Art Market Monday/Giveaway Update

Kerry from County Antrim was the August giveaway winner. She stopped by The Artisan Market on Sunday to pick up her prize, which was her choice of one of my hand embellished prints. It's a bit hard to see the picture clearly, as the camera picked up glare from the packaging, but she chose Sophie, one of my favorite girls! Don't forget to enter for your chance to win in September! (See last Saturday's post for details.)

If you would like to see or purchase my work from the Montmarte Gallery, my work is now up on their website. Happy days!

As normal, I will be at Sugahfix's Artisan Market at THE OUTLET in Banbride on Sunday from 1-6PM. However, we are moving! From this coming Sunday, you will find us in unit 63, which is closer to the middle of the mall.

This week on Etsy, I will continue to list the new 5 x 7 inch paintings that I have been posting here on my blog, as well as a variety of prints. I was going to list some rings and pendants tonight, but all of my pictures turned out horrible! I should have known better than to try taking them without natural light. They are on special offer this week, so I'll definitely get them up tomorrow.

My SPECIAL OFFER this week is BUY ONE ring or pendant and get HALF OFF another. Special offers are available at both The Artisan Market and on Etsy.

Solve it Sunday

It was a week ago today that I committed to my new blog format and I must say, I'm pretty darn proud of myself! I have stuck to it and posted everyday and hopefully had a few interesting things to say along the way. I thought it would be really hard committing to blogging everyday, but it has actually been easier, because with a focused plan there has been none of the typcial 'What should I write about today?' dilemmas.

This week's puzzle is a painting that I have just listed on Etsy. You may have seen her recently when I posted new work, but not like this! Have fun!

Simply Saturday: It's Giveaway Time!

As I mentioned earlier in the week, I do a monthly giveaway for my offline customers and mailing list. I am now extending the opportunity to enter the monthly giveaway to my online customers and readers. The drawing takes place on the last Saturday of every month and the winner will be announced here on my blog. On that same Saturday, I will also announce what the next prize will be. To kick off my changes, I am giving away this ORIGINAL 5 x 7 inch painting on canvas on September 26th!


Entering is simple. For each of the things you do below, you get your name put in to the draw. The more you do, the more chances you get to win!

• Follow my blog and leave a comment on this post.
• Become a fan of my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/jolieart or see the link in the sidebar)
• Refer a friend to my Facebook page (make sure they tell me who sent them)
• Write about my giveaway and link to this post on your blog, Twitter, Myspace or whatever! (Be sure to let me know where you have posted)
• Start a thread in the Etsy Promotions forum about my giveaway and link to this post.
  
• Mention my giveaway in your Youtube video. (and tell me where to find it)
• Purchase a piece of my art. (this will get your name in 5 times!)

Don't forget to link back to everywhere that you have posted about my giveaway, so that I can find it. Good luck, everyone!

Fresh off the Easel Friday

I finished this piece tonight while watching a movie. The movie was romantic and charming, but had a bittersweet ending and I am in tears! This girl was originally going to have layered, sassy hair and a bit of a smirk (see her as a WIP on Wednesday's post) , but her eyes and mouth changed as I was painting. I think she reflects how I am feeling after that movie...I need a hug!

Thumbs Up Thursday

I recently discovered Autumn Rae Art on Etsy and fell in love with her work. As usually happens when I discover a new artist, I must, must, must have a look each and every day until I finally break down and have to commission something. I suppose there are worse addictions to have than collecting art! :)

In addition to her Etsy shop, Autumn has an Ebay store and a brand new blog. If her first post is anything to go by, her blog promises to be an entertaining read. Fellow artists and friends, let's show our support and follow this someone who deserves a big thumbs up!

Work in Progress Wednesday

I have four 5 x 7 inch paintings on the go at the moment, each at different stages of completion. On the one above, I am working completely different to how I usually work. I generally start with a pencil sketch on the blank white canvas and build the skin tones up. However, this canvas was already painted entirely black, so I filled out the shape of the head and torso with white paint and will probably start creating the suggestion of facial features by shading. I'll draw the details in last with a pigment pen.

As you can see above, I am a very untidy painter. There are random bits of paint on one eye and in her hair, which was probably transfer from my hands from another piece. I never worry about that, or it disrupts my creative process. You might also notice that my girls normally have scrolly hair at the bottom, but I have been playing with various hair textures recently to give more of a layered look. I still have a bit of work to do on the hair below. At the moment, she looks like a hairdresser who has had too much caffeine got hold of her! I also intend to make her eyes a brighter violet and add a white dot for reflection, but other than that she is nearly done.

The piece below is getting there, but she needs more depth in her hair and skin tones, more definition to her nose and the reflection in her eyes. I am undecided about whether to add another layer to the background. The scanner didn't pick it up, but I am quite pleased with her shirt. It started out metallic purple, then I covered it with metallic green. It still wasn't quite there, so I dry brushed some of the color from her hair on and rubbed metallic gold on before it dried. The effect turned out a bit like verdigris. Its subtle, but very nice

Talk Art Tuesday

I love Gary Reef. I also love working with unexpected materials, so Gary's style and methods really, really apeal to me. Not only is his work fantastic, but he is also incredibly generous of his time and talent. He shares many of his great ideas and techniques through his Youtube channel, as well as keeps us smiling with his often silly antics and nodding our heads at his honesty. It doesn't matter whether you have been painting 20 days or 20 years, there is always something you can learn from other artists. It's artists like Gary, who recognize this and are willing to share their knowledge, that keep art exciting and fun. His foil art technique is one of my favorites.

