An Awesome Web Designer

This weeks Featured Artisan is Anne Hopfer - Helping Hands Graphic Design. Banners, Avatars, Ads, Templates.. all customized to your Style! You can find Helping Hands Graphic Design on:

Website

Etsy

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

I would like to start featuring other Etsy artists on my blog to share the love!  Anne Hopfer is an amazing graphic designer who creates anything you need for an online shop, website, etc.  If you have ever tried to make your own banner, avatar, ad, or anything else on an online program, it is tedious and difficult!  Anne's designs truly pop off the page and represent the essence of your business.  Check her out if you need a design, her prices are very reasonable and the work you will receive is amazing!

Starting a New Job!

So back in August or September of 2011, I saw an ad posting on Craigslist for a painting instructor (I like to browse Craigslist every once in a while to see if there are any fun creative opportunities).  I looked into the position further, and found out places like it are popping up EVERYWHERE!  Basically it is a painting studio where people can sign up for a specific painting on the website.  On the day they signed up, they come to the studio and over the 2-3 hours an instructor leads them through the steps to create that specific painting.  On top of that, they can bring their own cocktails of choice.  What a fun night out!  I thought this sounded like so much fun, and when I researched it more I found tons of studios that do this.

I interviewed for the position and I was hired as a painting instructor.  I was ecstatic!  For the next few weeks I worked on numerous paintings that I thought were creative enough but easy enough to teach to beginners. Here are some of my ideas:

Cherry Blossom

Margarita

Calla Lily

I just found out recently that the business is scheduled to have its grand opening on March 24.  Woohoo!  This sounds like one of the most fun "jobs" I've ever had and I can't wait to start.  Have any of you ever taken a class at a place like this?  Do you have any tips for a new instructor (what to do or not to do?).

As always, you can see more of my original paintings on Etsy too:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbyjae

New house, new art studio!

So I just moved into a new house, slightly bigger but much nicer than my previous house.  The first thing to be unpacked, of course, was my art studio!  In the other house I had to share my art studio space with the computers and office things, but now I have a whole room just for my art.  It's going to be AMAZING!!!!  I'll post pictures when it's a bit more organized.

I am going to also embark on a new series of paintings this week while I am off work.  I'm going to do a coffee series... I myself am a HUGE coffee lover so I'm excited to start this one.

Since it's an early Tuesday morning, here are some pictures of things coffee related, before I go make myself a cup   =)

Have a great day everyone!

Giveaway!!

I am hosting my first giveaway on Facebook!  My facebook link is here: http://www.facebook.com/artbyjae

 

If you decide to participate, you could receive a FREE print of one of my paintings, either an 8x10 or 8x8 depending on whether the painting is rectangular or square.  Here is what you have to do to enter:

1)  "Like" my facebook page. Easy right?  You must be a current fan of my page when the giveaway ends to still be eligible.

2)  Write on your wall what your favorite painting by me is, linking my shop with it.  To link my shop, just type the @ symbol before my shop name.  For example: I love the tulip paintings by Art by Jae!

Feel free to share this giveaway with friends and family!  Anybody who completes the two steps above is eligible to win!  Someone will be randomly selected on February 12 and will be able to choose their print.  Have fun!

You can see my prints on my etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbyjae 
 Facebook website:  http://www.facebook.com/artbyjae

Blog Feature and Donating a Painting

Another Etsy artist, Jacy, was nice enough to feature me on her blog!  You can check out her post about me here.  You should also consider following her blog!

In other news, I received an email earlier this week from someone at the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia.  She had found my Etsy shop through a local artist search on Etsy and said that she thought my paintings were wonderful.  She asked if I would like to donate a painting to their upcoming gala event that raises money for epilepsy awareness and support.  I was extremely flattered that she thought one of my paintings would do well at an auction like that, and of course I agreed to donate a painting!  How exciting? 


