100 days

Posted on April 3, 2018 | 10 comments

So it begins again…

This is my second year participating in the 100 day project, hosted by Elle Luna .  If you are not familiar with this project, it is open to anyone, the goal of project is to create or do anything you want for 100 days. You can share your progress on Instagram using the special hashtag #The100dayproject.  ( it is never too late to join in)

This year I will create an illustration for 100 songs, my only limit is color. You can follow my 100 day journey on Instagram @ Jensimaginings   #100DaysOfSongsIllustrated

The reason behind my theme choice, I wanted the challenge of telling a story through my art..

My first song inspiration: Suitcase Full of Sparks, by Gregory Alan Isakov

Materials: Recycled cardboard, chipboard, cut paper, graphite, charcoal and one color.

 

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“Traveling through the graveyard with a suitcase full of sparks honey, Im just trying to find my way to you.”

 

 

 

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In the neighborhood

Posted on March 14, 2018 | 14 comments

I am everywhere and nowhere..

Creatively speaking I hit a rough patch recently,  I arrived at the point without a desire to create and my attempts to paint went awry.  Refraining from beating myself up over this dry spell (ok I admit to a small temper tantrum), I decided to make an effort to do other things. A brisk walk around the neighborhood is one of my favorite things to do to clear my head.  On occasions I would take time to observe, photographing interesting things  along the way.

One of the images I photographed was an old house in the neighborhood which I have passed many times. I always admired the structure and unique ornate features of the house. This image was the spark to start me off on my little painting adventure.

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Always fascinated with the stories behind the facade but alas the only information I could find on this old house was the date it was built, 1896.

 

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9″x12″  acrylic paint and graphite on wood panel

 

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I’ve been using a sta-wet palette, it helps keep my paints from drying out.

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Painting of the trees

Progression of painting

 

Thanks for stopping by and letting me take you on my little creative journey.

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Nature of the city

Posted on November 1, 2017 | 9 comments

A collection of my landscape and cityscape paintings will be on display at The Cedars House, a quaint cafe in the woods of Philadelphia. The cafe is a favorite haunt of mine, when hiking the trails in Fairmount Park or sketching in nature.  My paintings are on display now through December.

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The Cedars House, 200 W Northwestern Ave, Phila., PA 19118

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Painting process of the Manayunk Trail Bridge

 

Thank you for viewing

 

Want to explore Philadelphia’s park & trails, follow the links below:

Wissahickon Valley Park Trail 

Valley Green

Day hiker map

Manayunk Trail Bridge

 

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100 Day Finale

Posted on October 9, 2017 | 4 comments

100 Day Project 

A little late on the draw posting the images, but I finally completed all 100 days of art this past August.

My theme for this project 100 Days Of Cookie Cat, all cat illustrations were completed on 5×5″ format (140 lb watercolor paper), using a variety of mediums.

You can view the beginning stages of art #1-30 on my previous blog post 

#31-60

 

#69-100

 

Visit @JensImaginings on Instagram to view the collection of 100 Day art or use hashtag: #100DaysOfCookieCat

Thank you for stopping by!

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Summer Creativity with Coffee Filters

Posted on July 13, 2017 | 2 comments

jennifer barrile

A lazy summer day,  a box of art supplies an idea and a few fun hours spent being creative. A homemade wreath made from coffee filters, is a simple idea using a few supplies. From a distance you won’t notice this was made from coffee filters. My daughter had so much fun making this project.

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All the supplies we used.

I decorated  the filters with markers  and my 7 year old used pencil crayon  which created a softer look. After coloring the filters we layered two filters together using a dab of glue in the center of one filter and layered the other filter on top with a little scrunching it looked more like a flower.

I used an old square cork board, and thumb tacks to hold each flower in place. We began to place our finished flower filters (not being too neat) covering entire cork board, next we attached…

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Thirty illustrations

Posted on May 5, 2017 | 14 comments

On the surface it may seem I just breezed through thirty 5×5″ cat illustrations, but in reality it can be comparable to Cookie cat trying to squeeze into a small space on a chair her human occupies..

