Georgia Blooms No. 5

©R. Jean

22x30" Watercolor

Georgia Blooms No. 4

©R. Jean

Georgia Blooms No. 4

15x15" Watercolor

Georgia Blooms No. 3

©R. Jean

Georgia Blooms III

11x18.5" Watercolor

                                                                    
                                                      

Georgia Blooms No. 2

Spring around here is a feast for the eyes as well as the soul. When you're sensitive to winter's gray, the color and light of spring seem to revive body and mind. 

Here is the second watercolor to my Georgia Blooms theme. 

©R. Jean
Georgia Blooms No. 2
18x18" Watercolor

The Atlanta International School

©R. Jean

This is a scene of the Atlanta International School, a historic building in Atlanta's downtown Buckhead. Created for the AIS Spring Benefit 2013, it measures 18x24."

A release date of 100 signed, limited edition prints will be announced soon.

Video Interviews

"Atlanta in the Fall" was commissioned by Innotrac to highlight the city of Atlanta. The original painting is exhibited in the lobby at Innotrac's headquarters outside Atlanta and limited edition prints were gifted to their clients for the 2012 holiday.

Innotrac created this video after viewing the first phase of the painting.

And then this video after the final phase.

A Spill of Color

I'm exploring what I can do with this new expressionist style I've been painting in. These older paintings gave me the opportunity to experiment and play around with loose glazes on top of the realistic image of the flower. 

©R. Jean

©R. Jean
9x8.5" Oil on Paper
$100

©R. Jean

©R. Jean
6x10" Oil on Paper
$100

This original flower series was from my 3x100 Project, where I created 3 different paintings from one subject matter and sold them at $100 each. To purchase one of these new paintings, please see my contact page on my website.

Georgia Blooms

©R Jean

Georgia Blooms
21x21" Watercolor

The trees in Georgia are spectacular around springtime. It starts with these white budding trees. I can't wait to see all the color magic happen in the next couple of months. Already my phone is filling up with images of trees, sky, water, and horizon line that keep me misty eyed. God is a powerful wooer.

Sudden Pour

©R. Jean
"Sudden Pour"
30x24" Oil on Canvas.

This new painting, as well as some previous work, will be on display at a group show running from March 21-May 19 at the Defoor Center in Atlanta.

Atlanta in the Fall

©R. Jean

This past Fall I was commissioned by Innotrac to create a painting which would showcase the city of Atlanta. The original painting hangs in the lobby at Innotrac's headquarters and 300 limited edition prints of the painting were gifted to their clients for the holiday. I was honored to be chosen as the local artist to paint her city! 

Here is the link to their website with my art shown: http://innotrac.com/atlanta-in-the-fall.html

Live Painting at the Cobb Arts Ball

I had the honor of painting with two other incredible artists, Helen DeRamus and Kristopher Meadows.

As attendees to the Ball arrived, the artists painted and mingled in the entrance area.

What a privilege to meet Ron Francis, Chairman of the Board of trustees for the United Cobb of Arts, and his wife!

Close up of the almost finished painting.

The painting, titled Peace on High Falls. ©R. Jean

New Expressionist Paintings and Other Updates

Since my hiatus from blogging 5 months ago, I've been developing a bunch of new paintings.  The best way to describe the style, in my opinion, is expressionist. The feeling of the piece has become more important to me than getting all the details perfect, as with my previous photo realistic style.  While there is more of a sense of letting go in this work, the process is still very time intensive, with about 20 layers of oil glazes and washes going into each piece.

©R. Jean

©R. Jean

©R. Jean

©R. Jean

©R. Jean

©R. Jean

©R. Jean

Life Updates...

Other significant updates since my last post include an exciting decision to devote more time to my art. Previously, I was working under an immensely talented painter as his studio assistant. I recently resigned to focus on my own work, with current studio hours set at 8am - 3pm every day.  With this shift I've been able to devote serious attention to painting as well as entering shows and working on commissions. I once heard that artists need deadlines in order to make art. It keeps them accountable to producing.  I absolutely believe this is true and have been eager to fill my calendar with shows and events.  My website now includes a section where all exhibiting opportunities are listed.

New Thoughts...

I've had so many new ideas about art and running a successful business as an artist lately. The thought that you learn as you do has been at the forefront of my mind as an artist. Entering shows, creating the work, exhibiting, cultivating collectors - all these are vital to the success of my business and when I faithfully do these things, the next important step in this journey is revealed. Each step informs the next.

