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Showing posts from 2014
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Once I was home and digested most of the information, I began again in my own space.  My music, my chair... just a very familiar atmosphere. There is much to said for your own studio space even if it is just a kitchen table. I definitely felt less pressure and no need to compare myself to those around me. It was now time to see what I could do on my own and if I actually learned anything at all. I continued to paint at a much slower pace than I had seen the others. One of the keys to this is working quickly once the set up is done. But, that didn't seem to come naturally. After a few sheets made it into the fire, I decided to work at my own pace. Walk before running. It isn't as if I am in a race. So once that was taken on the chin these are the two pieces I created for the day. watercolor by Rachel Jones  They both still need a little work, but I could see progress and therefore did not waste a week of excellent instruction. I really want to go in with inks and define
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OOOPS-A-PALOOZA So when one is in a workshop for a week, and you sometimes  overexert yourself, or think too quickly you 'got it' and take off running....some serious over working often happens. Case in Point.... oops X 1000 by R. Jones After several attempts to redeem her, I realized it was time to pack up, go to my room, and enjoy a glass of wine and a Sponge Bob marathon   and start again in the morning. It was so bad, that even my camera couldn't be  bothered to take a decent photo. There was NO  chartreuse on this paper. I suppose the NIKON just felt a bit 'pukey' at the sight of it. This, however is not how the workshop ended... This project is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. This project is funded in part by a generous award from the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of SC.
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The previous Post Shared an example of Janet Roger's amazing work. Without giving too much away ( I could not do it justice even if I tried ...Just take one of her amazing workshops.) I attempted one of my first watercolors. The idea is to do a "wash" then come back  in for a second pass and add more details and definition. The key is getting the first wash down Correctly the first time. I struggled with this. I found out that watercolors dry much lighter and therefore should use a heavier touch. I am NOT a heavier touch painter. But I was happy with my first attempts (though I still haven't gotten her hair in) This project is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. This project is funded in part by a generous award from the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of SC. Southcarolinaarts.com Springmaid watercolor
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Springmaid So for those of you have known that I was missing in action for a bit, I was attending Springmaid Watermedia Workshop. It has a three week Spring session, and a three week Autumn session. This has occurred for over 30 years bringing in some of the best instructors and artists worldwide.  Almost 20 years ago, I was a model for the workshops. What a completely different experience attending as a student. Being completely new to watercolors, I chose Janet Rogers. http://www.watercolorsbyrogers.com/pages-janet/janet-rogers-aws.html She was offering a class that was for beginners and experienced painters and also was not too traditional. She uses unexpected splashes of color to create energetic figures and faces. It appears spontaneous and loose. Just what I was looking for! This project is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. This project is funded in part by a generous award from th
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  506 ArtSpace is a gallery in North Myrtle Beach. Nice and cozy and worth visitng. They recently hosted a s mall works exhibition.  I entered a new piece.  The piece I entered was one I was hoping to paint on a large canvas at some point and time soon. I thought, how can I shrink the content into something less than 12 x 12? I needed to do a study anyway and this seemed the  perfect opportunity, I usually paint  raw and intuitively. Usually studies are NOT the norm.  But when I say large, I mean I really wanted LARGE. The wisest thing to do despite my avoidance of painting something more than once was to make a first draft. I am glad I did. This painting placed Third, I am happy to say. Please see the show before it ends December 22nd. Lots of lovely pieces still for sale. Support local art, Please.  Each purchase, affords us more paints and surfaces and all the many other little things we need. Thank you. Beholding Jubilation
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Rachel Jones has been awarded a grant by the South Carolina Arts commission for the 2015 fiscal year. This support which is funded in part by the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina has allowed Rachel Jones to attend the 2014 Fall Springmaid Watermedia Workshop.  The Springmaid Watermedia Workshop is a long standing institution in the area bringing world renowned instructors and painters from all over the world. This workshop has been educating and propelling the careers of artists for over 30 years. Rachel Jones who has been involved in the arts of Horry County for over 20 years, has been a member of Grand Strand Arts, displaying artist at Mad Hatter and Company, and a Seacoast Artists Guild member among many other local projects. She was instructed along with 20 others by portrait painter Janet Rogers. ( http://www.watercolorsbyrogers.com/pages-janet/janet-rogers-aws.html ) Through the generosity of this grant provide
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I almost did not enter into a local show. This should be a lesson learned in not giving up, not doubting yourself, and not painting what you think others want to see, but painting what you want to see. More to come soon.
