Susan Jenkins Morning Paintings

ART and WINE FESTIVAL

2012-01-30T08:48:00.000-08:00

A quiet time to take a few pictures on the last day of the 3 day Art and Wine festival in Cambria this past weekend. What alot of fun! I was demonstrating the three days in the Chambers Gallery and have one of the paintings posted here. I just had to paint a vineyard with a crow!
Pam Derby of Derby Wines in Paso Robles poured her wines filling Gayle's desk with the best wine selection on the Central Coast ( what a treat) and Vicki Greene ( our wonderful seascape artist) brought fabulous cheese she discovered while in France! Thanks for sharing Vicki!! Julie Whitmore ( potter extraordinaire) added a huge ,beautiful hand painted wine bottle for the occasion and our resident plein aire painter Linda Huggins brought her luscious scones! I am now the proud owner of one of Linda's landscapes!
Pat Riley ( of Pat Riley's hand painted clothing) made lunch for us the last day and it was fabulous. Our thanks to Shannon McNamara for the beautifully created cheese presentations. The wine bottle painting on the back wall sold along with our wonderful artists work in the excitement and there was a flurry of buying in the gallery! All the artists were there along with their beautiful works and here also is a picture of Gayle Sewell proprietress of the wonderful Chambers Gallery.
If you haven't been to Cambria for the wine festival you have a treat in store next year! All the shops participate and there are dinners and auctions and artists painting all over town!! Don't miss it next year!!

SOFT FLORAL

2012-01-12T12:52:00.000-08:00

8"x10" oil painting still life on canvas
I have revamped my studio, more light, enabling me to set up still life more easily. This is a painting just finished , very loose, in the tonalist method of muted values. Had my spotlight to the right of my little garden arrangement which I hardly ever do. It was a fun exercise!

SUN FLOWERS and PEACHES

2012-01-10T13:41:00.000-08:00

24"x30" oil on canvas
Just finished on the easle. Very fun!! I just love the happy sun flowers!!

HEART LOVE WREATH

2012-01-09T11:09:00.000-08:00

8.25"x9" Mosaic heart. I like this new design, a wreath shape. Glass, vintage shards and a bit of old jewelry.Hand painting and glaze.
Painting to do, have a wonderful floral subject to paint, more about that later, so much to do , the New Year, always exciting don't you think??

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!

2011-12-18T08:28:00.000-08:00

I hope you have a wonderful Holiday! Cookies in the oven and pies to bake! Trees to be trimmed, presents to wrap with Christmas music filling the rafters! Merry Christmas to all!!!

EGRET

2011-12-15T11:59:00.000-08:00

6"x8" Egret oil painting on copper.
I have been painting on copper for some time off and on. I love the feel of it. You have to put a light coat of underpainting MG white (oil) but the glow of copper still comes thru. I was inspired to paint this after the rains that fill the grassy low lands here. Something so beautiful about a pristine white egret against the backdrop of greens, water and earth. SOLD!!

IRON BED

2011-12-04T11:23:00.000-08:00

24"x30" oil painting on canvas. Finished this morning. It was on yesterday but needed to be tweaked. This painting is a tonalist type painting. I really love the gray. It's such a foil for the lights and color. Tried to keep the color muted even tho the pinks and greens I used can be very bright.
I have another canvas on the easel and want to paint another bed. Loving painting rumples of fabric.

Rocks on the Beach

2011-12-01T10:32:00.000-08:00

16"x20" Oil on canvas. Rocks on the Beach. The rocks that wash up on the beach here are just so beautiful! People gather them, tumble them, put them in bowls to enjoy and prize the ones shaped like hearts. I collect heart rocks as do so many beach combers here. Glass and rocks, we hunt for our treasures and the ever coveted hearts!

GREEN PEARS

2011-11-17T14:40:00.000-08:00

Pears oil on canvas 9"x12"
I've been painting for the last couple of days. I went on Kathryn Glover's blog ( her blog is right here if you scroll down to the right on my blog list)just to see what she was up to in her wonderful loose painting style. She has painted beautiful yellow pears! Soft and loose and laying softly in the folds of cloth. I love it and inspired today to paint pears! Completely different style, which is fun!
Thanks Kathryn for the inspiration! http://kathrynglover.blogspot.com/ SOLD!!

HANDS

2011-11-15T08:36:00.000-08:00

Pique assiette Hands 4"x7" with my hand painted imagery and different colored grout. Porcelain and glass and ceramic. Vintage and antique shards. I'm loving the different colored grout, very experimental at this point!
I'm still painting and I have new hearts in the works too. Keeping busy in the studio!!

CROWS

2011-11-09T15:16:00.000-08:00

5"x7" oils on board. Crows! How I love them! These are new today, happily back to painting all day. A beautiful sunny day and just so fun to be in my studio at my easel. I painted crows because we have so many here, I feed them and they know there will be lots of peanuts for them. They swoop down and grab a peanut as soon as I put them down. I love to hear the flutter of their wings and with about 10 of them there is alot of fluttering!! These crows are available at the Chambers Gallery in Cambria. CROW on lower left is SOLD!!

A BIRD IN THE HAND

2011-11-07T08:53:00.000-08:00

Hand,wall decor, piqueassiette. 3.5"x7". Yes, I did say I was going to paint....I tried, I really did. Since then I have made 3 more hearts and this hand!! It's difficult to break away!! My studio is used half for painting and half for clay work and mosaic work and with all great intensions I end up at the back of my studio adding bits of china to a form laid out! I do have sketches and ideas....got that far anyway. Tomorrow....there's always tomorrow!SOLD!!

ROSES

2011-10-14T10:03:00.000-07:00

I have been missing my painting time. This painting is a part of the large painting "The Bed" that was done some time back.Working with shards has been such fun and while I love it I do miss painting. I have an idea for new still life , rose buds in small vases sort of like the pink rosebud here on along the side of my blog. They will be 5"x7 '' in size and I may make them into cards too. Lots of ideas floating about and in my sketch book too. I must get started now while the roses are still blooming. My mothers garden is full of gorgeous blooms and buds at this moment. We have about 2 months before they are cut back to rest so the time is now!!
I have some work to finish up and then on to the new!! I'm excited!

Little Hearts and Little Crosses

2011-10-10T06:59:00.000-07:00

Hearts measure 2.5 "x2" and Crosses measure 2.5"x3.5" made on my clay base.
These are tiny piqueassiette, mosaic and make wonderful gifts. Sweet in any decor! Water sealed so that they can be hung in your garden too! These are very special shards that I found in some very old antique and vintage china dishes.Pink crystals and gold accents, one with a green bead. I love the green and pink together. Hearts and Crosses are one of a kind and available at the Chambers Gallery in Cambria and at my on line etsy shop http://www.susanjenkinsart.etsy.com/ Green Heart at top is SOLD!!

October Festival in Cambria!

2011-10-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

In october in Cambria we have October Fest! Gayle has the chambers Gallery in Cambria. Her darling crow is a favorite in town. All made by her with the head made of paper mache' and painted. I think it is just precious and she has added my crow painting behind it!! Fabulous Gayle and thank you!!!

STRAWBERRY COTTAGE

2011-10-02T11:11:00.000-07:00

8"x8" scalloped heart. Hand made and handpainted pieces with vintage shards and glass embellishments. The little cottage with it's red roof was inspiration for the addition of the little strawberry. Hence, the title "Strawberry Cottage"

BUTTERFLY GARDEN

2011-09-26T09:33:00.000-07:00

8"x8" Heart. Mosaic,piqueassiette. Scalloped clay heart.Vintage shards, glass and hand painted imagery. Broken china cut to fit the design.
I love houses with a green roof. Many of the older homes have them, You don't see them on newer houses often. When I started this new heart I had a sweet cut out butterfly piece of china and it was my inspiration for this piece.SOLD!

HEARTS, Birds

2011-09-22T12:06:00.000-07:00

8"x8" Hearts. Finished this morning! Hand painted imagery, and tiles. Vintage shards cut to fit my design.
Yes,these hearts are available on etsy. http://www.susanjenkinsart.etsy.com/

Little Hearts

2011-09-19T13:05:00.000-07:00

2.5"x3.5" Little baby hearts. Pique assiette , mosaic hearts made on my clay base. Makes a sweet gift to tuck in anywhere! antique and vintage porcelain and China with a crystal bead. http://susanjenkinsart.etsy.com/ The top heart is SOLD!

BLUE BIRD GARDEN

2011-09-14T08:21:00.000-07:00

8"x8" heart. Pique assiette. I will be making new pieces for the hearts. New flowers and birds and I have lots of sketches done. I so love making these hearts, it is a process of making,painting,clipping and grouting. It is difficult to stop and change ones focus to other things!New crosses to post and small hearts! I also have paintings to complete!! Oh what a blessing to be busy!! No idle hands here!!
You will find this heart at
http://www.susanjenkinsart.etsy.com/ SOLD!!

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

2011-09-11T12:45:00.000-07:00

Heart 8"x8" I found some wonderful broken pottery and right away set to cutting and clipping!! Wonderful pinks and my hand painted house and porcelain pieces.Grouted and sealed with a water proof sealer so that it may be also hung in your garden. This new Heart is available at the Chambers Gallery in Cambria!SOLD!

Playing in the Surf

2011-09-08T09:39:00.000-07:00

8"x10" oil painting on canvas. This is after Edward Potthast . 1857-1929
I love to paint impressionism. I learned it by looking at paintings like this. Wonderful training. I love Potthast , the paintings of children at the sea shore. I painted this on an 8"x10" canvas as it was one of his favorite sizes. Mine too!

CHEESE and CRACKER'S

2011-09-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

20"x24" oil painting still life on panel. One of my most favorite things in the world ,cheese and crackers!! Also still life. I started out as a still life painter and this painting was fun to paint. It was done on a panel because I just love the way the brush hits the hard surface and glides. I'm taking this painting to the Chambers Gallery today.

Meredithe's Family

2011-09-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

24"x30" Commissioned oil painting on canvas.
It's finished and Meredithe is coming to pick up her painting! This was fun and a challenge to get the family in and the dock and keep it all loose. Everything in the painting has meaning to them and it was my pleasure to make sure it captured their memories of a day at the shore. Thank you Meredithe!!!

LITTLE CROSS

2011-08-31T17:23:00.000-07:00

2.5"x3.5" little crosses. I have some very thin lovely old vintage and antique shards and I had fun applying them to the clay cross base. These crosses are grouted in a soft linen colored grout and are then sealed with a water proof sealer. A cross makes a lovely gift for any occasion and something special to add to your home decor. Available at my etsy shop http://www.susanjenkinsart.etsy.com/

LITTLE CROSS

2011-08-28T13:22:00.000-07:00

2.5"x3.5" Pique assiette cross. Hand made and embellished with vintage shards of pottery and porcelain. My handpainted imagery. Grouted with a soft linen colored grout and sealed with a water proof sealer so they may be hung out side too!
I love making these little crosses, they can be tucked in anywhere and make sweet gifts.
I have put these on my etsy site http://www.susanjenkinsart.etsy.com/ The little pink cross is SOLD!

GREEN BIRD

2011-08-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

8"x8" heart. Pique assiette. Clay heart embellished with handpainting, glass,porcelain imagery,vintage pottery as broken shards. Original design. Grouted and sealed with a sealer so that they may be hung out side in your garden!! Love them inside too! This will be going on etsy this after noon.I'm running to an appointment, see you there (on etsy)!

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

2011-08-17T11:10:00.000-07:00

8"X8" Pique assiette heart. Newest heart this morning. I have some lovely new shards and plates ready to work with. A little from here and a bit from there and help from family and friends!
I am painting. I'm working on a painting almost finished and I will post it when done. Busy hands!!
SOLD!

FOR GET ME NOT

2011-08-14T11:46:00.000-07:00

8"x8" Heart. Hand made and my hand painted imagery,English Bone China floral piece of " forget me nots". Vintage pottery and China shards cut to fit my design. Grouted with a soft linen colored grout and sealed to be water proof in case you'd like to hang it in your garden!! I used mull berry colored broken plates and shards for this piece. There is some Chintz and majolica tucked in and about too! http://www.susanjenkinsart.etsy.com/ SOLD!!

Marquetry Table

2011-08-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

I always have wondered about my love for mosaics and my facination with all the pieces fitting together to make a design. I t makes me happy to be challenged with the different sizes I clip and cut to fit. This morning I looked over at the library table my grand father had made in the 30's which is one of my prize possessions. It was always in the entry hall of my grandparents charming home. This type of work is called Marquetry, which is French for inlay work.Dating back to the 16 and 1700's. I call mosaic work Pique assiette French for "stolen plate". My grandfather was a carpenter and in later years a contractor. He made many of these tables, during the depression as a young family man. He'd work in the ship yards and then home to his workshop to do his beautiful Marquetry.
I am so fortunate to have this table and several others he created. This beautiful table isthe largest of his pieces and completely had made. Every piece cut and set piece by piece. Every type of wood was used. The sides, bottom, all, is covered with Marquetry.
So, I know now why I love piqueassiette and love the challenge. I think I'll go make something!

IN THE GARDEN

2011-08-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

5"x10" Bird Pique assiette New mosaiced piece this morning. Tiles, hand painted,porcelain,vintage pottery. I just LOVE making these birds!

FLY AWAY HOME

2011-08-07T16:40:00.000-07:00

5"x11" pique assiette bird. Hand made fired clay base embellished with vintage shards, glass and my hand painted imagery. I've made birds in the past and I have been wanting to add some new ones to my etsy shop! I have more of them in the works as well as more hearts! these are really nice in your garden as well as home and front porch as a cheerful greeting!
This was fun to make, I love the little pieces of floral shards. Some of the shards are from old chintz plates my sister gave me. They were broken of course, they at least have to have a chip! I'm recycling!!
I have had a question as to how I hang them. Two nails, that's it! http://www.susanjenkinsart.etsy.com/

NESTING

2011-08-01T10:50:00.000-07:00

8"x8" Heart. pique assiette.
I love the idea of "nesting". Our homes and gardens are our sanctuary and our "nest". Of course birds have it wired!

Original design, hand made heart from clay and fired. Embellished with my hand painted and handmade imagery and tiles. Completed with vintage pottery shards cut to fit the design. Grouted with a soft linen colored grout and sealed with a water proof sealer so that it can be hung in your garden!!SOLD!

VIOLET MORNING

2011-07-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

8"x8" Scalloped heart. Pique assiette. Hand made porcelain and pottery pieces with my hand painted imagery.Original one of a kind design. Cut to fit pottery shards. Grouted and water proof sealed to be hung in your garden if you choose.
I do have painting to get to, I'm now backed up!! I just LOVE making these hearts!! SOLD!!

SUMMER FUN

2011-07-23T14:56:00.000-07:00

6"x6" oil painting just finished today! I have a couple of commissions to paint and this is one. This little guy is cooling off in the surf, labs love the water don't they? So cute! This will go out as soon as it is dry. I want to get back to my hearts but first things first! Tomorrow starting the next painting and maybe squeeze in a bit of time for a heart!!

SAIL AWAY HOME

2011-07-20T10:04:00.000-07:00

8"x8" pique assiette heart."Sail Away Home" Embellished with blue and white vintage shards and imagery.

ROSE

2011-07-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

8"x8" pique assiette Heart. Newest scalloped heart this morning. Made on my handmade clay base.Embellished with vintage shards and glass any my hand made pieces and imagery. I love using the vintage white shards. Sealed with a water proof sealer.

Egg Separator

2011-07-18T12:53:00.000-07:00

I do other things besides hearts and painting altho lately it doesn't seem that way! Today is my brother in law's birthday and I made him a cake. He is a special guy and he loves white cake with fudge frosting. Who doesn't?? Egg whites are asked for and to do that I used my beloved egg separator. My daughter, Amber, as a child many years ago, gave me this egg separator for my birthday. I did alot of baking when I had my little family and made alot of cakes. I have used it over and over again thru the years. It has broken and been repaired with Elmers glue several times. Today making this cake I am reminded of my children,family, the many cakes I've made and my sweet daughter Amber. Mmmmm the house is cozy with memories and a cake in the oven.

COTTAGE

2011-07-17T16:18:00.000-07:00

8"x8" pique assiette heart. SOLD!

FAMILY

2011-07-16T11:19:00.000-07:00

8"x8" pique assiette heart. Glass , handmade,imagery, porcelain,pottery and vintage shards for this one. For the love of family! SOLD!!

DELLA ROBBIA

2011-07-14T08:53:00.000-07:00

8"x8" heart, pique assiette. Hand made, original design embellished with vintage pottery and hand made porcelain clay and earthen ware clay tiles and my hand painted imagery.
I must paint today!! These hearts are addictive! I love making them and this green so fun! I finally found some green pottery and between my sister, my mom and friends and a nice little second hand shop here I was able to complete this one!! This heart is SOLD!!

WILLOW

2011-07-11T14:37:00.000-07:00

8"x8" heart piqueassiette.
Newest heart just finished this morning. More fun!! Made on my clay fired base. Scalloped and embellished with hand made painted pieces and shards. Grouted with a fine linen colored grout and sealed with a water proof sealer. I was given a wonderful piece to use for shards in blue and white (thanks Lynn) and found some gorgeous blue at a sale! Now I'm on the hunt for green!! Any body?? Seem's I'm always looking for GREEN!!
You can find this and other hearts at my etsy store. http://susanjenkinsart.etsy.com/ SOLD!

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART LIVES

2011-07-06T11:34:00.000-07:00

8"x8" pique assiette heart. Mosaiced heart all hand made and embellished with vintage shards and glass and my hand made and hand painted pieces. I love all things to do with the love of home and garden and it gives me such pleasure to make these hearts . SOLD!!

BLUE BIRD GARDEN

2011-07-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

8"x8" Heart . Pique assiette, hand painted embellishments, decorated with vintage shards.I love the combination of birds and flowers and garden. Home is always on my mind and a garden is part of a home. This new heart was just finished and grouted this morning. Sealed with a water proof sealer. It can be hung out side .Available in my etsy shop. http://susanjenkinsart.etsy.com/ SOLD!

BERRY PIE

2011-07-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

8"x8" New Piqueassiette Heart. Cut and shaped vintage shards from glass and pottery. Hand made and hand painted pieces. Just finished this morning grouted and sealed with water proof sealer.
I HEART pie, cake too, may make a cake heart!!

COTTAGE GARDEN

2011-06-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

8"x8" piqueassiette heart. New this morning! I am absolutely surrounded by shards! They are everywhere in my studio! One half of my studio is for painting and I am finding it difficult to leave that area free of "stuff"! Some real organization is needed here and soon, maybe today...........maybe not, hmmmm. Greens with greens, pinks with pinks, red with red and a separation of roses and other flowers. Well, it will get done, right after I find that tiny piece of yellow! SOLD!

HEART and HOME

2011-06-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

8"x8" piqueassiette heart. Hand made clay heart embellished with vintage clipped plates, pottery shards and little hand made pieces. Sealed with a water proof sealer.I have been on a pink and green love trip and I think maybe it is time to venture in to some blues!Well we never know about these things we start out one way and end up another!It's all fun! What are your favorite color combinations? I would love your in put, do pink and green send you? Or is it blue and white or the very French blue and yellow?? Or maybe some other lovely combination! I'm going shard shopping again soon....the hunt continues!!! SOLD!!
http://susanjenkinsart.etsy.com/

SHARD COLLECTION

2011-06-25T09:50:00.000-07:00

well, part of my collection anyway! I have new shards that are so lovely to work with.These are waiting to be clipped and nibbled and fit into place. I haunt all sorts of sales, have dear friends and my wonderful sister who drop a treasure bag by to keep me satiated in my endless quest for just the perfect pottery, plate and vintage piece. If you are near my house or in the neighborhood drop me a bag!! Any size will be welcome and loved!! I am forever grateful to all of you!! xo

Piqueassiette Hearts

2011-06-20T16:35:00.000-07:00

8"x8" hearts. Made of clay and kiln fired. Embellished with vintage pottery and plate pieces all hand cut. Hand made porcelain clay, individual pieces painted and fired. One heart is scalloped in design.
I have been working on new hearts for the past week. What fun! I LOVE the new shards and my new hand made pieces. These hearts are grouted and sealed so they can be hung out side or they can adorn your home in any room. They have two holes to hang by.
These pieces and others are going to my etsy store. More tomorrow I can't wait! These hearts are SOLD!!

Piqueassiette Hearts

2011-06-13T16:33:00.000-07:00

8"x8" earthenware hearts with piqueassiette and hand built embellishments. I just finished these new pieces and it was fun to get back to clipping and chipping plates! These hearts are different with the scalloped edge. Very pale blue bird blue grout. These Hearts are SOLD!!

THE BED

2011-05-23T15:43:00.000-07:00

36" x 48" This is the huge canvas that I talked about waiting for me back at the studio yesterday. This is Tonal ism. Muted color, soft tones and values. I love Tonal ism. For someone who loves lots of color it isn't easy to achieve a soft toned painting using earth colors. I keep working at it because I find it restful and comfortable to look at. It's a movement that in it's earliest days came out of the Barbizon school in France 1880-1910

LEFFINGWELL LANDING

2011-05-22T11:46:00.001-07:00

What a beautiful morning! I just got back from Leffingwell. It's nice to go down there and just sit and think on "things". There is a large canvas on my easel right now , I have a plan for it, making some sketches and did a bit of research this morning. Getting away,to a calm place and out of the studio is just what was needed. I'm so fortunate to have all this beauty right down the way.

It's not a seascape I'll be doing but again a quiet calm place was needed to sort "things" out. Actually a few more "things" than painting got cleared away too . A nice morning!

Do you have a place you like to go to mull??

Now to my studio to get this painting started!!!

BEETS Tote Bag

2011-05-18T14:24:00.000-07:00

Newest Tote Bag just completed!! 17"x21" vintage fabrics, pale green hand tatted lace,original "beets"oil painting , little sheep wooden button. Pocket on front cut from a pair of faded jeans. Inside pocket too and fully lined! I LOVED designing and making this bag. When I use a little of this and a bit of that using vintage fabrics and embellishments it makes it all the more fun. This bag has pale green and white checked lining with pocket and the back is complimentary fabric pieces. Handles are made from jeans.

A perfect market or all purpose carry all!

Please email me for more pictures and more info! susanjenkinsart@msn.com

LEMON and STRAWBERRY

2011-05-14T15:06:00.000-07:00

I was reading this morning on Katherine Glover's blog that she set up her painting of" Pool Balls" on a piece of aluminum foil! I was so impressed with it and inspired that I had to give it a try! I thought I will just set it up on the foil and do a quick sketch in paint. Oh man was I surprised to see ALL those reflections, it was really a mind bender!Her idea was to paint all the reflected color and it was beautiful! You will have to see her painting, go to her blog on the right of my blog here on the blog roll.
So there I was, with my lemon and strawberry and foil thinking this will be fun and quick! It was fun, but not quick!! A real experience! Thank's Katherine for a great stretch!!!xx
6"x6" oil on board

LITTLE CROSS

2011-05-13T14:06:00.000-07:00

New this morning, little crosses for the Chambers Gallery , I'm making a bunch

more, these are just a sampeling.

My sister Julie gave me a pile of beautiful Chintz plates and do you recognize one of her lady bugs on one of the crosses? A broken piece of one of her beautiful pottery pieces. These little crosses measure 2"x3".

Beautiful Gardens

2011-05-06T14:06:00.001-07:00

This last weekend I was privileged to attend to the Murrieta Home and Garden Show. Gorgeous gardens and lovely homes.
My girl friends are from high school and we meet once a year,from many different places, attend the show and get inspired by the beauty of the gardens and each other!

I was excited to see the lily ponds and took many pictures of those because not only do I love them but I love to paint them too! Talk about inspiration! Oh and the beautiful roses!

I just loved the potting shed at one of the homes and just had to share all of this with you!!

WHITE DRESS

2011-04-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

18x24 original oil on canvas.

This little painting is for the workshop in Washington in June. I love the cool of the "white dress" against the warm of the background. The play of warm and cool.

I also love white dresses!!

EASTER SUNDAY

2011-04-20T18:44:00.000-07:00

My grand daughters Elizabeth and Amanda are modeling beautiful silk rose Easter bonnets made by my daughter Heather.I love this picture it was taken on Easter a long time ago, the girls are now in there 20's and Elizabeth has a little one of her own now, Natalie, who is three!

I hope all of you have a Blessed, beautiful Easter Sunday!

WATER COLOR DOODLES

2011-04-16T12:49:00.001-07:00

Small water color doodles this morning. Warming up to paint. I'm going to work in oils however, not water color. This gets me going though. Really fun to play in water color with no real intention to be super serious! No pressure!

I spent the early morning cleaning a straightening up my studio, cobwebs, I haven't been in there in so long! Well it seems like it anyway.

I've put my sewing machine and fabrics away for now, sadly and out I go to get paintings ready for my work shop in Washington in June.I know I will see many of you there and I'm so looking forward to it.

It's such a beautiful day, maybe I'll go water the flowers instead!

BIRD and ROSE Tote Bag

2011-04-13T10:44:00.000-07:00

17"x21" Original design. Rose oil painting applied to vintage quilted rose fabric with vintage satin ribbon. Original painted bird on canvas, cut out and applied. This bag is completely lined in soft yellow cotton. Matching handles with a 9" drop. A little pouch comes with. This bag was a special joy to make! I love the quilted fabric and the colors. Adding the painted bird is just fun! I have enough to make another bag and will be designing it soon. You can find my bags on Face Book at Susan Jenkins Art Salon. Soon to be on Etsy. Please send your inquiries to me at susanjenkinsart@msn.com .

