Painting #103 Quilted Fields

Day 103 and painting 103... see, all is normal despite the slight restructuring I outlined in my last post...  I've been quite busy today!  Along with all the blog posts I posted today, I also designed new business cards (they are super stylish.... photos coming as soon as I get them printed!)  and worked on a few new marketing ideas (top secret stuff).

I really love this painting!!!  The inspiration for it actually came during a church service about a year and a half ago... so I guess it is a divinely inspired painting.  And, yes, I was paying attention.  I start with a crazy, abstract line drawing right on the masonite, then start filling in the shapes with complimentary colors.  I chose various shades of greens and yellows for this one which is why it looks like a landscape.   It reminds me of lovely, lush fields, full of different crops.  I love flying over the mid-west;  such a beautiful quilted painting as far as the eye can see...

This is a 12x16 oil painting and will be in my Etsy Shop first thing in the morning!

Goodnight!

I didn't foresee myself painting a barn this year.  I wasn't actually apposed to it at all!  After all... my family does live in barn paradise...  I just didn't really think about it until, one day, I received this beautiful landscape/barn portrait in my email (along with breathtaking mountain views, and a close up of a wild BEAR! coming soon.)  You may remember a loooooong time ago, that I painted a scene of Montana on a small block of wood.  This painting was meant to coordinate loosely with that painting.  

This painting is much larger (12x16) and is painted on masonite, for easy framing and a sturdy surface.

Since the inspiration photo was emailed to me (which, by the way, YOU are more than welcome to do!) I'm going to give the sender a chance to buy this painting before putting it on my Etsy Shop.  But, there are several lovely painting there if you are feeling the oh-so-common art hunger.    

Check back this evening for a very important announcement!  

Painting #101 Louisiana Sana Oil Sheen

Well. finally...  Painting #101 is making it's appearance.  I'm so sorry about the lag.  I've been fighting off a cold that has made me so tired!  I've actually been painting all the time, but when I sat down to post the painting at night, I just felt so exhausted.  But, here it is!  I painted a scene that I would never really ant to go see...  it's a southern, marshy lake, and I'm sure there's an alligator there.  I hate alligators more than pretty much anything.  But!  I loved the colors, the textures, the lighting, and the mood of the painting.  I used a lot of oil paint to create the very tactile trees and water.  Please, when you receive this painting, feel free to touch it!  Painting are not for eyes only...   

That being said, check out my Etsy page if you would like to feel and see this painting everyday in your house.  EmilyJeffords.etsy.com

Framing Brilliance

Let's start with my personal favorite...  wide white mat, simple, high quality, black frame, (photo, thanks to Living etc.)   This style looks great with watercolor paintings, photographs, mixed media collages, oil and acrylic paintings in unwrapped canvas (meaning, without the thick, wooden frame), and drawings of all sorts.  

These three lovely photos (and the three bellow) were found on the Black.White.Yellow blog (talk about inspiring eye candy!)

Similarly, wide white mat, white frame.  Chic, simple, minimalistic, and very romantic. 

This style really allows the artwork to stand out. 

Another option is no frame at all!  This can look great with a nice, thick canvas, or a painting on wood with a wooden box frame nailed to the back.  Simple, and stunning.  With this style (or lack thereof,) it's all about the artwork.  I found this beautiful seen on the Neutral Dwelling Blog.

Painting #99 Moss

So, Dan and I got back from Atlanta quite late last night.  We had such a great time.  It was odd not having Annalisa (our 9 month old daughter) there with us, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  I'll post some photos soon!  

And yes, I did paint in the car!  I didn't finish the painting in the car, but progress was made there...

But first, painting #99 (!) which I loving titled moss.  I love finding little patches of moss growing in the garden.  It's such a beautiful, lush green, and feels like nature's organic velvet.  I love the organic shades along side the geometric shapes in this painting.  It is dramatic, but not harsh.  Warm grey, bright greens, and deep blues are turning into my favorite colors...  I think they sing beautifully together in this painting.  You can buy this 16x12 oil painting for your space on my Etsy Shop: EmilyJeffords.etsy.com

Painting #98 Before the Clouds Dry Out

I'm pretty excited...  tomorrow my husbands and I are celebrating his birthday!  We're taking a day trip to Atlanta, going to the Coke Museum, Ikea, a few design shops and out to eat at the most incredible looking restaurant - Dolce Enoteca e Ristorante!  I hope it tastes as wonderful as it looks (photos below).  We're going to enjoy ourselves.  It will be the first time I've been away from my baby girl, Annalisa, for a whole day.  I'm going to miss her (but enjoy some one-on-one time with my hubby too.)

So... in order to have a day off tomorrow, I've been painting like a crazy person.  However, only one painting got totally done.  But that's ok.  The other painting is a watercolor, so I'll just take it with me in the car!  ...we'll see how that turns out...  

This oil painting is a depicting that eerie moment right before a huge storm.  I just love that energetic calm; as if you know someone is sneaking up on you, but trying to be very quiet.  

In Greenville, it gets very warm, as if the clouds are giving you a warm blanket hug before dumping their contacts on the earth.  I love the colors, the brush strokes, and the drama of the sky.  

This painting is 16x12 inches and would look stunning in a dark wood, black, or even lux gold frame.  It of for sale on my Etsy Shop, and should really not be there... it should be in your home.  Let's be honest, your home needs a little art.  

See you on Sunday!

