Bird Alert!

Hi there. How are you?

I've been neck deep in art fair prep. All studio time has been spent pumping out new work for my first show of the year. (If you're in the St. Louis area, do come see me at the Art Fair at Laumeier Sculpture Park over Mother's Day weekend.)

I've made a flock of new birds. Well, maybe not a whole flock, but some! I've been having a tough time capturing the actual look of the graph paper on these pieces. It either shows up a little too strong or drops out entirely when I try even out the white balance. Even so, I'm still really liking working on gridded paper and have done most of my new work on triangular isometric paper.

This new collection is a bit more minimalist than those I have done in the past. I'm trying to simplify in my art these days. I have to constantly fight not to over-do things. To read about how I create these birds, click HERE.

All of these new pieces are for sale, but are not listed on Etsy. If you are interested in purchasing, do give me a shout!

Hope things are well and springy in your world. Ta-Ta for now!

P.S. Do you Pinterest? I've got a great "Bird Nerd" board going there. Go see and follow along!

The Evolution of a New Illustration

 

Hi There. How are you?

I had a very successful weekend in the studio and created this lovely little Red-Breasted Nuthatch illustration. I thought it would be fun to share some of the pics I snapped as I worked on this piece,  and walk you through my process.

First off I made a simple drawing of the bird on aqua paper. I worked from a photograph.....I am not one of those artists who can work out of their head! I applied a sheet of sticker paper to the back of the drawing, and then cut the whole thing out and adhered it to the graph paper.

The first bit of ink I add to my bird illustrations is always the eyes. That very quickly brings a drawing to life. I used a black Bic ballpoint pen, a white Prismacolor pencil and a dash of white Sakura Gelly Roll ink in the highlight of the eye. 

I continued to add detail with the ballpoint pen and Prismacolors. I added a little bit of a golden brown to give this cutie his "red belly."

After a spell, (I have no idea how long this took.....I don't really pay attention to the clock when I'm in the art zone) the bird was fully formed. I drew in a branch to have him perch on. 

Once all of the inking is complete, I started playing around with my signature collage elements. As I've mentioned before, this is sometimes the most difficult part of the process for me. I tense up and worry about overworking things. Even now, I second guess...This was kind of cute like this....Why did I change it? 

And voila! All that is left to do now is give the whole thing a few coats of a satin varnish to seal and protect it. This original 8"x8" is available for sale in my etsy shop.

Have a great week friends. Until next time. Ta-ta!

Ink Embellishments and Photographing Neon

Hi there. How are you? As promised, here are the 3 abstracts I started last week, all now embellished with ink. I approached each one a little bit differently.

All that's left to do now is to apply several coats of satin varnish each piece. The varnish protects the paper from UV rays, water, and dirt. I often photograph pieces prior to adding he varnish, as it's slightly reflective quality makes it even trickier to photograph these.

Speaking of photographing, it took me a whole afternoon to get decent photographs of these pieces. It is really difficult to photograph or scan neon hues like the orange I used in these pieces. Cameras and scanners just don't know how to interpret larger than life neon colors.

This is what happens when I scan these pieces. The scanner just washes out the color completely. Yuck! Even with some major color correction in Photoshop, I can't get the colors right.

My digital manual camera does better, but I still have to manipulate the images, and even then they don't look quite right.  Anyone out there have any trick to capturing neon accurately?

Until I figure out the neon game, I guess you'll just have to come and see these pieces in person! My summer art fair schedule is filling up. Here's the tentative schedule of where you can find me this summer. Ta-Ta for now!

My Hometown Art Fair this Weekend!

Hi there. How are you?

I'm excited to be heading my hometown of Rockford, Illinois this weekend for the Greenwich Village Art Fair. This is my favorite fair of the year! Find me in booth 90, right across from the Point Lounge. I will debut some brand new, never before seen pieces at Greenwich. Be excited! I am!

As you may be able to tell, I'm feeling much better and more confident since my last post.  There's been no miraculous improvement in my business, but I've simply realized (again) that I like making art, and I'll continue to make it. Sales will come! Until then, I'm keeping my head down and enjoying the artmaking process. Thanks to all of you for your continued support.

Looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces in Rockford this weekend.  Ta-Ta for now.

Bird Nerd

Hi there. How are you?

This is my brand new piece featuring Matt's favorite bird, the Tufted Titmouse.

