Jun 4, 20195 min read

This week's work in progress

My mission is to inspire others to explore their creative side and discover the artist within. Join me on this journey... you won't regret it!

Raining Sunshine...

It is raining sunshine and this young lady with her red rain slicker and parasol and strutting through life without reserve...

I really enjoyed working on this magazine collage. The background was so fun. All the pieces are about 2-3" long, are torn by hand, and has a bright white background with colorful letters, shapes, and images. I I even included a few full length fashion models that are strutting their stuff! Can you find how many there are in total?

Her hair is actually from a few different tassels that I had left over from some bookmarks I made some time ago. Her hair is free flowing in the wind.

Still left to do is fixing the umbrella since it looks to be in an odd shape and then I will be adding in her hand that is holding the gem-covered base of the umbrella. And of course... what shoes should she be wearing? And do I add in her facial features, or just leave it alone. Decisions, decisions! There are no right answers. So I will just listen to my intuition.

An angel makes her appearance

One of the things I love about painting abstracts is the ability to go with my flow and not to have something in mind before I get started, but just to let my intuition guide me through the painting process.

After a few minutes of adding big swipes of colors, I noticed this little angel in the bottom right hand corner who appeared as if by magic. I didn't intentionally draw her. But somehow she came to show herself. She looks like she is on a beach near the ocean, but there are puddles that surround her and I can see a glimpse of her reflection. This is only about 2 inches in all, so I painted an arch which I believe to be a "gateway" of sorts.

I consider myself to be a spiritual person and I believe that angels watch over me. This is just another affirmation that I am on the right track in my life's journey. Do you believe that angels watch over you?

From "Shadow People" series to "Into the Light" series

The "Shadow People" series was born after dabbling with intuitive abstract acrylic painting. I enjoyed how bright the colors were and how well they “played” together The process was fun and I felt like I wanted to elevate abstract paintings to a new level.

I experimented with painting different shadow shapes in my art journals and even though I created the same stroke technique, the shadows began to reveal their own unique personalities. Some looked like they were wearing backpacks and jeans, others seemed to be wearing top hats, long flowing dresses, or even a mom carrying a baby. I experimented with the sizes and discovered that if I could paint a few of the shadow people near each other and that they would become a “family”.

Many of the paintings have a window or archway, which makes me feel like the “family” is beginning to step into something new, and with that creating a fresh start with hope for the future. Thus, it became a new beginning. This became my artwork series in the fall of 2017 as I was seeing families in our neighborhood move out of their flooded homes after Hurricane Harvey’s devastation. These paintings inspired me and gave me a sense of hope that our neighborhood would be coming back together again soon.

Continuing on with the arches, I have begun painting colorful flowers and people.

It's 2019 and this year my series contains bright cheerful colors. I have taken my shadow people out of the dark and have clothed them and have given them a world of beauty as I see it. I still love the arches as gateways and I am continuing to develop my skills with painting. Thank you for joining me on this journey.

This is also a favorite painting. The staircase going up to me means that you have a choice. If you make the climb you will find the most beautiful things you have ever imagined! This is an image of a mom with her 4 children on a warm summer's day at the lake.

She is helping her son learn about taking pictures with her camera and how to capture beauty. The 3 young sisters are playing with one another the old fashioned way - without smartphones!

I like that this painting doesn't have a lot of details and has an impressionist feel. You know that there are colorful flowers and faces, yet they are not clearly defined.

Both of these pieces have been sold, but prints are available if you are interested.

Beginning Magazine Collage Classes & On-going Workshops - Mondays in June

I am delighted to offer this beginning magazine collage classes and an on-going workshop series in which you will learn the steps to creating your own personalized amazing magazine collages.

My home/studio address will be provided to you upon registration (Houston - Meyerland/Bellaire area). If you have any questions or would like to register for classes or workshops, please email me at jennifer@JennuineExpressions.com or call (713) 252-1612.

Mondays - June 10, 17, 24

**Evening & Weekend classes available by appointment.**

Class: Noon - 2pm

Workshop: 1pm- 3pm

Beginning Magazine Collage Class

Noon - 2pm $35 in advance/$40 at the door

Although the class is over officially at 2pm, you are more than welcome to stay until 3pm.

Overview:

Get inspired! See examples of my work, other artists work, finding out what inspires you and how to tell your art story.
Tools & Supplies - We will go over surfaces to collage on, cutting tools, types of papers to use, adhesives, how to get organized, and more!
Practical Information - how to begin, color combinations that work, how to find magazines and what images to look for, protecting your artwork, lessons I have learned along the way, and many more helpful tips
Hands-on Workshop - Begin with the end in mind, learn how to build your customized color palette, how to "harvest" a magazine, and techniques for piecing the papers together.

Ongoing Hands-on Workshop

(for those who have previously attended the Beginning Class)

1pm - 3pm $20 in advance/$25 at the door

Note: I will be conducting the Beginner's Class until 2pm, at which time I will be happy to help you with your specific projects. Also, if you bring a beginner with you, then your workshop fee is 50% off and you may attend with them at noon (bonus hour - woo hoo!) and work on your own project.