30-in-30 Day 9

Enchanted Garden 9 

6x6 Alcohol ink on tile

A new favorite! I really enjoy the touch of orange in this flower.  Working with alcohol inks is so much fun and although control is not what its about it can be a very freeing medium, NO PRESSURE!

Have a great Monday!

~Jane

30-in-30 Day 8...The day South Florida residents froze!!!

Enchanted Garden 8

Alcohol Ink on 6x6 tile

Boy are shiny tiles hard to photograph! Sheesh! I initially wanted more colors in this flower but left well enough alone. I enjoy the bold simplicity of this rich red.   

So far Mike's favorite flower ;)

Enjoy the day! It is like the Artic today. Coldest day of the year...definetly NOT a flip flop day! BURRRR!

~Jane

30-in-30 Day 7

Enchanted Garden 7 

Alcohol Ink on 6x6 tile

30-in-30 Day 6

Enchanted Garden 6

Alcohol Ink on 6x6 tile

Over the next few days I want to play with using the negative space of the tile.  I really enjoyed the simple strokes of the flower peddles.  Not so easy was keeping the center from running...eek!

I used sailboat blue and mermaid for the flower.  I really enjoy color "mermaid" unfortunately it doesn't photograph as bright and true as the teal it is.  Great color to work with though.  Ill work on the fancy camera skills :) 

30-in-30 Day 5

Enchanted Garden 5

Alcohol Ink on 6x6 tile

I have played with different pallets of color within the limited alcohol inks available. Here I have chosen to use Terra Cotta, plum, and some nondescript browns.

 I will note that with any other medium I work in I can mix to get where I need to be.  Not the case with Alcohol inks.  I find they turn muddy more times than not.  That being said its not impossible, just not very straight forward like with paint or my printmaking ink.   

Fun findings on a Thursday! 

I spent the morning hiking the celery fields, otherwise known as the mountain (singular) of Sarasota...haha!  I discovered that most snowbirds are in better shape than myself, boooo!  No worries I'll get back to it :)

Enjoy the day!!

~Jane

30 in 30 Day 1-4

Enchanted Garden

My first few days of the month I was swamped setting up my new studio. More to come on that but for now here are my first 4 days of #30in30

This series I am currently working with I call Enchanted Garden.  I love how alcohol inks do what they want!  It is a challenge to control so lose control I WILL! 

Enchanted Garden 1

Enchanted Garden 2

Enchanted Garden 3

Enchanted Garden 4

Thanks for reading!

~Jane

January 2017 Daily Painting

January 2017... 30 paintings in 30 days #30in30  Kick off!

So excited to start this journey once again.  This time around I am working in a new medium, Alcohol ink on tile.  I'm exited to play with new materials.  I feel it is good as an artist to try new things and make them your own.  Have I said that before, lol!  I very much look forward to falling down this rabbit hole!
As a matter of process, discipline and (lets face it) habit I will be sticking to a series or theme. I'm not entirely sure if I will switch it up throughout the month but definitely following the stream that I start.

All pieces I create this month will be for sale.  Because I'm working with a standard size (6x6 tile) throughout the month all pieces will be priced the same.
6x6 alone or 8x8 framed
$35 with framing
$30 with wire easel
$25 alone (wire hanger attached to back)
*shipping is additional, between $6-$10 US only.  I will bundle more than 1 tile to save you on shipping, of course!

Please let me know what you think as I work through the month :)
I will be posting on Instagram and the 30 paintings in 30 days website as well!

New Reduction for March!

And so it begins...

The first run of a reduction is so mysterious, what does it all mean!?!  It is also the hardest print to pull due to the large amount of area to be inked.  This print is one of the largest reductions I have pulled to date.  Even though I am committed to hand pulling all of my work... a press would have been handy with this one!   Wow, that was a workout!  I pulled 8 prints for the first run. Due to space and to save my poor abused back I kept the number low.  Hopefully I will have a solid 5 in the end worth keeping!  Two more colors to go...any guesses what I'm going for?  No pressure but my youngest noodle got it ;)

~Jane

Henry's Song

Henry's Song 

6x9 

Linocut

This piece came from the colors of the ocean.   I really want to break out of the traditional image shape I often use and see what would happen with negative space in my composition.  I like the energy of these waves although simple as they are. I'm always interested in the direction of waves and how the water moves.  The ocean is so awesome like that! In this print I used an ombre effect with my ink moving from a darker cyan to a lighter sea foam yumminess. I love rolling different  colors in one roll.  Another reason to get nerdy about my art!

