September 30 in 30. Day 30

Day 30

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta .

It's been a great ride.
I'm happy to see the 30 in 30 come to an end but a bit sad. There was great happiness in waking up and saying to myself, " better paint something today". So what I'd like to do is to keep the spirit of the 30 in 30 alive by posting at least two or three new works a week. Some days it's hard to get in the studio when the business aspect of art demands so much. Today will be spent bill paying, figuring taxes, getting ready for tomorrows TV interview and getting ready for the week's show.

The 30 in 30 reminds us all why we are
doing this in the first place.
For the love of art. And a delicious truth comes with the 30 in 30.

The more you do your art - the better you will get.
Practice doesn't necessarily make perfect but it does make better. That's what I want... better, more, better.

Colocasia

Alcohol Inks on Yupo Paper

8.5" x 12.75

Matted and Framed in Silver Frame

$195

OR...
Colocasia
8.5" 12.75" Giclee Print
$22

September 30 in 30, Day 28

Day 28

30 in 30 hostrd by Leslie Saeta.

I must be getting confused by the days.
Yesterday was actually 28.... but who's counting.

Today's painting is an en plein air from 
Klehm Arboretum in Rockford. 
This afternoon is lovely, but the day didn't start out that way. This morning was cold and rainy. Not wanting to miss my plein air day, I stayed in the car and painted from there. It worked out pretty well until I realized that I left the back hatch open when I retrieved my painting supplies. Two hours later the battery was dead. Just another wonderful thing about my daughter... Thanks for the jump Samantha.

What do you do when you have a dead battery 
and are waiting for a jump?
Well the obvious of course... go to the bathroom then the gift shop for a new hummingbird feeder and chocolate, then return to the car and paint more.
(Sorry about the photo. That is also from the car.)

A Rainy Morning at Klehm

Watercolor and Ink

8" x 12"

$75

September 30 in 30, Day 29

Day 29

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

A commission for a good friend. 

When Jennifer, Bill's wife, asked me to do a commission for Bill's birthday, I was thrilled.
What fun it would be. Then she started describing what she wanted. She was looking to a representation of their blended family together including many of the things he loves; wine, photography, art, and cheese.  She had a pretty good idea of what she was looking for. I soon realized that Jen is just as creative as Bill is. She came up with some wonderful suggestions that really made the piece fun to do.

So happy birthday to you Bill and 

thanks for the honor Jennifer.

Our Blend

Alcohol Inks on Yupo Paper

11" x 14"

Personal Commission

September 30 in 30, Day 25

Day 25

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Again from the Nicholas Conservatory.
What a beautiful place it is.

Nicholas Orchids 2

Alcohol Inks on Yupo Paper

11" x 14"

$129

September 30 in 30, Day 26

Day 26

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Truth is, most of the alcohol inks require more than one day.
Day 26th is one of those paintings… a work in progress.  Today our nephew Ben weds his Jamie. Much to do and much to celebrate.

Bleeding Hearts

Alcohol Inks on Yupo Paper

11" x 14"

Work in Progress

September 30 in 30, Day 24

Day 24

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

These lovelies are from my garden. This is a painting I was working on last June. I just couldn't figure out how to paint this. Then all of a sudden yesterday I knew what to do. Paintings are funny that way. You can't rush them. They are created when they are ready to exist.

Garden Dahlias

Alcohol Inks on Canvas

8" x 8" Gallery Wrapped Canvas

$85

September 30 in 30, Day 23

Day 23

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

When we moved into our house 17 years ago there were no trees on the back lot.
Heck, there wasn't even grass, but anyway…  My husband loves trees. He bought two little crabapple trees for ten dollars and planted them. Our Labrador Retriever ate one of them. This is the one that survived. Located right outside the door it is a visual treat every Spring when it blooms, and then again in the Fall as it produces it's cherry sized, crab apples.

Crabapples

Alcohol Ink on Yupo Paper

12" x 8"

$95

September 30 in 30 , Day 22

Day 22

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Welcome to the first full day of Fall. 
Time to think about apples, leaves and crisp Autumn nights. Today's selection is another sunflower picture from the River Market.

Sunflowers for the Art Guild

Alcohol Ink

8" x 8"Gallery Wrapped Canvas

On Sale at Rockford's Fall Art Scene

Proceeds go to the Rockford Art Guild

Some views of the sides.

September 30 in 30, Day 17

Day 17 posted on the 20th.

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

We lost power Thursday night in a storm and I haven't been able to open my computer since. Then, there was the Greenwich Village show this weekend. The show is over, my computer is dead and I'm working on Mark's mac. (I have a PC). So I'm behind a few days here. Oh well… what can you do?

Day 17 is a work in progress. 

I've been wanting to do some more abstracts. (Quite a challenge for me.) I have also wanted to collage- even though you can't see it anymore. This is a 20" x 20" in acrylics. I thought it would be fun to all abstracts for the Fall Art Scene on October 2nd and 3rd. I don't know if I'll make it. This may be a much bigger challenge than two weeks will allow. But I'm going to keep working on this and see what happens.

