"Summer Reverie", 16x20, oil on panel, garden party, wine, flowers, garden scenes, Maryanne Jacobsen art

"Summer Reverie", 16x20, oil on panel

I was very pleased to receive a First Place award recently in the North Port Art Center's "Garden Party" exhibit.

To paint the scene, I set up  a table with some flowers and a glass of wine out on my lanai, near the pool.

I then did a 12 x16 inch plein air sketch out doors and used the sketch and the photo to create the larger painting.

If you would like purchase information about this painting, please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

Happy Spring!

"Summer Reverie", 16x20, oil on panel, Maryanne Jacobsen art, original oil paintings, impressionism, plein air versus studio, gardens, flowers, romantic gardens

"Summer Reverie", 16x20, oil on panel

I did a plein air painting in my back garden a couple weeks ago and enjoyed it so much that I thought I'd try a larger version in my studio. The image above is the result.

It's a weird thing about plein air. You are working against the clock to capture all that you see in front of you, and as a result you don't have time to over-think things. So generally speaking, plein air work has a more spontaneous feel to it.

The benefits of working  in the studio, are that you can study what you did wrong in the plein air piece, and take your time thinking through how you could do it differently, in the hopes that you might improve upon what you did quickly outdoors.

Here are the two paintings side by side:

The funny thing is, I like the plein air painting better! Yes, I was able to soften edges in the larger one, and think more carefully about the background, but somehow, the transparency of the tablecloth, the texture in the flowers, the boldbess of the brushwork,  and the spontaneous way in which I threw in the leg and its shadow underneath the table, appeals to me more.

Anyhow, if you stop by this blog and have a read, please let me know what you think!

"The Scent of Romance", 12x16, oil on Ampersand panel, flowers, gardens, Maryanne Jacobsen art, romantic art, studies, plein air, table settings hydrangeas

"The Scent of Romance", 12x16, oil on Ampersand panel

This is a quick study that I did in my garden yesterday. It was cold by Florida standards, so I had to work quickly so I could go back inside!

I like the way it came out, so I have decided that I will do a bigger version of this one in the studio. If you would like to purchase this small study, just contact me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

"Window Sill Neighbors", 14x11, oil on canvas, left over paint, mud, impasto, palette knife floral, flowers, sunflowers, colorful florals, Maryanne Jacobsen art

 "Window Sill Neighbors", 14x11, oil on canvas

I didn't really have any intention on painting yesterday. Made a peach pie, did some other wifey-type things and then decided to clean out the refrigerator. Cleaning out the refrigerator/freezer forced me to address the paints that I store for weeks and often months in the freezer.

Paints being expensive, I am always reluctant to throw away what's leftover on the palette after a painting is completed. So I just keep scrape the palette and keep these piles of paint in two airtight containers in the freezer and take them out and use them as need arises.

Well, the paint clumps had become sticky, and the piles were getting really gross-looking. So on the spur of a moment I decided to do what I call a "left over" painting, meaning that I use all the left over paint and create a painting out of the piles.

I quickly foraged around the kitchen and then the garden and came up with this set-up:

I mentally edited out the toaster, blender and eyeglass case and painted quickly since it was getting dark and my eyes leave plenty to be desired in good light! Much of the paint was mud, which meant I could use some of the cleaner paint  to add color to the mud and still have some harmony.

I used a palette knife for the entire painting, as well as a canvas that was already sketched on. I love it when I don't waste anything! In this case the recycled paint was all used up, and I now have a freezer devoid of paints!

Here's a close-up of the impasto:

I do hope that  all that thick paint excites someone, because these window sill neighbors would love to find a new home!

"The Scent of Summer", 12x16, oil, flowers, pink, impasto, impressionism, palette knife, roses, Maryanne Jacobsen art

"The Scent of Summer", 12x16, oil

I had fun experimenting with this painting. I kept wiping out the work I had done when I wasn't happy with it and going over the top with something new. Wiping out was something I got used to hearing about at PACE15. In fact, instead of thinking of wiping out as being a result of making mistakes, it's often a technique that seasoned artists use to get some nice softening effects.

I forget what this is called. Though I know it has a name!

I also used a limited palette of two yellows, two reds and two blues. It does make for a nice harmonic sound, and I do see unity in the work above.

Anyhow, I enjoyed playing with this one and kept the impasto for the end- in the flowers, of course.

"Poolside", 18x24, oil on canvas, paintings of pools, fruit , flowers, pink roses, Florida gardens

"Poolside", 18x24, oil on canvas

I've been taking a perspective class recently from a fabulous Russian -trained artist . The class has been hard for me since I failed geometry in high school. Here's a visual note from Wednesday's class:

My artist friends and I have been having a really good conversation on Facebook about how much perspective an artist really needs in order to be a successful painter.

I especially loved the comment by my friend and fellow plein air painter Diane Mannion who wrote the following,  "Linear perspective: The very words themselves seem to strike terror into students, it's no wonder when they hear such terms as 'multiple vanishing points' and 'conical projection'. Well, just forget them, all that is necessary for a landscape painter to have, is a sense of perspective and an eye for the obvious. Just remember these simple rules:
*Objects diminish in size as they recede from the viewer.
*The horizon is always at the eye-level of the viewer.
*Parallel lines on such things as buildings tend to converge in distance, usually on the horizon.
Whole books have been written about the laws of perspective but as with legal laws, you need only enough knowledge of them to be able to keep out of trouble."
-Trevor Chamberlain (OIL PAINTING PURE AND SIMPLE)

Thanks so much Diane! Your words gave me the courage to paint this scene without measuring a single thing!  And whether right or wrong, it was painted with passion and energy, (and a little sweat.)

"Bienvenue", 22x28, oil on wrapped canvas, paintings of France, Alsace windows, window boxes, flowers

"Bienvenue", 22x28, oil on wrapped canvas

Almost 15 years ago, my hubby and I took a wonderful trip to Europe which included time spent in France, Germany and Denmark. One of the highlights of that trip was time spent in the Alsace region of France. I'll never forget the trip up Mont Sainte-Odile to see the dramatic sight of the monastery,  where , as legend has it, Sainte Odile was given sanctuary from a brutal father, who wanted to kill his own daughter because she was blind.

Another highlight of that trip to the Alsace region was La Petite France, a section of the old city of Strasbourg, which is filled with canals reminiscent of Venice, Italy and studded with ancient multi-storied buildings that have stood for centuries in shades of pink, ochre and magenta under hazy skies.

Alsace is a little German or a little French depending on who was currently in control during those years of its schizophrenic history when both countries jockeyed back and forth for control of the area.

This scene that I've painted a few times before depicts a classic Alsace window, framed in colorful wooden shutters with flowers and abundant vines cascading in and out of cheerful chaos.

If you would like information on purchasing "Bienvenue", please contact Gallery 444 at (415) 434-4477 and ask for Desiree or Heidi.

Thanks for allowing me to share my memories of Alsace with you!

"Porch Peonies", 8x10, oil on board, pink peonies, blue vases, porch paintings, plein air, impressionist paintings, flowers, Vixen Hill Cottage

"Porch Peonies", 8x10, oil on board

During my trip to Pennsylvania a few weeks ago, I noticed that the peonies were in full bloom. I absolutely adore peonies so I determined to pick some, set them up outside out Vixen Hill Cottage, and paint them.

So one night I went out and picked a ton of them, determined to begin my painting the very next day.

I found vases in the cottage and set them up on a table outside and arranged all my paints the night before so I could get started first thing in the morning.

Instead of awakening to the usual slice of sunrise coming through the windows, I noticed that the skylights were being battered with heavy rain. So I sighed and figured it would stop before the day was over.

Well, the rain continued, and continued and went on and on and on. After 5 days, my peonies were almost completely spent by the rain. That was when I decided to collect the survivors and set them up in the porch. The sun was trying valiantly to peek through, but by now I didn't trust it!

In the end, the sun did in fact make a comeback that day, but I finished my painting on the porch, unperturbed by the prospect of another downfall.

Please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com, if you would like to purchase "Porch Peonies".

"Gate to Sunshine", 5x7, oil on board, flowers, garden, impressionism, gate, trellis

SOLD

"Gate to Sunshine", 5x7, oil on board

Sometimes, when all of the news that you hear is bad, you just need to settle down and find your own little portal to sunshine. So that's what I did when I painted this little garden scene today.

Purchase info through Galerie du Soleil.

"Midsummer Daydream", 8x10, oil on linen, paintings of women, garlands, flowers, summer midsummer, William Blake

"Midsummer Daydream", 8x10, oil on linen

The narrow bud opens her beauties to
The sun, and love runs in her thrilling veins;
Blossoms hang round the brows of Morning, and
Flourish down the bright cheek of modest Eve,
Till clust’ring Summer breaks forth into singing,
And feather’d clouds strew flowers round her head.
- William Blake

I love the poems of William Blake, and was delighted to find this one after I painted the portrait!

