'Til Death Do Us Part

Sketch on canvas

Weddings are such a wonderful thing! As a challenge to myself and an attempt at a nice gift, I turned my brush to another portrait. I have done a portrait from my own wedding, but it was more distant; less detailed. This choice of photo was based off of my friend's photographer and her perception that this was a favorite of the newly married couple's.... Much to my dismay at the potential challenges the photo would present!

My first thought was to tell her to pick the second favorite!! I didn't think I could pull it off. This was going to be tough! But I figure if it flopped, I could send a different gift, and they would never know! It was worth it to try!

This took two weeks to complete... working on it for two hours every other day or so... My most time-consuming piece... but well worth it! I learned so much painting this!! The results speak for themselves and I wouldn't hesitate to state this as my best work to date!

Newlyweds
Acrylic on Canvas
16 X 20

Ashleigh Laureen Photography2016

My friend has graciously permitted me to post the painting on my website for you all to enjoy as has her photographer who permitted me to use her work to paint from! Directly above is a copy of her photo from Ashleigh Laureen Photography. Thank you all so much!!

Jessica's Monet #2

This is a copy of Claude Monet's "Cliffs and Sailboats at Pourville" (Look it up! You won't be disappointed!).  I seem to be drawn to his work. I'm hoping that if I practice some of his pieces I will be able to transfer his style to my own original work. He painted from real life. Usually while out in it. Many of his pieces are of family members or favorite places. I can't help but feel happy when I look at his work!

Painting Facelift

I have a few paintings that I have done that just aren't favorites.. not even close to a favorite.. like I want to hide it in a closet so I don't have to look at it. So I decided to makes some adjustments.

This is a makeover of one of those paintings. I'm much happier with it and will happily display it on my wall. What do you think? Do you like it before or after?

Here is the before picture which might be familiar.

Monet

Claude Monet.. I think his paintings are some of the most beautiful pieces! Yesterday I tried my hand at a copy of his piece "The Cliff Walk at Pourville".

I look at this and I imagine standing on one of these cliffs that he portrayed. I can feel the wind. I can smell the salt in the air. I feel so at home.. so nostalgic. Water views always make me feel this way since I practically grew up on a lake.. by no means the same as the ocean, but still full of the same emotional essence in my mind.

This picture also makes me think of my sister. We are the two girls in this picture. Enjoying the sea. We rarely dressed in this manner, but we would've liked to! We would imagine living in 'olden times' when we were little. She and I were always together making up stories and imagining we lived where the waves crashed on the shore.

Now, I assure you that my feeble attempts to recreate a masterpiece are by no means an accurate reflection of the original; however, emotion is a funny thing.. sometimes it's simply about how a picture makes you feel. Accuracy isn't needed to capture emotion.

I hope you connect to this painting like I have. Please let me know if you like it!! And for a challenge's sake, let me know your favorite 'old' piece. Favorite Master. I would be thrilled to make a rendition of one for you. Artists are at liberty to copy pieces from artists who have been gone for more than 70 years so long as we don't try to pass it off as the original (which I am definitely not capable of just yet! Ha!)

For more, Like my page on Facebook!

Children are a Blessing from the Lord!

 I hardly have words to say. This is one of my beautiful little girls. A joy to paint her little face! The video will show the original trial and error, but I hope you like the end result!

 

Bucket List: Paint a portait

So even when I know I want to try something knew, it often takes a kick in the pants for me to actually try it out.

My brother recently e-mailed and asked me if I was up for a portrait of him and his girlfriend on their motorcycles. As a totally knew area of painting for me, I jumped on the chance to try it (and get paid for it too!! =D) and even if I messed it up, I knew my brother would understand!! lol

I'm not sure when I would've tried a portrait if he hadn't gotten the ball rolling.

There were some completely different techniques to put into practice and some challenges I hadn't run across yet.... Faces actually can't be tweaked the same way a mountain or tree can be.. and it needed to look like them!

After I completed their painting and sent to them (they loved it, BTW) I wanted to try another face. It was easier when I had someone give me what they wanted rather than having to figure out a subject myself. Luckily my dad sent me some pictures from when he and my mom went out on their pond.. One jumped out at me as a perfect next attempt.

