring, plus the show I just hung at 58 Degrees Restaurant & Bar in addition to another "secret" idea I'm brewing with another extremely talented abstract artist friend.  I need to be careful not to get too carried away with the business end of things and concentrate on making more art!!!

Over the past few months I've come to love a popular 4-letter words in the English language....SOLD.  And I hope to be saying that word on a daily basis!  A year ago I would never have dreamed that I'd be doing what I'm doing.  My only regret is I didn't do it sooner. 



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.