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( Beholding  detail) by Rachel Jones Though I aim towards some sort of realism, my present objective leans more towards eliciting an emotional response. This doesn't mean I'm after a specific reaction, but raising a few questions or kicking off dialogue is the intent. So in a time where people create a persona by sharing hand picked moments (mostly successes or spontaneous high jinks) for all the world to see, what part does an observer play?  This and a series of thoughts that followed (some random, some conflicting)  were the catalyst for the painting Beholding Jubilation. More to follow. Beholding Jubilation Oil on Birch by Rachel Jones
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The final of the "blue" painting. Title awaiting... I think I am finished with her for now. Untitled "blue" Oil on Canvas by Rachel Jones
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Currently at Seacoast Artist Gallery in Market Commons, Myrtle Beach, SC. 3032 Nevers Street  (843) 232-7009 Mon.-Sat. 12 pm -8 pm/ Sun. 12 pm -6 pm Paintings by Rachel Jones
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Beginning November 1, The Cultural Council of Georgetown is presenting an "uplifting exhibition featuring several area artists and the paintings they selected as representing "Personal Triumph." This exhibit opens on Nov 1st, in conjunction with "A Taste of Georgetown" and will run through the month at 922 Front St., Georgetown."   Below is my contribution to the exhibit. It is oil on canvas - "Not Lunacy but Love". In order to read the entire story behind the painting, please visit the venue. Not Lunacy But Love Oil on Canvas by RachelJones
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Ophelia Frump In The Addams Family, Morticia has a sister named Ophelia. She was a blond flower child who had troubles keeping a man. I looked forward to her "guest appearances". Being quite young at the time, it took me a moment to realize it was Carolyn Jones playing both parts. No doubt the character is loosely based on Ophelia from Hamlet. She is quite one dimensional, but oh, how I loved her. Here is my little tribute to Miss Ophelia Frump.      I apologize for a the glare/dark spots. It was still a little wet. Ophelia BC (before courting) oil on canvas by Rachel Jones So why did I decide to name this painting Ophelia BC instead of Ophelia Frump? 1. Very few people I spoke with were familiar with Ophelia Frump. (including those old enough t o       have seen it the first time around) 2 . Many thought the "Frump" part of the title was a comment on Ophelia as a person. 3 . I grew tired of explaining stuff. 4. It came to me that Hamlet's Oph
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Progress shot of   "That Blue..." There is still enough of that electric blue remaining in this stage of the painting still. Oil on Canvas in progress by Rachel Jones detail

Color

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Color At the moment, I am working on a painting of a figure in profile. The background I toned using  Windsor Blue. It is so electric! It isn't a color I use prominently even though I love it. Keeping in mind my normal palette, I am curious to see how much of this color makes it in final painting. oil on canvas by Rachel Jones
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ophelia frump in the works oil on canvas by Rachel Jones I began this painting a few weeks back when I participated in a local Fall Festival. It is photographing a lot darker than it really is. My photography skills need work. However, she is reminding me so much of Ophelia Frump (Morticia's sister from the Addams Family). Of course Ophelia had blond hair, but I suppose I am allowed some creative licence here.
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I wrote previously about finding a little book to fill with little  paintings. Chairs, flowers, figures....I haven't a clue. But I know that I want it be a cohesive grouping that will make a person want to flip through its pages again and again. Below is the precious little book found in the shop. It is leather with 50 little openings for 50 little gems.  The pressure is on!
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 Generosity It is a wonderful thing to have fellow artists (especially those more talented and having worked at this game for a much longer time) appreciate, acknowledge, and continue to encourage you in what you do. How ever so very generous. Thank you.  I am very happy to announce that my painting, "Forever in Bloom" placed 2nd in the Seacoast Artists Gallery Fall Show. by Rachel Jones
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This Weekend was a Very Very Busy Weekend! Our town had a Fall Festival. The Mad Hatter and Co. had a booth representing several of the artists in the co-op.  Not only was there some great works, we met many others that are looking for  a place to create. Growing a Co-op is a Great Great Thing! A beautiful day... by Rachel Jones There was also the Seacoast Artists Gallery Fall Show. The two pieces I entered are below. Forever in Bloom oil on canvas by Rachel Jones Oil on Canvas by Rachel Jones
 There is a really great Art Community online called The Trodden Path . Even if you aren't an artist, it is a great place to see what people are up to, take an online class, see what inspires other artists, or participate in interesting discussions. The administrator is a brilliant artist herself....Jane. Today, Jane began the discussion 'when did you first take that leap and call yourself an Artist '. Very interesting topic. Below was my response. Join in at http://thetroddenpath.ning.com/ When I realized my life was not complete without it. I grew up in extremely small town without much culture in the 70's. When every gift I asked for was art related as a child. When I would rather spend my hard earned allowance bribing someone to drive me 3 to 5 hours away to see and exhibit (this was before I could drive) or later (when I finally had a driver's license) I would go to work bleary eyed from having spent the night driving from an art event so as to get
