"Mary's Garden", 12x12, oil, gardens, relaxation, women in hats, mothers day, sunflowers, table in the sun

 "Mary's Garden", 12x12, oil

I've painted this little scene a number of times. It was from a photo that my husband took of me reading a book in our back garden. 

In this one, I gave myself brown hair for a change, even though I'm a blonde. I loved the bright sunlight on the table and flowers, while I myself sat fairly sheltered under an old oak tree.

This could be any wife, mom or daughter on her day off-just enjoying the sunshine, a good book, and a glass of white wine!

Feel free to contact me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com, if you are interested in this work.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

"Mary's Garden", 12x12, oil on linen panel, oil paintings for sale, women in hats, women in gardens, serenity garden, wine and books, secret gardens, original art, original oil paintings on sale

 "Mary's Garden", 12x12, oil on linen panel

I painted this a few years ago and totally forgot I had painted it! I've painted this scene before a number of times with different elements in it, and each painting always sells, because what lady doesn't want her own little garden of serenity? A place to escape to from the craziness of life. 

I am adding this painting to my "Christmas in November" sale so check out the beautiful original oil paintings on sale and maybe find one to add to your own artwork collection. This painting is only $400, and framing options are available for an additional cost.

This painting would make a lovely gift for a mom, grandma, wife or friend, and it's on sale for a limited time only.

"La Vie en Rose", 9x12, oil, French songs, straw hats, rose, life in pink, pretty women, women in hats, rose colored glasses, red lipstick, original art, impressionism

 "La Vie en Rose", 9x12, oil

The title of my painting, "La Vie en Rose," translates from the French to "Life in Pink" in English. It is a phrase often associated with a state of blissful happiness and seeing life through a rosy lens.

The girl in the painting personifies grace and femininity. Although she is not smiling, in her pensive state her demeanor exudes confidence, daring the viewer to read her thoughts; inviting the viewer into her world of romantic fantasy. Her straw hat is embellished with pink roses symbolizing beauty, growth, and a connection to nature. 

I painted this while listening to Pandora Internet radio's French Cafe station, blending my favorite music with the challenge of capturing beauty within a harmonious balance of nature and mystery.

I had a lot of fun painting this, probably because I love all things French, and even managed to enjoy a glass of wine while painting! I think the wine added a little "je ne said quoi!" Don't you?

If you enjoyed the painting and this post please feel free to comment below. The painting is available through my website. Follow this link for purchase information.

"Printemps", 6x8, oil on panel, women in hats, springtime, expressive portraits, little gems, portraits of women

 "Printemps", 6x8, oil on panel

I will always be an old-fashioned girl at heart. I have always loved things that reflect timeless beauty, history, charm, and a simple way of life. So I am of course attracted to things of the past. 

I think it would have been amazing to live during the Roaring Twenties, when fashion was influenced by the Jazz Era or the Great Gatsby era as told through F. Scott Fitzgerald. I also love the Victorian age and the 40's and.... oh I could just go on and on. The fashion of today is just not fashion at all!

Anyway, I digress. This little tiny painting is all about a romantic era. The girl's dreamy eyes are thinking perhaps of a lost love, or a husband at war. 

All I know is that she is sad, but still beautiful.

I enjoy painting little small portraits because I think they can be more expressive when they are done quickly, as this one was.

I named the painting "Printemps", which means springtime in French.

Thanks for checking out my blog. Check out more of my paintings at my website here.

"Prairie Gal", 16x16, oil on wrapped canvas, women in hats, green shawl, Spanish Point, Light and shadow, Maryanne Jacobsen Fine Art

"Prairie Gal", 16x16, oil on wrapped canvas

This beautiful gal modeled for a group of us artists a few years back at Historic Spanish Point, in Osprey, Florida. She stood against the door of the old boathouse, just as the afternoon sun was sending wonderful diagonal patterns against the shadowed walls. A piece of light from her white blouse reflected back up into the underside of her nose, and the effect was captivating.

I knew I'd get around to painting her again eventually. Just surprised that it took about 5 years!

For additional information about this painting, email me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

"Coffee Break", 9x12, oil on Canson oil paper, coffee break, Beautiful women, women in hats,, portrait study, all prima

"Coffee Break", 9x12, oil on Canson oil paper

Had fun with this one. May try her in a larger format.

"Summer Read", 16x20, oil, figure in the landscape, paintings of young ladies, women in hats, books, summer, gardens, MAryanne JAcobsen art

"Summer Read", 16x20, oil on panel

Sometimes I will do a scene more than once if I enjoyed painting it, and also to see if I can improve upon what I did before.

I painted a smaller version of this over a year ago, called "A Summer's Day" :

There are things about the first version that I like better, like the folds in the girl's dress and the light on the chaise. But overall, I am relieved to also see improvements in the new version. It is so important for an artist to know she is improving, otherwise why bother to continue?

Parts of painting become drudgery after a time. Things like cleaning brushes, cleaning messy palettes, varnishing , framing and preparing canvases, not to mention shipping- are the things that make me weary. Many people have no idea how much work is involved in being a successful artist! And I didn't even touch on the marketing part which I am not very diligent about!

So it is always helpful to know that one is improving and that the work is well received by your audience.

I would love to hear from you regarding the newer version! Please drop a comment if you have the time!

"Maid in the Shade", 6x6, oil on board, framed- Randy Higbee 6x6 inch squared show, women, women in hats, wine, books, garden scenes, sunflowers, Table and flowers, impressionism

SOLD

"Maid in the Shade", 6x6, oil on board, framed

This beautiful painting of a woman enjoying the outdoors with a glass of wine and her favorite hat and book has been juried into the prestigious annual Randy Higbee 6x6 inch squared show in Costa Mesa, California. The scene is a favorite of mine and I've done it a few other times in other sizes and formats and it's always a popular seller in galleries. It is  to be framed in a beautiful dark wooden frame as shown and would make the perfect gift for the holidays.

You do not need to attend the gallery opening in order to purchase the painting. To purchase, simply follow this link, to purchase online with credit card or Paypal. The exhibit has just begun and the show will continue through December 23rd. Get a jump start on your holiday gift list with this picture perfect original oil painting, by award-winning impressionist  and internationally collected artist Maryanne Jacobsen!