Face Time...

I also think it's important to glean from the wisdom of those already in the field. I've been meeting serious-minded artists at shows that I've been involved in. It's been a great way to connect with like minded artists who are proactive about getting their work seen.  At my last show, I met an artist who runs a gallery and studio space in downtown Atlanta. I was able to visit him at his studio a few days after our show where we talked "art" for the morning. I believe that face to face connections, where information and inspiration is exchanged, is so necessary in my business. A guru in the field contends that word of mouth is heaps more beneficial to a visual artist than all the social media routes you could take. I believe he's right, as I've seen my sales sky rocket at shows compared to when I post online. However, I also can appreciate the necessity of blogging and facebook promotion to keep collectors or general art appreciators in the loop. Again, it's about artistic accountability.

Sharing...

My brain is trying to work itself around issues of creating and sharing lately.  I'd like to help other artists with these ideas that we all must mull over in order to cultivate a thriving artistic path. I'd like to start interviewing successful artists as well as business owners on this blog as a way to understand and share this information. There are so many inspiring people out there who are doing wonderfully creative things with their life and I'd love to share their stories.

Blog Update

I'll be taking a break from blogging for an indefinite period of time, but I will be posting all new work and art related updates on my website and facebook page from now on. Please check them out when you get the chance!

Farther

©R. Jean
This is a revised piece (from "Letting Go"). I didn't feel right about it after I finished the first version. You know when something just doesn't feel right internally? You can't explain it, but you know something is off. I felt like I could take the piece further, make it better. So, I pushed the values, punched up the colors, sat with it a bit longer. The process was longer than what I expected, but it was also a great learning experience. I am choosing to see each "mistake" as a great opportunity to grow and know where I want to take future work.

Finding a New Voice

I am completely switching gears with the work I have been creating lately. The work is more emotive, thus the process of painting feels more intuitive. It's been a very freeing process.

Press!

Points North Magazine ran an article in their current issue about the Marietta Square Artist Market with a photo of me painting from one of last year's markets. I'm anticipating showing again this year, with some very different work that I'm excited to share. Updates on new works are coming in early to mid May!

Friday

©R. Jean

"Letting Go"
Oil on Canvas
36x48"


I just finished this piece this morning and will be hopping on over to DuPre's Antique's today to show it in my space for the weekend.

Live Painting Today

I'll be painting live at DuPre's Antique Market in Marietta Square today. Stop by and say hi if you are in the area!
(photo taken from a 2011 summer art market).

Commissioned Art for the Allatoona Yacht Club

©R. Jean

This was a recent commission for the Allatoona Yacht Club in Georgia. I wanted the area of focus to remain very tight and detailed, while the surrounding trees and water were more loose with drippy turpentine washes.

New Retail Art Space

I am thrilled to be opening a small shop within Dupre's Antique Market. I'll be exhibiting my oil and watercolor paintings as well as keeping part time studio hours at Dupre's.


(photos taken from Dupre's website)

I love the energy of this place. In addition to some awesome and eclectic antiques (I purchased a beautiful vintage quilt there the other day), Dupre's boasts "the largest group of local artists under one roof."

If you are looking for something more unique to give as a Christmas gift this year, please consider stopping by Dupre's and checking out the art. If you are not in the Atlanta area, there is always the option to ship.

As of tomorrow, my space will be open during regular store hours. My live painting and studio time varies. Please contact me for studio hours.

Chit Chat

©R. Jean
Streams of Water
16x20" Oil on Canvas

I was talking to a friend the other day about how I paint. I said that my paintings are like conversations. I say something. It speaks back to me. And then I respond accordingly. The above painting was a long conversation. I felt the first version wasn't quite where I wanted to take it -

I was looking for more flow and warmth in the piece. More unity with the horizontal lines.

If I listen and look long enough, I feel like I learn what I need to in the moment. There may be more dialogue with this painting, but for now I'm happy to close the conversation. For now.

Show Updates

This past Saturday marked the last Marietta Square Artist Market of 2011. It ended up being a gorgeous fall day, despite the chill at 6:30 that morning. Whether it's talking with fellow artists or to the people passing through my tent, I always seem to glean something new and beneficial at these art markets. It's been wonderful participating these last few months.