I might come back with another color run on this print at a later date.  Stay tuned!!

The drying rack

Waves

Waves

Hand pulled Linocut

Ink on Archival Paper

5x7 image

8x10 framed

$50 Framed + $13.25 shipping

This is the first in a limited series of "Waves". Limited edition print of 5.   

I love new ways to represent water!  In this series I used an ombre effect with layers of blue moving darker towards the top and bottom. These blues were inspired by a trip out to the North tip of Siesta.  

I'm not sure which I like best...the white or the black frame?  I have them up on my easel in the front of the house and I think I like them together! HA! Its like the yin and yang of linocuts!

Enjoy the day!

~Jane

Waters - reduction print

 Waters 

Reduction print

Signed & numbered

(Edition of 5)

image 6x7

framed 11x14

$115 matted & framed + $15 shipping

Matted Print

$85 + $8 shipping

Waters is a reduction linocut print I have been working on for about 4 weeks.  I am always drawn to the glimmer in the water when I'm out on a sunny day. Its so magical, I could watch it for hours.  I was inspired to use a limited palette of 3 blues with this print. Something about blues draw me in. This was so fun and satisfying for me.  I think I'll enter this print into the Sarasota Art Center March juried show. Wish me luck. Such an exciting event with so many artists works it's a touch overwhelming! 

Enjoy!

~Jane

SaRtQ Print Party 2016

I went to a very cool event this past weekend at the Sarasota Art Center.  They had 13 local artist that dabbled in screen printing, some more professionally than others. You could buy a ticket for $5 and the artist would print his or her design on your item (clothing,canvas,or anything really) right in front of you. I should add there were only 3 women and 10 men, hmmmmm. All the same, fun for the entire family.

So, yes, I came prepared!  I even took the sweatshirt off my back and had it printed on, that wasn't in the plan when I dressed that morning! HA!

Printmaking is such a fun and versatile medium.  I think I need to consider printing on different items too!  Below are some pictures from the event and two of the items I had printed.  My kids got in on it too, one picked a field of lime green cows and another a large lotus flower you'll see below!

Beautiful purple moth on a new throw pillow for the entry bench!

Artist at work

My oldest picked this for his shirt

I'm so darn impulsive! Not a huge fan of motorcycles (I am a mom) but I loved the 2 color silkscreen.  

Biker Bird close up, his beak is pink! Love it!

Wednesday Blues

Wednesday Blues...

My Wednesday blues are very happy and exciting today.  I mixed the best blue today!  Started out working on my second pull of my new reduction, and I just couldn't get enough. I would have kept going if I had more room!  The blue is a Jane mixed gray base with just a touch of Caligo phthalo blue.  I think I might just submit this to the boss for our new exterior house paint color!  Love it that much.

Below is the second run from my reduction, up close. (The paper is wet and doesn't lay flat until dry, which is why it isn't square, I can't handle such things my eye is still twitching looking at the bottom left of this photo!)

One more pull of a darker blue and she's all done!  The final print is always the most exciting, but this second was a high in my day!  Yay for blue!

Check out the fun card I finally printed!  I carved it some time ago and haven't felt the urge to print it until now. It was inspired by...you guessed it, water!  I just cant get away from the ocean as my muse. I love this design because it isn't like anything I have done. I really just wanted to break down the current with its bubbles and sea foam. I printed it as a card with the hopes to work larger and use this as the study. Turned out alright! Green light to move forward.

Thanks for reading! Please let me know what you think in the comments!

~Jane

Reduction- The process

1st reduction linocut of the new year!

The reduction, or 'suicide' method of linocutting uses a single piece of lino to produce a multi-colored print. The lino is gradually cut away as each color is printed and the image emerges. Sometimes only a very small printable area remains for the final, darkest tone. As the block is essentially destroyed during the process, a reduction print can never be reprinted.

In the above picture you can see my setup.

