"Midsummer Daydream", 12x16, oil, floral arrangement, still life, plein air, Florida garden, midsummer

 "Midsummer Daydream", 12x16, oil

This is a plein air painting that I painted on my lanai, a few years ago. I set up the flowers and fruit on the table next to the pool, and went to town painting it.

It became a study for a larger work that I did, called Reverie, which won a first place ribbon under esteemed judge Aline Ordman.

I used that wrought iron table often for plein air still life setups. Sadly, it got so rusty I had to through it out.

Let me know what you think of this painting in the comments below!

Thanks for visiting. Be sure to check out my website at Maryanne Jacobsen Fine Art.

"Coffee Break", 12x9, oil on panel, coffee, chocolate, still life, painting ellipses, paint study, Ghirardelli chocolate, kitchen art, food art, kitchen decor

 "Coffee Break", 12x9, oil on panel

Lately, I have decided to work on improving my drawing skills, since drawing is such an integral part of painting well.

Today, I wanted to work on ellipses, because they are such an important part of still life painting. Actually, they are an important part of all styles of painting!

Take a lake filled with waterlilies, for instance. You simply cannot paint those waterlilies successfully unless you can paint an ellipse and understand how they change with perspective. Here is one of Claude Monet's famous waterlily paintings:

Notice how the shape of the flower changes as it goes back in perspective.

So I set up a still life with some ellipses in it, and worked on it all day. Yes indeed those things are hard to paint accurately! (At least for me.)

I love the little French sugar bowl and lid that my daughter-in-law gave me a while back, and so I included that in the picture as well as some Ghirardelli chocolate! Yum.

In the end, I think I made some progress in painting ellipses from an overhead perspective.

Maybe, I'll work on some water lilies next....

This painting is available through my website, under the "little gems" collection. Or send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com if interested in purchasing a little coffee and chocolate.

"Floribunda and Hybrid Teas", 12x16, oil on copper, hybrid tea roses, nasturtiums, persimmons, garden florals, still life, chiaroscuro

 "Floribunda and Hybrid Teas", 12x16, oil on copper

Painting on copper is very different from painting on linen. There is very little blending that can be done, and so it is probably a better support for a realist than an impressionist painter.

I still enjoyed painting this mixture of hybrid tea roses, nasturtiums and persimmons, in spite of the fact that I couldn't manipulate the paint the way that I wanted.

If you like this painting, feel free to make me an offer!

"Where the Robins Sing", 24x24, oil on masonite, still life, outdoor still life, garden art, wine, strawberries, pink flowers, original art, Maryanne Jacobsen art

 "Where the Robins Sing", 24x24, oil on masonite

This colorful garden still life was painted a few years ago and has nice impasto passages throughout.The birds were singing in the trees beyond the fence, and there was the tiniest hint of fall in the air that day. The glass of cabernet was the perfect ending to my painting session and I even ate the strawberries!

 Artists and their art continue to bring beauty into the world through their creativity, imagination and skill. Thank-you for supporting my work and I hope you have a wonderful day!

"Friends and Neighbors", 10x20, oil on linen, classical realism, pears, grapes, Maryanne Jacobsen art, still life

"Friends and Neighbors", 10x20, oil on linen

Sometimes I think it is important for me to paint something that is more in line with the classical tradition.

I tend to prefer "looser" work, but I much admire the artists who render so beautifully fruits , flowers and vases in the tradition of the Old Masters. This was my attempt at a "serious" painting. and while I am serious about all my work, I hope you all know what I mean!

"Imagination", 11x14, oil on linen panel, floral, imagination, still life, experimental paintings

"Imagination", 11x14, oil on linen panel

Sometimes it is good to just experiment. There is a liberating quality about not caring too much how a painting will come out.

In this case, I took a painting that was unsuccessful and  covered it with an orangish wash. Then I just used my imagination to create some semblance of forms and.... Voila! A painting is made.

I didn't fret over value, color or edges. I just painted.

While this is not a masterpiece, it proves to me that 'letting go' is a good thing on my artistic journey.

"Wish You Were Here", 11x14, oil on panel, Maryanne Jacobsen art, Galer Winery and Estate, Peonies, paintings of peonies, wine, Kennett Square attractions, Chester County Wineries, still life, impressionism, AirBnB

SOLD

"Wish You Were Here", 11x14, oil on panel

My husband and I have been using Airbnb and VRBO for years. With very few exceptions we have been very happy with these sites, which offer an eclectic array of alternatives to hotels.

A recent trip took us to a lovely Cottage on the grounds of the Galer Winery and Estate near Longwood Gardens in Chester County, Pa.

The cottage overlooks the vineyard, and it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. The peonies were blooming and we were greeted by bouquets of peonies in our room when we arrived. The interior is charming and quite cozy, and we loved the views from the window and front porch. The booking also provides for a complimentary wine tasting!

I couldn't resist setting up a little still life using the peonies to full advantage, as you can see from the finished painting above.

I hate telling about the little gems that we have found along our winding roads, but this one was just too good not to brag about. If you are looking for a great place to stay for a romantic weekend in the Brandywine Valley, I highly recommend this little gem of a cottage!

If you would like to purchase my painting, "Wish you were Here", just follow this link and use the PayPal button. And if you like my work, don't forget to follow me on Instagram and sign up for my newsletter through my website.

"The Gift Basket", 16x20, orchids, fruit, fruit basket, still life, eggs, wine, Leonard Cohen, MAryanne JAcobsen art

"The Gift Basket", 16x20

This is a re-do of a painting that I did awhile back. Not sure if I'm happy with it but I did enjoy painting it. Listened to the Essential Leonard Cohen CD while I painted. Now that man was a true artist!