TEA POT Tote Bag

2011-04-11T09:35:00.000-07:00

19.5"x15.5" New Bag!! Original oil painting on canvas front and back painted, email me for more pictures and details at susanjenkinsart@msn.com . Double stitched and completely lined.

Includes a little pouch for your cell phone or any little extras you want to carry with you. Black leather handles!

BIRD NEST tote bag

2011-04-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

16"x21.5" Hand made tote bag. Original oil painting with painted bird applied.Vintage materials, stamping on fabric. Leather handles and a beautiful peach lining. I LOVED making and creating this bag! Adding more embellishments and really having fun! The fabrics are so pretty, some are vintage incorporated with new, it's fun to combine the colors and textures.

BIRDS and FLOWERS TOTE BAG

2011-04-03T17:14:00.000-07:00

17"x22" Vintage fabric tote bag with original oil painting of flowers and a bird

This newest bag is completely lined with a pocket. Leather handles. Very fun to make with new ideas with the addition of the bird.

ABSTRACT FIGURE

2011-03-29T17:01:00.001-07:00

36"x36" oil on canvas Well this was very fun! I decided to go to my studio and paint! No more excuses! An abstract was on my mind and I was inspired to paint it using the figure as my subject. A pastel palette was important too . Weather beautiful, being out side in my studio was so pleasant. Really a fun day!!

LILY DOODLE

2011-03-28T14:07:00.001-07:00

Yes, another doodle! It is so cold in my studio, damp. It's outside and really the elements have been rough on it. I did get the roof fixed , thank heavens, before all the rains but it is still very damp! Yes, I do have a heater but it is going to take some time to warm it up. So I sat here in the dining room at the table and just doodled today....again......I must get to work, have paintings to paint for a work shop coming up!! Maybe tomorrow, that will be two days of sun! My sister Julie just sent over a bunch of beautiful fabric for my bags too! Now, that's something I can do tomorrow and not go to the studio!! HA!

WATER LILY TOTE BAG

2011-03-25T11:34:00.000-07:00

New Tote Bag! 15.5" x 18.5" My original oil painting stitched on to off white cotton quilted fabric.

This is a smaller bag. It's a nice size. Lined with a lavender fabric(same is on handles) with pocket and pink button.
I couldn't wait to start sewing! This tote was fun to make , I love the quilted fabric and matching handles!

ALL ABOUT SEWING

2011-03-22T15:59:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! The book I ordered came today!
This book was published in 1949 and is just full of wonderful lessons and ideas.

When I was a little girl my mother made me a pinafore and so many other wonderful outfits. It seemed to me that she was always at her sewing machine making me a new outfit and a dress for my little sister. One year we had matching dresses for Easter.

My granddaughter Mandy was given a copy from a friend who found it in a thrift shop. She sews and was so pleased. When I saw it I knew I had to find one too. Where in the world would I find one? I did, on Amazon! I'm so excited. If you love to sew, you will just love this book. Page after page of wonderful illustrations and photographs of the time, even a lesson on making slip covers and draperies!!Talk about vintage!!

I'm back home after teaching a workshop and next week I start sewing!

CUP DOODLE

2011-03-15T14:25:00.001-07:00

I can't stop!! I really must do some serious work but I leave at the end of the week to do a workshop and every thing I want to start requires a longer attention span than I have right now!!
In between the doodles I'm running here and there and packing and just can't concentrate. I know you can totally understand this. Sooooooo in the meantime I will continue to doodle and start new work next week when hopefully I will be over my love affair( temporarily) with the water color crayons! Have you tried them yet? My favorites are the Caran d' Ache. The white is just wonderful, softens colors.
Ok now what else to doodle???

DOODLES

2011-03-14T16:28:00.000-07:00

Yep! More "doodles"! Small little crayon paintings. The largest is 5"x5". I am having fun with these. I already said that didn't I?

SEASCAPE DOODLES

2011-03-12T12:31:00.000-08:00

All small little sketches with water color crayons. Very relaxing and fun. Experiment with them, you have a bit more control when you are using the crayons too. Just have fun!

DOODELING

2011-03-12T12:19:00.000-08:00

4"x 3" water color crayons on Bristol paper. What fun!

I went to my daughter Heather's for several days last week and painted in her beautiful gallery studio www.Heatherroddyartgallery.com. I didn't want to do a large oil and really wanted to just play. I bought some water color crayons at the art store and brushes and just had fun sketching.

Have you tried them? I sketch my paintings in crayon on paper and use those sketches as a guide. Well, to have them be water color with a few swipes of your brush is delicious! I have to get back to work next week but just wanted to put a few of these fun doodles up to share.

MONO TYPE

2011-02-27T12:16:00.000-08:00

Have you ever done mono types? I just love doing them! You paint your subject on to a piece of glass with paint( they do have special paint for it, inks.Some one told me acrylics work but they dry too fast for me) I used oil paint. Simple subjects are best to start.
Lay a piece of pre gessoed paper over the glass and painted subject. Use a bray er to roll with pressure or a wooden spoon works too. Lift your paper and you have a print!! Very rewarding and always a surprise! Try it!!

