Reflection of inspiration

| jennifer barrile

The pursuit.

My favorite pastime is browsing antique shops and thrift stores looking for unique items, especially frames that will inspire a new creation.  During one of my thrifting adventures, I discovered a small golden mirror. The mirror was in great condition and perfectly suited for experimenting. 

 

 

About a week later I finally decided to paint directly onto the mirror. 

 

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 A photograph captured during one of my visits to  Norristown Farm Park,  with family was the inspiration for the mirror. It is always a pleasure to be out in nature, walking the trails and exploring the beautiful surroundings.

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Photograph captured by my daughter using a Canon Rebel T7

My process:

I painted directly onto the lower portion of the mirror using acrylic paint and allowing for the top of mirror to be exposed. Short strokes with thin layers of acrylic paint was the key to painting on this surface.  When completed the artwork was sealed with a clear finish.  

I was pleased with the look and feel of artwork, it was as if this mirror was made for this image. 

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A painting feels that much more special when adorned with a unique frame.

 This little gem made a debut at my recent art exhibit for the month of February and excited to say it has recently sold!  Yay!  Glad the art will be heading off to a new home. 

 

Thank you for visiting! 

 

 

 

The art of an exhibit

| jennifer barrile

 

My paintings, art jewelry and prints are currently on display at the William G. Rohrer Memorial Library, Haddon Twp. Branch, New Jersey.  This wonderful library allows a different artist each month to showcase their art.

 

Preparation for this month long exhibit was the motivating force to frame my favorite paintings on paper, a collection of cityscapes and landscapes .

 

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My art desk, a glorious creative mess! It was a whirlwind week of creative inspiration. Painting new art for the show and re-working older art to make something new.

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Dream * Explore * Imagine 

(the inspiring words written around the library)

 

 

Display case filled with hand painted art jewelry and prints.

The Frida Kahlo collection

One-of-a-kind, mixed media art, hand painted with decorative paper accents layered and sealed within a metal pendant.

 

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Landscape necklaces

Each unique pendant is hand painted and sealed with a gloss varnish

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A mix of canvas art and framed paintings.

 

The inspiration for my landscape paintings are from places in around Philadelphia and New Jersey.

 

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This was a wonderful experience!

I have to give thanks to the library for hosting my work and to my fabulous sister for helping me with the installation.

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All work in the show including jewelry and prints available for purchase.

For inquiries email:  Jenniferbarrile@gmail.com

Etsy shop @JensImaginings

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My art will be on display at the library until February 28, 2020

For more information about the library:

William G. Rohrer Memorial Library
Haddon Township Branch
15 MacArthur Boulevard
Phone: (856) 854-2752
Monday-Thursday, 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Friday & Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Closed Sunday

Painting in the new year

| jennifer barrile

Happy 2020!

The months before the new year you’ll find me painting backdrops and signs for the Philadelphia Mummers Parade on New Years Day. (The parade is in its 120th year)

Always a celebration when I finish with time to spare! Wishing everyone a wonderful year ahead, Happy New Year!

Club sign

Beginning stages. Always reuse and paint over last years panels. Painting three large panels to create an underwater scene.

Thank you for stopping by!

The Philadelphia Mummers Parade.

Fifteen

| jennifer barrile

Some days feel like they are frozen in time and other days seem to be on fast forward.. My not so little girl is 15 today, and on this day I wonder how we got here..

My daughter has always been my muse over the years.. So I will share a few of my favorite drawings and paintings I created..

HApPy 15th Birthday 🎂

Thanks for visiting!

One with art

| jennifer barrile

An art play date….

On a sunny November afternoon,  I was gathering with friends for brunch and an excursion to Old City , Philadelphia to visit art galleries. It is always an adventure spending time with a creative bunch of woman, and talented artists.  Inspired by the day, I created art around my observations.

 

One with art. 5×7″ (Ink, graphite, watercolor on cold press paper) Inspired by the Stanek gallery, exhibition Disrupted Realism

 

 

Creative conversations  (watercolor, graphite on cold press paper)

Inspired by the Muse gallery exhibition; Look Me In The Eye, portraits of homelessness

 

 

 

 

Caught my eye. 5×7″ ( acrylic paint, watercolor, graphite on cold press paper)

Outdoor view from inside gallery of The Center for Art in Wood  looking out the window.