Art Market Monday

For my first Art Market Monday I have lots and lots of news! My work has been accepted to The Montmarte Gallery in Lisburn, Co. Antrim. I feel very honored to have my paintings hanging amongst the many prominent Irish and international artists they represent. If you are passing through the area, be sure to pop in. Shortly, you will also be able to view and purchase my work on their website as well. I also have work in The Yard Gallery in Holywood, Co. Down. They do not put all artwork on their website, so the only way to see it is to stop by.

You can also find my work and meet me personally each Sunday from 1 - 6PM at The Artisan Market (sponsored by Sugahfix) at THE OUTLET in Banbridge, Co. Antrim.


On Etsy, I will be listing some prints and some of the 5 x 7 inch originals on canvas that you have already seen in my blog. There are a few I may not be able to part with, though! I will also be listing some rings and pendants made from prints of my work.

...and lastly, my SPECIAL OFFER this week is HALF OFF this set of mixed media heart paintings. They are the last of a series of paintings inspired by Jim Dine, created after I taught an art class about him. They are on A4 (approximately 8 1/2" x 11") deep canvas and originally sold for £55 each ($90 each). Until Saturday only, the whole set is available for £110 ($180).

My SPECIAL OFFER next week is BUY ONE ring or pendant and get HALF OFF another. Special offers are available both at The Artisan Market and on Etsy.

New Direction

My blog is heading in a new direction...well, not a new direction maybe...just a bit more focused. Each day of the week will be devoted to a specific theme, so that you know what to expect and when to have a look for what interests you most. I will put the theme in the tags, so that you can find all of the posts with that theme easily.

• Solve it Sunday: Each Sunday I will post a piece of my work as a puzzle, so that you can start your week with a bit of fun.
• Art Market Monday: Each Monday I will tell you where to find my new work, what to expect to see coming up on Etsy, where you can find my work in person and introduce a SPECIAL OFFER for the following week.
• Talk Art Tuesday: Each Tuesday, I will post something art related up for discussion or inspiration. It might be a technique video I find on Youtube or a technique of my own that I want to share. It could be a link to an art exhibition that is interesting or controversial...basically anything art related that I feel like talking about.
• Work in Progress Wednesday: Each Tuesday I will post photos of what I have been working on, as well as tell you how I'm feeling about its progress, ask for critiques, etc.
• Thumbs Up Thursday: Each Thursday I will post a link to something/someone that I have discovered and think is fantastic. It may be another visual artist, a musician, a useful website, etc.
• Fresh Off the Easel Friday: Each Friday I will post my just completed work.
  
• Simply Saturday: Saturdays will be more casual. I'll post anything that I didn't have time or room for the rest of the week, or that doesn't fit in those categories. Also, I do a monthly giveaway for my offline mailing list and am now going to add my online contacts to that. You will find info about that here. I'll be posting info on how to enter for my next giveaway this Saturday.
  

I hope you will like my new blog format. If there is anything else you would like to see, I'm always open to comments/suggestions. Here is my first puzzle...I have posted it as 48 pieces, but for those of you who really like a challenge, you can change it up to 240 pieces.

More 5 x7 inch Paintings

I can't seem to stop painting these! I'm not sure I like the top one yet. The color of the background didn't scan well...it's green with a hint of metallic purple over it. Since I scanned it, I have added a little white glaze over the top, but it's subtle. I'll leave it for a day or two and then come back to it and decide if she is done. The middle is my favorite and is going on my "to keep" wall.

I am on Fire!

I have been painting these little 5 x 7 inch paintings on canvas and am loving it! I am feeling so inspired and am quickly running out of canvas. Thank goodness I bought a bunch at the weekend!

Happy Accidents

I was working on a new girl recently. I liked the colors, texture and pattern and thought she was going well...until I picked her up and had a close look. Then I realized her face shape was really lopsided and her eyes were different sizes and very unevenly spaced in relation to her nose. I don't know how I managed NOT to notice unil the whole thing was nearly finished. Doh!

Before...she's a bit wonky!

I didn't want to completely scrap her, so I left her for a few days and came back with fresh eyes to make some adjustments. Rather than repainting her entire face, I decided to sweep her hair partially over her face, which made it easier to bring the eye closer to the nose where it belonged. I ended up with a very sultry looking girl and managed to salvage all the things I liked about the painting in the first place. Talk about your happy accidents!

After...much better!

New Painting

I painted this girl today and I am pretty darn pleased with myself. There is one little thing I intend to tweak, but I still love her. Originally, I intended on giving her away in my monthly prize draw, but I feel too attached to her. I guess I will have to paint a different girl instead.

Graphite and Charcoal Drawings

I have been experimenting with graphite and charcoal drawings and am liking the way they look for the most part. I'm thinking about incorporating some collage on the next ones, but I haven't decided how or where yet.

PJ and Imogene...What a Pair!

When I started watching PJ Hornberger's Youtube video about her altered book, I assumed she would just be flicking through a book full of her original art. That would have been enjoyable enough. Instead, I was surprised when she began to read her original story about Imogene, a cute giraffe who seems to be a bit of a cleptomaniac (though a loveable one). The story was sweet, funny and captivating, especially read by PJ, whose enthusiastic storytelling and southern accent is utterly charming.

and the July Winner is...

Kathleen from Banbridge, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Kathleen entered my monthly giveaway when she visited my stand at The Artisan Market at THE OUTLET in Banbridge. The prize was her choice of a matted, hand embellished canvas print. Kathleen selected "Pansy", which just happens to be one of my favorites! I will soon be opening my monthly giveaways to online entries. Keep checking back for details!