Since she particularly liked my tulip paintings, I am remaking my red tulips on a gold background on a bigger, 24x30" canvas. 

I am so excited to be part of this event, and helping to support a bigger cause.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Ta Da! Owl Paintings are finished!

I feel super accomplished!  I finished 2 owl paintings this weekend, woohoo!  The first one was an 8x10, because I knew I could finish that one.  The second one was 20x20 and I wasn't sure I'd be able to finish it this weekend but I finished a few hours ago!

First Owl:

For Sale on Etsy

Second Owl:

For Sale on Etsy

I am really happy with the way both owls turned out.  I'm going to try to paint some more owls in the near future.  I've always loved birds. 

As a reward for finishing both paintings this weekend, I treated myself to a Salted Caramel Mocha from Starbucks (dellliiiicccciiiiouuuussss!!!!)  It's like dessert in a cup!

Have a relaxing Sunday, everyone! 

You can find both owl paintings for sale on my etsy; prints coming soon! 
http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbyjae

New Paintings - Owls!

I've decided to paint some owls today, because today seems like the perfect day to do it!  Here in Georgia, it's dreary and rainy outside.  The rain always puts me in a quiet, thoughtful type of mood.  How many of you love to curl up with a good book on a rainy day?  I absolutely love it!  So as I was unpacking my art materials this morning, the image of an owl came to my mind and I knew I just had to paint it.  To me, owls are both majestic and mysterious.  They are always watching, never impulsive, and so beautiful. 

I'm going to paint several owls and hopefully get them up for sale this weekend for anyone interested.  A day full of painting, cannot wait!


As a side note, although I may find this day very inspirational... my poor dog doesn't feel the same.  He is the sweetest dog, but has a lot of anxiety about EVERYTHING!  So when he heard the first roll of thunder this morning, he ran for the bedroom and hid his head under the bed.  Poor baby is having a rough day! 

Meet Dexter!

Creating a Style for your Work

On Friday night, I attended the reception for the McDonough Arts Society annual art show at the Winsor Gallery, where 3 of my paintings were being shown.

My paintings are the blue heron on the left, the bicycle in the middle, and the peppers on the right

It was a great show!  I was so honored to be featured next to amazing artists in the community.  Looking at the artwork made me start to think about how artists create a style for themselves.

As I was browsing the show, I could spot a painting across the room and almost guarantee it was work by the same artist I was currently viewing just because of the style.  I have been working with my AP Studio Art students about creating a style as well and have come to several conclusions about how you can create a style to your artwork.

1. Medium - The medium you use can be an important step to creating a style; almost a jumping off point.  If you are a painter, which paint do you use most successfully or which paint would you like to do more of?  If you are more of a realistic artist, you might want to avoid oil pastels (although it has been done!).  Additionally, many artists create mixed media pieces that are beautiful!
2. Technique - How you use the material you've selected is another important step in creating a style.  For example, Salvador Dali paints very smooth with hardly any texture on his canvas.  Colors are blended for a realistic look.  Compare this to the work of a palette knife painter, who uses thick application of paint for an almost impressionistic look.  The mark-making, tonal qualities, and tools used are all important to consider when using a technique to create your style.
3. Subject Matter - Many artists who have developed a style are known for painting, drawing, photographing, sculpting, etc. similar things.  Some people may consider Monet a landscape artist, while Dorothea Lange is most known for her photojournalist pictures of people.  Of course, artists grow and their interests change, so this does not mean you stick to the same subject matter for your entire life.  However, when you are first starting off or about to introduce new paintings to a gallery, it is a good idea to have paintings with similar subject matter so your work is cohesive.
4. Meaning - A final way to create a style to your work is to have a message behind each work that is similar, which will help your audience to connect with your work.  For example, you could explore the topic of natural disasters that have occurred and place an emotional context behind each image you create.   Seeing all of your work together, your audience will easily be able to tell your purpose.

If you have any other suggestions as to what would help an artist create a style, I would love to hear them!

Speaking of styles, I've been working on my tulip series for a while now and have a new tulip painting (I think I'm craving some warmer weather!)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbyjae

How to Wire a Painting for Hanging

A great way to prepare paintings for sale is to place wire on the back of the painting (as long as the sides are already painted!) so it is ready to hang as soon as your customer receives it.  Many galleries also request that paintings come ready to hang, either in a frame or with wire.  It is very easy to put wire on the back of a painting!  This guide will show you how to do it:

Supplies you will need:

2 Eyehooks

Wire - gauge will depend on canvas

weight; read packages for information when purchasing.

Wire cutters

Ruler


Step 1
You should have your canvas face down so you can see the stretcher bars on the back.



Make sure you take note of where the top of your painting is so that you put the wire in the right place!









Step 2
With the top of your canvas in the right position, measure the side of your canvas with the ruler.  You should be placing the wire between 1/4 and 1/3 of the way down.













My canvas is 16x20, so I am measuring down 5 inches on the 16 inch side and placing a mark with my pencil.

Repeat this for the opposite side - make sure you place a mark at the exact same measurement!

Step 3
Push the tip of one of your eyehooks into the inside edge of the stretcher bar, lined up with your pencil mark.  Placing the eyehook on the inside edge will help your painting to lie flat against your customer's wall and avoid leaving any wall damage.

Step 4
Twist the eyehook into the stretcher bar.  The wood used in the stretcher bars is fairly soft, so it should be easy to twist in.  Make sure you twist it in straight so it does not come up through the top of the stretcher bar or through the bottom and into your painting!











Step 5
Repeat Step 3 and 4 for the opposite stretcher bar so that both eye hooks are in place.






Step 6
Measure out your wire so that it is abot 6-8"  longer than the eyehooks on both sides.  I usually line it up and then cut it with my wire cutters.

Step 7
It is important that the wire is secured to the eyehook.  This step describes how to tie the wire onto the eyehook.  First you should loop the wire from underneath the eyehook and up.

Next you should make a letter "P" with the wire by looping it underneath of itself.









Now push the tip of the wire through this loop.









Pull tightly for a very secure knot.









To make the wire even more secure, you should knot it again.  To do this, first pull the end of the wire through the eyehook again from underneath and back up.








Push the tip of the wire through the loop.








Pull tightly for a second secure knot.










Step 8
Repeat Step 7 for the opposite eyehook.  When you first put the wire through the second eyehook, make sure the wire is taut.  You do not want slack wire; as the wire hangs it will loosen some, so you do not want to loosen so much that the painting no longer hangs correctly!

Step 9
Wrap the extra wire on both ends around the taut wire going across the canvas.  I wrap mine very tightly for extra stabilization.

Now admire your professional, wire hanging!
 

Goals for 2012 - Painting, Art, and Teaching Art

2012 is finally here!  I have a really good feeling about this year and have some personal goals as well as some goals for my students.  I am going to really push myself to participate in as many local art shows as I can.  That means I need to stay creative, try new things with my work, and not lose focus!  I'm already starting on a good note, the first show I'll be participating in has an opening reception on January 13 and will feature 3 of my paintings:

"The Blue Heron." 28x22" Acrylic on Canvas.
Prints will be available in a few days; contact me at http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbyjae if you are interested!











"Carefree." 24x36" Acrylic on Canvas

Prints will be available in a few days; contact me at http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbyjae if you are interested!

"Bell Peppers."  20x20" Acrylic on Canvas.
Prints will be available in a few days; contact me at http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbyjae if you are interested!










I also want to expand my work by creating prints (which I've mentioned in a previous post).  I am in the process of having some paintings scanned so prints will be available of my more popular paintings. 

And my goals for teaching are to give my students more open ended assignments to expand their creativity and really make them think outside of the box.  ESPECIALLY the AP art students  =)

Happy New Year!!