Painting #97 Italian Sea Scape

This beautiful 12x16 oil painting can be found on my Etsy Shop: EmilyJeffords.etsy.com

It is a rustic, romantic, earthy, painting of Italy!  I haven't been to Italy - YET.  But, I've lived very, very close to it in Tunisia Africa.  I think if my eye sigh were just a little bit better, I could have seen it from across the Mediterranean sea.  But alas...  I must paint what my own eyes have not seen...  

You however, can still enjoy it as much as I do.  It was a lot of fun to paint the sky and water.  It looked so magical and the building and structures added that Tuscan old-world feel.  Showcase this oil painting in a rustic dark wood frame, and your house instantly look stylish, rustic, and romantic.   

Painting #95 WV Landscape

Have you ever noticed how wonderful America is?  We had our primary elections today which means we got to vote!  How cool is that?  Now, maybe you chose not to take advantage of that... but you were able to (and you better vote in November!)  

Our land is incredible too.  What other country can offer such a huge variety of landscapes?  You can drive for a few hours and be in a completely different world (the beautiful poppy fields in North Carolina, to the majestic mountains of Colorado, go a little south and you're in the desert, a little north and there's snow, east and the sky is so huge above the wheat fields that you realize just how tiny you really are.)  I am so glad that I'm an American.  

Don't get me wrong, I love other countries!  I grew up in other countries!  But I'm really glad my birth certificate says I belong here.  

This landscape painting is very special.  A lady from Virginia asked me to paint it as an anniversary gift to her husband.  They've been married 20 years!  That's awesome.

Her husband, his father, and brothers, get together each year for their annual fishing trip.  Now, I'm not really that into fishing... but I can see why spending some time in this atmosphere would be rejuvenating.  How beautiful!

I hope he loves it!

Check back tomorrow for a very sweet painting.  I'm honored and excited to paint it! 

Of course, my Etsy Shop is open 24/7!  Check out EmilyJeffords.etsy.com if your house needs a little artistic flair.  

Painting #94 Fields of Gold

Do you ever have a song stuck in your head, and you're not really sure where it came from, or all the words, but it's so beautiful you won't want it to leave?  Usually, I hate the song that is stuck in my head, and do any number of crazy things to get rid of it (turn up another song super loud... whenever I start singing it, pinch myself... scream at someone else if they dare to start it up again...)

But, for the past few days, I've had "Fields of Gold" imbedded in my subconscious, and I love it.  In fact, when I think about it, I'm sure it inspired this painting.  I had been humming it when trying to decide that to paint today.  And here we have it!  "Fields of Gold" - the painting.  It's a 16x12 inch oil painting on masonite wood.  I love the radiance of the sky, the impressionistic hues and brushstrokes, and the sheer greeness of it.  

You can find this painting on my Etsy site: EmilyJeffords.etsy.com

You'll remember me when the west wind moves 

Among the fields of barley

You can tell the sun in his jealous sky 

When we walked in fields of gold 

So she took her love for to gaze awhile 

Among the fields of barley 

In his arms she fell as her hair came down 

Among the fields of gold 

Will you stay with me will you be my love 

Among the fields of barley 

And you can tell the sun in his jealous sky 

When we walked in fields of gold 

I never made promises lightly 

And there have been some that I've broken 

But I swear in the days still left 

We will walk in fields of gold 

We'll walk in fields of gold 

Painting #91 Why They Call it G-ville

Wow, what a day...   For starters, I didn't paint today!  (well, at least not very much  I just did a little touch up.)  Secondly, we did so much yard work, I got blisters.  But, the yard look GREAT!  I created a few more lovely pant arrangement in pot I gathered from all corners of the yard (there are more than four corners, so I had a lot to work with!)  I'll post photos of them tomorrow.  Another odd event of he day:  Dan and I didn't finish dinner until after 11:00!  How romantic...  

Greenville is so beautiful this time of year...  Which is why I felt so inspired to paint this painting!  It looks like the earth is glowing, or at least completely saturated with the happiness of color.

It is an 12x16 inch oil painting.  This painting is large enough to make a real statement on your wall.  It would look so great framed in a black wooden frame, or you could go all baroque and dress it up with a gold ornate frame (come on, almost every home needs a little dramatic grandeur in at least one spot).  That is totally up to you, and I trust that you will make a fabulous decision.  

Check out my Etsy shop for this, and other lovely paintings.  

By the way, let me just say that if you would like me have a frame made for your painting I will be more than happy to help you coordinate the perfect frame and matte (if needed) for your painting.  Just ask me!  

Painting #82 Water Lily

When I was 16 I was able to see Manet’s Water lilies oil painting live and in person. I got as close to that painting as my bonds would let me. I remember leaning over those horrid red velvet ropes to examine all the little color variation… and (somewhat embarrassing) to see if I could smell the paint. I was in my own little painting heaven. I’m sure the guards were watching my very closely, ready to pounce if I went any further. I wanted so badly to touch it! Paintings are meant to be felt as well as seen! (Please, when you get one of my paintings, don’t be afraid to feel it!)

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not comparing my water lily painting to THE Water Lily painting! I would never dream of doing that! About the only things they have in common are subject matter and oil paint!

I do think it’s very important to glean knowledge and perspective from other artists, especially great ones!

One of the hardest, and most instructive, projects I did in college was paint “after a master”. What a great way to pin point my strengths and weaknesses!

Shameless plug: If you live in the Greenville area, and want to get better (or begin) painting, consider taking a class I’m teaching this summer! “Painting Like The Masters”. We’re going to look at famous artists and create 2-3 paintings using their style. This is a great way to learn to paint or to dramatically improve your skills. Email me if you would like more info! I’d love to have you there (you obviously already have a good eye, because you’re on my blog…. j/k).

Check out my Etsy shop for this and other paintings!