"On the Track"

"On the Track"
Acrylic on Canvas
12 X 24

I have no interest in horse racing, but I really loved the reference picture I used and thought you all would enjoy it. I found this to be a very artistic photograph and looked at it as a challenge. My goal is to become more impressionistic. I love that style. I try not to think too hard when I paint, but to just enjoy the process. Reference by Margaret Townsend.

"Jessica's Mathias Alten"

"Jessica Mathias Alten"
Acrylic on Canvas
8 X 10
Sold

Mathias Alten's painting "Reflections" caught my attention with the colors. There was also a certain level of chaos to it that seemed to challenge me. I painted some parts of this with no clue what I was painting, but it somehow pulled together and gives me warm fuzzies when I look at it. I hope you enjoy my version and take the time to look at his!

"My Horses"

"Winnie"
8 X 10

"Sunday"
8 X 10

"Nic"
8 X 10

 Everyone who knows me, knows I love horses. I have since I was a little girl and never stopped. I remember dreaming about having my first horse and the hours I would spend pouring over horse magazines and catalogues.. I would add up the cost of what I needed to have a horse.

When I did finally did have the chance to get a horse, I was 14. Mom and dad had me pay them back the $1000.00 she cost.. and I did so with barely a thought. (Though it did take some time) I would've paid it twice over if I had to.

My first horse was a snob. She didn't like people for the most part and really didn't like to be ridden, but she was my best friend and though she frustrated me at every turn, I wouldn't have traded her for anything. I fell off her, got run away with, she escaped her pen ALL the time and she was hard to catch! But I probably learned more from her than any of the sweet horses I have been privileged to work with. She taught me about myself and about my capabilities and that if you stick with it, loyalty is an unmeasured gift.

My second horse was snarky as well and occasionally had an attitude, but she was so gorgeous and enjoyed being ridden. I didn't think I would ever sell her. She showed me what my training skills were capable of. Easy on the eyes and particular about her people.. She was a good fit for me. She also enjoyed children. Which is probably why she is now being used as a therapy horse in Missouri with her new owner.

My last horse was what I hoped to be the beginning of my grown-up horse dreams. She had the breed, the genes, the movement and was sweet, easy to catch, gentle and every other good word I can think of. She never held a grudge and would try anything I asked. But she did have a little pep in her feet. She was the perfect family horse and though she was more ordinary in color, she had the best attitude. We are lucky enough to be able to visit her and ride her on occasion as life takes us on a course different from young dreams.

Sometimes I miss them more than words can tell, but mostly I have wonderful memories stored up that I can look back on and that spur me ahead to a new dream with riding lessons for my kids, horses in the back field again someday and the joy of realizing new dreams and adventures.

"Jessica's Monet #11"

"Jessica's Monet #11"
Acrylic on Canvas
8 X 10

This is a remake of Monet's "Fishermans Cottage at Varengeville" and makes me want to go camping.. or fishing.. I would love to stay in a cottage by the sea!! Especially up high on the cliffs. We stayed somewhere like this at Prince Edward Island when my sister and I graduated high-school. Had the beaches to ourselves! It was such a nice trip. Love that some of these paintings of places far away can remind of of places closer to me.

I hope you enjoy!

"Lew's Pond"

"Lew's Pond"
Acrylic on Canvas
16 X 20
Commissioned

Photo by Brittany Willis

A sweet friend of mine requested a commissioned piece of her Uncle's pond to remember him by now that he is gone. She had a lovely photo she had taken for me to use. I knew it was special to her, so I tried to be as detailed and accurate as my painting style allows. I hope she and her family enjoys it for many, many years ahead and I like to think her Uncle would have been pleased to be remembered in such a way.

"Jessica's Heywood Hardy"

"Jessica's Heywood Hardy"
Acrylic on Canvas
16 X 20

I often dream of a scene similar to this. I lived it at one time with my own horses and dog. Some day I hope my kids can experience something similar. There's nothing like it.

Heywood Hardy was from a family of artists. He has alot of horses and hounds in his paintings. I wonder who this person was? I imagine she was probably a real person. maybe a family member. His piece is called "Horse and Rider on a Windswept Beach".

Anyone who knows me, know why I had to paint this. I hope you enjoy it just as much!

"Canoe on the Pond"

"Canoe on the Pond"
Acrylic on Canvas
16 X 20

Photo by Reyna Torberson

I enjoy seeing pictures my friends post online and occasionally I come across one that makes me want to paint it! This is the result of just that. My friend graciously gave me permission to use her photograph. I thoroughly enjoyed it and love that I was able to capture something a little more real this time!

I'm hoping to be able to apply what I have learned while painting Monets, to current pictures. This was an attempt to bring those skills out a bit more.

The challenge of this piece was the ripples on the water. Tricky business! I need to practice it some more until I'm more comfortable, but I feel like a technique is emerging!

"Jessica's Monet #10"

"Jessica's Monet #10"
Acrylic on Canvas
8 X 10
Sold

As my mom continued to work on her Lebasque piece, I managed to squeak in a little 8 X 10. We discovered that two artists in one room was challenging when working on separate pieces! I managed by using my phone while she continued with the use of my computer.

This piece was chosen rapidly with little thought. I knew I needed something that would suit a small canvas, so I picked the first thing I thought might do the trick. Using a tiny screen was a new and interesting challenge, but I'm delighted by the result.

My best description of this would be in the emotion connected to it. A mother taking a child to see something special near home. I sense a long afternoon of quiet exploration. You can see another woman and child in the distance. They may have enjoyed a picnic together! But above everything I feel a sense of calm and the essence of 'days gone by'.

Monet's Poppies at Argenteuil. I hope you enjoy his fantastic piece!

"Jessica's Henri Lebasque"

"Jessica's Henri Lebasque"
Acrylic on Canvas
16 X 20

My parents are here for a visit and since my mom has mentioned wanting to do a painting with me multiple times, we decided it was now or never!! I let her choose from my 'masterpiece' collection and away we went!! She chose a very challenging piece and is currently still working on hers. We do have different styles and while I am pretty happy with more general similarities, she is more of a perfectionist and takes a little extra time as she goes!
If she lets me, I will try to post her copy on Facebook! But for now, here is mine and here is what inspired us: 

Vezillon, la partie de pêche

 , 1915–1915 By Henri Lebasque. Enjoy!

"Jessica's Monet #7 (Remix)"

"Jessica's Monet #7 (Remix)"
Acrylic on Canvas
30 X 40

So while I love that my son enjoys my paintings and gives me lots of compliments on them (especially if there is water and boats); knowing he viewed my piece intended for above the fireplace as though there were meteors falling from the sky and the boat was about to blow up and sink kind of unsettled me!

"Jessica's Monet #7"

I finally had a chance to pull it down off the wall and take another stab at it. (There might be something about the orange sky that really didn't go in my living room that helped with the decision for a redo). All in all, I saved a copy of the old version for his sake, but I am happy that my clouds now look like clouds rather than rocks in the sky. I think he will approve as well since his favorite color is blue!

My version of Monet's  "Sailboat At Le Petit Gennevilliers" is less of a recreation and more an 'inspired by' derivative. It looks very little like his piece, but the bones are there! Click on the link for a look at my inspiration!