This Thursday evening, November 17, is the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia's Pin Up Show. I am looking forward to exhibiting again this year and seeing all the new art up!

The Flavelas

©R. Jean
The Flavelas
22x30" Oil on Paper

This was a commissioned painting of the Flavelas in Rio de Janeiro, completed in oil on paper.

My strategy at the beginning was to block in the shapes with color then meticulously go back in with details:

The final product, just before I shipped it off to the collector:

Fog and rain, it's hidden.

©R. Jean

"They Pour Rain Upon the Earth"
24x48"
Oil on Canvas

This was the painting I worked on at the live demonstration a few weeks ago. It was inspired by a trip to the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, where the day was wonderfully overcast. And where color and light seem to mean something more.

Live Painting Sunday Night

I'll be painting live at the 3rd Annual Silent Auction on Sunday evening from 7-9 pm in Decatur. The art auction will benefit the work of Gift Card Giver and Plywood People. If you'd like to support a really great cause, come on out!

A Few Updates and a Note on this Month's Art Market

I've been super busy with painting projects lately that it's hard to find time to blog. To recap what's been going on, here are a few updates from the last month:

On September 16th, I attended the Creative Arts Guild Patron Party for it's 2011 FESTIVAL Juried Indoor Exhibition. Some of my paintings were being exhibited for the evening and I was honored to have "Quench" chosen for the Director's Award of the Patron Purchase Exhibition.
I have also been hard at work on a couple commissions. I just finished a large oil painting for a local yacht club and am currently working on another landscape painting, hopefully to be finished by early November. I'll be posting pictures of both soon!

Thanks to all who made it out to September's Art Market in Marietta Square. It was a beautiful Saturday for a stroll in the square. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it to this Saturday's market, but will be exhibiting again in November!

Digging Through The Archives

©R. Jean

This is a drawing that I made years ago. I decided to add it to the Early Work gallery on my website and wanted to share it here.

I've got a couple commissions I'm focusing on in the next month, so I won't have much time to work on new paintings. In order to keep ideas flowing, I'll be posting smaller drawings in the next 30 days. My goal is to show these drawings at the next art market in September. (Shoot me an email if you're interested in one).

Reminder!

Looking forward to another Artist Market in Marietta Square tomorrow! Be sure to stop by if you are in the Atlanta area!

A Complimentary Pair

©R. Jean

24x48" Oil on Panel

Finally, a good photograph of this painting! This, as well as a collection of other paintings, will be on display at the Marietta Art Market this Saturday.

That Words Cannot Express

©R. Jean

6.5x8.5"
Oil on Paper

A Light Journey

©R. Jean
(click on the image to see more detail).

Sneak Peek

©R. Jean

I wanted to give you a sneak peak of the new, in progress painting. I'm guessing I have another full day's worth of work on it, but I'm satisfied with the direction it's taking so far.

I'll be away from painting for just a bit, in order to keep an appointment with the sun and sea next week. I'll be back in the studio with hopefully renewed energy when I return, but am gladly giving in to the fact that a little rest and time off to play actually make us sharper in the end.

You can listen to a great TED talk on the importance of play here. I try to keep the other side of my brain engaged with these kinds of talks as I paint and this particularly inspired me.

Grow No. 1 (43/100)

©R. Jean


Grow No. 1
5.5 by 8.5" Oil on Paper

A Retrospective On Artistic Endeavors

That is, a retrospective since my last post, which has been a few weeks. Between working on larger stuff for shows and trying to keep up with the 3x100 Project, it's been a little busy in the studio. Here are some updates...

I've been enjoying working on a larger painting that I was able to show and demonstrate on at the Marietta Art Market on Saturday. I love doing festivals and art markets since I get to meet so many interesting people and make some good business connections.

Here is the new (in progress) painting, just before I started working on it at Saturday's show:
Working the painting:



I hope to finish the lemon and asparagus painting by next week, so I'll be sure to post pictures. Once again, I'll be showing at the Marietta Art Market next month and I plan to show the new piece as well as new 3x100 work I've done.

The 3x100 Project is still moving forward. I've decided that I'm going to try to push the envelope with new 3x100 work moving forward. What exactly does that mean? I'll explain more in my next post, coming very soon, as well as show a new painting in the hands and plum series.