Brickwall Photo Shoot

A few weeks ago I did an impromptu photo shoot with Tommy and my sister's super fancy camera.  I've been working on getting the best images I can of my work, for printing and for showing work online. While these picture probably aren't magazine quality, I'm happy with how they came out.

I love using natural light and on this cloudy day when we shot these pictures, the light was perfect!

'The 4th'

 'Love Call'

'Out of Hibernation' (SOLD)

 'Untitled Zebra'  large print

'Untitled Zebra'

'Wild Horses'

Well, what do you think!?

Feel free to pass on any camera tips and tricks you've found that are helpful :)

My artwork showing at ORMAO

I was invited to hang my work at a beautiful dance studio in town called ORMAO.   I had several odds and mismatched pieces left over from other shows this past year. I thought since they were all from different series, they wouldn't match very well BUT to my surprise they all ended up looking pretty good together on the entryway walls.  Thanks to Laurens fantastic arrangement :)

  That's Lauren on the ladder, from the Modbo.

She's in charge of curating and arranging the artwork here.

 

A nice long entry way perfect for hanging art.

These owl feather drawings are inspired from an actual owl feather I found under a tree on a hike once. Tommy spotted an owl in the tree and I spotted the feather under at the base of the tree.  I love that feather because I know it came right from that cute owls body!

  Some pieces from my 'Speak Love' Series and little prints of some my more popular drawings.

'Scooters!'

These are a bit different from my normal style.  I have fun dabbling in other media from time to time.  For instance, these pieces are very three dimensional, mostly from using gel medium to build up layers.

  A picture of the inside of one of the dance rooms.

Jan, the owner, was telling me that she has the kids come out to the hallway and pick out their favorite art piece and then make up a dance about it.  How cute is that!?

I wish I would have stayed in dance through out the years.  The last time I was in ballet, I was 4 or 5 years old.  When it was recital night, I got scared and ran and sat on my mom's lap and watched my dance class do the routine from the side line.  So much for my dance career! LOL.

Anyone have any dance stories they wanna share?

If you are interested in purchasing a piece, please contact:

myself,  jen@jenmeyerart.com or Jan, ormao@msn.com/719-471-9759

Pictures from this weekends Open Studios

A huge thank you to everyone who came out in the super cold weather this weekend to the open studios and MODBO show!  The Vegan Society of Colorado Springs really made it a party with amazing homemade vegan cheeses, wine and great peeps!

Here's some pictures from the night:My cute hubby, Tommy, was tending bar.

A great quartet of street carolers surprised us with songs.  They joined right in seamlessly with my brother JJ.

   My brother JJ, who sang beautiful songs and carols all night.  I missed a lot of his songs being in my studio most of the night...I need my own personal concert now JJ ;-)

These hallways haven't been so busy since the early 1900's!

The homemade vegan cheese came out amazing!  The brie wrapped in filo was my faaaavorite! I must learn how to make this stuff!

    Big huge thanks to Tinya and all the peeps at the Vegan Society of Colorado Springs!

Some art in my studio.

The pieces that are still available will listed in my ETSY shop later this week.

After the open studios was over, went to the MODBO show...it was packed!  (This is a pic from pre-opening)

I'm so happy that this town has so much love for the arts and will come out to see and buy art on the coldest night of the year!

SO.much.fun.

Happy Holidays everyone!

2013 Holiday Coupon Code: Free Shipping!

Happy Holidays everyone! Please enjoy this Free Shipping coupon on EVERYTHING in my Etsy shop, valid now through midnight on Cyber Monday (12/3/13). (Click the coupon to head straight over to my shop.)

Hope everyone has a wonderful, long, holiday weekend!

Cheers,

Jen xo

Large prints of my paintings are on the way!

 Large prints of my paintings are on the way!

After many requests for prints of my recent bigger paintings, I finally started the process of finding the printer, the right paper, the right photograph of each painting, the right inks, the right colors, the right price,  the right combinations of everything.  So far it's going well.  I thought I'd share a bit of the behind the scenes process...

