Getting in a Flow for the Holidays, a Free Zoom and scarves.
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Hi Everyone,
Here we are at mid November already. I have mixed emotions about the holiday season. I inevitably turn a bit grinchy and unhappy. The cold isn’t my friend at all and either are confining shoes. The holidays always seems to creep up and I’m never prepared. This year I want to catch this early and find my flow and moments of happiness without falling down the rabbit hole. I’m going to plan to embrace the darkness when it comes at 4:00 and at least once, wear something pretty without 10 thick layers underneath or covering it up. I’d like to try to head into the rest of the year with smiles and gratitude for what I have. I’m grateful that I have this choice when the world is such a mess and there is so much horror. What are you grateful for? Let me know in the comments if you like!
Paint with Gayle and Jennifer has a new free zoom class on December 2nd, 12-1 EST This one is a bit different than the others, We will each do a short career talk, paint a bit and let you know about our Workshops, Patreon and other goings on. Join us, it will be a fun hour. Zoom with my co-teacher
Thanksgiving is almost here. I’m having family to my house and I have the joy of cooking with my son Sam who is amazing and really enjoys it. I get to be sous chef, table setter, dishwasher and Mom. It works for me. I don’t mind cooking but I deplete myself creatively with my painting and by the time I need to cook I’ve lost the drive. So we each get to be where we are most suited.
I’m planning to clean up my amazing studio space so we can have our cocktails there before the big meal to create a bit of variety in the day. I started doing this 2 years ago and it’s a new tradition I want to keep up. The studio is a separate structure from the house so there is no dispersing of people to watch sports or hang in the kitchen. At least at the beginning of the day through the meal we are focused on being together and catching up. Happily we are all of like minds and really enjoy each other’s company.
I’ll put a tablecloth and candles and some appetizers and we are set!
Experimenting with paint and color and texture in the studio is something that relaxes me. I can remove myself from the stressors of the day and just be present.
I’m exploring paint to record what I’m seeing and remembering as I roam around. It’s meant to be a composite of my experiences, where I live and where I’ve traveled. This one is on canvas in acrylic, (16x20”) not a medium I am fluid in. I’m learning by doing them over and over. I think it’s possible to be looser and less caught up in it when you don’t know the “rules” At least I like to approach it that way. As I write this I am reminding myself (Why do I forget)? that my time traveling, walking and wandering, the time outside the studio space is the time that refreshes me and gets me going. It fills me with the source to work from. That downtime is the stage where ideas and inspiration begin to brew. This is how I’ll get through the holiday season feeling fullfilled, I hope!
This one is a blending of places and time, the Moroccan desert and hills and the peak color of autumn here in NY. Acrylic and Derwent inktense sticks on birch panel. 18x24”
My landscapes will be available for purchase soon, probably in the new year, I’m busy scanning and getting them ready to go. I don’t want to rush the process. Please contact me if you are interested in more info now.
My beautiful Jewel box scarf is in the shop. Modal/silk blend 44” square. There are 11 remaining on the green version and 20 on the yellow so pick it up soon! It’s a perfect fall/winter pop of color, It wraps beautifully and is one of my favorite flower paintings! All scarf orders will come with a bunch of extra goodies, cards, stickers and other fun little extras.
I also have these sweet silk bandanas for holiday, 100% silk 23” square. I have 15 left of the french cheese pattern and plenty of the macarons! Sale going on right now.
Do you like to like to do puzzles? I have been working with Eeboo for years and I have a whole collection of puzzle with them to choose from. Here is my newest one about women reading, it’s 1000 pieces so it will keep you busy. I have lots of other choices on their site, see them here.
Here’s a moment of quiet and contemplation from my trip to Florida last week. I can sit for hours and just listen to the surf roll onto the beach.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
xx Jennifer
I appreciate your honesty about being emotionally ambivalent about the season. Being “happy” just because of holidays is an unrealistic expectation, especially those of us who experience mid- winter blues. I’ve learned how to manage the SAD symptoms over the years (be outside, in sunshine, walk, do art daily (with a light in my face) but the blues are always looking over my shoulder. Sometimes I’m inspired to illustrate feelings as we move deeper into solstice darkness. Here’s what I’ve come to know— that life is bittersweet (see book by that title), the ups and downs ARE life , and to fight that only causes more suffering. When I’m down, be grateful and do self care ( which includes doing nothing) and nourish my soul like I would do for a young child. When I’m “up” be grateful for that too and create, support my loved ones, and paint that too.
Jennifer, what great puzzles you have. I see one in my future. Also, have you ever worn WOOL socks?? They make a huge difference! After living in NY for most of my life, and having cold feet, I finally bought wool socks when I moved to NC. They are the best, and they don’t itch!