If you are interested in this work, please contact me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

"Verte et Rouge", 11x14, oil on panel, green, red, floral, esperanza rose, apples, still life, palette knife

"Verte et Rouge", 11x14, oil on panel

I loved the way these two compliments played against each other as I painted this. I opted for cooler reds throughout, which made the warmer greens pop.

I guess with Christmas right around the corner, I had red and green on my mind.

This painting is available for $850. If you have any interest in this painting, please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

"Gala Apples and Summer Roses", 14x18, oil on linen, mixed roses, apples, still life, Maryanne Jacobsen art

"Gala Apples and Summer Roses", 14x18, oil on linen

I haven't posted in a while because I've been sick with a sinus infection. Thankfully it' over and I'm good as new.

I started this painting before I got sick and had to put it on hold while I recovered. Unfortunately, by the time I was able to start painting again, here is what the roses looked like;

 Ahhh, the joys and challenges of painting from life!

If you are interested in this painting, please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

"Bartlett Pears with Grapes, 12x16, oil on board

"Bartlett Pears with Grapes, 12x16, oil on board

I've enjoyed working on a couple "academic" pieces this week. Here's one of them.

I concentrated on values and edges on this one. In retrospect, this study would have looked dynamic with a white tablecloth, but I wasn't thinking about the colors of the tablecloth when I started it.

It was a good effort and I'm happy with it.

"Grapes and Old Treasures", 9x12, still life, brass ,bottle, milk glass, grapes

SOLD

"Grapes and Old Treasures", 9x12

I haven't done an academic still life like this one in a long while, but yesterday I borrowed some family antiques from a friend and decided to have a go at painting them.

I must confess I felt very rusty! It needs more work, but I decided to put it away for now.

Here's my reference:

Two national shows and three roses!- American Impressionist Society, American Women Artists, Castine Plein air, Maryanne jacobsen art, roses, vase

SOLD

 "Pas de Trois", 8x8, oil on board

You know you haven't blogged in  awhile, when some of your readers send you emails asking if you are well!

I apologize for not blogging over these past weeks, but I had good reasons! I'm just getting over an illness that had me under the weather for a few weeks. In spite of not feeling well, I decided to go to the Castine Plein Air event anyway, and I'm glad that I did. I'll be blogging about that later on, but for now I just wanted to say that I'm back and thanks to my readers for their concerns!

I also received really wonderful news this week that I have been juried into the 16th annual American Women Artist's exhibit to be held in November at The Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg , Texas. Of over 600 entries, only 60 were selected for the exhibit, and I was delighted and honored to have "Pas de Trois" included in this group of  beautiful paintings!

My little vase that I purchased in a health food store has certainly served me well, as I also used it for the painting, "Dancing Queens and a Pear", which was juried into the prestigious American Impressionist Society's 14th annual juried show in Charleston this October.Wow! Two national shows in one month! I am soooo happy and thankful for the blessing!

 Here's a photo of the set-up that  I used for my painting: As you can see, I stuck the vase unceremoniously between the blender and the toaster, and painted it right in my kitchen!

The next day, I carried the roses and vase into the bathroom, added a pear and couple glass bottles and painted "Dancing Queens and a Pear" in the somewhat confining quarters of the bathroom. Well, whatever works and for me the combination of north light from the window and warm overhead light above the mirror, made for an  interesting lighting effect.

I think it is going to be a busy and exciting fall season for this happy artist! Thanks for reading!

"Balancing Act", 11x14, still life, realism, red onion, eggs, pottery

"Balancing Act", 11x14, oil on linen

Sometimes it seems as though our lives are precarious balancing acts. How quickly our daily joys can turn into stress and pain over some unexpected turn of events. How quickly our relaxation can turn into stress, when we are unprepared for a turn of events.

The holidays can often be a real "Balancing act". Unexpected costs for gifts, unexpected company, unexpected illness or even a delayed flight can turn what should have been a happy time into a period of stress and even dread.

This Christmas I have promised myself that I will not stress out. I will stay focused on the true meaning of the season and share this blessed time with those I love and friends I cherish. I will not cave in to the negativity of shopping at unreasonable hours, cleaning till the skin comes off my hands or eating sugar-laden treats till I can't close my pants!

Although Jesus Christ was not really born in December, (see here), I will still stay focused on the fact that his birth whenever it occurred, was a blessing to the entire world. And for those who choose to follow the path of Christianity, there are rewards that are most certainly beyond our current level of understanding to comprehend.

So if you are currently trying to juggle a "balancing act", sit back for a moment and meditate on your life's blessings- those that are past and those that you still hope for. The Christmas season is about Hope, Love and Peace. Let's try to enjoy it!

"Balancing Act" can be shipped framed and ready to hang in time for Christmas. I was always very proud of this piece and while it is not really indicative of my current style of painting, I have received many compliments on it, over the past few years.

"A moment in Time", 24x12, oil on panel

SOLD

"A moment in Time", 24x12, oil on panel

New still life, lots of nice impasto in the flowers! I took stuff I had around the house- some dried yellow yarrow, some red grapes and white begonias and arranged them on a desk and liked the combination...

Here's my set-up:

If you would like to purchase this painting , just send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

"Quiet Elegance", 18x24, oil on linen, award-winning paintings

SOLD

"Quiet Elegance", 18x24, oil on linen

"Quiet Elegance" received the Judges Award last week at the opening of the Harvest of Art exhibition at the visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda, Florida. This is Charlotte County's oldest and most prestigious annual juried exhibit, and will be the 24th year for the Harvest of Art. I had just joined the art center, so I was delighted to receive this award. Muchu Gracias to the judge!