I am surprised by how satisfying doing a portrait is!! Probably my most satisfying work.. maybe because of the added challenge.

I hope you like!

For more, check me out on Facebook!

New Adventure

"New Adventure"
16 X 20
Acrylic on Canvas

 My husband and I recently celebrated 9 years of marriage. The myriad of adventures, trials, joys and regular days seems astounding if I think about it! We have cried together, laughed together and grown together! We love each other more than we could've imagined possible 9 years ago.

I have recently been trying my hand at portraits. My first I will post about soon! But this is one I have wanted to do, but didn't think I could pull it off. My brother recently commissioned my first portrait of him and his girlfriend, and after completing that (which was probably one of my most challenging pieces), I had a whole new level of confidence to throw at my canvas! The painting here is essentially a self-portrait. =)

Also, a shout-out to my cousin Matt Burnett who was the photographer at my wedding! A better artist than I could dream to be! Thank you for your inspiration!

I'm excited to see what new things I tackle... Portraits of my kids maybe?? or maybe one of YOU! Let me know if you would like one done! All my pricing for commissioned pieces is under the 'Choose your Own' tab on the regular computer version! (Mobile version limits what you can see).
If you can't find what you need, just e-mail me at jess.hooser@gmail.com! I would be happy to e-mail you my pricing!

For more, we're on Facebook!

Falling Water

Today I had some fun working without a picture. I'm generally not very good at it, because my brain needs inspiration to work from; but every once in awhile, I like to try my hand at it again. I took some pictures of the painting in different stages, and I thought it would be fun to show them here!

My canvas is one I got at a warehouse full of junk. It looks gray in the picture, and that was from another painter doing a prime coat for something they intended to paint. The edges are kinda frayed, but we need a few more pictures for the house, and this is a larger canvas (24 x 36!!) than my normal 16 x 20 inches.

Honestly, the first thing I did was add the waterfall.. then some water below and sky above.. All I knew at this stage is "I want to paint a waterfall"... What do you think so far???

 Okay, so maybe it needs a little something more. Sheer rock walls???? Might be able to handle that!!

Spice up the water, add a little froth and a rock at the bottom, tweak the rock walls.. now we are getting somewhere!!

Hmm... Mountains in the background?? Change the sky completely?? I think YES! oh, and ADD SOME MORE Waterfalls! You can see me change my mind about things in these pictures.

Pretty tree branches with flowers and a pine tree on the other side... maybe a rock for water to splash off. Doesn't get much better than that!!

Add birds in the distance and signature!

Here is the final view. =)

For paintings for sale, check out the sale page, and like us on Facebook!

Field and Sky

 Another tribute to a painter-welcoming photographer! Taylor Franta Photography has given me permission to use his work for my own! His pictures are stunning! Hard to choose what to work from first, so I took a look through his pictures and stopped dead at this one! Love the color! Hopefully this is the first of many paintings from his work. Find him on Facebook too!

I call this "Field and Sky". It is an acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20. Check out the 'for sale' page for more info!

Photo by Taylor Franta Photography

For more, Like my Facebook Page: Creations By Jess

Emily

We were so excited to get a dog! I had one as a kid, but he was more my dad's dog, so this was the first time I had a dog of my own. It was a hard adjustment to having the responsibility of another being in our home. We didn't have kids yet (I had no clue what responsibility would eventually feel like!) But we were happy to expand our family.

When TJ left for Iraq, Emily went with me to Vermont. She went to work with me and ran along as I rode horses. She would chase the cats and anything else that ran. She got hit by a porcupine once.. but let us get all the quills out with hardly a flinch. She went for my miles-long walks several times a week all through the hard winters, she even went with me when I skied. She loved my dad and his truck and would sleep for hours when he let her in it. We would have to pull her out. She loved swimming and barking at me when my horses got too fast on the lunge line.

