Little White Flower

During the Thanksgiving break I worked in the studio a pretty good bit.  I'd run down, paint, go do something else, come back, paint.  It was really nice.  I love having a clean studio and a new heater.  For the Naked Art Gallery I went rather small....8" squares.  10 total.  Plus I worked on a bunch for an upcoming show in Nashville this weekend.  I like working small because my simple images tend to work well on a small scale.  I've yet to attempt a large encaustic.  Perhaps that should be a Christmas break goal. 

These 10 should be available online or in the gallery by the weekend.  Check it out: Naked Art Gallery

Have a great Wednesday!!

Widdle Owl

I wasn't going to go there....the owl trend that is.  But then he came to the party and well, I let him stay.  And now I'm making him some friends. 

Inspire

So....let me ask you this.....how do you inspire?

Little Houses

Sometimes studio time is productive.  I like it when that happens.  I'm making a bunch of little paintings for the upcoming Marist Show.  Trying to keep the paintings all under $150.  Be on the look out for more to appear in my instagram feed.  Are you following me??  My username is artsyorange.  After the show I'll be listing them in my etsy shop for those of you too far to come to Altanta for the show.  Woohooo!!

Brick Melting

My schedule is clear....the sketches are made.....it's time to melt the bricks.  I'm really hoping to get into the studio tonight.  I'll let you know how that goes!

Notes on Parenting

I was watching TV recently when one of those overly dramatic Carter's commercials came on.  It was rather lengthy.  You know, one of those tear jerker commercials that makes those that have kids feel gooey inside, those that can't have kids probably feel kicked in the stomach.  What stuck in my head was the last line.  I'm not sure if this is exactly how it went, but it's what I remembered the next day while in church, "the day I became yours is the day you became mine."

So I painted it.    With my favorite flower the daisy.  I've found in my 13 years as a parent that parenting is hard.  It is.  No lie.  There are ebs and flows of good, bad and ugly.  We are in the coasting mode right now with ours.  Ages 11 and 13 they are pleasant enough to be around.  Haha...no really they are.  Now do I wish they'd help out around the house more?  yes.  Do they need to be less "I want, I want, I want."?  yes.  Do I feel like a taxi cab much of the time? yes.  But overall, I'd say the Horne household is a happy, pleasant place to be. 

The day Mailey and William entered our lives they became ours.  Forever.  The day I entered my parent's lives I became theirs forever, and them mine.  Unfortunately my side of the family is no longer intact though.  And despite every effort to be open to this new way of life my heart is beginning to really struggle with it.  I'm feeling less a part of what it means to be a real family and am doing more to please this side and please that side.  And I always feel like a failure.  I'm kinda tired of it.  So after a rather unpleasant encounter I've made a personal decision.  My family....including Mailey, William, Billy and all our 4-leggeds will be first and foremost.  I'm going to stop complaining about being a taxi.  I'm going to teach them how to be better family stewards.  And I'm going to move forward.  Because I can not change the path others are on.  And although they will be mine forever, and I theirs, I do not have to compromise my happiness anymore.  Nor am I going to feel guilty for saying no.  Because the bottom line is who I am in the Horne house will make an impact on who they become later in life.  And I want more than anything in this whole world for my Mailey and my William to look back on their childhood and remember a mother who was kind, nurturing and always there.  They are mine, and I am theirs.  Always. 

Studio Guests

I was painting last week during the night when a few guests came down to see me.  I don't often have guests while working.  It's like the family knows Momma needs some time.  But this night I didn't mind so much.  I mean look at this cuteness!

Allow me to introduce the newest Horne member.  This is Lawrence.  I'll post the story about how we came about getting him later.  I've got to get a few photos of things to complete the story.  I will say he is a little light for our family.  And yes, Lily loves him too.  Whew.  Because we were not giving him back!

Mailey brought Lawrence down to the studio and was sitting on the stool above.  I asked her, as I do anytime she pops in on me, if she wanted to paint.  This time she said yes.  I gave up my seat and let her explore the encaustics I had out while I worked in the other room on the computer.   I kept peeking in on her to be sure she was okay.  She just painted away!   You know, she is one lucky little girl to be exposed to so many art mediums.  How many 11 year olds know how to paint with wax?  Much less normal paints.  She has wicked good hand skills.  I can't wait to see how she grows under another teacher. 

The nest below is what she started.  Mailey is very disciplined about bed time.  In fact she kept asking me, "Mom, what time is it?"  As soon as the clock struck 9PM she was outta the studio.  I can't wait to see the nest finished with the carving tools and oil stick.  I told her we might have to open her an Etsy shop or give her a section in my show tents.  Her collection is growing!

