Found a Model at Rumbi Grill

You guys are never going to guess what CRAZY, spontaneous thing I did at lunch today...I saw a man working at the restaurant I was at who had amazing facial features that inspired me to paint. I asked him if I could take his picture so that I could do a study. He said yes! Too funny. I gave him one of my cards with my blog address so he could see it some time. He was such a great sport. Wish me luck!

Michelle painted a wonderful Scottish girl (I took a photo of her and accidentally deleted the wrong one...was trying to delete the movie file I made (on accident)....sorry about that Michelle. I tried to retrieve it but couldn't. Hopefully I'll get it right next time! Here's the movie instead.)

I finished a painting of mine inspired by Mark Rothko. The characters are Korean and mean: LOVE, UNITY, and HARMONY.

Holiday Party at Lamplight

We all brought a treat to share and then worked on various art projects. Jennifer Benson brought her Christmas cards to work on. She carved her snow flakes on blocks, inked them up and put glitter on top of the wet paint.

Cherilyn showed us the beginning stages of her oil painting of the Sacred Grove. Love the blocking she's done so far. Can't wait to see the finished product! This is a tile she made.

I went in to the Repartee Gallery on the 18th to see the display of the Spirit of Christmas pieces. It was wonderful! Each artist did such different things and all were a feast to behold. If you haven't gone in yet to see it, I encourage you to take a few minutes and go. It's right near Costco...an easy detour on your weekly shopping trip.

This is the finished product! Yeah! I took it into the Repartee Art Gallery on October 28th. It will be put out for sale November 17th for the special Christmas show.

It feels good to realize a dream; to sell in a gallery. Thanks, Cherilyn and Janet for the opportunity!

Christmas Painting for Repartee

I've accepted Cherilyn's challenge to create a Christmas Themed piece to sell at the Repartee Art Gallery. This is a photo of where it is at so far (3 sessions of painting). It is a 4"X4" gallery wrapped canvas. The subject matter is a Christmas tree with a red ball and a crystal snowflake. I've never painted a glass like subject before. It is very challenging. I'm finding my way by focusing on the qualities of each color in my reference photo.

Happy painting, ladies!
Jen

A Mother's Love

My daughter, Jennifer challenged me to ENTER the International Art Competition 2011 sponsored by the church. I had a month to do SOMETHING. The theme was "Make Known His Wonderful Works". I chose to do an oil painting "A Mother's Love". A mother's love is part of God's wonderous love for his children. Such love is most joyful to the soul. 1 Nephi 11:23 talks about the love of God. I see the pure joy of love on this mother's face.

My Sisters, Mother images of Russia

Power vs Force

The skillfull are not obvious
They appear to be simple-minded
Those who know this know the patterns of the Absolute
To know the patterns is the Subtle Power
The Subtle Power moves all things and has NO name
(but to me it is ART!)

Mary Adams and Cherilyn Fisher

You could say this was the beginning of the "Practicing Artists League." Back in July 2011 my mother Mary Adams and my sisters Emily Voisin and Becky Lewis wanted to paint together. We needed a place to do it. And we wanted a mentor to guide us when we got stuck. Cherilyn Fisher was sweet enough to host our party and help us out. We had a BLAST!! We all did our own version of the Christmas Cactus (see our individual blogs linked here on the home page to see what we did and to read the back story to the choice of subject). Cherilyn showed us two of her pieces, studies of Chigall. They were AMAZING!! Check out Cherilyn's blog (also linked to this home page for more of her art). Cheers!

Emily Voisin 
(sick with ear infection...what a sport!) 
and Becky Lewis

Cherilyn Fisher and
Jennifer Richter

Cherilyn Fisher,
studies of Chigall

First Art Day

Nothing starts things better than chocolate cake!  Happy Birthday, Jennifer!

I'm thinking about lavender! The smell and the little fragrant grains!

Cultivate Your Gifts

Sisters, find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests.  Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them...if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less and less to give to others, even to your children...Turn to the Lord in faith, and you will know who to do and how to do it.

M. Russell Ballard, "Daughters of God"

Creativity and Compassion

Creating and being compassionate are two objectives that contribute to our Heavenly Father's perfect happiness.  Creating and being compassionate are two activities that we as His spirit children can and should emulate...Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment.  We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty...What you create doesn't have to be perfect.  Don't let fear of failure discourage you...Start small...The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create....When we reach out to bless the lives of others, our lives are blessed as well...As we lift others, we rise a little higher ourselves...I believe that as you immerse yourselves in the work of our Father--as you create beauty and as you are compassionate to others--God will encircle you in the arms of His love.  Discouragement, inadequacy, and weariness will give way to a life of meaning, grace, and fulfillment.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Happiness, Your Heritage"