Time Flies

Hi there. How are you? Are you enjoying the weekend?

Time seems to have sped up here as things have gotten busy.  I'm working more hours at my regular job and I've also started subbing at the local elementary school. This was the first week in almost a year that I worked all 5 days. It's nice to be making a little more money.

I did this drawing while I supervised a student music teacher.  Even though she could do all the teaching she still needed a certified teacher in the room. So she taught and I drew! I had forgotten how insane the life of an elementary specialist is. The music teacher had a different class every 20 minutes.....How do you get anything done in 20 minutes?

I have spent the weekend getting ready for my upcoming fall and holiday events. Lots of printing and some new products in the works. I hope to have some new things to show you shortly!

Enjoy your Sunday.  Ta-Ta for now!

Weekend iPhoneography

Hi! How was your weekend?

This was the first weekend in ages that we got to stay home and do some more Southern Illinois exploring. As always, I documented our weekend with my trusty iPhone.

On Friday, we tried out a Thai restaurant we'd never been to (yum!), heard some excellent live music at the Carbondale Friday Night Fair, and had a nightcap at Walker's Bluff (the new tasting room is awesome!)

We found this awesome looking caterpillar munching away on our tomato plant.  It's amazing how well camouflaged it was amongst the leaves!

We did a little walking in downtown Carbondale on Saturday.  Trains still run right through downtown. We got caught by this one for a time.

The weather this weekend was incredible! We took advantage of it and did some hiking in the state park. 

I tried out the new panorama feature that came along with the recent iPhone iOS 6 update. 

I'm just enamored with autumn light. It has such a distinct, crisp quality at this time of year.

Lastly, we cooked! (Man, my oven needs cleaning! Ick!) Matt made homemade biscuits complete with lard and bacon drippings. (Yum!) I tried out 2 Pinterest recipes. Crockpot Apple Pie Oatmeal for breakfast and turkey sausage, kale and bean soup for dinner. (Double yum!)

How was your weekend? Do share!

Huge Hometown Success!

Hi! How are you?

I am happy to report that I had a spectacular weekend! I took part in the Greenwich Village Art Fair, in my hometown of Rockford, Illinois.  I can honestly say that it was the most successful show I've ever had! 

The weather was perfect...Sunny and 70's. The crowds were large and buying. And the icing on the cake.... A Juror's Choice Award! So thrilling! (Was that enough exclamation points for you?)

I've got another outdoor show in Carbondale in just 3 weeks, so I have to get busy building up inventory. I was really wiped out this weekend! Yahoo!

Oh yeah, one more thing....Matt and I both closed on our respective homes in Rockford on Monday. Now we can focus on buying a house here! So exciting.

Ta-ta for now!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 30

I did it! 30 drawings in 30 days!

Overall, I really have enjoyed this project. It felt good to produce something on a daily basis and now my drawing hand is really "in-shape!" Just like an athlete, I need to "warm up" if I expect to make quality, detailed work and I get rusty when I've gone too long without drawing. I enjoyed this project enough that considering giving myself another 30 day challenge, but don't know exactly what that will be quite yet....

I had some down time during the art fair this weekend, and I was able to do another drawing....

To see all 30 of the Month of the Moleskine drawings in one place, mosey over here.

Gotta run. Much to do in preparation for next weekend's art fair in Rockford!  Ta-ta.

Month of the Moleskine - Days 28 & 29

Hi there. How are you?

I know. I know. This post is very late! I'm a failure. But I do have an excuse! My internet access this weekend was very limited while I was away for an art fair.  I promise that this sketch was completed on time though!

I intended to do more to this sketch, but decided that I liked its minimalist look. Especially after the debacle that was "Day 27!"

Today's post is also a little bit minimalist. Inspired by the delightful breeze that blew all weekend at the fair,  I played with wispy lines in this one.

If I get a chance, I'll do a little review of my time at the Cedarhurst Craft Fair. But don't hold your breath! We leave on Friday to head up the Rockford for the Greenwich Village Art Fair. Ahh!

Ta-ta for now friends!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 27

I'm not too proud of this one. Just glad it's done and that I'm in the home stretch of my month of drawing.

Enjoy your Saturday friends!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 26

Hey. It's Friday! 

I'm getting ready to head up to Mt. Vernon, Illinois for the Cedarhurst Art Fair this weekend. They are predicting evening storms. Great. Wish me luck!


The scribbly background covers a big, nasty smudge. I kind of like it!

Have a fab weekend friends!  Ta-ta.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 25

Hi there. 
How on earth did it get to be Thursday already?  So much to do before heading up to Mount Vernon for the Cedarhurst Art Fair tomorrow!

Sending out hope, grace and contentment to all.  Ta-ta!

Hittin' the Road: September Art Fairs

September is going to be a crazy month for me. I've got 2 art fairs in the next two weeks!

This coming weekend, I'll be setting up my tent in Mount Vernon, Illinois on the beautiful grounds of the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts. The Cedarhurst Craft Fair runs Saturday and Sunday, September 8th and 9th from 10am to 5pm. There is also Friday night preview (Sept. 7th) that runs from 5-7:30 pm.

I've never participated in this show before, but I've heard good things. Cross your fingers for me!

The very next weekend, Matt and I will hit the road and head up to Rockford for my favorite show of the year!

On the grounds of the Rockford Art Museum, the Greenwich Village Art Fair runs Saturday, September 15th, from 10am to 6pm and Sunday the 16th from 10am to 5pm.  I'm not quite sure where my booth is yet, but I'm hoping for my usual spot near the Kortman Gallery bar!

These are some of the new pieces that I'll have for sale at my upcoming shows. I've been feeling the abstract thing lately.

I've already got a few holiday art events lined up as well.  Do check jenniferjohansson.com for a complete listing of all my events!

Hope to see you soon! Ta-ta for now.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 24

Hi. How are you? We're back in Carbondale after a weekend away.

I'm not feeling the drawing thing right now, so I've been lettering my "daily drawings" instead.  I'm also a little annoyed with my new Moleskine. It was one that I picked up at Target on clearance, and I guess I got what I paid for. The paper is really thin and you can see yesterday's drawing peeking through the blank page. It also doesn't seem to absorb the ink very well. I end up smudging all the time! Grrr.

To check out all of the Month of the Moleskine drawings, make your way here.

I hope that you have a wonderful Wednesday! Ta-Ta for now.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 23

Here ya go! Gotta run. Busy! Busy!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 22

Happy Labor Day! I'm spending the day in the car. Fun!

To see the Month of the Moleskine series in its entirety,  click here.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 21

Today is a special day!

This is the first drawing in my new red Moleskine and.......It's my birthday!  I'll be spending the day with family and friends in Rockford.

Hope you are enjoying the Labor Day weekend and last throws of summer.  Ta-ta!

To see the Month of the Moleskine series in its entirety,  click here.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 20

I'm 2/3's done! Woo!

To see drawings 1-20 of the Month of the Moleskine series in one place, make your way here.

Ta-ta and happy Saturday!