Playing with Wax Again

I realized last week I didn't post one thing really...well except that I wasn't feeling well.  Thus why I didn't post anything.  Duh Jenni.  Still not up to par.  Which kinda freaks me out since there are miles to be run.  No really, miles.  Anyhoo....while under house arrest I was able to finish up the encaustic pendants I started!  Yeah!!

At least once a year I get ants in my pants to create with encaustic.  It's a technique that I learned in an R&F Paints workshop with my friend Valerie (AKA Gillyweed on FB) many moons ago.  She actually instructs waxy workshops at Corner Arts in downtown Newnan if you are ever interested in learning about the medium.

A few years back while in the middle of creating encaustic paintings I had a thought that maybe I could fill tiny bezels with the wax and make jewelry out of them.  I'm always seeking that unique item to sell at shows that won't break your pocketbook (or mine in the making!).  And it worked!  I made a ton, sold a ton and that was it.  Fast forward two years or so and I decided it was time to try again.  You see, I've two holiday shows this year I want to be really successful.  Plus to be honest I want to get that dreadful Etsy shop back up to snuff.  It's just pitiful the attention I pay it.  And after a nice little run with Ebay I've got a little itch to get back.  Little.   

The only thing is the pendants I made 2 years ago I never sealed with anything.  And after the melted painting in the van episode I decided to take drastic measures.  These now have a layer of resin on top. The above one is prior to resin.  It worked great, the pendants are now safe and will not melt hot wax down your cleavage.  Score right?  Unless hot wax down the cleavage is your type of thing.  NO judging.  Ha. 

This one is of course my favorite.  I didn't stamp on too many, but kinda wishing I did looking at this now.  It looks like my tattoo right?  Hmmm...maybe I should add a word when I go to Portland in April?  Oh yeah....BTW I'm teaching at Art and Soul in Portland, OR in April!!  Super excited.  It's April 7th and 8th.  Check out the site:  Art and Soul Retreat.  If you are nearby maybe you can come!!  Mailey will be my side kick.  So if you are going be sure to let me know so we can all hook up for dinner!

Yellow Daisies and Being Amazing

Last week I blogged about trusting instincts and using my creative gifts wholeheartedly.  This past week I was actually able to get into my studio 3 nights.  3 NIGHTS!!  What?  I know.  And run training runs, and fix dinner, and enjoy the family...you get the picture right?  You see, when there is balance there is more.  And not that I got into the studio and made a tent full of art, or enough cuffs to fit an army.  But more than I'd made the day before.  I've let go of the ideal of  more and decided to focus on the simple more. 

I know you are wondering why I made another painting just like last week's (which incidentally was probably 3 years old)...well after I posted that blog post 3 people contacted me and asked if that painting was for sale.  Yeah.  A true sign that I need to make MORE of that kind of painting. 

And although it is quite similar, I did change the words up to say, "be amazing."  I mean why not?  Be amazing that is.  I am most certain that no one wants to be boring, be ordinary or be normal.  Right?

Care Deeply

What is it about our souls that makes us care so deeply and passionately about things?  I can not thank you all enough for being here through all my thicks and thins....for caring about me.  Me.  And most of you have never even met me.  But we are bonded you know.  It's a kindred spirit sort of caring.  It's a connection that many do not "get".   You share my joys, my celebrations, my fears and my struggles.  My words guide many of you through similar stories.  I know, you've told me.  And that just makes me care even more.  I care more about what I write here, what parts of me I share and what parts I reserve for later in our story together. 

Yes, I care deeply and whole heartily about who I am and everyone that continues to amaze me along the journey.  Your stories help make my story richer.  So share.  Reach out and connect, join the circle.

This Lovely

This composition is so simple.  And yet, I love it.  Can not take my eyes off of it.  Yes, this one may be a keeper.......

Your Story

I have always loved the old churches you see along the back roads through Alabama.  In fact, in college I did an entire lithograph series on one particular church I loved....one day I'll dust off the prints and show you!  While taking the photos of this particular church I got stung by a rather large bee.  Ouch!

