Limiting the use of color allowed me to focus on the texture and mood of this painting.
Sail into peace. 6 x 8 in., painting on paper, cobalt blue and acrylic white paint with graphite and ink line
Have a peaceful week ahead.
Unlimited one color
The story behind a painting
A glimpse into my painting process and story behind this commission.
Memories.
A few months ago I received an inquiry for a special painting, the client liked an art print that was for sale on my Etsy shop. The painting would be a bigger version of the print with some additions.
My print was based on a cityscape painting of Green Lane in Manayunk, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This particular image, was a feel good memory for the client who grew up near this neighborhood but has since moved out of the city.
Green Lane has changed over the years, with many buildings gone from the street including the closing of St. Lucy’s Catholic School and the demolished Church. Sentimental to the client’s family history, it was important to have St. Lucys Church included in the painting, with views of the Manayunk bridge and train trestle as well.
My creative process began with a visit to the location, I captured the view of Green Lane from different perspectives, high above the street and down below, with help from my lovely assistant (my daughter).
I work from my own photographs when creating a painting, but with this particular project I also had to rely on old street views for the image of the church, which no longer existed.
Thumbnail sketches helped to work out the composition and allowed the client to visualize my ideas. The chosen image was drawn to a larger scale, and approved by client before I began to paint.
It is always a pleasure to create something special for someone, especially when the artwork can bring forth such wonderful memories.
Thank you very much for stopping by!
You can also find my art here:
Etsy shop @ JensImaginings
Strange days
Caught in a moment
spiraling
falling
into strange days
The past few months has been an adjustment for me, my time spent on social media slowed down, and I wasn’t creating blog posts. Making art came to a halt during the beginning of the covid pandemic. Over the Summer months I slowly began to paint again. My weekly family outings, surrounding ourselves in nature was a saving grace.
Forever Summer
Side trip to Slaughter Beach in Delaware, before heading home from Summer vacation. Plenty of shells, rocks and horseshoe crabs wash up on this beach.
My sketchbook also accompanied me on my travels.
On the beach in Ocean City, Maryland
Enjoyed many hot Summer days swimming (and sketching) at Garrison Lake in New Jersey. Beautiful scenic cedar lake with plenty of trees to escape the sun.
As a family we spent time walking, hiking and having picnics in various parks in our area. A favorite place to visit is the Valley Forge National Historic Park in Pennsylvania.
And many days spent cloud watching from my deck..
I hope this finds you well, thank you for taking the time to read my post.
Additional information for the places I mentioned in my post:
The 100 day project 2020
100 Days Art Reimagined
This is my 4th year participating in the 100 day project. The annual project is an open creative endeavor for anyone who wants to participate. You can follow along on Instagram #the100dayproject or post art using your own special hashtag.
My theme this year, 100 Days Art Reimagined, working with the supplies I already own, I will also recycle older art and reuse them in a new way.
This process of creating should allow for new ideas to emerge. The first five days of my project is shown below.
(materials used: old frame, layered art over decorative paper)
2/100 Reflecting within
Materials used: previously created self portrait, postcard, gesso and acrylic paint, which I layered onto an old mirror.
3/100 Lost in imagination
Materials used: Recycled art layered over decorative paper
4/100 Peace
Materials used: Recycled art, layered ink drawing onto a sunset landscape painting on paper
5/100 Car ride to nowhere
Inspired by a photograph from a random drive in the country
Materials used: scrap watercolor paper with dye splatter, and ink
Thank you for taking the time to view my project.
If you are interested in joining, you can visit the project website for more information, or follow the hashtag #the100dayproject on instagram.
You can also view my daily posts on Instagram @Jensimaginings #100DaysArtReimagined
Reflection of inspiration
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.
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.
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.
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
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 .
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.
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.
Landscape necklaces
Each unique pendant is hand painted and sealed with a gloss varnish
A mix of canvas art and framed paintings.
The inspiration for my landscape paintings are from places in around Philadelphia and New Jersey.
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.
All work in the show including jewelry and prints available for purchase.
For inquiries email: Jenniferbarrile@gmail.com
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
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!
Fifteen
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
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:
