phillyartist

Life in miniature

| 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.

Unlimited one color

| jennifer barrile

Limiting the use of color allowed me to focus on the texture and mood of this painting.

Sail into peace. 6 x 8 in., painting on paper, cobalt blue and acrylic white paint with graphite and ink line

This one will stay docked in my personal collection.

Have a peaceful week ahead.

Strange days

| 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:

Valley Forge Park

Ocean City, Maryland

Garrison Lake

Slaughter Beach, DE

Best parks to visit in Philadelphia

The 100 day project 2020

| jennifer barrile

100 Days Art Reimagined

This is my 4th year participating in the 100 day project.   The annual project is an open creative endeavor for anyone who wants to participate. You can follow along on Instagram #the100dayproject or post art using your own special hashtag.

My theme this year, 100 Days Art Reimagined, working with the supplies I already own, I will also recycle older art and reuse them in a new way.

This process of creating should allow for new ideas to emerge. The first five days of my project is shown below. 

1/100  Imagine something new

              (materials used: old frame, layered art over decorative paper)

 

 

2/100  Reflecting within

 

Materials used: previously created self portrait, postcard, gesso and acrylic paint, which I layered onto an old mirror. 

 

 

3/100   Lost in imagination

 

Materials used: Recycled art layered over decorative paper

 

 

4/100  Peace

 

Materials used: Recycled art, layered ink drawing onto a sunset landscape painting on paper 

 

 

5/100  Car ride to nowhere

 

Inspired by a photograph from a random drive in the country

 

Materials used:  scrap watercolor paper with dye splatter, and ink

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to view my project.

 

If you are interested in joining, you can visit the project website for more information,  or follow the hashtag #the100dayproject on instagram. 

You can also view my daily posts on Instagram @Jensimaginings   #100DaysArtReimagined

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The art of an exhibit

| 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 .

 

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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

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

| 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.

Mini adventures

| 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.

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The look out tower with a telescope, magnificent views!

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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

Left Handed Kisses

| 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)

 

 

Going to California

| jennifer barrile

Well I’m not going to California but I was encouraged to use the song Going to California by Led Zeppelin as part of my 100 day project..

The song was a recommendation by a fellow Instagram connection. I was inspired by the music and soulful lyrics so I decided to illustrate it.. Thankful for the special song request and the curiosity to give it a try, because this art became one of my favorites on my 100 day journey.

62/100

Mixed media artwork: The figure created with watercolor, pencil, cut paper, (map of California) layered on top of a 5×7″ chip board with acrylic paint

 

You can view my entire collection of 100 Days Of Songs Illustrated on Instagram..

Blog post about my 100 day project

 

(Video & art created by me, song is by Led Zeppelin. )