Jan's Art Journal

The first picture, ANCIENT WOMAN, is a picture within a picture. I used sand from my backyard! I did the background first which turned out to have a timeless feel. I put a statue in the ruins.

The second picture, A DAY AT THE BEACH, was a three step process. The nude drawing was traced on an abstract painting. This seemed like a beach pose, so I put her at the beach and then put in the background.

A lot of thinking/non-thinking goes into this process. I'm not putting what I see with my eyes on the paper. If I want to have a picture of something, I can take a photo. To increase my ability to visualize creatively, I am using Mary Todd Beam's book, CELEBRATE YOUR CREATIVE SELF. It has 25 specific projects to help the artist stretch in new directions.

Jan's Art Journal

Here are 2 of my projects. Donne kept asking me why I had to "see" something and then give the work a title. Answer--Because that's the way I always did it.

Sorry Donne, I've given them titles. The world wants titles. The first one is called Let There Be Peace. To me, it has a spiritual feeling. I'm using fluid acrylics on illustration board. The dripping is caused by spraying alcohol. Let er drip! The window was done first. I squeezed 3 paint colors on the illustration board and then pulled it down with a paint trowel. I added some touches with gold paint.

The second painting is called Heaven Sent, I think. This is fluid paint on watercolor paper. I then squirted some gold paint and then sprayed with my trusty alcohol spray bottle. I didn't know what to do next, so I took it to Donne. Donne said, "Thank heaven you didn't do anything to it." That's why I needed help. I didn't trust my own instincts yet. During this growth period, she also recommended that I don't ask for feedback from others, especially my spouse. That was a wise recommendation. If someone prefers realistic art, they may have no emotional connection to abstract art. How valid would their comments be in this situation?

In the next post, I'll include some work done further along on my growth path.

Jan's Art Journal

I haven't posted any art news for a while because I have been busy "making" art. I wanted to push myself in new artistic directions. My teacher, Donne Bitner, is an accomplished abstract artist. We've been meeting weekly for critiques, learning new techniques and support. For someone who has always had to "see" what I was working on, this is "way out" for me. Some of the first assignments forced me to think about what I wanted to accomplish. I want to find my personal artistic signature. Rather than doing what I think people will want me to do, I want to do what works for me. I'm still "in process" and it feels okay. What colors do I love, what do I love to paint, do I love my work? Tough questions, but necessary if I want to find the artistic me.

The next few posts will include some of the "finished" work. I'll talk about the process. Maybe this will help you along on your artistic adventure.

Jan's Art Journal

Sometimes folks ask me how long I've spent on a painting. One time I said, "7 years" and I got this astonished look. The truth is, sometimes it flows and sometimes it goes and goes and goes. I'm sharing with you today one of those "goes" paintings. I did the original 3 or 4 years ago. I would take it out and look at it and then put it back in the closet. I don't know how many times I took a look and tried to figure out what wasn't working. It was just plain boring to me. Recently I started individual art classes and decided to ask the instructor for some insights. The more we talked about the work, the more it came together for me. The other day I pronounced it finished and hung it up. I like it now. Donna Zagotta says to not stop until you love it. That's why it can take artists years to finish a work! They've got to love it!

I thought you would like to see the before and after. This is the shoreline on Lake Michigan. One of the most beautiful spots on earth. Which one is your favorite? Please leave a comment.

Jan's Art Journal

One of my favorite pieces is currently on exhibit at the Dexter Public Library in Dexter, Michigan. My friend, Mindy, went to the reception and took some photos. Enjoy!



It's a favorite because the theme is universal and I could do anything I want and use any color I love! What a freeing experience! This is the direction I am taking. I will continue to use the figure but this will be only a part of the entire composition. I'm currently taking lessons to achieve this goal.

Jan's Art Journal

It is a sad time for us. Yesterday, our dear dog, Pumpkin, joined her sister in doggie heaven. At least, that's what I want to believe. It was a tough but loving decision. She was a great friend for almost 16 years. We'll miss her a lot.

I'm so glad I did a pastel painting of her a few years ago. I tried to sketch her while she was ill, but it was just too hard. All I could see were her bones.

I started doing pet pastels of other people's pets and discovered that many people didn't have decent pictures of them. I work off with some pretty questionable material. A word to the wise. Get some decent pictures of your pets while they are young and healthy. I have a number of pet friends on my website.

Jan's Art Journal

This was our second African safari and I doubt if it will be our last. The sunsets are incredible. I painted several scenes from our last trip and decided to put them on my blog. There are 2 best times for animal sightings, in the early morning and in the evening. The animals like their siestas. There is nothing more incredible than watching the animals and the sunsets with a glass of wine! These game drives are referred to as "sundowners." That's exactly what we did, watched the sun go down. These experiences can be addictive. The euphoria and the oneness I felt with nature I want to experience over and over again.

Jan's Art Journal

This is the reason we went to Africa! We saw Mom Rhino and Child at Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania Africa. These are the only ones we saw. Apparently there are only 30 living in the crater. Their horns are prized for their aphrodisiac qualities so there is a huge problem with poaching. Tanzania is a great place to view wildlife. We need to give them our support. There are very few places in the world for us to see animals in their own environment. Central Africa has been experiencing severe drought for the past 3 years. Drought, civilization, and poaching are causing major problems for some of the most unique plants and animals in the world.

I am grateful I was able to have this experience. Seeing those magnificent animals was truly an "artful" experience.