New ETSY Store is finally open!!!

At last, my new ETSY store is open!!  I've had a shop on ETSY since 2008 and had sold fused glass, prints and a few painting on it, but I'm afraid to admit that I've totally neglected it these past couple of years and after a lot of debate with myself, I've decide to let the old shop go entirely.  This new store will be 100% original paintings, and nothing else.

Over the past couple of years I've gone back and forth whether or not to pursue galleries; limit my showings and sales to my local studio in Sacramento, CA; do art shows; or push the on-line venues like I had done somewhat successfully in the past.  After my Master's Painting Class with Tesia Blackburn, I decided to open the store.  It's time to move some inventory and make room for new art!

I have a lot of paintings and I paint often.  Since I don't anticipate that I'll stop painting anytime in the near future, (and I want to continue walking around my house and studio), I need to lovingly send a few of my babies off to good homes.

I'm not sure how or even if this is going to work, but if you're the least bit inclined to check it out, you can click here and give me your comments.  I welcome your discerning eye and suggestions!!  And if you decide you love something enough to purchase it through my ETSY shop just send me a message stating you are one of my blog readers and you'll get FREE SHIPPING!!!  (I will credit the full amount back to you via PayPal).  This offer is good for all blog followers for any and all work posted on my ETSY site through June 1st, 2013 (my birthday!).

Thank you for all of your support, my faithful and supportive blog readers -- I appreciate it :-)

For the Love of Jazz - and other things

"For the Love of Jazz"
20" x 20"
Acrylic on canvas
$325

Just got back from an intense 4-day Master's Painting workshop with the awesome Tesia Blackburn aka "The Acrylic Diva."  The workshop was at Hunter's Point in South San Francisco, and there were only 4 of us in the juried class.  All of the students were tremendously talented and it was an honor to be part of this creative and inspiring group of artistic energy.

I began with a series in neutral colors and was planning on sticking with this theme throughout the workshop until Tesia opened a box of historical colors from Golden Paints.  When I saw the "Smelt Blue Hue" and the "Cobalt Purple," I was drooling and having serious color withdrawals.  So when Michele (one of the artists at the workshop) offered me a palette of newly mixed paints that she was finished with, I went to town and created "For the Love of Jazz."  To be honest - I don't really like jazz.....but I see a trombone player with his sweetheart cast in a bright light on the stage behind the piano.  Yes, it is late and this usually non-objective abstract artist is very tired and needs to get some sleep.  But does anyone else see what I see??  Am I even close???

It's Showtime at ArtHouse Gallery!

Here's a photo of one of the walls for the "Shades of Gray" show opening tonight at ArtHouse
 Gallery in Sacramento.  My two paintings are on this wall - "Misty Morn"
 to the left and "Building Dreams" on the right.  This is a collection of art from all
of the artists who have studios at the ArtHouse - 18 artists in all and let me
tell you, there is some incredible work being shown.  If you're in the Sacramento
 area, check out the show - ArtHouse is upstairs at 1021 R Street.
The show will be up until Tuesday, April 9th.  

Misty Morn - Acrylic Painting for New Show

"Misty Morn"
Acrylic on canvas
24" x 48"
$795

Here's one of two offerings for the new "Shades of Gray" show at ArtHouse Gallery.   For "Misty Morn" I painted a red gesso undercoat then added texture before laying down the paint.  I tried to make a rather gloomy scene into a less threatening one by adding a bird to it.  If you've ever watched the show Portlandia, check out the scene where they make everything better by adding a bird to it.  It's hysterical!

Go Away, SPAMMERS

Apparently my last post titled "Shades of Gray" sparked a spamming frenzy among the twisted and perverted  mindset......please be advised my blog is now, always has been and will continue to be a family-friendly site that caters to creative minds and souls.  All XXX-rated comments have been deleted and unfortunately, from now on all of the comments will need to be approved before posting.

My apologies to anyone who had the misfortune to read some of the comments on my last post, and I pray if you did read them, that you did not open the links attached to them.

Here's another study of black & white painting with shades of gray.....this one will be known as "Get a Life" and is dedicated to blog spammers far and near.

"Shades of Gray - 4"
aka GET A LIFE!
6" x 4" acrylic on paper

New Show Coming Up - "Shades of Gray"

March brings a new show to ArtHouse Gallery - "Shades of Gray" (not named after the popular books)
Here are three studies I made in preparation for two paintings to go in the new show.   

These studies are 6" x 4" postcards on 140 lb. watercolor paper, with acrylic paints, markers, graphite, and charcoal.  

Working with blacks, whites and grays bring back memories of Design 14 in college.
The first half-semester we worked mainly with black, white, shapes and lines - and I HATED it.
I wanted color - and lots of it.  And this urge remains to this day.

This show is a discipline lesson for me, but one I'm actually enjoying this time.  A good friend of mine
 recently told me "Value does all the work - color gets all the credit."  So true!

My canvases are prepped with white gesso, and the black and white acrylics are calling my name.
It will be fun to see what abstract expressions come out of this afternoon's painting session!

Timed Release - Oil & Cold Wax on Wood

"Timed Release"
12" x 9"
Oil & cold wax on cradled wood panel
$125

The vessel series continues with the oil and cold wax paintings.  I can't seem to stop making them nor the little "bubbles" that surround them!

Sounds of Silence

"Sounds of Silence"
7" x 5"
Oil & Cold Wax on panel
$45

Here's another oil & wax painting on hardwood panel.  I'm finally getting the hang of the oils and enjoy being able to "carve" into the surface even after it's dried.  The little drips from the bowl were done nearly a week after I had thought I had finished.  I also added some more bubbles to the piece before finally announcing "done!"  

Bathed in Sunlight

"Bathed in Sunlight"
Acrylic & graphite on paper
7" x 5"
$20

I decided to paint some more house paintings and for some reason  I keep putting the birds inside the houses.  I'm sure my counselor friends would have a field day with this obsession......but come to think of it, I have been feeling trapped lately......  Isn't painting the best therapy ever??!!

Hidden Escape

"Hidden Escape"
Wax & Oil Paint on board
7" x 5"
$45

I decided to explore the oil paints and cold wax on boards further and am having fun finding things around the house to use for making textures in the wax.  I used bubble wrap for the circles and a wooden skewer to carve through the various layers of wax, then took a dry, stiff brush to create some texture in the vessel.  I still don't like having to wait for what seems like FOREVER for this stuff to set and dry, but I do like the way the layers build up and the creamy look when it does finally dry.  I just got my shipment of small panels to practice on, so bear with me while I post my experiments!

Meteor Shower - 6" x 4" acrylic on paper

"Meteor Shower"
6" x 4"
Acrylic on paper
$18

Here's a tribute to last week's meteor shower.  The  meteor strike in Russia's Chelyabinsk injured 1000's and could have been even more disastrous than it was.  There is so much planetary activity going on in the Universe right now, and my gut tells me last week's event is just a preview of what's to come.  What do you think? 

PC-4 - "Valentine" - by JJ Jacobs

"PC-4 - Valentine"
4" x 6"
Acrylic on paper
$18

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone -- hope you and your loved ones had a wonderful time celebrating this wonderful day.

PC-3 - 3rd Postcard in series

"PC-3"
6" x 4"
Acrylic on paper
$18

Here's #3 in the postcard series......I checked to see how these looked in a 10" x 8" mat and have to admit they look pretty darn fabulous!!  Next step is to put the matted painting in one of my simple black frames.  I'll let you know how it goes.