I have not been posting regularly for almost two months. In early October I was diagnosed with skin cancer, and for me, it was a life-changing event. I never thought much about my health before, because it has been relatively good, thank the Lord. So when I went to the dermatologist for a routine yearly skin check, I was hardly expecting to hear the news that the so-called 'pimple' I had on my forehead looked supsicious to her. She took it out, but warned me that she wasn't sure she had gotten it all. Fast forward a few days, and I rec'd the word I didn't want to hear- cancer.

It has now been almost two weeks since the first surgery. The second surgery the following day was reconstructive in nature- to repair the defect, and I'll confess that seeing 27 stitches in my forehead made me think of nothing other than that I looked like Frankenstein. Yet, all of my fears about disfigurement were for nothing. I was blessed to find a very talented facial surgeon, who worked beyond my wildest expectations to produce a result I know I'll be able to live with and not be self-conscious about. In truth, I suspect it will be hard to find the scar in a few months!

God sometimes makes us go through trials in order to grow our roots deeper. He also uses these circumstances for the good, though at the time we go through the trial, we can almost never see it that way. As a consequence of this trial, I have done a great deal of introspection about many things, life, health, God, family, friends and even art.

 I have also done a lot of research on health, cancer and the immune system. One of the books I read is Cancer Killers, written by three men, one of whom had virulent cancer throughout his entire body. He healed himself with general nutrition and what some would consider some very unorthodox therapies. The only reason I am recounting this story on my art blog, is to encourage anyone, who has ever received a diagnosis of cancer, to be encouraged by the fact that many people today are beating the odds in a natural way, as a result of learning the value of good nutrition, an alkaline Ph balance in the body, and a stress-free lifestyle.

I realize that I had the most benevolent form of cancer possible, and for that I am very thankful. Yes, I will have to re-think my future of plein air painting, because I live in Florida where the rays are doubly dangerous. But overall, I am now grateful for this trial, because I now understand that God was trying to get my attention. He wanted me to have a healthier body! He wants us all to have healthy bodies, and everything that our body needs to heal itself is available in nature, if only we take the time to do the research and find out what they are. For instance, how many people understand the value of an alkaline versus an acid body? How many people know that Tumeric,  a spice used extensively in Indian cooking, can help destroy breast cancer? How many people are aware that certain foods are valuable antioxidants, and in today's world of toxic food and toxic environments, it is vital that we take the steps we need to educate ourselves on how to reduce these toxins in our bodies!

If you, or a loved one, is interested in learning how to prevent and even cure cancer, and make your body stronger and healthier, I highly recommend this book.

Thanks for listening. It was good to start painting again!

"Green Shutters", 5x7, oil on gessoboard, by Maryanne Jacobsen, painitngs of France, shutters, doorways, flowers, green

SOLD

"Green Shutters", 5x7, oil on gessoboard

Stroll down the street and smell the scent of flowers lingering in the breeze.
Toss you hair over your shoulder and smile.
The shutters are green, the sky is blue, and God is good.

a Painting a day, Daily painters, original art , affordable art, impressionist paintings,Paintings of Provence, paintings of doors and windows,French landscapes,colorist art,green shutters.

"Seeing Double in Arles", 5x7, oil on gessoboard, Provence, Arles, shutters, flowers, stripes, small original paintings, awnings, window box, shutters

SOLD

"Seeing Double in Arles", 5x7, oil on gessoboard

I decided to paint something fun today and that's when I noticed that there is "Stripe" Challenge going on this week over at Daily Paintworks.

If you are unfamiliar with the site, it has a great deal of lovely art for you to purchase, or just look at:0)

Every week, Carol Marine and other artists come up with a new "Challenge" designed to keep us all painting whether we want to or not! Sometimes the challenges are educational, and sometimes they are just plain fun.

I couldn't resist painting these double windows with striped awnings, and blue shutters with striped wooden planks!

Plein air hibiscus

SOLD "Towards the Light", 8x10, oil on canvas panel

This pretty hibiscus was painted en plein air from this cutie in my garden. I used a palette knife for everything but the thingie sticking out of the flower-whatever that's called.

a Painting a day, Daily painters, original art , affordable art, impressionist floral paintings,home decor paintings, peach hibiscus paintings ,cottage art,colorist art,palette knife paintings.