The next batch of my project, 100 days of music illustrated, day 26 through day 48.
There is a theme within a theme, one week I chose songs that were “One Hit Wonders” and another week I selected songs with “Dream” and “Imagination” in the title or in the lyrics. A few illustrations were inspired by family members and one was a self portrait.
Day 26 That’s Life. Dedicated to my grandmother Margaret who inspired this illustration (from the heavens) she loved listening (and singing) to Frank Sinatra.
My 100 days of music illustrated project came to an end. It was a challenge but I did stay the course and complete all 100 days! Everyday I picked a song to illustrate, and some weeks I went with a theme, for example: one hit wonders, the classics or songs paired to a family member.
The art I created for this project was posted daily to my instagram page @Jensimaginings. The 100 Day Project, happens once a year, anyone can join in to create something everyday for 100 days, and most will share their projects on instagram.
Below you can view my art from day 1 through day 25.
I’ve been off social media for two years. At the time it felt like a good time to break from the algorithm and attachment to random doom scrolling. The time offline allowed for more creativity (not for likes or comments) the silence led me to follow my own creative whims, more reading, and time to tackle projects around the house.
This year as the 100 day project was set to begin in February, I felt a pull to participate. My decision to join in and post my art everyday was a way to hold myself accountable for the 100 days. Now that I am back on Instagram my time on the platform looks different, I am more intentional with my use, less scrolling, engaging with people I know or artists that I enjoy viewing their work.
My project this year #100daysmusicillustrated Illustrate a song everyday. This is my 6th time participating in the 100 day project since 2018, only twice did I finish 100 days. Currently I made it over the halfway mark!
You can view my illustrations with its song on Instagram at JensImaginings
Day 45: Sounds of Silence, by Simon & Garfunkel (appropriate for this time)
This commissioned painting of Connie Mack Stadium was an interesting request and a fun challenge for me.
The ballpark was located in Philadelphia, originally named Shibe Park it opened in 1909, later in 1953 it was renamed Connie Mack Stadium. The ballpark was home to The Philadelphia Athletics and Phillies. A few years after the stadium closed the building was finally demolished in 1976.
Research on the history of the ballpark began my process. Family members including neighbors old enough to remember the stadium filled me with interesting stories, and fond memories. The painting became even more special, as I grew to know the history, and the stories this building held.
The beginning, drawing stage.
Painting begins: Acrylic paint on cold press watercolor paper.
Close up view: this building held many many windows!
My dad had a few memories at this ballpark, one in particular occurred on the day he attended the last baseball game played in that stadium on October 1, 1970. He amusingly recalled the last play of the 10th inning, ( Phillies defeated the Montreal Expos) the seat he was sitting in began to move abruptly. My dad surprisingly looked around, noticed the fans in the stadium removing the seats and grabbing anything in reach to take home a souvenir. The fans that day won a little piece of sports history.
This artwork was inspired by a day trip with family to Atlantic city, New Jersey in July.
Recycled packaging cardboard was used to create two small works of art. I enjoy the challenge of working small and painting on different kinds of material.
The beach theme worked well with the ripple texture on the surface of the cardboard, it created a dreamy underwater feeling. The paintings measure 3 x 2.5 inches. The brown hue of the cardboard was the base color for sand and boardwalk, graphite was used to define edges including shaded areas. The sky and ocean is painted in shades of blue, green and white. The entire cardboard (front, back & sides) was sealed in a clear matte finish.
I was excited about the results of this creative exploration, the painting worked well on this material.
The images that inspired the paintings
You can view these paintings along with 11 of my other miniatures exhibiting at Off The Wall Gallery at Dirty Franks in Philadelphia.. The 2022 MIDSUMMER INVITATIONAL continues through October 7, 2022.
My “Life In Miniature” series is about daily observations, working on a smaller scale with limited color and using recycled material. It was my natural curiosity to utilize the everyday materials I had on hand; these include chipboard, packaging cardboard and watercolor paper.
My small works of art, 15 in total are currently showcased at Off The Wall Gallery @ Dirty Frank’s in Philadelphia alongside 5 very talented artists. The Mid Summer Invitational (A Passion For Painting!) Opening Night is Thursday, August 18th the show will run until October 7, 2022.
The art was inspired by my surroundings, my neighborhood, road trips, and walks in the Wissahickon Park. The smallest painting in my collection measures 1×2 inches.
Working on gesso chipboard, with a raw exposed edgeManayunk 5″x2″(view from Main Street Post Office) Acrylic paint on recycled cardboard with wood backing.In my studio preparing the art for display.Solitude. 4″x2″(Acrylic paint & graphite on recycled packaging cardboard with wood trim, top/bottom edges exposed)
There is something about creating art with recycled materials—and elevating it to something special that just makes me happy.
Thank you for visiting and taking the time to view my art!
** To view the art in person, visit Off The Wall Gallery @ Dirty Frank’s -( NE corner of 13th & Pine) in Philadelphia or view all the works online:
The need for change is how I began this digital minimalism.. I was deep into mindless social media scrolling, online searches, YouTube watching and sometimes game playing. Although I began to spend less time using my phone, I felt the need to make a bigger change. The idea began when I discovered Cal Newport’s book, Digital Minimalism. I read the book twice and made a commitment to try a month of detox suggested in the book.. It was a great way to start fresh.
I’m not going to lie, the first few days were rough. I would mindlessly reach for my phone out of habit.
Instead of randomly picking up my phone, I would pick up a book to read. I was prepared with an arsenal of good reads.
As days passed it got easier, I forget about my phone and what I was missing online, it felt like freedom. After the 31 days I re-evaluated how and why I use online sites, social media apps and what was necessary to keep or let go. The digital detox was an eye opening experience.
How I spent my time during the 31 days of digital detox:
I finished 4 books and Digital Minimalism I read twice.
Painted my art studio (spare bedroom) purged items, repaired walls and organized the space
Found my old iPod during a clean up (it still worked!) I used it to listen to music
Early morning walks, and sometimes an afternoon hike with my daughter
Evening stargazing on my deck with the binoculars
Organized every closet, and kitchen drawer or cabinet in the house
Purged and donated many things we didn’t need anymore
Created a reading nook in my living room
Phone conversations and less texting
More daydreaming
When my art space was back to normal I began to create and experiment with my art supplies. Somedays I only doodled, lots of ink doodles.
I highly recommend any of the books above. The Practice by Seth Godin a great read for any creative.
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.
Thumbnail sketch ideas – these quick lil sketches help ideas to flow .
short video of my process, the stages of painting
Beginning stage: Since it was a larger painting, I worked on this standing up. detail of paintingThe finished painting, 28 in. x 22 inches, acrylic & watercolor on cold press paper.
It is always a pleasure to create something special for someone, especially when the artwork can bring forth such wonderful memories.
jennifer barrile 