Blowing Bubbles

This painting is of a moment captured from a couple years ago. I always thought it would be neat if I could transfer it to canvas in an impressionistic way.

This year is the year of original work. I am getting away from copying the masters. I want to capture my own life in a similar manner to Monet. The people he painted were his family. The scenery was near where he lives. It isn't enough for me to just paint pretty pictures.. I want my art to mean something; even if it's meaning is only known to my family.

It is different having to put something together that might not lend itself to canvas. Part of the fun is trying NOT to make it exactly like the photo. I don't want a copy of my photo. I want a painting. I operate my life off a 'simple is better' mentality and painting is no exception for me. I want to leave a little to the imagination.

I hope you enjoy this painted moment in time as much as my daughters did in real life.

"Blowing Bubbles"
16 X 20

In Memory of "Winnie"

This one will stay on my wall. It's good to remember.

Memories

"Memories"

"Winnie"

I found out this past week that my first horse passed away. It was an strong mix of emotions when I found out. I said my goodbyes when I sold her many years ago, but to know that she doesn't roam a green field or open gates she shouldn't or weave in her stall anymore is a different kind of sad.

Winnie impacted me in so many ways. She helped me grow up. She inspired my love of horse training and showed me I could actually succeed in it. She came to me barely rideable when I was 14 and totally unprepared for such a project. I remember crying in frustration that it wan't how I imagined, but also experienced some of my most memorable moments with her.

I went everywhere with that horse. All the dirt roads near my house have seen her. I jumped her over anything I thought we wouldn't break our neck on... I raced her with friend's horses (and could barely stop her). I fought through teaching her to load in a trailer and eventually succeeded. I road her in the lake bareback and occasionally I road on her backwards. I went to shows with her. I ground drove her and sat in the field reading while she ate dandelions. I even chased cows on her to the dismay of the very upset bovine owner....

She made her mark on me. She taught me to be patient; kind; to forgive and to deal with anger. She taught me that I could make situations better with a little hard work. She kept me looking ahead to the next thing I could learn. I have thought of her often over the years as other horses have come and gone and while raising my kids and still using the patience, kindness and resiliency she taught me all those years ago.

You never forget your first horse.

Back Home

8 X 10

The house I grew up in. It sure has some great angles to paint!

Candles in the Window

This painting is special as it has a story to it.

You may not see them, but there are candles in the windows.

When we went to visit my parents, my mom told my kids that they could come over whenever they saw the candles on in the windows. It meant that she and Pop-pop were both up and ready for them to come play!

We enjoyed a spectacular snowstorm during our visit and this is a painting from one of the pictures I took of my four older kids running to Grammy and Pop-pop's house because their wait for the candles to turn on was over! They would wait by the window of the house we stayed in and watch carefully for them to come on! So sweet..

Old West Road- Memory Lane

The road by my childhood home <3 

Butterflies, Elephants, and Lions Oh My!

Lately I have been working on paintings of animals or other living things. Some have gone as gifts to friends who are having babies, but they are some of my favorites!

These are done with help from reference photos by Karen Broemmelsick. Her work is great!

I'm working on using photos for inspiration purposes; not with the intent to copy in exact detail.
I like a painting to look like a painting. I also recognize the time and talent of those who paint ultra- realism. 

In any case, I hope you enjoy these!

Jessica's Monet #22

"Jessica's Monet #22"
8 x 10

Jessica's Monet #21

"Jessica's Monet #21"
11 x 14

The most recent Monet.... here is the link to Monet's version- The Seine at Ventheuil 3. I hope you like it!

"Momma and Baby"

"Momma and Baby"
20 X 20
Commissioned

Cows seem to be the animal of the year so far! I had a friend ask me to paint a picture for her dad and she wanted to have it be a momma cow and a baby together with the Texas landscape. She had many pictures for me to use, so I was excited to have the challenge of putting it together myself rather than just copying a photo.

I used three different photos; one for the momma cow, one for the baby cow, and one for the landscape.

All in all it was a fantastic challenge and I look forward to the next one!

