New - Arabian Painting

The kiddo has decided to finally take a nap today so I could finish (maybe?) a 12" x 12" oil painting of a black Arabian horse. I like the bright turquoise background.
I was working from a photo I took in York, PA at and Arabian show a few years ago. I guess this guy appeals to that kid in me that will always be in love with The Black Stallion. Probably one of the best horse movies ever made.
Here are some pictures...

Tagged!

It's been awhile since I've been tagged so I thought I'd play along.
This time it was Sonia from the Dark Raven's Nest who got me. Be sure to check out her blog, she has some nice studio pictures up right now.

So, 6 random things about myself...

1. We lived above a horse barn for 8 years. I cared for the horses below in exchange for rent, electricity and board for my horse. It was a cute little two bedroom apartment that smelled like hay, had mice in the ceiling and lots of spiders.

2. I have always secretly wanted to be a mounted police officer. When I see one patrolling the streets in Lancaster I think that there would be no cooler job to have getting to ride around on your trusty pal all day making sure people are behaving themselves.

3. My mom had a little palomino mare when I was born named Gypsy. She bought her as a foal and did all her training. Partly the reason for the name of my studio and fully the reason for my obsession with horses:)

4. My favorite movie is Amelie. It has everything I like in a movie, funny, touching, whimsical, beautiful cinematography and fabulous acting.

5. My favorite subject in high school, besides art, was AP American History in my senior year. My great grandmother, Aimée MacNeill, was a historian specializing in Valley Forge and the Battle at Brandywine during the Revolutionary War. I find this time in our history the most interesting.

6. I LOVE music and can appreciate all genres however the older I get the more I dislike going to concerts. The crowds are unbearable. People standing instead of sitting bugs me. The long drive to Philly where most good concerts are. The long wait to get out of the parking lot. All I find very annoying and I hate to admit it.
If I had a bunch of money I would go see this upcoming concert though and brave the long drive to State College. To see all those musicians on the stage together would be a once in a lifetime event!

Now I'm supposed to tag some people and I usually don't do this but I think these fellow artists wouldn't mind playing along (if you do mind, you won't hurt my feelings:).

Linda @ The Briar Rose Gate
Kathleen @ Life Earth Sky
Ingrid @ Ingrid's Art
Jane @ My World in Pictures
Sarah @ Cottage Garden Studio
Zan @ Wild at Heart Art

Also wanted to mention I have two heart ornaments I just added to my etsy shop. Here's one of a little white rabbit. If they don't sell by February 1st, they will move over to Ebay perhaps.



Please don't forget to check out the treasuries I'm promoting too. They are listed on the right side of this page.

Have a wonderful day! ~ Jen

"There's no retirement for an artist, it's your way of living so there's no end to it." -Henry Moore

Loosen up!

It is my dream to be able to paint like Munnings. I know, I'm asking a lot of myself. It's just that I get so wrapped up in detail and I would love to paint a nice horsey landscape that is loose and painterly. I pulled out a little 8 x 10 canvas the other day and found a picture I took at Devon of a lovely grey jumper in the warm up ring. I don't know if I am accomplishing my goal. It just looks a tad sloppy to me. Maybe I should find a favorite painting of his and try to reproduce it. It's how a lot of the masters learned, right?



Here's another photo of my bay thoroughbred. The horse is about finished. Not sure how to proceed with the background. It's not my area of expertise. Either way it has to dry some before I add more.



Two more photos from around the house. One is of my finch feeder this morning. Count 'em, that's 8 finches on that thing! If it was full, I'm sure there'd be more.
The picture of my kitty, Zazu, shows her lying on the cat bed I made her with some very cute owl and pumpkin polar fleece.



Lastly I'd like to thank 3 wonderful blogger for recent awards. If you have the chance, please stop by their blogs, you will be happy you did!


Jane Augenstein ~ My World in Pictures

CTG Ponies

Mustang Diaries

New Foal WIP

I had started this cantering chesnut horse painting over the summer but wasn't really happy with it. So yesterday I worked a little more and now I am satisfied. He just needed his coat shined up a bit:)

Also started work on a painting of a foal. I raised this guy at the Thoroughbred farm I managed for 8 years. Unfortunately he was put down after he broke his leg in a race. How incredibly sad! Since Eight Belles was destroyed after the KY Derby last year, I've stopped watching horse races.