I love the way the waxy brushstrokes leave a wood carved affect.  Love.  The words say, "this is where their story began".  I've been thinking a lot about how our stories begin.  How we meet people and why.  How people come into our lives and how they leave our lives.   And how they leave an imprint on our hearts.  Billy and I began our story in a church a little like this.  And I am pretty sure it has been the guiding force behind our marriage and all the love that has unfolded over the past 15 years. 
Obviously I am back today, trying to rest and catch up on studio work.   I flew in very early this morning through the most amazing cotton candy clouds I have ever seen.  And watched the sunrise over the endless sea of clouds.  When we broke the clouds to land a gentle snow dusting could be seen for miles.  This site reminded me of how magical life can be.  And how quickly it can change.  I really, really appreciate all of your kind words over the past few days.   I look forward to adding to my story and sharing the chapters here along the way with you.  xo Jenni

Quietness Without Loneliness

I love to read.  I do.  Mostly I read mystery novels, stuff like that.  But when I saw a fellow artsy friend recommend this book, The Creative Habit Learn it And Use it For Life by Twyla Tharp, I immediately scooped it up.  Over the past few weeks I've slowing been absorbing the words that flow effortlessly from her lips.  It has been a very good read for this particular crossroad in my life.  In some of my notes I wrote this Gaelic phrase embedded into the painting below:

I've always been one who enjoyed being alone.  Quietness is an integral part of my happiness and my inner peace.  There are many of you out there that can not stand it.  The quiet, the aloneness, it makes you feel.......lonely.  There is a significant difference between those two however.  And Twyla addresses this very fact on page 31.   And man, she hits it right on the nail. Self-reliance is something I thrive on as a creative person.  And having time to truly be alone and work through my creative process brings such joy to my life.  It fills me.  It makes me whole.  It's a little ironic actually that quietness can play such an important role in such a creative mind.  I suppose being so fulfilled is why I never feel lonely.



A Gentle Spirit

I suppose I should have blogged about this before the JOY posting.  Isn't it funny how we bloggers tend to paint such a "happy life" picture for everyone?  It's easier to share the good, right?  I mean who wants to hear bad stuff?  Certainly not me.  But here's the deal folks.  It has been a roller coaster week.  Seriously.  I literally spent Tuesday and Wednesday in a bit of what one would call a "funk".  Sulked, ate crappy food, drank way too much red wine, and began to feel myself creep into a state of ickiness.  But you know what, with every bad news of 3 usually the most amazing good emerges from the rubble.  It always happens this way for me.  And maybe the bad three come along as a gentle reminder that coasting through life is not an acceptable way to live.  That we must experience the extreme high's and low's to truly appreciate who we are.  And to truly grow as human beings.  Now, I am not saying someone should suffer for me to have something good come out of it.  NO freakin' way would I wish any of the pain these families are experiencing.  But this week has totally made me stop and reflect on many things.  Many.  And yesterday's JOY was spilling over because of  the changes that are around the corner. 

I have a gentle spirit.  I do.  I am as fragile as those two pink flowers above.  And yet.....I am a very strong minded.  I know who I love.  And more importantly I know how to love.  I know how to embrace change.  I recognize when things need to shift.  I recognize when others need space and when they need smothering.  Yes, I am a gentle spirit.  This week will pass, and all those involved will forever be changed. 

A dear friend sent me this and I just have to share it with you.  I printed it out and posted it in my art room.  The words are so beautiful. 

"May today there be peace within.
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.

May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into

your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to

sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us."

Daisy Kind of Day

Encaustic is a very unique technique I have to say.  There are so many ways in which you can manipulate the medium.  Some like to use an iron to create their images, some apply layer upon layer and scrap away to reveal their image, and I....well I like to carve.  Yep.  My concentration in art school was actually printmaking.  I learned all the old world styles of printing, including woodblock cutting.  And it was my favorite by far!  Of course I preferred the buttery linoleum over the wood, but they produced the same type of affect.  So after I've applied the medium and painted all the little sections like a coloring book, I get most exited at the last step, the carving and filling of the lines.  I LOVE the way the brush strokes look like wood cuttings with the oil pastel rubbed into them.  Love.

I am also playing around with adding some fun collage elements to the wax.  I found that fabric works it's way into the texture better than paper.  And since I have oh like 100 pieces of scraps from bird making, it's fun to add that little pop of something extra! 

Well, I've got about 3 more ideas in my head to paint and then it'll be time to put the wax away and get back out the acrylics.  The larger paintings I'll have to do in texture layers and paint.  My patience would wear too thin if I did a large waxy painting.   I hope you have a daisy kind of day at your house!

Rainbow Raindrops

If you are just joining my art journey, then umbrellas and raindrops may seem a bit out of place here.  But one of my favorite subjects awhile back were indeed umbrellas.  I painted many umbrellas actually.  They hold alot of symbolism for me.   I've not painted one since, well.....I get a little teary as I write this.  You see, I sent a friend an umbrella painting card while he was very ill to "guard and protect him from the pain.  an umbrella that would always be waiting when he needed. an umbrella that I would hold if he needed....."  And he kept that card with him, always.  Up until his death I was told.  So I've not painted an umbrella for sometime now.  But as I was playing with some new encaustic paintings ideas I decided it was time.  And boy am I glad I did.  There is so much joy in this little painting.   Two little friends sharing an umbrella as rainbow colored raindrops fall all around them.  