Anyone who knows me at all can tell you that birds are about that last possible subject they'd expect me delve into. You see,  I am anything but a "bird nerd." Actually, birds pretty much gross me out, and I've had several traumatic experiences with my feathered foes. There were two different encounters with nests of dead baby birds, I've been crapped on while inside a moving car, and was traumatized by a bird that continually flew into a window at my childhood home. 

So why on earth would I choose birds as a new subject? It has a lot to do with my husband, who has blossomed into a full blown "bird nerd." 

He's built a bird sanctuary outside our living room window.

Birds of all kinds are attracted to the squirrel proof feeder.

I have to admit that I do like to join Matt in his through the window bird watching. They don't freak me out so much when there is glass between me and the birds. I've actually grown fond of the hummingbirds and female cardinals that frequent our feeders. And believe it or not, I'm about to start another bird piece!

"Tufted Titmouse" measures just 5" high by 7" wide and was created with collaged paper, black ballpoint ink and a little touch of rusty orange colored pencil. If you are interested in purchasing this piece, do get in touch!

Do you have a favorite bird you'd like to see me tackle? Please let me know!

Until next time. Ta-ta!

P.S. My blog address has changed! This blog is now a subdomain of  jenniferjohansson.com and lives at blog.jenniferjohansson.com.

The "June 20" are Finally Complete!

"Scratch", 8"x8", collaged paper, black ballpoint ink and white Prismacolor pencil on cradled hardboard, $250.

Well hi there! How are you? Did you miss me?

I'm sorry I've left this blog inactive for such a long time. I just haven't had the time or the will to write.  The bug to blog finally hit again, so here I am!

I'm proud to report that I have finally met my goal of crafting 20 new pieces in the month of June! Well, actually, I made 19 new pieces in June and just got around to #20 (pictured here) this week. Better late than never right? You can see all 20 pieces here.

This new piece is based on a photo I shot out at Scratch Brewery, in Ava, Illinois. Scratch has quickly become one of our favorite places in Southern Illinois.  Out in the middle of nowhere, the Scratch team has built a charming indoor/outdoor tasting room where they brew and serve incredibly tasty beers. Yum! Scratch is filled with all sorts of interesting chairs, so you'll be seeing more pieces based on photos I've shot there.

So let's talk about this new piece. I was immediately drawn to the contrast of the mismatched wooden chairs against the rusty red siding. I had actually photographed this spot on several different trips to Scratch, but finally captured the perfect shot/lighting on our last visit. As my followers know, I'm very drawn to cast shadows, and I liked the shadows these chairs cast onto the siding.

This piece is indeed for sale! I don't tend to list these larger originals on Etsy as they don't sell there, so if you are interested in this one, do shoot me an email.

Do let me know what you think of this new piece! Hope all is well in your world. Ta-Ta!

Finally.....Some New Work!

Well hi! How are you? 
I'm pretty darn excited to have a new piece to show you! It's been a very long time coming.

Making new work has really been on the "back burner" during our home renovation.  Spare time was spent making this place liveable. When I did steal a minute to work on art, I felt guilty for not working on the house. On the other hand, I was also guilty when I wasn't making art, as it really is one of my "jobs."   

Now that we are moved into the new place, and the majority of the renovation is complete, I have finally been able to dedicate some time to artmaking. I just polished off this still untitled work this weekend. This beauty measures 10x8 and was completed with collaged papers, black Bic ballpoint pen, and a dash of colored pencils.

My studio is all set up now and I just ordered a fresh supply of cradled hardboard, so I have no excuses not to work! Please do publicly berate me if you don't see me sharing new things on a regular basis. Really.....berate! Write me messages, call me, post on here on the blog, my facebook, my twitter! I have to keep working. Time is of the essence! My goal is to do a show a month from May-December, and if I'm going to make that happen, I have to be consistently making new work.

So, what do you think of this new piece? Do tell. Any ideas of how to keep myself motivated and working?  And lastly, if you're interested in purchasing this piece, do drop me an email.

See you again here real soon. Promise. Ta-ta for now!

Today's new listing

Hi there! As promised I've got another new fabric print listed for sale on Etsy. 

 This one features an abstract collage that I recently sold.

 It embodies the color palette of my grandmother's house when I was growing up. 

She had 2 different green shag carpets in her house. So 1970's! 

I've had fun photographing these new fabric prints. There is something so rich about autumn light.