 

Don’t forget to check out the wonderful art exhibitions currently on view at the galleries, visit the websites:

A guide to galleries in Old City

The Center for Art in Wood

Muse gallery exhibition;

Stanek gallery, exhibition

Mini adventures

| jennifer barrile

A Saturday afternoon excursion.

I just love mini adventures, a day trip to someplace new.  While visiting a farm with the family in New Jersey, I discovered a wildlife refuge a short distance away. The Edwin B. Forysthe National Wildlife Refuge was a great discovery and well worth the time to stop and check it out.

My family and I spent time walking through the marsh area, we traveled along the boardwalk, observed wildlife and we drove along an 8 mile loop through the wetland.

I created a few small paintings from the photographs I captured on our visit.. Let me take you on a little journey…….

 

 

A walk along the gravel pathway I stopped to observe the lone trees.  I enjoyed the slender shape trunks and bushy foliage of the tree tops. The October sun smiled warmly on us, surrounded by the quiet of nature, while the air danced softly with the tall grass.

(tall grass tall trees. 5×7″ painting on paper: watercolor, acrylic paint on 140 lb coldpress paper)

 

We walked along a gravel pathway that led to a long stretch of boardwalk over the wetland. All was still, the sun sparkled on the water, you could hear the soft chatter of birds and the buzz of insects flying around. Across the the marsh, there was a glimpse of the Atlantic City skyline in the distance.

(My husband & daughter observing the water. painting on paper, acrylic on 140 lb coldpress paper)

 

The best part of this wildlife refuge was an 8 mile loop car ride around the marsh area. The views were stunning, we stopped a few times along the way to take in the sights and climb a look out tower.

(The 8 mile loop, 5×7″ painting on paper: acrylic paint on 140 lb coldpress paper)

 

Photograph: wetlands with Atlantic City skyline in the distance.

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The look out tower with a telescope, magnificent views!

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This was beautiful and peaceful place, I didn’t want to leave!..

 

For more information visit the website:

Edwin B. Forysthe National Wildlife Refuge

800 Great Creek Road
Galloway, New Jersey 08205

Visit anytime of the year, sunrise to sunset:

The seasons of wildlife at the refuge  

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Old items are new again

| jennifer barrile

In search of….

I love to haunt my local thrift store and flea market for odd or unique items to use with my art.  A recent trip to an outdoor flea market led me to purchase an unusual shaped frame that housed a mirror. I was intrigued by the mystery of the narrow rectangular shape, I knew it deserved a moody painting to adorn it…

This was my process:

 

The mirror

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Mirror deconstructed

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My first attempt to paint was a FAIL, so I began a second painting.

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Second painting,  I used acrylic paint, with iridescent silver, and ink with gesso on chip board

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Cleaned frame, added a new hanger before adding the artwork. (see full image below)

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Haven

Refuge from this wild life

I reserve a place in the hearth of the soul

The place I haunt only in dreams

Dark of night

Silver shadows take flight

Feel the moment

Quiet..

whispers all around

just the sounds of wildlife

 

-Jennifer Barrile

 

Thanks for visiting!

 

 

 

 

Begin again

| jennifer barrile

It has been almost a year since I wrote my last blog post.  Writing, I realized is something I’ve been missing, and now I decided to begin again with a weekly post, sharing my art, process, creativity or inspiration. My goal in this process of writing blog posts, is to hopefully add a little something special to someone else’s day… even if just for amusement.

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self portrait, watercolor, ink and graphite 

 

Once upon a time there was a creative soul who could not pick up a brush to paint or a pencil to draw.  The lady was distraught and thought a curse was put upon her heart to never create again.  A mini temper tantrum ensued after weeks of not making, but a little spark of inspiration guided her to just play. So the child came out to play, she played games, she played with art supplies, she doodled, she painted and made a big mess. Feelings of joy emerged which included a better outlook for her days.  Slowly breaking free from the curse of the creative slump. This creative soul realized it was alright to take a break from making art, and to refresh your mind by trying new things.  Something most important,  always be kind to yourself..

 

 

Thank you taking the time to read my post.