  Here's a few samples of different inks and paper combos of just a 5 inch section of the 'Untitled Zebra' painting.   Doing test prints of smaller portions of the painting is less expensive to print, faster, and you can get the idea of what you like with just a strip, like shown above.

This is how huge the plotter is.  A plotter is a fancy name for a huge printer.  That's Tommy standing next to it to give you an idea how large it is.

I'm currently in the process of doing another photo shoot of the paintings.

I should at least be able to take orders of prints of the 'Untitled Zebra' prints in time for Christmas.  The image size will be 24x30 with a white border for framing and in the $100 price range.

I will post more details as the process continues and let you know when you can officially order these big prints.

yay!

I hope everyone is having fun getting ready for the Holidays!  We've just got our first snow, about a foot where I live in Colorado!

Making time to play

Last weekend Tommy and I went for a looong walk in this beautiful field/valley area right behind our home.   There are valleys and hills and views so beautiful it's hard to believe it's our new backyard!

There's our dog Wasabi.  He looves going back here everyday. It's dog heaven too.

In a deep valley we discovered this old treehouse that was torn down and now someone is rebuilding it!  Of course I had to climb up it and check out the views...although I didn't get on the top part yet.  I'll save that for another day when it's more built out.  That's me eating a banana up there.  You can't really tell how big the tree is from the picture, but it's massive!  While I was up there I realized how fun it was to just allow myself some play time.  A little space in life to explore and relax and take in nature.  How refreshing!

ON top of one of the vistas is this beautiful piece of art.  I came across it a month ago and was trying to find it again ever since to show Tommy and this day we came across it again!  I was so happy to finally show it to Tommy.  Many of you know I used to do mosaics with stained glass years ago.  So I was so happy to see someone had made this with broken glass from the field.

And while we were admiring this art piece in the middle of this gynourmous field..the artist herself came to work on her piece!  What are the odds!? I got to ask her all about it...

This is her in the picture.  Her name is Andree Meignein.  She started this piece over a year ago.  At the time she was struggling with some undiagnosed medical issues.  She would come to this field and work on this piece to clear her mind and have some solitude.  Eventually she was diagnosed with Celiac's disease.  Things are better now that she knows how to manage it, and she still comes to the field to add to this piece.  I'm so thrilled that we happened to be in this field at the same time and got to chat with her.   I love walking by this on my daily walks and now I say a silent prayer for comfort and peace to all those suffering from Celiac's disease (including my own sister).

Open studio night! Art, shopping, wine and (vegan) cheese!

             If you live in or near Colorado Springs, mark your calendars for a fun night out!

I'm having my first open studio on Friday December 6th from 5-8pm and Saturday December 7th 10am-4pm!

Yaaay! Friday night there will be wine and vegan cheese served, compliments of myself and the Vegan Society of Colorado Springs! There's lots happening downtown that Friday night;  My building, the Saks Building downtown, is having our open studio (15 artists, photographers, jewelry artist),  MODBO and SPQR are having their opening night right around the corner, and art walk throughout the city is first Friday every month. I will also have a few small pieces at the MODBO show for their Small Works show (opening Friday night).

There will be lots to see, eat, drink and buy, so come hungry and bring your list of who's been naughty or nice. It's a great way to support local arts AND knock out some Christmas shopping all in one trip! (Plus, where else can you drink wine while you shop?)

Here's a link with directions and to RSVP.

Hope to see you there!!! -Jen Meyer www.jenmeyerart.com

My first ever Calendar!

Ok you guys, I'm pretty excited to announce... I've made my very first ever calendar! A 2014 Wall Calendar.

Here's a peek of the calendar goodness:

Each month has it's own 8.5 x 11 inch page with an illustration by me.

My favorite calendars are the ones with boxed dates for notes and reminders, so of course that is the format I went with.  And with the help of my handy designer hubby, Tommy, I think they've come out quite perfect! (he even added US holiday and equinox dates throughout the year)

You could hang one up on you're bulletin board next to your other important mail and things.  Put one in the kitchen, on your desk at work or give one as a gift.