To prevent the fabric from fraying, I treat the edges with a strong acrylic fray check.

It works well and helps me keep my cost low on these prints. 

Don't forget - use code EARLY20 at checkout and receive 20% your entire purchase in my etsy shoppe.   

Hope you're having a great day. 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.

Travel Inspired Art

Hi again. How are you? Can you believe it's "Back to School" time already? Most schools here in southern Illinois will be back in session next Monday.  Since school is in the air, it seemed appropriate to share this piece today.

"In the Moment" measures 8"x10" and was created with collaged paper, a black ballpoint pen, and colored pencils on cradled hardboard.  Followers of this blog might recognize this piece, as it was based on a photograph that I shared a few weeks ago. This is one of my most favorite images from my Kenya trip and was taken during the Kid's Club that we helped to run at Raila School. (Read more about the trip here.)

The 7th grade boy I depicted (unfortunately I can't remember his name) was so involved in his artwork that he didn't even budge as I snapped away. I loved the way the light streamed through the ornate window panes and created a pattern on the table top. I was also drawn to the pop of green in the composition, supplied by the baseball cap. (My father-in-law brought brightly colored hats for all of the kids we worked with. They were a big hit!)

If you missed yesterday's blog post, check out another new figurative work here. 

Thanks for stopping! Ta-Ta for now.

Etsy Updates!

"Unwind" 8" x 8" archival print

Hi! How are you? Can you believe it's almost August?

It's been busy around here.  My stepson Jack has been staying with us, so we've been taking lots of little side trips around Southern Illinois. We also took a week long trip up to Rockford and Wisconsin, saw a concert, and had an art show. (More about the art show later.)

My long neglected Etsy shoppe is finally getting a facelift. I'll be slowly adding new prints and originals to the mix.  My newest addition is "Unwind", an 8" x 8" archival print of a piece I sold earlier this summer.

Doesn't this print just scream "dog days" of summer?  Bring a little bit of summer nostalgia to your home year round by hanging this print on your wall.  (Those cold, dark, winter days will be here before you know it!)

Thanks for looking! Enjoy the last day of July. Are you doing anything exciting in these "dog days" of summer? Do share.

Ta-ta for now. 

Off I Go!

"A Porch in Paducah | 8"x10" mixed media on cradled hardboard | 2012 | $300

Hi there! How are you?  Did you have a nice weekend?

I just finished up this piece today. This chair sat on the porch of an art gallery in the Lower Town Arts District in Paducah (The location of my last art fair.)  I shot a photo of this lovely vintage metal chair with my trusty I-Phone.  Metal chairs get me all nostalgic...My grandparents had a pair in kelly green in their yard for ages. I wonder what happened to those?

This is the last piece I'll do for a while as I'm heading to Kenya and Budapest with Matt's family this weekend!!! Though I am excited about this trip, I can't deny that I'm also a little nervous about it. You see Matt is not coming with us as he couldn't get the time away from work. We'll be apart for almost 2.5 weeks and I'll be missing our anniversary (he's never going to let me live this down) and Father's day. We've never been apart this long....I don't know what I am going to do with myself! I know once I get there I'll be just fine. I adore the Johnson clan and we have some incredible experiences ahead of us! I will be sure to share pictures and stories here upon my return. 

While I am away, my etsy shoppe will remain open, but anything purchased will be shipped out after June 26. If there is something that you just can't live without, there's still time! Purchase between now and Wednesday, and I'll ship it to you now, and if you head over to my Facebook Fan Page, you can find a sweet discount code!

Ta-Ta for now.

Back on Track

Greetings friends!

I'm happy to report that I've regained my art "mojo" and I'm back to work.

This was the piece that sent me into a tailspin last week. I just couldn't get things right!  But, after a little time away I was able return to this piece and and make it work.  In the end, I'm happy with the way it turned out.

"here to stay." measures 9"x12" and will be for sale at the Lower Town Arts Festival in Paducah, Kentucky this weekend.  (There was a nice little feature about me on the festival website this weekend that you can read here.)  I'm feeling pretty ready for this show.....Just trying to pump out another small piece or two before it starts on Friday.

Back to work...Ta-Ta for now!

Finding the "Spark"

 
Hey there internet pals. How are you?

I spent my day working on this piece, and man, I'm glad that's over with! For the last few days, the work has not come easily. Every cut, paste and mark is a struggle. I'm constantly second guessing myself and I'm lacking the confidence that I normally possess in my creative process.