When we had kids, she was watchful, gentle and allowed them to do their worst! Pulled ears, yanked tail, patting that was more a slap.. Nothing phased her. She let them sit on her, put their feet on her and chase her, but she happily let them. She was a perfect kid dog with no hint of aggression. She would even let them mess with her food while she ate.. They ate some of it from time to time too!

As she got older, she got less attention from us as ours was taken up by four little ones, but we still loved her dearly and wanted the best for her. Moving was getting harder for her and she really needed a quieter life. We re-homed her before this last move to give her that calmer and quieter existence.. She was very pampered and content with a doting owner and puppy pal.

Sadly, Lindsey called me to tell me Emily was sick. The extent was much worse than we originally thought. Failing kidneys and cancer, so Lindsey made the decision to let Emily go painlessly. However, she was unable to complete the task herself, so I volunteered.

The kiddos and I got to spend some time with her before saying goodbye.  Then I took her for her last drive. She could barely walk, wouldn't eat, could barely wag her tail to show us she knew us. But I know she was happy to be with us one last time.

She went peacefully and fast, quietly sleeping her longest sleep.
But this is how we will remember her: Happy and full of life in a field of flowers.

Creations By Jess

Vineyard Colors

For starters, have I mentioned how great people are about using their photography for other forms of art? I haven't had a negative response yet, and some people go out of their way to encourage it!

Vineyard Colors is a Facebook page of two photographers from Martha's Vineyard who take pictures from all over the area on a daily or nearly daily basis. Their work is FANTASTIC and gives me so much inspiration that it was hard to know where to begin! They encourage artists to use their work as inspiration with the simple request of receiving a picture of the completed work so they can post it, with credit, to their page!

Please go to their page and like it! You won't be disappointed!

Here are two pieces I have created from their photography. They are for sale! Enjoy!

"Ocean of Colors"
18 X 24

Photo By Vineyard Colors

"Summer Dream"
Two 16 X 20 panels
$90.00

Photo By Vineyard Colors

For more, like my Facebook page! Creations By Jess

CGF Absolutely Incredible

 I have made mention to my horse past by referencing the farm I worked at: Cedar Grove Farm in Peacham, Vermont. I have given a little information about my experiences there, but I don't think I could ever express the depth of the effect this place had on me while growing up. Probably one of the most beautiful places in Peacham (though I may be biased).

Mike and Kathy Hartong are wonderful people who gave me such an opportunity! I was taught how to take care of horses and how to train them from the day they were born, forward. I was shown the immense responsibility it took to care for these breath-taking animals. I was given the freedom to build my skills and the trust to work with their wonderful horses on an almost daily basis.

One of my earlier experiences training was with a young stallion named CGF Absolutely Incredible or better known as "Able". At almost 17, I had never handled a stallion, but as a two-year-old, he hadn't come into himself yet. He was so sweet, and still is! Not to mention stunning from head to toe. I'm not sure any of us realized how beautiful and gentle he would be or the stunning offspring he would produce.

One particular ride, probably when he was a three or four year-old, I remember feeling that 'stallion' power kick in. I had never experienced a horse show me his immense ability and power while being so gentle. He kicked into gear better than he had ever gone for me and I was blown away by the trust these animals have for the humans that work with them! I remember pulling him from his gait into a halt and just sitting there trying to catch my breath while marveling at the fact that I had such an existence that any young girl would give their right arm for! I knew how blessed I was and I am forever grateful!

He is the first stallion I had ridden. The first one I had helped train. One of the first Rocky Mountain Horses I fell in love with and has given me the desire to own, raise, and train for myself. For now, I can show my love of the Rocky Mountain Horse by putting them on canvas and hopefully showing others how magnificent they are!

Mike and Kathy, thank you for giving a young girl, you didn't know, a chance of a lifetime! Thank you for letting me use your beautiful photography in my work! I miss you and the horses, but am so glad for all I learned working for and with you both! Hopefully I will get the chance to visit again soon!

Here is my newest venture: CGF Absolutely Incredible

"CGF Absolutely Incredible"
Acrylic on Canvas
16 X 20

Photo by Cedar Grove Farm

For more, Like Creations By Jess on Facebook!