As I continue to prepare for my upcoming Solo Show, I made a simple request of myself.  To let go of fears, to paint in as many mediums as I knew, and to share the love of ALL I do in the studio.  And most of all, to be proud of the end results.  So this show will include acrylics, oil pastel paintings, encaustics, plaster sculptures, mixed media, and jewelry.  Yep.  It's going to be good.  I can feel it.  I promise to share more details about the show later.  But for now, I pass an umbrella on to you. 

Share

Sharing. Sometimes it' really easy, sometimes it's not. But it always feels better after you do. I stamped the sentiment on my blog banner into this waxy painting. It reads, "It's the things we share that remind us we are not alone." So share something today with someone you cherish. Even a silly tid bit. And see just how good it feels.

I love the texture created with this medium...really. It's just yummy. I was about to clean up the skillet and hated to waste all the wax left. So I painted this last one. At first I didn't like it. Once I added the oil stick though, all this amazing texture crept into the foreground. And now it's my favorite.

My sponge and acrylic paper are taking their soaking bath, and the new wood is on the table. I found a bunch of amazing orange, yellow and red paints on sale at Michael's this week. So I have a feeling that my paintings are about to get really warm. I hope to have some new collages to show off tomorrow so check back!

Listen to Your Heart

Have you ever noticed that when you listen to your heart to make a decision it makes your tummy do somersaults? Mine sure does. Lately I've been doing a lot of listening and decision making about life, family, finances, my business and relationships with friends. And boy you'd think there was a circus going on inside me! But seriously, when you make decisions based purely on what your head says is right, sometimes it's a little too black and white. When you listen to your heart to make a decision, it's a bit more painful. And almost always is a longer lasting decision. One that can potentially affect your path from that moment on. Because when you throw in a dash of passion with any decision making, someone always gets hurt....always. So, I guess I've been laying a new path this past week with my hearty decisions. And although I never meant to hurt anyone along the way, sometimes it just happens. And I guess this emotion is coming out in my work. As I sat back last night and studied the new paintings laying out in the studio, and my jewelry, I noticed a common thread. Words are everywhere. And I never put words in my artwork like this. Maybe a cute quote or a little word cut from an old book, but not like this. Large words are masked into the paintings......listen.....nurture....play.....embrace..... inspire... Maybe, just maybe my creative heart has a new voice that really wants to be heard.

Or maybe it's my way of saying something to myself that I wasn't really hearing until right now.

Share Time

So I want to take the time to share a new painting with you! And it's of some of my favorite subjects to paint, birdies and nests. I really like painting with the waxes. I do. And like I said in an earlier post the waxes were staring me down in a jar on the art desk (like $100's worth of staring). But although I love the textures, the smell and the end results of encaustics, I really miss my little mixed media paintings. I am ready to dig out the paper, glue and acrylics. The 3 paintings I finished up though I am really proud of. And intend to list them in Etsy by Monday. So check back to see when. They are all 8x10" framed in salvage wood.

Such a sweet little tweet. She's nurturing her little babies in the nest. The word Nurture was painted using a masking technique.

I hope you have a lovely weekend. Taking it easy and getting my ducks in a row for some new traveling paintings. I see VW campers and vintage trucks on the desk soon!

Art Imitating..... Well ART!

This is one of my favorite paintings I've ever made. There's just something about the layers of color....and of course the little Mattie Bird with a party hat. Who can resist a bird in a party hat? Right? Anyhoo......while making new felted birds this go around, I decided to make some with more embellishments and definitely more personality. A fun Mattie was first on the agenda. I finally found a "Mattie blue" felt at a local craft store. One thing led to another and now we have a 3-D version of "Mattie Turns 30" above. She is sitting on top of a mache box you could fill with a fun Birthday treat or two!

Here's all the little babies I have left to add legs, stands, embellishments, etc. to. Doesn't it look like they are all saying , "Pick me....oooo...ooo...me next....pick me!" Or maybe I am just getting delirious in this art world of mine. I've got 11 completed (which if you follow my blog is twice the number on the SMART goals this week!!), and about 20 to go. What was I thinking?

Well....gotta go. Mr. Green Jeans is in his cage right now not wanting to sit up straight. And I need another glue stick, again. See you next week sometime when I finish up! My fingers are tingling to paint so I am sure there will be some fun compositions to share.