They all fit on one thumbtack or nail...or you can hang all of them up at once!

I hope you love them as much as I do :-)

The calendars are available as of right now!  They are one of a kind, made only for 2014 and each calendar is only $33 each!    Click here to purchase now. yay!

Madelife in Boulder

Tommy and I found the coolest place in Boulder!  MADELIFE.  This shop is my new favorite place for all things jewelery, furniture and cool art.   They even host parties and flood relief fundraisers, classes and live music, and have tons and tons of hand made local goodies.  You guys, this place is awesome!

Gorgeous jewelry that I've only seen the likes of in San Fran and Portland earlier this year.  I've been wearing my new necklace from here pretty much everyday. love it.  That's me in the mirror.

I want that bed frame someday

That's Leah, the store director & curator of Madelife, there on the left and her lovely assistant Ali.

so. much. cool stuff!

And as of now I have a few original paintings on the wall and some prints available for sale at Madelife! yay

I loooooove how my 'Inside' and 'Outside' paintings look on this wood paneled wall.

My favorite.

My lovely prints on display

Along with other lovely prints from artists like Jason Thielke,  Berger & Föhr and lots more.

When in Boulder, you simply MUST go here and revel in the beauty and buy lots of cool stuff!

My new studio space and apartment

So Tommy and I decided to downsize from a 2200 square foot house to an 800 sq ft apartment.  After two months of downsizing our furniture and stuff (hello craigslist and goodwill) -we actually did it!  It's nice to have everything at our finger tips and less to 'take care of' as far as having a big house goes.  We love our new apartment!  It's cozy, quiet, faster to find my phone when I loose it, and it's super bright being on the second floor.  While I originally thought we could share an office, that was just not gonna happen once I took the measurements. Our desks took up the whole room!  SO, I've rented out a small room right downtown for my studio space.  And I love it!  I'm getting used to the driving to work thing and packing a lunch.  But- getting out and having a dedicated space for work outside the house is allowing me to get more done in a concentrated way.  No more doing laundry and getting side tracked with house stuff.  No more yelling up the stairs to Tommy every five minutes and distracting him too.  Although I miss seeing Tommy whenever I please, it's good motivation to get things done while I'm at the studio. At first I was was kinda bummed to give up my big home studio, but leaving for work daily may just keep me a bit more sane and able to relate to others easier rather that burrowing at the house for days at a time and forgetting how to socialize.  Knowing that I can still burrow when needed AND come to the new studio most days, just feels good.  I'm looking forward to meeting other artists in the building and having my home be my relaxing and rejuvenating sanctuary and my work be my work sanctuary.  Time will tell which one prevails over the other, but for now I am enjoying both of my new spaces.

Here's some pics of the new studio:

Basically half the room is my desk and the other half is for painting.

Studio doggie included.  That's Wasabi under the desk.  He's our newly adopted doggie. Love hims.

A painting in progress that I started at the house.

All my 'stuff' fits and there's a nice big closet next to the door.

This is kinda a dark picture, but you get the idea.

Plenty of paints!

I just love this old radiator! It is so beautiful and gets SUPER hot!

Oh and did I mention I'm right over a Starbucks and an Indian shop.  So I smell coffee all day and incense in the afternoons!

Pics of the new apartment to come...

Fundraiser for Mary's House AUGUST 30th 2013

Plan a nice semi-formal night out... and for a good cause too!  A fundraiser for Mary's Home which is a transformational housing program for at-risk single moms and their kids  A place for single moms and their kids, called CITY WE LOVE featuring Inocente Izucar and 2013 Oscar-Award winning short film, Inocente. I just recently found out about this fundraiser...it's close to my heart because my mom was a struggling single mother until I was 8 years old.  So when I heard I could participate by donating art for a silent auction, I was thrilled!   This is the piece I donated to be auctioned at the even...

It's titled 'Love Call'.  It's a 3x3 foot acrylic painting.

The fundraiser is on August 30, 2013 at 7pm get your tickets here.

