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. 

 

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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

 

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

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:

A guide to galleries in Old City

The Center for Art in Wood

Muse gallery exhibition;

Stanek gallery, exhibition

Begin again

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s connect exhibit

A community of local artists invited to create art that is based on a specific artwork in the Barnes collection located in Philadelphia, PA.

Excited for the opportunity to exhibit at the Barnes and the chance to win a residency with the help of votes from the public. Anyone who wants to participate to be a voter will be able to visit the museum for FREE!  To register follow this link  LetsConnect  once registered you can vote in person and attend the museum for free until June 4th.

If you are not familiar with the Barnes foundation and the special art collection you can read about it here: Barnesfoundation.org

My inspiration was Cézanne’s painting Girl with birdcage.

My painting, Girl With Cat, plays up to the animal theme of Cézanne’s work, I based it on my own daughter and family cat. Studying the colors of Cézanne’s painting and the surrounding art in the room, I created this artwork as if it would be a companion piece to the other paintings.  (medium: acrylic paint on 8×10″ canvas)

*If you have any questions about the art or event feel free to send me a message. Thank you!

Facebook event page

Hello

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

Art drop #2

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A year ago at this time I participated in my first art drop, randomly placing small works of my art around the city to be found. I had so much fun with the art drop last time, I decided to do another one. On my birthday, carrying 4 small paintings, I scampered around the city of Philadelphia, leaving my art behind.. This day I felt like a tourist in my own city.

Places I visited:

Schuylkill River TrailBoat House Row , Edgar Allen Poe House

 

 

If you ever plan to visit Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, here is some fun information about things to do in the city.

You can also find me on Instagram and Facebook

Thanks for visiting!!

 

Let it out

Go do that thing that is always on your mind and in your heart!

 

Just going with the flow, I let the watercolor paint form and take shape on paper until I found the image, The idea for a haunting formed during the process. – watercolor, pen on Canson 140lb paper