TEA POT

2011-02-22T10:51:00.000-08:00

9.5"x10.5" Pique assiette tea pot front and back.

Actually either side could be front or back because the lid can be turned. Shards of old plates and a little hand built figure made in clay complete this tea pot. It is weather sealed .
I have wanted to get back to painting and had every plan to do so but this tea pot beckoned me to decorate it! It was fun ! Now....to painting!

ABSTRACT LILY POND

2011-02-15T15:56:00.000-08:00

24"x30" oil painting on canvas
Oh how I love to paint abstracts. So freeing. This is one I had done some time ago and got it out to look at it this morning.I loved it and kept it. Tomorrow I will start a new very large one and I can hardly wait! I'm excited! I have a couple of beautiful new colors to play with too which will make it extra fun!

Small Abstract Landscapes

2011-02-15T09:39:00.000-08:00

5"x7" oil on board. Small landscape sketches in an abstract form.

I'm getting ready to start painting and these are nice ways to warm up. Loving abstracts as I do I might start one this morning. It has been raining and gloomy and I was about to make soup and here comes the sun!! It is suddenly beautiful and I want to get to work in my studio! Soup has to wait I think. I can have a sandwich for dinner!!

FLYING CROW

2011-02-11T08:40:00.000-08:00

3.5"x11" black glazed terra cotta crow. Hand built from terra cotta clay and fired. Wired for hanging.

A flying crow! Hang it on a garden gate or anywhere for that matter! It's large enough to make a statement! Crows are our friends!!

RADDISH

2011-02-10T09:45:00.000-08:00

5"x 8.5" hand painted and cut pottery shards on a hand made clay tile.

This piece in the shape of a house is one of my favorite shapes. Nature and home are my favorite subjects. Guessing that's why I love to paint still life too, the things you find in your home " be it ever so humble". This is fun out side too , weather sealed.

GREEN BIRD

2011-02-09T14:16:00.000-08:00

10.5"x 5"hand made clay bird embellished with colorful broken bits of pottery.

I know, it's not really a green bird. I was loving the contrast of the pinks and greens and white potterie pieces. These birds are very sweet in the garden as well as in the home. They are weather proof with a sealer.

VALENTINE CROW

2011-02-08T10:36:00.000-08:00

8"x3" terra cotta hand built crow with heart

Yes, more crows.I just pulled him from my kiln this morning. I love to make them, paint them, photograph them, watch them, feed them!! This crow has a clay heart glazed in red around his neck. He is made of terra cotta clay and glazed in rich black.

BLUE HEART

2011-02-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

8"x9" piquetassiette shards on clay hand made heart tile.
I do love blue and white! So crisp and old world to me. I'm looking through my plates and shards now for green pieces. I want to do a green bird next! Such fun! SOLD!
For info on this piece and other works please email me : susanjenkinsart@msn.com

BIRD'S and HEART Pique assiette

2011-02-06T13:39:00.000-08:00

Birds are 5"x 10.5 Heart is 8"x9" cut potterie on hand made clay tile.

I'm back to work but this time with Piquetiassiette. I love to work with the old plate shards that I cut to fit in a decoratitive motif. Always fun and rewarding. My friends see that I have alot of old and broken pottery to work with. Some pieces I can't bare to clip! You must be ruthless I was told some years ago. you can't fall in love with your materials...oh but I do.Some of you will recognize your gifts of lovely old plates. xo
email me for info susanjenkinsart@msn.com

CLASSES

2011-02-04T09:39:00.000-08:00

I'm getting emails about the workshop asking about the painting I posted. This painting was something painted some time ago and it isn't the workshop painting. We will paint all sorts of things, set ups and anything that would be fun, colorful and interesting! Even abstracts!
I also want to start a weekly class. 3 hours a session. In this class you select what you would like to learn to paint. All levels are welcome.So if this is of interest to you please contact me at susanjenkinsart@msn.com for info.
The CLASSES ARE FILLED but you can send your name and have it put on a waiting list!! ?Thank you to all of you who will be in the classes!! :

WORKSHOPS COMING!

2011-02-02T13:24:00.000-08:00

As many of you know I have been looking for a place to teach! I've found a place and like everything it was right under my nose! It will be wonderful and I will be starting workshops in the Spring. I want to start in April! If you think you might be interested please email me for information and any questions you have.
email: susanjenkinsart@msn.com

Wine Bottles, festival paintings

2011-02-01T10:05:00.000-08:00

These paintings represent not only the end of the festival but the end of the "wine bottles" for a while!!I have enjoyed painting them ( these were the demos for Friday and Saturday) but I'm bottled out!! On with something new!!

Festival Fun is Over!

2011-01-31T09:21:00.000-08:00

Three days of fun and laughter with Gayles artists and me demonstrating (for the festival) has come to an end. The celebrated Cambria Wine Festival came to an end Sunday evening. We spent all three days in the Chambers Gallery eating, talking,sharing and laughing and toasting the busy, bustling activities of the festival.A great time had by all!