 From left to right:  Wooden spoon from IKEA or barren-Critical to hand pull a print. I use the back of the spoon to burnish the paper over the linoleum. I prefer a spoon because I can use the edge or the flat back and really get a good pull out of it.  although its more of a workout.  Register Jig-I use this to line up every print I pull.  You can see the battleship gray linoleum in its place.  Ink- I only use oil based Caligio inks (easy clean up, its worth the extra shipping)  Brayer or roller- I use this to roll my ink on the linoleum.  These come in different sizes and hardness but this is my go to one. Palette knife - Used to mix ink and spread on my palette surface. I also use a clean palette knife to move my inked block into place.  Its not always easy to move things around all covered in ink!  Plexi-glass palettes- I use these to roll my ink and mix my ink. 2 different sizes works well for me, I have found to ask at framing stores for scraps to use.  

Here is the linoleum all inked up and ready to print its first run!

 The first run printed...

Such a fun process!

I will let these dry and revisit next week for the second run.

Have a great weekend!

~Jane

With Love...

With Love

Linocut

5x6

$6 (free shipping within US)

This is a new favorite print of mine. This linocut was craved by myself on battleship gray linoleum and hand pulled making each print unique.

  This sweet little swallow has such personality, and love!  In spirit of Valentine's Day and love I want to offer this print with free shipping within the US.  Send it to a special friend or family or frame it and keep it always!  I think I'll do both XO.  Please let me know if you would like more than one, I can work out a discount of multiple prints.

~Jane

Foggy February Morning

View from Bay Front Park

Sarasota Florida

Foggy February Morning

I had to race out this morning after I dropped the last noodle at school to get some good shots of the boats in the bay. Fog and boats, great combo!
Excited to paint boats this week! I know I had other plans with my painting this month but sometimes you have to go with whats in front of you.

Wherever you are today in the world find your slice and enjoy it!
~Jane

Love is in the air!

So happy to be back playing with printmaking today!  I have a few larger projects on the brain but I had to get my Valentine's made before it was too late!  I still have to hand paint the heart on my black bird but you get the picture!

There is just something about the smell of art. Every medium has one you know.  The smell of linseed oil and oil paints, the sharp smell of my oil based printmaking inks...whatever your medium is you know what I mean. It's like coming home when you haven't smelled it in a beat.  I haven't printed in almost a month. I've been so consumed with painting...but just one crack of the ink cap and I was back!!  SO GOOD

I hope you enjoy these and don't forget to send your own this year. Everyone needs a reminder of love!!
XO
Jane

30 Paintings In 30 Days - The finish line!

30 Paintings In 30 Days

January 2016

An entire months worth of daily paintings on the books!  I haven't painted so much continuously since college.  The journey was one of self-discovery in my art and how I view the world around me. 

Painting every day isn't always easy, you either want to or you don't.  I think pushing trough the ruff days makes you a better artist even if what you produce is junk.  I had a few days that I didn't even want to look at what I just painted, still don't HA! But for me if it doesn't work out I'm more determined to work it out!

Ultimately, living a creative life is what is most important to me. Every day when my kids would come home from school they asked, "what did you paint today mommy?"  Even they would think about it!  They are my biggest fans btw ;)  Raising children to be surrounded by art and the process is priceless.

I'm interested to continue painting and excited to see what the September challenge will bring for me!

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life" -Pablo Picasso

~Jane

Day 30 For The Win

Day 30

For The Win

9x12 Oil on Panel

$75 + $10 Shipping *US only

#30paintingsin30days

This painting marks the end of my daily painting in January.  How appropriate, that it's a boat racing scene!  I love watching the light bounce off the water and the ripples from a boat or fish jumping. This particular scene was from the SSS, Sarasota Sailing Squadron.  The boats come and go, young and old. I'm not brave enough to send my noodles out on one but love the idea of kids sailing in the bay. What a special thing to experience growing up!  Maybe I'll rethink and revise for the boys.  

I have enjoyed painting boats for the last few days. I was please to see may day 29 painting find a new home!  I think I'd like to work more with boat and much larger!  I think I see a lager easel in my future!  

Thanks for reading! Please leave a comment if you see something you like, I always love feedback of any kind!

~Jane

Day 29 Into The Fog

Day 29

Into The Fog

9x12 Oil on Panel

*Sold*

#30paintingsin30days

I'm enjoying where I've gone with my boats.  Just Wednesday I was out and about, it was a rainy day and the fog rolled in rather late. This isn't too typical here. Of course any time I can play in the fog I will. There is something about the sea when the fog rolls in that everything slows down and you really have to focus on the now. There is only what is in front of your nose and no more.

"Under the thinning fog the surf curled and creamed, almost without sound, like a thought tying to form itself on the edge of consciousness." -Raymond Chandler The Big Sleep (Great book BTW!)