Exciting!

When I opened up the September issue of Organic Gardening I saw my bunny in the lettuce photo that I submitted to their reader photo contest. I couldn't believe it (and still can't). OG is one of my very favorite magazines so to be chosen as a finalist is really exciting. To vote, click on this link:

Photo Contest

Some more exciting news... I have been asked back to Devon by Caracol Inspired Jewelry! My paintings will hang in their booth at Dressage at Devon Sept. 27 - Oct. 2.

And if your in South Eastern PA this weekend, I'll be at the Quentin Fall Show (hunter/jumper) on Saturday with original paintings, signs, Painted Ponies and more!

And now some photos from my garden this morning:)

Black and blue salvia above,

blue mist spirea (bluebeard) and monarch below.

This spirea is a bee magnet, I highly recommend this shrub for attracting pollinators to your garden.

Red dahlia below (given to me by my friend, thanks Hope!),

maximillian sunflower below.

Smokebush leaf above,

sunflower below.

Goldflame honeysuckle above,

mourning dove below.

One of my late summer favorites, the toad lily.

Looks like it's from another planet!

Happy Labor Day weekend!

PFATT Marketplace

Tomorrow is my first day as a vendor in the PFATT Marketplace, I'm so excited. I've been wanting to branch out with where I sell online since Ebay keeps upping it's fees and I don't always have the time to promote my Etsy shop. PFATT (Primitive Folk Art Trinkets & Treasures) seemed like a logical choice, there are so many wonderful folk artists on there.

Since we have 18" of snow on the ground and 12" more expected in the next 24 hours, I thought I would paint something to get people in the mood for Spring. So I painted two cute folk arty bunnies on canvas (8" x 8"). They were inspired by the young rabbits I saw at the E-town fair last summer.



Okay, back to the painting table. With all this snow, I'm going to get a lot done in the next two days! I have a Halloween and a Percheron sign on my table half way finished. My owl on the pumpkin is nearly complete too. Can't wait to share!

Silent Sunday

Mini Art Pendants

I have some new necklaces coming soon, just painted the pendants today. I think they're so cute, perfect for spring and summer. Have to let them dry a day before I add cord and beads. I have a Dutch bunny and horse started that I didn't have time to finish today. Next week my husband has a three day week so I'm really hoping to work on an oil painting Thursday or Friday.




And just because I know my readers love flowers as much as I do, two more photos I took at Longwood Gardens last month (click for a larger image).

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

Farm Show Season

Click on photo for a larger view.






It's officially farm show season here in and around Lancaster County, PA. I am not big on the rides, food or carnie games. What I go to see is the animals. Unlike a horse, cat or dog show; nobody seems to mind if I give their cows, goats or sheep an affectionate scratch or nuzzle. I also love to see all the different breeds of chickens and rabbits. I think that there is no better place for a young child to learn about animals and to get to interact with them. Here are some pictures from the Lebanon Area fair...