paint

Plein air

| jennifer barrile

The East Coast experienced many mild weather days this winter, which drew me out of my studio hibernation to paint in nature.  Once upon a time my outdoor painting would consist of small watercolor sketches or pencil drawings. This time around I decided to try quick paintings using acrylic paint and graphite on paper, spending about 45 min to an hour on each painting.

A recent purchase and a new love, the Sta-Wet handy palette, helped make outdoor painting easier. This palette box preserves paints for an extended period of time.. The smaller version was easy to transport and keep paint fresh. My preference of paint brush is more scrubby in texture, short bristle brushes..  Sometimes you just have to make adjustments, when you can’t find what you need, I gave my brushes a hair cut..

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Since I am painting on paper, I don’t need an easel, just a hard surface to paint on.. Most of the time I use picnic tables in parks, and or invert the lid to my sat-wet palette to place my paper on. Working small 8″x 10″ or smaller means less paint needed.

Reserve your time in nature……

Supplies I bring for outdoor painting: Reusable bag to transport my supplies, water bottle, water cup (I use an empty yogurt container) brushes, pencil, pre-cut watercolor paper (small various sizes) rag, clips (to hold paper together) Palette fully loaded with paint colors (I try not to bring extra tubes of paint) large ziplock bags to package up my palette and any loose materials. I use a rubber band to wrap around my palette to keep it from accidentally opening in transport.

Art drop #2

| jennifer barrile

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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 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!!

 

Fill up

| jennifer barrile

Do the things that bring you joy and fills your soul. Create your moments!

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This image and the words were on my mind for days, I decided to draw it out and let it flow onto the page.

 

 

Illustration: Watercolor and pen on Canson 140 lb paper 

Painting process

| jennifer barrile

The stages of my painting. The inspiration for this one came from a walk in my neighborhood, I was drawn to this gritty old house and stormy clouds above. I took a photograph and later decided to paint it.

 

I used acrylic paint on a 20×20 gallery wrapped canvas. It took me about 4 days to complete, on and off painting a few hours a day.

 

 

This is the photograph that inspired me, I did tweak the image to adjust to my composition and style of painting.

Art of joy

| jennifer barrile

As a  creative, there is always the need to make something and if your not doing, making, creating what you love you can feel lost. Well for me that is how I felt during the past three years. It started out well, I was happy to have a new job, experiencing new people but eventually the work just wasn’t for me anymore. I needed to make a change for my own well being and purpose. Over the course of my work days, I realized the work was boring, non-stimulating it was dulling my senses, kinda sucking the life from my soul (dramatic I know but its how I felt).

Taking time to contemplate my situation, realizing my life goals I decided to take a leap of faith.  Now my goal is to go full throttle with my art and work with anything that promotes my creative and brings me joy. These days I am feeling happier and lighter in spirit which is carrying over into the art I create. I always had a love of watercolor, and recently have been working on small paintings on paper, inspired by nature.

I want to share a little joy with you. Because I enjoy giving and sharing my work, I am offering a giveaway this week. I am selecting three winners BUT the winners will have to gift the art away. (No spamming, or mailings etc.) You can visit my artist page on Facebook, like the giveaway post and comment with the name of person you would like to give art to if you won. (no tagging or sharing required) Just a little giveaway…  You can just stop by say hello if you don’t wish to participate.. Thank you for taking the time to read my posts and view my art!!

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Small works of art, 5×7″  watercolor and marker on canson 140 lb cold press paper

Visit my artist page on Facebook for giveaway details

My other works of art on paper now available on Etsy.

 

 

Blocks tumble

| jennifer barrile

The process of cleaning and organizing my art space helped to unearth inspiration from previously created drawings. The dust cleared and the wheels began to turn, and the urge to work on multiple projects began. My creative blocks tumbled and crumbled in an instant…. I envision more cleaning in my future!

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Reused material and art: Cardboard cover of book, pen sketch, puffed paint, clear matte medium and a bit of dust!

Take flight

| jennifer barrile

When the artwork was created, I let the brush and paint guide me. The pattern and color took shape on the canvas and I intuitively let the image come forth.  As I viewed the painting today for the first time in months, I understand the message. Today the image spoke to me.

Step out of the shadows, be light, take flight. You never know what you can achieve until you try!

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