Back on Track!

After many side roads and distractions, I finally have a drawing on the table and have actually begun painting! It feels almost foreign to me at this point! I do not regret doing all the clothes for kids however as they are selling well and art is not so it provides resources for me at this time to continue to buy supplies. I think we as artists often think we have to just paint but we might need to reconsider trying another creative venue on the side to help support us. Too many say that is copping out...I say it is a create use of our time. However you are creative is good for the soul. That being said, I am happy to be painting until January when I need to begin the spring and summer lines of clothing as I will be gone teaching so much this summer I need to have them done now...so I had better use my time wisely!
Here is the drawing. It is prisms in a vase on top of Cindy Agan's art book and in the top is a red pepper that is cut up...hoping that green and red combo is going to really set this off as complements often do! I hope to paint a little faster than I usually do so let's see how this goes!

A Celebration Of Light

My newest painting is hot off the board and is off to the printer as we speak! I am hoping that it also will be a step by step demo in my new book out next October. I had taken this photo several years ago and was afraid to start painting it because I knew if it did not get just right it would not be one I would ever repeat. In the end I had to do the fabric freehand as the deadline was looming over me. It turned out and I am very happy with it.

Creating the look of light is something I try with all of my paintings but in some it is more dramatice because of the cast shadows. This is what very often sets apart a painting and catches the eye.

Working with only transparent watercolors works for me because I never worry about not being able to lift an area. It still will leave a slight stain but it allows me to try somethings that I would never try with an opaque staining color. Plus, transparent paints allow the white of the paper to glow through creating the illusion of light!

Newest Painting

I have just completed my newest painting for my book. I have titled it "Prize of the Patch" for now unless you have something marvelous that you think works better! I think naming a painting is the hardest part sometimes because there is often the obvious but boring titles and to come up with something different seems impossible. I know one person who actually visits the lipstick counter to seek out titles which maybe is a good solution! HA! They are very creative I suspect as well as fingernail colors. Well, I think there might be a better way but have yet to find it. I now have only 7 more mini demos to go and some rewriting and if I am lucky, I might get one more full painting in as well. It all depends on how the writing goes from now on. I have to teach one more workshop in Redwing, Mn and a small family reunion, otherwise the calander is clear and hopefully things will wrap up on Oct 9th right on schedule! I will keep you posted.
I wanted to mention that sometimes people ask me questions on this blog but I am unable to answer that way so if you have a question please email me through my website at www.janefreeman.com Thanks!