Moving forward I'm going to post day 21 tomorrow and go from there. 

What about the 4 days missed? I'll try to make them up.

What about my computer? So sad, hopefully it will be fixed soon and I will be back to my old schedule.

What about the show? Best, most fun ever, and it's in my backyard! Imagine that. Thanks to all the friends and family who came out to see me. And HELLO to all the new friends I made.

September 30 in 30, Day 16

Day 16

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Day 16 finds us getting prepared for this weekend's show right here in Rockford, Illinois.
The show is the Greenwich Village show hosted by the Rockford Art Museum.

No painting today - Well that's not true. I have a commission I'm working on and Samantha is hard at work giving my booth a new look. Unfortunately, it rained on the booth and will now require a bit more painting. Oh well. Great job Sam.

Clink here for Greenwich Village Art Fair Link.

September 30 in 30, Day 15

Day 15

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Today was an incredible day to sit outside in the shade and paint away.  It was our third plein air session and my favorite so far. We sat outside the Veteran's memorial Hall which was built in 1902 and dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt. This building is full of war memorabilia from the Civil and Mexican wars along with a stunning theater on the second floor.  And no, silly me,I didn't take pictures - next time.

I sat outside and painted North which included the facade of the Coronado Theater. Opened October 9, 1927 it was an atmospheric style theatre and movie palace. The inside is beautiful with it's ornate decorations of Spanish castles, Italian Villa's and Oriental dragons.

At the Coronado

Watercolor and Pen

9" x 12"

$75

September 30 in 30, Day 14

Day14

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

I wanted to play with abstracts a bit. Circles seem to fascinate me. I use them often in abstracts. As I was painting and thinking about circles I came up with "talking in circles". We all seem to do it at one time or another. With politics heating up for the upcoming election year it seemed appropriate.

Talking in Circles 

 Alcohol Ink on Yupo Paper

11" x 14"

$95

September 30 in 30, Day 13

Day 13

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.


I wanted to try something a bit different with the alcohol inks. These dahlias, from my garden,as not as bold colored as other flowers I have done in the past.
.

Dahlias with Black Eyed Susans

Alcohol Inks on Yupo Paper

8" x 12"

$95

September 30 in 30

Day 12

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Day 12 brings my finished demo from this week's alcohol ink class. It was such a blast. Anyone want to join the next class? It will be held at Katie's Cup on a Wednesday at 11:30 to 2. Details to follow.

Poppies II

Alcohol Inks on Yupo

8" x 10"

$65

If you're interested in hosting your own alcohol ink party just let me know in the comments below or email me at: moreart@jillraefinallyart.com

September 30 in 30, Day11

Day 11
30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Day 11 is an entry form to Your Big Talent. One Small Space. contest hosted by Professional Artist Magazine. Go to ProfessionalArtistMag.com/BlankCanvas for entry forms and details. Entires must be submitted by October 1st.

Abstration

Alcohol Ink on Yupo

          2" x 4"

      Not For Sale

I think it's important to enter contests and to try new things often. How about you? It's easy just print out the entry form on the paper you plan to use and create away.

Any contests out there you want to share? Let me know in the comments and I'll post them to the blog.

September 30 in 30, Day 10

Day 10

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Our wedding Anniversary
Mark and I were attracted to each other the moment we saw each other. I used to think we were so much alike... we're not. Yes, on very basic and important issues ( I might add) like politics, religion, family we think alike. But on a very gut level we are made of different stuff. I jump right into projects, Mark thinks them out first. Spacial relationships are very important to Mark, I'm more concerned with colors and textures. etc. etc. The end result is a wonderful blend that works well together. Whatever I lack he makes up for it and visa versa.

Today's painting makes me think about opposites
that are so very much alike. 
In the end they work wonderfully together.

Gerber Daisies

Alcohol Inks on Yupo paper

8" x 12"

$85

September 30 in 30, Day 9

Day 9

Help, I don't know the name of this plant that I photographed at the Nicholas Conservatory. I was attracted to the contrast in colors and the wonderful pinks mixed with the greens and blues.

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

At the Nicholas Conservatory

Alcohol Inks on Yupo paper

11"x 14"

$129

 

I worked on this while I was at the Art Fair on the Square show at Lake Forest. The temperature was in the 90s. It was just terribly hot. But people came out anyway. All in all, it was a great show.

Thanks to my daughter, Samantha for all the help she is ALL THE TIME. 

I wouldn't be able to do all that I do with out her.

September 30 in 30, Day 8

Day 8 is from my backyard. 

I love my Magnolia Tree but I always found photographing it very difficult. Finally, I found a shot I liked and was inspired to paint it in alcohol inks.

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Magnolia Tree

Alcohol Inks

11" x 14" matted and has a silver frame

$325