I was going to post a finished picture of my Tunis Sheep painting but it looks pretty much like it did in my post below. We have one nice little gallery here in East Petersburg and it is going to hang there next month. Haven't had a piece in a gallery in AGES so it will be fun to have it there!

Also snagged a new treasury this morning. Here's a screen shot. It's called "Palomino".

Feeling Sheepish & Winter Sale

I was able to get more of my sheep painted last night since the kiddo and husband were out of the house. I am really happy with how he's turning out! Click on the photos for a larger image.
Here are some more pictures...


Just found out this is a Tunis Sheep. Somewhat of a rare breed. I took the photo I worked from at Landis Valley Farm Museum.




Also have 6 new pendants painted which will go up on Etsy soon. Here they are...


I'm feeling in the mood for spring so I want to clear out the winter items from my Etsy shop. Anything that involves snow or winter is 25% off, pendants and signs.
Etsy has no easy way to offer a sale so you will have to click "buy" and then let me send you a revised invoice that will reflect the discount.

Baaaaa... a WIP

My little one went to her Grammy's house today to spend the night so I thought I would really challenge myself.
I started painting a sheep... in OILS... on a big canvas! Okay, maybe 18 x 24 inches isn't that big but it seems like a house compared to the pendants I've been painting lately.
The problem I have with painting is that it goes through a stage were it doesn't look like my mind wants it to and I get frustrated and want to quit.
I really hope I can push though this one. Also hoping that since it's not a horse I won't be quite as picky and detail obsessed.

PLEASE, if you have ANY tips, suggestions, etc., leave a comment. I haven't any formal art training so I really have no idea what I'm doing. Thanks:)

So here's the work in progress (WIP) photos. I still have a bit to go so don't tell me it doesn't look finished, I know that:)

Beerbread and other stuff...

I made the BEST and easiest bread in the world yesterday. It only took about 3 minutes to prep. My husband bought some Magic Hat #9 beer and thought it was a tad on the skunky side. Not wanting to throw it away, I made cheesey beer bread. Here's the recipe:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Mix dry ingredients first (I sifted them too):
3 c. flour
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp baking powder

Then add a cup or so of grated cheddar cheese. Stir in 12 oz. bottle of beer (room temp is best).
Spread into loaf pan which I coated with Pam.
Optional - I brushed an egg wash on the top.
Bake for 45 minutes or until bamboo skewer comes out clean.

I warn you, this is addicting. We each had several pieces with our dinner last night. Luckily it was just a salad. This recipe is so simple a man could do it!
You can omit the cheese and add whatever you'd like - ie. herbs, garlic, diced onion, etc..

Also made a little oil sketch this week on an aceo sized piece of wood. Trying to gear myself up to make a larger painting. it's just so hard with the little one under my feet all the time.




She does love her cats though. How adorable is this...



It's supposed to snow tomorrow. If we get enough and it's wet enough, I plan on making a really cool snow sculpture/man thingy. Stay tuned!

Resolution for 2009

Tired of the boring old "eat healthy" and "excerise" resolutions? I have a new one for you. Buy more art directly from the artist on Etsy and Ebay! Come on, you can start today. All the shops are closed in your town, you may even have a little Christmas cash burning a hole in your wallet. It's as easy as sitting in front of your computer and searching for your favorite subject, style or artist. And when you do buy something, you will rush to your mailbox everyday hoping to find your newly aquired treasure. When it does finally arrive it is the most exhilarating experience. Carefully opening the box and tearing away the bubble wrap and tissue paper. The other cool thing is that the art you buy ALWAYS looks better in person than on the computer screen. You will brighten up your dull home with the magic of artwork.
It doesn't even have to be expensive. I have prints in my bathroom that cost only $6 each! Buy some frames on sale at your local craft store and you have an instant room makeover. You will be the envy of ALL your friends and family.
The fun doesn't stop there either. You will sleep better at night knowing that you helped out a real person, often struggling to make their dreams a reality, and not some big wigs at Walmart.
So that's it. What are you waiting for? Put your hand on the mouse and click on Etsy or Ebay and go find your treasure!

