Mt Life Unexpected

Life is full of unexpected changes, and recently I have experienced quite a few. Some good, some actually very... unpleasant. Some seemed bad and then turned into something actually amazing.
I had some very negative things in my life and it left me feeling a little lost but then I used those feelings to start a series of paintings. The result was nearly life changing. For the first time, I did something that I have always aspired to do as an artist. I painted paintings that inpired and touched people emotionally.

First, let me tell you about the paintings. The idea started when I asked to paint something for breast cancer awareness and for another show to promote the empowerment of women. It made me think that the women and the stories behind breast cancer awareness ARE empowering. I wanted to paint the emotional journery of breast cancer. And so I started my journey...

But my real journey didn't begin until I started sharing the finished paintings with others. I was amazed with home many people opened up to me after seeing my paintings. I had women tell me of how they were survirors and what they endured. Men tell me of the struggles of the women in their lives. People share stories with me of those they have lost. But it didn't stop with those who knew the realness of breast cancer; people opened up to me about other emotional experieces as well. A woman with terminal brain cancer. A woman who had been abused for years. A man who lost his sister. A woman who nearly lost her sister. The stories keep coming.

I have cried with strangers. I have mourned with friends over pasts I never knew. All of these people opened up to me because of my paintings, and in doing so they changed my life. I am thankful to you all.

So far I have posted one pinting called LETTING GO on

2nd Saturday Art Show

Yeah! Its that time of the month again! Time to go visit all of your favorite local artist. I will be showing at my usual spot at 18th and L street downtown in Sacramento. I will also be visiting another amazing abstract artist Gregory Morse. I am so excited.

It is also time for another word of the Month. This time the word is AMAZING. Say it, shout it, pass it on, and you will get the discount of buy two prints and get a third FREE. I will even be taking orders if you don't see a print you want.

Networking

Tonight I was able to meet the other venders and Artists that will be showing at The Market Place in Rancho Cordova, CA. It was great to be able to interact with so many diverse people. I met a wonderful couple of Artists tha sold drawings, paintings, photography and jewelry; they go by Kewish Designs. There were also several watercolor and acrylic painters. One artist does some very unusual statement art.

I want to thank everyone there for making me feel so welcome, especially the fantastic staff. The grand opening is TOMORROW! Exciting! There will be Grand Opening sales through the Labor Day weekend.

11395 Folsom Blvd.
Rancho Cordova, CA
95742

Abstract Drawings on Fine Art America

I have been posting my abstract art work on FINE ART AMERICA for about a year now, and I am very pleased with them. I am especially thankful for the wonderful artist community they have. It is nice to get advice and encouragement from other artist, and they really are all very supportive.

I am amazed at the diversity of artwork that they have on there. Even just searching the abstract drawings page, there are so many different styles that I am constantly amazed. So many talented artist!

Second Saturday was Fun!

Thanks for all of you who came out and visited the local artist last Saturday. I was really overwhelmed by the positive feedback I recieved.

I had a few people who knew that the word posted on my blog was"fabulous", and they used it to get some discounts on prints. Sarah Warner was the first to declair, and very Loudly it was, that my art was FABULOUS. She won an original Art Trading Card signed by me. She was thrilled.

I would like to say thanks for those who came out and participated in my current work in progress: Lori, Nancy, Jeremiah, and Jennifer. It should look fabulous (wink) when its done.

Yours,
Jeanine

Drawing on Trading Cards

I have been drawing on some art trading cards today (ATCs). Apparently, artist can either sale some as special editions (Art Card Editions or Originals, ACEOs) or can trade them.

I decided to take a different approach. I put a nine together and drew the outines of a bunch of circles some overlapping then seperated them and filled them with colors, reds, oranges, blues, greens. They are very bright. I really like the way they turned out and they kind of fit together like an abstract puzzle.

I may exchange or sell some at my next show depending on whether or not I can find sleeves for them. I think this size would also work better for public participation and I could give it to the co-creator if I could finish sooner.... Hhhhmmmm.

Mural Concept Drawing

Well, here it is; my concept entry for the Valley Vision Mural contest.



Basic Elements of the Designs
I decided to use simple lines, bold and basic colors, and abstract representations of elements of Sacramento.

Golden City
I chose golden tones to represent the cityscape, not only because Sacramento is the Capital of the Golden State, but also to celebrate Sacramento’s rise as a progressive and multicultural city. Depicting the cityscape in golden hues also ties in nicely with the golden bridge, a well known landmark of downtown Sacramento. I felt that the Capital building itself should be gold as well for many of the same reasons as the rest of the cityscape and to also provide continuity. The drawing of the capital building was intentionally placed between the supports of the billboard to frame it and draw attention to it.

Multicultural Community
Sacramento has a diverse population the prides itself on its many cultural heritages, because of this I chose to create five figures in three different and brilliant color schemes. The figures are drawn as individuals but in a way that seems to have them reaching for each other, to symbolize a community that comes together to create unity. The central figure is a little larger than the others and is holding a flame; this figures stands for the torch bearers and leaders of our community. The Torch itself represents the liberty we have in this country, as well the wisdom passed down from older generations.

Music
Another element of this piece is to have abstractions of musical instruments (a horn, a saxophone, and a guitar) to represent the importance of music and the arts in our community. This section also symbolizes one the more prominent annual events in Sacramento, the Jazz Festival

The River
The Sacramento River is one of the most dominate features of Sacramento, in the Past, Present, and Future, and therefore is one of the most dominate features of the mural concept. As the river flows through the entire mural, tying in the individual elements, it unites the entire peace.

If you would like to see the other entries go to http://www.facebook.com/valleyvision