100 Days Wild and Free

March 31, 2023 | jennifer barrile

Participating this year in the 100 Day project. This may be my 6th or 7th year participating (lost track). Only twice have I completed all 100 days of a project.

The 100 Day Project is a yearly global art project online, anyone can participate in creating something for 100 days. The type of project is all up to you. This challenge began February 2023, but you can still join in anytime. Many people share their process/project on Instagram which gives you some accountability to keep going but you don’t have to share something everyday or at all.

My project this year is 100 Days Wild and Free, it’s about creative play, experimenting with old artwork and new. My goal is to stretch the imagination, to create and be messy without the need for perfection. All in all its about having fun with the process!

Day 1/100

(mixed media, ink doodle paired with an old watercolor landscape)

This is what I have accomplished so far:

The last three images days 22-24 was a study of one image done three different ways.

* Anyone participating in this project too? If so let me know.

Find out more about the project visit: The100DayProject.org

I’ve been posting the project occasionally, grouping the images together in a post or video.You can find my project videos on Instagram @ Jensimaginings

Thanks for stopping by!

Life in miniature

August 17, 2022 | jennifer barrile

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 edge

Manayunk 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:

Jennifer Barrile, Life In Miniature, art collection online

I’ve been away from WP and blogging for awhile, but I hope to get back to posting again on a regular basis.

Strange days

September 30, 2020September 30, 2020 | jennifer barrile

Caught in a moment

spiraling

falling

into strange days

(Art inspired by song, Where Is My Mind by the Pixies : cut paper on chip board, marker and ink)

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.

(Illustration: watercolor, ink and graphite on watercolor paper. )

My sketchbook also accompanied me on my travels.

On the beach in Ocean City, Maryland

(watercolor sketch book, watercolor markers & ink)

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.

(watercolor sketch book, with watercolor pencils and graphite)

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.

(Valley Forge Park: watercolor markers and graphite )

(Picnic in the park. Watercolor markers on watercolor paper)

And many days spent cloud watching from my deck..

(cloudscape: Acrylic paint on a recycled canvas)

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:

Best parks to visit in Philadelphia

Reflection of inspiration

February 27, 2020 | 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.

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.

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.

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

February 6, 2020February 6, 2020 | 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 .

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

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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

Instagram

Facebook

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

January 1, 2020January 1, 2020 | 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.

One with art

November 13, 2019 | 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

November 6, 2019November 7, 2019 | 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.

The look out tower with a telescope, magnificent views!

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

November 1, 2019November 1, 2019 | 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