Feel free to pass this on :)

I Heart Denver Store

So Tommy and I came across this cool shop in Denver that is FULL of colorful art, cool furniture, trendy jewelry, quirky cards, handmade candles and soaps...all sorts of cool hip stuff.  ALL made and designed from people in Denver and Colorado.  Of course I had to send a submission to this place!  I'm happy to say they are now carrying three series of my prints!  If you're a facebook fan of mine, you've already heard this so sorry for the repeat, I'm still getting caught up on blog posts. The I Heart Denver Store is always looking for Colorado Artists to keep their inventory fresh.  So if you live in Colorado and think your stuff would go well in the shop-send a submission on their website here.

I forgot to take pictures while I was there so I borrowed this picture from YELP just to show you what the shop looks like:Anyone could spend hours in there.

Tommy and I got a gorgeous wooden IPhone case, funny ass cards, I got some cute earring and there's so much more I wanted to get.

Next time I go I'll take some pictures to post of the cool stuff inside!

Trip to San Francisco

I'm catching up on blog posts!  A few weeks ago after Tommy's birthday we flew out to San Francisco for the How Conference Tommy was attending.  Thought I'd tag along.  I'd never been to San Francisco before and for some reason I still have to use spell check to get spelling right! lol.  Here's some pictures of the trip:Tommy's Birthday cake

Tommy in front of the James Bong building. lol

A bridge and a Gandhi statue.  (not the Golden Gate-although many are fooled my it)

A crazy street car ride!  Tommy almost got squished between two cars!

I was surprised at how many homeless people were on the streets (some very aggressive).  This woman (who was right by our hotel door) has a cat!  A homeless cat!

China town

A beautiful neighborhood park.

View from the top of Coit Tower

The fog was thick and fast moving.  We actually never saw but a piece of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Beat Museum in honor of Jack Kerouac.

We were scheduled to have lunch with one of my favorite artists Danny Gregory(the main reason I tagged along), but there was a schedule mess up, so instead I mailed him this little gift I brought.  That's him in the picture with my 'Speak Love' piece.  His book The Creative License is the reason I started drawing.  He has a super inspirational art blog I just found here.

If I'm going to be honest.  San Francisco was a let down. It smelled like piss for the first 10 blocks of walking, it was dirty and filled with not just a ton of homeless people, but yelling, shouting, crazy homeless people.  The public transportation is way confusing compared to NYC, Boston and Chicago.  Maybe I was still on a Portland high...but still...I was not impressed with San Francisco one bit.  And I usually don't voice my opinion unless it's positive-so that is saying a lot coming from me.

So far Boston and Portland are my favorite cities.  Still on my list to visit-Seattle, more of New York City and maybe LA.

Feel free to share some places you've enjoyed or not enjoyed in the comments.  I love hearing your stories

Have a great weekend!

Tilde!

I am officially selling art on the West Coast!  It feels really good to say that too.  I've been selling originals at Nahcotta (my favorite gallery ever) on the East Coast.   Now my prints are available at my favorite Portland shop, Tilde!   Coast to Coast :) It's important for me to have a connection with the places I sell my work.   I have to love the place.  That way my heart and excitement can be there and hopefully that translates through to everyone and everything involved.

I've been meaning to write this post when we got back from our trip to Portland so it's old news for those following me on facebook...but here's more pictures!

Tilde!

I love all the artwork on the walls

Isn't it cute in there?

I bought some super cute earrings and some bracelets made from recycled flip flops!  Ewe- toe jam, right?  That's the first thing I thought, but they are melted down then twisted into pretty colors

Cute window displays

Tons of gorgeous bags.  I'm in love with this bag.

Debbe, on the right, is the store owner and is so wonderful to work with. I forget the other gals name (sorry other gal) .  But she was super nice and so pretty :)

Check out this shop when you're in Portland or browse through the site here

Cheers!

Scooters!

I have two scooter paintings going up at the next MODBO show.  The show is all scooter themed!  How fun is that?  Opening night is Friday, July 5th at 5:30.  I've always loooved Vespas, even though I've never rode one!   I saw these two scooters on a recent trip to San Francisco and decided to draw them. 