This morning it's back to business for me! Lot's to do for the new year. New painting and clay work starting tomorrow. Today is unloading the car and cleaning my studio. That will take all day! See you tomorrow!

Wine Bottle painting for the Wine Festival

2011-01-19T12:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we met at the Chambers Gallery to paint wine bottles for the Art and Wine Fesival next weekend on the 28th. Vicki,Gayle,Maggie and me! What fun!! We worked all day and I had painted 3! Good Grief! I had plans to paint more so I will be painting a few more this week. Vicki painted some lovely seascape ones but took them home so today when I photographed they weren't there. This last one is a fun one of Gayles, very abstract and Maggie's also in there, that tall abstract one they are beautiful. I love the colors in these. Mine are the crows and grapes. We will have them all around the gallery for sale the weekend of the festival! Something fun!
Lynn, we missed you!!!!

White House

2011-01-16T18:15:00.000-08:00

24"x24" oil on canvas
The last ime I experimented with painting Tonalisim I painted this painting.About 15 years ago. I have it hanging in my house because I liked the mood of it. That's the deal with Tonalism. It creates a mood. In this case I love pink and the dark of the trees and the pink of the foreground is pleasing to me. The white house being the focal point just makes me happy!

Small Vineyard

2011-01-16T14:03:00.000-08:00

8"x10" oil on canvas SOLD!
This is another painting in the Tonalist method. Trying to keep color to a minimum and using a limited palette.

Tonalist Landscape

2011-01-16T08:55:00.000-08:00

6"x6" oil on board SOLD!
I am experimenting with a Tonalist pallette, limiting myself to a minimum of color pigment, Staying in a mid value range. Values are important here, saying very little while conveying a mood. For an extreme color enthusiast it is not easy to not lob in some orange and red! It's restraint, something I need to learn and practice. This is the first of many I plan to paint.

Morro Bay Bird Fair

2011-01-14T14:42:00.000-08:00

This morning a lovely trip down the coast to Morro Bay. A beautiful morning!
My sister Julie and my brother in law Kim and I looked forward to the yearly bird fair and seeing our favorite pottery artist, Paula Teplitz and the wonderful collection of books and bird paraphernalia that this show provides.
Beautiful hand carved birds, delicately painted, paintings, books and hand made wares. Telescope's, glasses and cameras for birding and even a salve for the bites and rashes you may receive while looking for your favorite bird in the fields and trees.
After ward a drive around the darling little beach city of Morro Bay. Great fun! I am inspired!

Family Ties

2011-01-13T10:09:00.000-08:00

24"x36" oil on canvas A Family of Crows

WINE BOTTLES

2011-01-11T11:36:00.000-08:00

Very LARGE wine bottles! This was such fun! I painted with my daughter Heather at her gallery and studio in Del Mar California this week. These are painted on 30x40 canvas and 24x30 for the smaller one. They are in her gallery really wet (so much paint) and will hang when ready. What a great trip. Thankyou Heather!!
Heather Roddy Art Gallery http://www.heatherroddyartgallery.com/

BERRIES and CREAM tote bag

2010-12-30T10:31:00.000-08:00

19"x22" 5" deep. original oil painting on canvas tote bag. Fully lined with pocket.Leather handles. Functional art!

"MONET" tote bag

2010-12-30T10:21:00.000-08:00

22"x19" 5" deep.Canvas tote bag with original oil painting.Functional art!
This is one of my newest tote bags. Fully lined with a pocket and leather handles.I've named it "Monet" because of the water lilies.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2010-12-29T08:09:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and wonderful Holiday! I'm wishing you now a very Happy New Year filled with blessings of love, health, wealth and profound happyness!

Afternoon Repast in Tuscany

2010-12-12T13:57:00.000-08:00

30"x40" oil on canvas.
Yes, I did say I was getting back to my tote bags but I had one more painting I wanted to do. One last wine bottle painting. This is it!!!

WINE BAR

2010-12-10T16:19:00.000-08:00

30"x40" oil on canvas
Well this was fun! Different!When I looked at the table in the light it looked pink. Loving pink as I do I decided to paint it pink and the back ground in a sort of sage green. I have been reading Cezanne and Matisse and gave the fruit bowl a sort of nod to them. This is it for now. I'm going back to the tote bags , I have a bunch more paintings and lots of new ideas for them!

Lunch With Matisse

2010-12-08T13:18:00.000-08:00

30"x40" oil on canvas
Well I just have to say THIS was fun! I am getting back to my really loose brush strokes after all this time painting the birds and small tighter works. It takes a little bit of time to get loose!
I just loved using all this pink and red and yellow too. These colors are the new trend colors and pink is one of the top colors for 2011. I am very partial to pink and red so I am really excited to paint more pink!

Evening Repast

2010-12-07T11:43:00.000-08:00

OK, this really is IT! I must start on another painting!! I like it now, I never liked all that dark background and since I had the lanterns in it seemed fun to make it into a nocturn.

Wine Painting

2010-12-04T14:56:00.000-08:00

30"x40" oil on canvas
I'm still working on this. A few tweaks here and there. I like the festive subject matter.A bit of flash back on the right is something I fight on these over cast rainy days. I'll live with it today and finish it tomorrow and start another.It is very fun to be painting" BIG" again!