Cow

"Cow"
16 X 20

Having a new baby has definitely changed a few things around here... I was frustrated at first, but now I have realized that even though I only get one day a week to paint, I have time to really consider what I'm going to work on and what colors I'm going to use.

My snuggle buddy is sleeping better every night and takes some great long naps during the day, so now I am able to plan intentional painting time again.

I am primarily finger painting these days and I'm finding that it is a great way to unwind and feel like I have accomplished something.

This is again unremarkably named, but I'd rather spend my brain power on the artwork itself rather than worrying about what to name it! I find that names that aren't simple can be distracting, so here's to my newest, "Cow".

Also, like my page on Facebook!

"Jessica's Caillebotte"

Always peaceful seeing sailboats and ocean on my canvas. My reference is from an artist named Caillebotte.

I painted this last month, but couldn't remember how to spell the artist's name, 🙄 so it had to wait a bit before I could post!

Hope you enjoy! Like my page on Facebook for more!

"Elephant"

So how do you like my original title???

Hey, if Monet can make it happen with calling it like it is, I feel I am among good company!!

In any case, this is a finger painting that was way too much fun.

Lately, I have one day a week to paint, so finger painting is my go-to while having an infant in the house. My 6-year-old has asked that I do a finger painted cow next... I think I just might!

"Just Golden"

This is a finger painting done from a preference photo by Karen Broemmelsick. It reminds me of my dog, Bucky.
My three year old has decided it is her 'puppy' and is insisting it spend some time on her wall in her room. 😊

"The Garden Shed"

This is from a photo of the garden shed in my parent's backyard. It has been used for storage of the winter sleds, garden supplies, tools, and for a long time my horse equipment and hay. Lots of great memories with that shed always in the background. 🙂

The Lake

"The Lake"
8 x 10

So another goal of 2018 is to paint more original work and to use what I have learned from recreating Monets. I found this to be particularly difficult last year and am hoping I can find a way for it to transfer over. I want to be known for my own work at some stage, and the only way to do that is to actually paint things that are not derivatives of another's work.

So here we go. The first true original of the year. I used a photo reference I took myself, and pushed myself to implement my 'Monet style'. I'm pretty happy with it! This is of a beautiful little lake up in northern Vermont called Harvey's Lake. Great place for kiddos to learn to swim!

Jessica's Monet #19

"Jessica's Monet #19"
8 x 10

An 8 x 10 Monet recreation. One of my goals for 2018 is to do more Monets. I love how they turn out and I love how they look on the wall (and I love how they sell!). They also make great notecards! I have big plans for the note cards this year. No one will ever get a normal card from me again.. I'm thinking I might even try my hand at Christmas cards this year. Hopefully I will have a good painting for that purpose later down the road!

Just as an aside, don't you think that view is something else??? Someday I hope to stand on that cliff. I know it's nothing like it used to be, but I bet it's still awesome!

Jessica's Monet #18

"Jessica's Monet #18"
8 X 10

This almost feels like a watercolor painting to me! Monet really does have so much to inspire me with. I can honestly say he is my favorite artist. I love recreating his work. Sometimes my versions turn out totally different from his, but I do like that I can recognize this one right away.

Here is a link to Monet's version called "Autumn on the Seine at Argenteuil".

Jessica's Monet #17

"Jessica's Monet #17"
16 X 20

This painting has an amusing story to connect with it... It is a derivative of a Monet painting, and is one I have done before, however, that one was much larger.

I began this as an attempt to cover up a painting I had done months ago that I hated and never even took pictures of to share.. I just didn't even want it up on the wall, so I was hoping to salvage the canvas.

I had to redo this maybe three times before I was content with it. What a pain, and it is so different from the one I did before!!

Ultimately I succeeded, as I am happy to share it with you now!

Sunflowers

"Sunflowers"
16 X 20

Another wonderful reference from Vineyard Colors. My intent was to paint sunflowers for my soon-to-be-born daughter, but it didn't turn out very 'kid-like'. so I am going to try again another day for something more what I imagined. Even so, I really like this painting and how different it is from some of my other pieces. I shall enjoy seeing it on the wall while it waits to be claimed by someone!