I'm not sure exactly how I got into this little artist funk, but I do know it will pass. I just need to give myself a little time, a little space...... Not be so hard on myself. And soon, I'll find that "spark" again.

So, friends, what do you do when you're in an artistic slump? Do you muscle through? Walk away? Seek inspiration? Where? Do share.

Ta-Ta for now.

* I was just about to post this entry, when I came across my artist/teacher buddy Tabatha Dougherty's blog entry for the day.  The work came easy to her today, and she's "sparking" in a big way! 

Summer Hues

Happy Sunday Funday friends!

Summer has arrived in Southern Illinois.  The summer clothes and flip flops are out. The AC has been going full blast for days and at 9am it's already 81 degrees!

All this sun and heat inspired the color palette of this little cutie.  "Fun" measures just 4"x4" and was created on a tiny cradled hardboard. 

Ta-Ta for now. 

right here.

Greetings and salutations friends.

After yesterday's disappointing news, I decided to get right back up on the "horse" and make some more art.

"right here." measures 6"x6" and was created with collaged paper, a Bic ballpoint pen and a little bit of white colored pencil. I'm not going to list this piece on Etsy quite yet as I'll be bringing it to the Lower Town Arts and Music Fair in Paducah in a few weeks. If you're interested in it, do contact me soon! 

Ta-Ta for now.

Roll with it

Hi.

I finished this piece up yesterday and it's title (Roll with it) has gained some new significance today. I just learned that I was not accepted into the MFA program at SIU. No grad school for me in the fall. I can't say that this rejection doesn't sting a bit, but I'm trying not to let it get me down.

I do have some thinking to do....... I was hoping that an MFA degree might eventually lead to a collegiate level teaching position. I have no desire to return to the K-12 art teaching world. So now what?

I do quite enjoy my current job, working in the art department at a trade show display/ graphic design company. However, I'm unsure if this will ever become a full time gig. I'm also pouring myself into summer art fairs, trying to see if this is a viable and profitable avenue for me to pursue. With booth and application fees, I'm worried that it's a wash.

I know that my next career move must be something creative. But that's all I know. Guess I'll just have to "Roll with it."

Embracing my new Swedish Family

Happy Monday friends! I've been enjoying a quiet day in the studio. They've been few and far between lately, so I'm really trying to make the most of it.

If you hadn't already guessed it when I took my husband's name (Johansson), I married a Swede. For our wedding, we received a small wooden Dala horse, an icon of Swedish folk art. Matt has been asking me for some time now to make something  Dala, so here it is!

I made "Dala" here as a baby gift for some Swedish friends of ours and I made a duplicate to bring with me to the Lower Town Arts and Music Fest in Paducah in a few weeks. I don't know how many Swedes live in these parts, but know this piece would go over big in Rockford, where at least half the population is of Swedish descent.

I'd love to make similar "folk art" pieces that reflect my Irish and Italian heritage. I'm thinking a 4-leaf clover or claddagh for the Irish, but I have no ideas for the Italian side Any suggestions out there? I'd love to hear them.

Have a great week. Ta-Ta for now.

Mary's Chair

Happy Monday friends! I'm not feeling as motivated as I usually am on a Monday. Maybe it's the gray of day.

I just finished up piece #4 in my Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum commission. This chair is found upstairs in Mary's (Mrs Tinker) quarters. I used quite a bit of colored pencil in this piece to create the highlights and shadows.

I was worried that the pink of the "wallpaper" was going to clash with the orange tone of the "wood" paper, but I think those pops of yellow colored pencil help to pull it together.

To see all of the pieces I've created so for Tinker so far, check out my Flickr page. 

I'm off to the gym to work off all of the yum food we ate this weekend while my momma visited.  Ta-ta for now!

Along the Line

Ciao, Ciao friends.

I just finished this up today. "Along the Line" measures 14 3/4 inches by 22 inches and was created with collaged paper and Bic pen on watercolor paper.  Just like my last piece, this one was inspired by my Arthouse Sketchbook Project entry, also entitled "Along the Line." See the whole book here.

This is the last piece that I will include in MFA portfolio. I plan to have the whole application in the mail tomorrow! Yahoo!  Feels great to cross that off the list. 

Next, I'll get back to my Tinker Swiss Cottage commission.

Ta-Ta for now!