If you'd like to own a print of one or both of these- just click on the image and it will take you to my shop.   Beep! beep!

3 Days in Portland

A quick three days in Portland, the place I've wanted to visit for years.

So much fun and lots of vegan eats!

Some pics from the trip...

Went straight to Portobello for brunch upon arriving.

A vegan haven!

Vegan Denver Omelet

Vegan Benedict

Delightful tort

Lots of these bubblers all over downtown

Celebrating the City of Roses and the recent parade of roses with this beautiful display of flowers.

yup. that is made from flowers.

I love all the cute sculptures around everywhere.

I like this boat

Let me tell ya, I've never know a doughnut place to be open 24 hours a day and ALWAYS have a line.  It was worth it.  VooDoo Dougnuts has a great vegan selection.  The Portland creme pie was my faaaaaavorite!

We got stopped several times walking around with this pink box, people asking us where we got those, they want to eat some...hee hee

I don't remember where I found this, but I have an old pachinko machine in my basement and I just love coming across these old machines.  I love the colors and designs on them, so vintage and fun!

vegan peppers and sausage at Sizzle Pie-so good.

I was shocked and amazed at the size of this place, an entire city block! with levels! and a poster sized map to get around!

~love~

~Tilde~

My favorite shop in Portland AND they will be carrying my limited edition prints for sale, very soon. yay.

I loooove the jewelry, bags and of course the art in the shop!

~

Hunt and Gather was another cool shop, home furnishings and decor.

There's original paintings from Jessica Swift and Flora Bowley!

Jessica Swift's beautiful original paintings on the wall.

I just finished reading Brave Intuitive Painting by Flora Bowley which was fabulous.  I recommend it  for anyone wanting to loosen up and go with the flow in their paintings.

Flora Bowely's painting above the bed (the bright one).

Chilli bowl at Prasad.

Gotta love this place! It's in a yoga studio and has vegan and raw food menu.

~Highlight of the trip~

I got to have lunch with Jessica Swift!!  Jess has so many cool projects going on you must check out her website and her new book The Declaration of You!  We had a great lunch, have SO much in common and she just may convince us to move to Portland-which won't be too hard because Tommy and I both love it!  We're already planning a longer trip back to do some more exploring.

New Portland stickers on our water bottles.

Lots and lots of love for Portland!

DIY baby succulent planters

Once in awhile I'll come across a DIY tutorial that is so adorable, I will actually make it!

  I just had to make my own little clay homes and put some baby succulents in them.

I love how they came out!

These three go back and forth between my desk and the kitchen.

I love these white ones in my bathroom.

The geometric one was the hardest to make, I kept squishing it and cutting a hole through it, and one of the houses cracked after baking it.  But over all I'm happy with how the successful six came out.  It was fun playing with clay and colors and finding the right plants to put in them.

  The tutorials are here and here if you'd like to make some of these gems for yourself.

Have fun!

Did I mention I've been painting?

Now that my studio is bigger, my art is getting bigger.

Thought I'd share my latest paintings in progress:

Opening tonight at Marmalade at Smokebrush

I've selected a few of my small pieces showing at the Marmalade at Smokebrush Spring Show in Colorado Springs, CO.  Opening night is tonight 6-9pm.  If you're in the area please do come. These pieces will only be available to purchase at the show locally. If you are not local and would like to purchase* a 'Speak Love' piece, there are only a few left to buy at Nahcotta to have shipped right to your door.

*  All proceeds this month go to my grandfathers memorial fund.

Interview with Jennibellie

I did an interview with the fabulous artist and blogger Jennibellie.  My mum-in-law got me turned onto her inspirational videos and posts mostly about journaling and real life and such.  She interviews artists in a series called Tell All Tuesday, for the real deal stuff and I have been interviewed and told all.  Here's the interview, I hope you enjoy it and get to spend some time on Jennibellie's inspirational website... http://jennibelliestudio.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/tell-all-tuesday-featured-artist-jen.html