Life goals!

30/100     5×5″ cold press watercolor paper.. Mixed media – graphite, acrylic, watercolor

 

Quick view of all 30 illustrations..

 

Thank you for viewing!

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100 days

Posted on April 7, 2017 | 4 comments

This week was the start of the 100 day project on Instagram . The challenge is the process of creating something everyday for 100 days, any style, shape, medium of your own choosing..  If you are interested in joining the challenge visit Elle Luna  for all the details.

Many moons ago I attempted a challenge, creating mixed media art everyday for 100 days but unfortunately I fell short. This year my goal is to accomplish 100 artworks of my cat Cookie #100DaysOfCookieCat .  I will be working on 5×5″ watercolor cold press paper utilizing any medium.

1/100  watercolor markers

2/100  The watering hole… watercolor & graphite

3/100 Rainy days…. Watercolor and graphite

If you would like to view more of my cat art, follow me on Instagram

A little backstory.. We adopted Cookie 2 yrs ago from Spay and Save, Inc.  The moment my daughter met Cookie, she knew the cat would be perfect for our family. My daughter was correct, Cookie is a wonderful cat, quirky, boisterous, loving, sweet natured, and a great cuddle buddy.. When anyone is visibly sad or cries Cookie will appear to comfort that person and sometimes she will run over to the person to give a kiss on the cheek.. true story! 

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Plein air

Posted on March 21, 2017 | 9 comments

The East Coast experienced many mild weather days this winter, which drew me out of my studio hibernation to paint in nature.  Once upon a time my outdoor painting would consist of small watercolor sketches or pencil drawings. This time around I decided to try quick paintings using acrylic paint and graphite on paper, spending about 45 min to an hour on each painting.

A recent purchase and a new love, the Sta-Wet handy palette, helped make outdoor painting easier. This palette box preserves paints for an extended period of time.. The smaller version was easy to transport and keep paint fresh. My preference of paint brush is more scrubby in texture, short bristle brushes..  Sometimes you just have to make adjustments, when you can’t find what you need, I gave my brushes a hair cut..

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Since I am painting on paper, I don’t need an easel, just a hard surface to paint on.. Most of the time I use picnic tables in parks, and or invert the lid to my sat-wet palette to place my paper on. Working small 8″x 10″ or smaller means less paint needed.

Reserve your time in nature……

Supplies I bring for outdoor painting: Reusable bag to transport my supplies, water bottle, water cup (I use an empty yogurt container) brushes, pencil, pre-cut watercolor paper (small various sizes) rag, clips (to hold paper together) Palette fully loaded with paint colors (I try not to bring extra tubes of paint) large ziplock bags to package up my palette and any loose materials. I use a rubber band to wrap around my palette to keep it from accidentally opening in transport.

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Hello

Posted on February 22, 2017 | 8 comments

Oh hello darling,  I miss you..

Yes I have been neglecting you old buddy, missed out on your ever changing landscape, your colorful words, exquisite taste of imagery, and inspiring ways.. You always had something new to say and I can always find an adventure or two at my fingertips…

Forgive me darling, my attention played on other playgrounds, it kept me away from hanging out with you..  I couldn’t resist your algorithm charm, I knew one day this gal would return to you with a spark of enthusiasm…

Have you missed me..WordPress?  … huh?

Oh your silence is cruel..

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My choice of play has been Instagram, and Facebook but I did miss writing…  My goal this year is to get back to writing and posting regularly.. I really did miss reading my favorite bloggers posts, such a great community of talented inspirational people on WordPress.

Illustration: pencil on paper

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Day 9 The climb

Posted on November 10, 2016 | 2 comments

Visiting this post again, I remember this day so clearly. A beautiful calm hike, in quiet observation of my surroundings.

jennifer barrile

My sketch was inspired by nature. I enjoyed a beautiful hike today with friends and while observing my surroundings, I noticed what looked like polka dots dancing on the tall branches of a bare tree. My interpretation on the traveling dots.

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watercolor & pencil on paper

#aedm2014

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