At 317 Studio and Gallery

 

 

I had such a great time Friday night at 317 Studio and Gallery. I met some wonderful people... had a bit of wine and cheese. Thanks to Tabitha and Teresa for making me feel right at home.

We used the dry erase board to have people sign in and leave a bit of  their own art behind. My son, Matt joined in.

 

 These are pictures of my paintings hanging in the gallery. I would have posted them sooner but I lost them somehow in my camera. I had a hard time photographing with the reflections.

 

Two Paintings To Work on Tonight at 317 Studio & Gallery

 

I have chosen  two paintings to work on tonight at 317 Studio and Gallery. They both pose different challenges. The painting on the right is blue salvia, one of my favorite perennials, with white flowers. I will use the white of the paper for the little white flowers. (I haven't done many white flowers.) The composition of the orange lilies on the left is a bit odd, but I am drawn to this picture. I love the leaves, the berries and the bold flowers.

I don't usually paint in front of people. I'm looking forward to it though just because I know this is an area where I need to improve on. I hope to do some plien air in the future so like it or not, I'm going to start painting in front of people.

Getting Ready for 317 Studio and Gallery on August 22nd

I just dropped off six originals at the 317 Studio and Gallery in preparation for next week's show. 

 The show will start at 4:00PM August 22nd and go throughout the week. I will be painting in the studio from 4PM to 8PM on Friday the 22nd, at 317 Market Street in Rockford, Illinois. Come join me for some conversation, wine and snacks. For  information about 317 Studio & Gallery visit:   http://www.317studiogallery.com/

For information about the Artist at Work Schedule visit:  http://www.317studiogallery.com/artists-at-work-2014-schedule.html

Amanda Janet's Dahlias

This is my newest painting that I was working on Up North. Amanda Janet is my goddaughter who I have had the privilege of watching her grow into a beautiful woman. I wasn't able to complete the second painting but I'm pleased with the six that will be in the gallery; Mark's Pears, Beth's Tulips, Terri's Crabtree, Nancy's Chives, Mary's Peonies and Amanda Janet's Dahlias. Four of these paintings are fairly new. 

Museum quality, Giclee prints for most of these paintings are available on my webpage at http://www.jillraefinallyart.com/giclee-prints.php       Or just hit the "Purchase Prints" button to the right of my blog.
Sorry, Amanda Janet's Dahlias is not available yet.

Hello from Eagle River

Having a great time up North. I am torn between working hard to finish my two paintings for my upcoming show and playing with my family. I'm doing a bit of both.  Yesterday, we went to Diane's Frame shop in Rhinelander, one of my favorite shops. She cut several mats for the newer watercolors. There is always a huge selection of precut mats at reasonable prices. I like going to her shop whenever I come up to see what's new.

We have swam everyday, enjoyed meals together and played some games at night. I am enjoying our time together. It's been seven years since we have all been up here at the same time. My son asked me why I'm not tired of seeing the bald eagles since they are so abundant here. I don't think I'll ever grow tired of watching them fish. The baby loons are something to watch too as they dive underwater then pop up to the surface with their bills full.  No, I don't think you can come to a place like this and not love watching the wildlife. We haven't seen a bear or a Pileated Woodpecker but there's still time.

So it's back to painting for this morning. I wish I painted faster but I just don't. Acceptance is the key. There's an art show in Three Lakes... to go or not to go...

Living Life at the Speed of Summer

 The Speed of Summer

What a busy summer! What's next? Today a wedding reception for my nephew Paul and his lovely wife Heather. The next two days; move my daughter out of the apartment she lived in while at college and bring her home. Then Wisconsin followed by my first gallery show on August 22nd. I'm excited about the show but I am realizing that I have a lot of work to do before it opens including finishing a painting.
So that's my excuse for the poor blog schedule. No excuses... I did miss you though.

My garden is at its peak! I have taken many new photos for lots of new paintings .

For the first time that I can remember I am longing for the cooler days when life slows down a bit and there is more time for painting. Am I nuts! Don't I remember last winter?  I just want to paint more. I will be starting another 30 in 30 on September 1st. I can't wait! Why don't you join along? There are over 350 artists from all over the world signed up already.  Join Leslie Saeta and the rest of us at http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/ .

I started a new painting this week. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to paint all day while Mark and Matt were at the Oshkosh air show.   

I had my trusty buddy, Cooper at my side.

I went inside when I heard the thunder. Really? Rain so hard when the sun is out? It was beautiful though, and I was able to resume painting at the kitchen table.

Coop helped pick out the colors.