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September 21-29, 2014 Apparently I have not posted in a while. I have been busy painting, though. There were several larger more detailed paintings I wanted to finish. One  of the 'truths' of painting is that everything does not always work. For weeks I threw paint on a canvas trying to 'save' a painting when in reality it should  have been put away. Forcing a success out of it only wasted tubes of paints,   time, brainpower, and proved frustrating. The painting grew just as tired of me as I of it. It has now been hidden in a dark corner to be revisited once  we have forgiven each other. by Rachel Jones (The Unforgivable and Unfinished) In between the oil painting sessions, I was able to work on a few more watercolor type paintings to loosen up and relax. I found a little leather photo book in a local shop (The Mad Hatter and Company LLC  http://www.madhatterandcompany.com/ ) that will require at least 50 little paintings.  I'm conside
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September 19, 2014 Today was the Duplin Wine and Art event at House of Blues, Myrtle Beach, SC. http://www.duplinwinery.com/    http://grandstrand.happeningmag.com/autumn-art-wine-festival/ I met some lovely people, heard some great music, viewed some  amazing art and even got a chance to do a little painting along the way. I've only done the blocking in. I still have quite a bit left to do. I will post the final painting when finished. Enjoy. HOB setup/Rachel Jones
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September 18, 2014 Quite a large floral painting for a friend. Acrylic on Canvas by Rachel Jones
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September 16 and 17, 2014 I am adding the finished version of the skull painting. I added a layer of oil color. The photo doesn't really let it show, but there are still layers of the under painting in acrylic that come through and add to the aging of it. I could probably do a little more, but I think it has a certain feel in this unfinished state. As previously stated, understanding and rendering the skull accurately is a major aid in creating a realistic portrait. I'm not there yet, but am learning and feeling more confident with it. I have also done a few acrylic poppies on canvas. Skull Redo acrylic/oil/paper on wood by Rachel Jones September 17 Poppy Acrylic on Canvas by Rachel Jones
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September 15, 2014 I've been working on one of my skulls and books paintings. I'm considering adding flowers. This is a largish painting done on wood panel ( 2' X 3'). It is acrylic. I've made a frame already for it and had epoxy-resin on standby, but instead am considering adding a layer of oil color to soften the edges a little and add a little more richness to it. I don't think the epoxy and oil will make a good combination. I'll stare at it a bit more and hopefully make a final decision before the night is out. What I am certain of is there is much more to do and therefore I suppose this may not qualify as an official "Painting a Day" painting, Actually, I'll probably need another few days...BUT... I found time to paint today after working outside the home. Being able to add a stroke here or a glaze there seems to bookend the day quite nicely and I'm happy about that. WIP skull/book study Acrylic/Wood/Paper by Rachel Jones
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September 14, 2014 What better way to break in the Moleskine. I present... a chair . Moleskine Chair #1 Acrylic on Paper by Rachel Jones
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September 10, 2014 Having been born in a much later time period, I am fascinated by the past. Some are a little closer in time such as the 40-60's in the south where little leaning sideways tin or wood buildings down dirt tracks served as hot entertainment spots. There may have been cracks in the walls and drip pans to catch the rain, but that didn't stop people from dressing up in their finest apparel and make the journey to dance and drink their cares away and maybe even find love.Every once in a while on my drives, I come across one of these.... still in use! Of course in my mind it always seems glamorous in a rustic sort of way...but I've been told from those who actually frequented, owned, played in such joints that there was a less  pleasant side to it all too. So today I've explored both sides of a typical night. I've actually made an attempt at this twice before. It is a photo of some distant relatives and no one seems to remember their names. I've
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September 9, 2014 I have decided that between new paintings, this would be a perfect opportunity  to 'refresh' forgotten ones that have been stuffed in corners, closets, and  beneath beds. As most painters know, sometimes you just get stuck! A painting may begin so well with vigor and promise and then.....Well it just sort of fizzles for  whatever reasons. Maybe the inspiration has left or a technical problem arises  that needs resolving that seems impossible. Whatever the case, the painting  ends up in the dark recesses of the home and mind.  I hope to pull a few of these out,  dust off the cobwebs, and do battle with its dragon. I will continue creating new paintings or this month's challenge.  I'm just hoping to see  now that I have little bit more experience and knowledge,  am I able to determine what  went wrong  and how to fix it.  Of course, a nice layer of gesso fixes all such problems! Today, I finished this one... (finally) She i
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September 8, 2014 I really needed to catch up on some larger paintings. In keeping with the daily theme, I will share a glimpse of what I am working on. Only a glimpse since it is in the unavoidable 'ugly' stage. I've had the fortune of selling a few paintings lately which means the production line must pick up pace in order to fill wall spaces. I suppose it is a real "first world" problem not worth wasting breath on. I am doing what I love and so few have that privilege. Putting things in perspective means that I should just paint and not fret too much over the fact that the washing may get done a few hours later than normal and dinner may have to come out of a can. I am in the ugly stage by will be better soon by Rachel Jones