Piano: Then and Now

We started the piano project about a month ago. I also wrote a piece about it with my before pictures. This is an old player piano.. about 98 or so years old! We took it off someone's hands for free... (with much joy on my part; soreness and a choice word or two on my husbands'...) =D

Here is what we did to it.

• Pulled, unscrewed, and yanked  nearly everything out of the insides... (blisters!! those screws were TOUGH!! They don't make things like they used to!)
• Vacuumed as much dust (maybe 100 years worth??) as possible (along with a mouse nest or two!!)
• Used dish soap and water to scrub it inside and out
• HOSED it off!!
• (Repeated scrub and rinse)
• Sanded rough spots
• Cut and put in braces for shelves
• Cut boards for shelves X 3
• Cut and fit center braces for shelves
• Primer
• 3 coats of navy paint (enamel). (did you know there are MANY MANY different shades of navy???) Hubby did good I think!!
• Drilled a hold in back for keyboard plug
• Begged a neighbor's help in shoving, pushing, man-handling the VERY HEAVY GUTTED piano inside. (I own him and my hubby LOTS of cookies!) They barely left a scratch!!
• Put shelves into piano
• Put electric piano where old keys used to be
• Added touch-up paint
• Put final bottom panel back on piano

And Whaa laaa. Now we have a functional keyboard stand with built-in shelves and slots for our music holder! Costs were about $25.00 plus LOTS of time.

Tell me what you think!!



For more, like our Facebook page!: Creations By Jess

WGC Raising the Bar

WGC Raising the Bar is a Rocky Mountain stallion owned by Myranda Elliot. I had the great pleasure to paint a picture of her beautiful horse and here it is for you all to see! Myranda took some stunning photographs of her horse and since I am an avid horse enthusiast (specifically Rockies), I asked her if I could use them to paint from! She agreed (yay!) and this is the result!

I must say that this was a challenge; both because my skills are still being honed, but also because these horses are very important to me. I grew up near a Rocky Mountain horse farm and had the opportunity to work with them and train them. Most of what I know about horses has been from my work at Cedar Grove Farm in Peacham, Vermont. It was important to me that this painting present these horses in a beautiful and true way. Luckily I had a fantastic photography to work from!

I no longer work with horses at this time. Military life is hard on animal ownership, so it is on the back burner for now, but being able to paint them gave me such joy! It's certainly not the same as being able to run a brush over them, smell the hay, oats, and grain in the barn, or watch them learn something new as a result of careful thought and teaching.. It's definitely not like being able to feel the rush and the power while racing across a field or hear the cadence of the four-beat gait Rockies are famous for; but it was wonderful to have a connection of some kind. One that will be on my wall for awhile (until it sells). =) But that is the joy of painting! I will simply have to make more!

I hope you enjoy this too! I would love to hear your thoughts! And if you are interested in my work or would like to purchase a painting or commission one, check out the rest of this site or contact me at jess.hooser@gmail.com!

WGC Raising the Bar
Acrylic on Canvas
16 X 20

WGC Raising the Bar
Photo by Myranda Elliot
http://coppercreekfarm.webs.com/

For more, follow us on Facebook! Creations By Jess

Cedarbrook Studio

I have found that many photographers are very friendly towards painters who want to use their work to inspire our own. I recently asked a very talented photographer who lives in Barnet, Vermont (my home town) about using her work for my paintings. She agreed! Yay! And today I finished my first piece produced from a fantastic photograph she took of the view from Devil's Hill in the Groton State Forest, Vermont.

Sarah takes photographs of all kinds, my favorites are of all the beautiful places in Barnet, Peacham, Groton and surrounding areas that I remember when I was growing up. My favorite things to paint are all of those places that I have seen and love. Having these views up on my walls is especially satisfying!

Sarah's website is www.cedarbrookstudio.com. She is also on Facebook! Cedarbrook Studio. Here is what I was able to recreate and following is her beautiful photopraph!

"Secrets of Devil's Hill"
Acrylic on Canvas
30 X 40
$120.00

For more, follow us on Facebook! Creations By Jess