Happy New Year!
Jen:)


Oh, I almost forgot. Here are just a few of the beautiful pieces that I have aquired directly from the artist over the years (click on picture for a larger image)!
Wanna find more of my favorites? Click on a link I have so nicely provided on the right side of this blog.


Fine art print from Danielle Barlow.



Original ACEO paintings by Susan Brack, Fran Frank and Dale Ann Widen.



Commissioned portrait of my cat by Carol Wells.



Fine art cat print by Kathleen Coy.




Original oil painting by J. Carey.



Animal mask prints by Matt Cipov.



Original painting from Kerry Originals.



Original cat painting by Kathy Clemente.



Original horse watercolor by Michelle Stuart.




Original horse painting by Caren Goodrich.

P.S. The added bonus of buying original art is that you may be a millionaire someday if one of your collected artists becomes famous:)

Gypsy Tambourine

I just finished this SUPER COOL tambourine with a painting of a Halloween Gypsy Vanner on it. I was so excited I had to post it to my blog immediately!
I will be listing it on ebay later tonight.
Also finished a small painting of the Headless Horseman for those with limited wall space. Would look great sitting on an easel. It measure 6" x 6" and I will list it later tonight as well.
Thanks for looking!!



Oh, I almost forgot to mention. That gallery I walked to yesterday in my town, well I think they want to include my art in their annual Halloween show next year. Yippee!!

Witchy Folk

I found a really nice book at a yard sale over the weekend on early American folk art and it has inspired my two most recent paintings. While I was flipping though the pages of said book, I thought that a lot of the women looked very witchy (especially the old ones - working on that). While I was creating these girls I was thinking about what lives they could have led and what their names would be. I added crackle finish so that the pieces would look old. I really don't paint many people so I was pretty nervous about how they would turn out but I kept telling myself, "It's folk art, it doesn't have to be perfect.". In the end I am very happy with them. Beatrix looks so nice sitting on my antique easel, I'm afraid it will be a little difficult parting with her!
Without further ado, meet my new friends...

Beatrix Nightshade

Bella Blackrose



I have a few more of these paintings in my brain so please check back in a few days!
~Jen


Ooo, ooo, ooo... I forgot to add that I just made a utube video of past and present Halloween artwork. Check it out:
Gypsy Mare Halloween Art

Where to begin?

I have so much to blog about today, I don't know where to start.
My garden is growing like gangbusters. My Brandywine tomatoes are now taller than I am! The red Brandywine has a tomato on it that is absolutely enormous and shows no signs of slowing down and ripening. I wonder how big it will get (stay tuned). My poblano pepper plant has several large peppers on it and I'm not quite sure what to do with the. Does anyone have any suggestions?
The lilies I bought from the Michigan Bulb Company are pretty as can be. I bought a mixed bag so I didn't know what colors they would be. The one that bloomed today is the most gorgeous shade of yellow that blends into orange near the center.
If you look back at my May blogs you will see how small some of my gardens are and how lovely they are today. I can't believe how fast everything has grown. Next year I am going to at least triple the size of my veggie garden. I can't wait!

I finished my three week equine in oils painting workshop today. I would say I had fun. I'm not sure how much I learned but it helped to get me back into oil painting.
My painting is not quite finished yet but how much can a person really get done in 6 hours. The instructor, Stephen Leed, was very nice and he said he would help me if I ever needed it. The only other person in the class was a 17 year old who had never painted before so I think she held me back a bit and also took up more of the instructor's time. The nice thing about her is that she lives about 2 miles away and her mother invited Zoe and I over to play with their mini horses and fainting goats.
I can finally get some good mini photos to work from.

Here's a photo of my painting from the class. I would say it is about 75% finished.
The shadow at the top is from my easel.



Lastly, I have completed two more halloween art pieces for ebay. One of my popular Halloween horses and a candle sconce with a witchy theme.

Please check my auctions if you want to bid!



Thanks for reading. It ALWAYS makes my day when someone posts a comment:)
~Jen