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.

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

Mirror deconstructed

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

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

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!

Art Pop Up Shop

November 17, 2018November 17, 2018 | jennifer barrile

Excited to announce that I have been invited to participate in a holiday market this December at Bernard Katz glass studio in Bridgeport, PA. I will be showcasing my new paintings, prints and art jewelry along side Bernard Katz beautiful contemporary glass art. Plenty of wonderful one of a kind, handmade items (big & small) for your holiday shopping. Come out and meet the artists, learn about their art process and enjoy some light refreshments.

Join us on Saturday, December 1 – 11am-4pm

and Sunday December 2 – 11am – 3pm

1010 Dekalb Street (rear) Bridgeport, PA 19405 – Free parking lot

Visit Bernard Katz Glass Design

Video process creating my landscape painting, mixed media on paper

Watercolor, acrylic paint, and graphite on paper, set on wood.

(song: Lost In The Light by: Bahamas)

Trimming the artwork, and placing it within the wood frame

Finished 6″x6″ mixed media art – Jennifer Barrile @JensImaginings

Thank you for stopping by!

Left Handed Kisses

August 22, 2018August 22, 2018 | jennifer barrile

The music video for my song choice, Left Handed Kisses, by Andrew Bird & Fiona Apple was the inspiration for day 40 of The 100 Day Project. Not only was I captivated by the sound but I was also mesmerized by the dynamic between Andrew and Fiona in the music video. The idea to create a quirky portrait of the singers played on repeat in my mind until I drew it out…..

40/100

Watercolor and ink on 140 lb coldpress paper with wood frame..

Pencil sketch

To view more of my 100 day project visit #100DaysOfSongsIllustrated on Instagram.

Music Video: Left Handed Kisses

(Artwork created by me, music by Andrew Bird & Fionna Apple)

Let’s connect exhibit

May 21, 2018May 21, 2018 | jennifer barrile

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

In the neighborhood

March 14, 2018March 16, 2018 | jennifer barrile

I am everywhere and nowhere..

Creatively speaking I hit a rough patch recently, I arrived at the point without a desire to create and my attempts to paint went awry. Refraining from beating myself up over this dry spell (ok I admit to a small temper tantrum), I decided to make an effort to do other things. A brisk walk around the neighborhood is one of my favorite things to do to clear my head. On occasions I would take time to observe, photographing interesting things along the way.

One of the images I photographed was an old house in the neighborhood which I have passed many times. I always admired the structure and unique ornate features of the house. This image was the spark to start me off on my little painting adventure.

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Always fascinated with the stories behind the facade but alas the only information I could find on this old house was the date it was built, 1896.

9″x12″ acrylic paint and graphite on wood panel

I’ve been using a sta-wet palette, it helps keep my paints from drying out.

Painting of the trees

Progression of painting

Thanks for stopping by and letting me take you on my little creative journey.

100 days

April 7, 2017April 8, 2017 | jennifer barrile

This week was the start of the 100 day project on Instagram . The challenge is the process of creating something everyday for 100 days, any style, shape, medium of your own choosing.. If you are interested in joining the challenge visit Elle Luna for all the details.

Many moons ago I attempted a challenge, creating mixed media art everyday for 100 days but unfortunately I fell short. This year my goal is to accomplish 100 artworks of my cat Cookie #100DaysOfCookieCat . I will be working on 5×5″ watercolor cold press paper utilizing any medium.

1/100 watercolor markers

2/100 The watering hole… watercolor & graphite

3/100 Rainy days…. Watercolor and graphite

If you would like to view more of my cat art, follow me on Instagram

A little backstory.. We adopted Cookie 2 yrs ago from Spay and Save, Inc. The moment my daughter met Cookie, she knew the cat would be perfect for our family. My daughter was correct, Cookie is a wonderful cat, quirky, boisterous, loving, sweet natured, and a great cuddle buddy.. When anyone is visibly sad or cries Cookie will appear to comfort that person and sometimes she will run over to the person to give a kiss on the cheek.. true story!

Art drop #2

October 20, 2016October 27, 2016 | jennifer barrile

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 Trail, Boat 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!!

Life in abstract

June 3, 2016June 3, 2016 | jennifer barrile

Every so often I like to change things up and create abstract art. I like the freedom and exploration of the process. The past few weeks I have been working on two mixed media paintings simultaneously. Working on these paintings felt like a tug of war, a love hate relationship, a labor of love with lots of juicy layers.

Life in abstract: Acrylic paint, graphite, varnish on handmade wood frame.