Gallery 1870

On the way up to Oregon, we wound our way through Napa Valley, CA, stopping in Yountville to visit Gallery 1870 and to give them more work. It is a beautiful Gallery located in the heart of Northern California's wine country. Gallery 1870 does very well with my vineyards and poppy fields! Pictured here is Paul Thoren (owner) and his daughter Cassia holding my latest poppy field painting.

Hollywood Baby!

While Linda was away "putting out fires" (as Charles calls it) at NBC, Charles took us around his neighborhood, pointing out the homes of various movie stars like Jennifer Love Hewitt (top picture), Kirsten Dunst (second picture), and Jason Alexander. I tried to be inconspicuous as I played the role of paparazzi! Charles also showed us a house that was used on the hit T.V. series, "Desperate Housewives"(third picture). What a neighborhood! For dinner, we ate at the famous Hollywood diner, "Bob's Big Boy". Charles is a very interesting conversationalist and we enjoyed very much listening to all his fascinating stories!

The Sullivans!

We next stopped in Hollywood to visit Charles and Linda Sullivan. Linda is the President of NBC-LA, and is a dear collector. Last Christmas, Charles decided to surprise Linda with a 48 x 48 painting to hang above the mantel. The whole operation was done completely in secret, and on Christmas morning, Linda opened a huge, square box containing the painting. She was very surprised!

"Sherwood Gallery"

To break up the long, 26 hour trip back to Oregon from Scottsdale, we made a few stops along the way. Our first stop was to the Sherwood Gallery in Laguna Beach, which is a beautiful Gallery located right on the main street near the ocean. I really wanted to see where they had hung my 108" x 48" triptych! I was pleased to find it hanging on a prominent wall in the front of the Gallery. I was surprised to discover that my work is the most representational work in the Gallery! Everything else is very abstract and super contemporary. I think it's my extreme use of texture, and bold color, that enables my work to cross over into the contemporary realm. My paintings are an interesting combination of impressionism and modernism. Pictured here with me is the Gallery owner, Donna Gourley, who first discovered my work in Las Vegas at ArtExpo 2007. She is very well known in the art world and I was pleased to join her gallery last year.

Packing up!

Welp, the show is all over! It was an exciting adventure...but now it's time to pack up and move out. Unfortunately, they're going to have to kick me out! Here I am STILL working on finishing up a painting! It's sick. Though, in the 10 weeks of the show, I was able to do 40 paintings! This has definitely been a working show for me. The show ended daily at six, and after everyone cleared out, I would work distraction-free until midnight! My best time has always been in the evening. I feel my energy level start to rise as the sun begins to set. Plus, I figured since my family was back home in Oregon, I might as well make the time away really count. Here's a shot of me still at it--putting the final touches on a painting before it got shipped out. I brought nothing home. What I didn't sell at the show, I shipped off to various Galleries.

The End!

last day of the show is tomorrow! I can't believe it's already been 10 weeks! Time to get back to the family and back to real life. It's been a ball.

''Lavender Summer'' sold!

Ron and Debby Branham, from Scottsdale AZ, are the new owners of my 48 x 48, "Lavender Summer". This piece was my show stopper...and it was a little hard to see go! But I'm delighted the Branhams loved it, and thought it perfect for their bedroom nook. It will look fabulous against the gold venitian plaster of their bedroom walls. What a delight it was getting to know these new collectors.

''Making a Video''

Tonight I invited a production crew to film a DVD for my Galleries and Collectors. They spent several hours filming raw footage of my painting technique and artistic viewpoints that will later be edited and produced. It was fun!!

"Grandfather's Cottage" sold!

Tom and Cindy Dewar are the new owners of my 24 x 24 "Grandfather's Cottage". They are from Fort Worth, TX, and have a perfect place in their breakfast room for this lavender piece. It was a pleasure meeting them at the show!

"More Family"

This is Yvonne Vranes. Her brother found my website, and wanted to know if there was any familial ties. With a name like "Vranes" we all are related somehow! The family tree only goes back to my husband's great grandfather "George" when he showed up at Ellis Island having traveled from Yugoslavia via Austria. We believe the name "Vranes" was originally "Vranesh", but it got 'lost in translation' at Ellis Island. The interest thing is, Yvonne's side of the family pronounces "Vranes" like "Vran-es", while we say it like "Vraines". Yvonne lives in Phoenix so I invited her out to the show. When I first saw her, I couldn't believe the family resemblance to my husband's sister, Sara. We are most definitely related!

''Celebration of Color''

Michael and Karen Jones commissioned a large "statement" piece with lots of bold color and great texture for their home in Scottsdale. We decided to do a 96" x 48" triptych of aspens with tons of bright yellows and vibrant reds with a hint of blue! This is the result. I can't wait to see it hanging in their bedroom!

''Hills of Chianti'' tuscany poppy painting by Jennifer Vranes

The region of Chanti is known for its wonderful vineyards and vintage wines. The countryside is speckled with rows of vineyards and fields of wild poppies.

Hills of Chianti
acrylic on canvas
48" x 48"

''Autumn Fiesta'' aspen birch painting by Jennifer Vranes

This is the left half of a painting that I finished up this afternoon. What is unique about this piece is that it can stand strong on its own, even though there is another half to it. This particular piece is a wide 8 foot by 4 foot scene, with two 4'x4' pieces. I titled them separately (I and II) so they can be sold individually if Royal Street Fine Art chooses to do so.

Autumn Fiesta
acrylic on canvas
48" x 48"

"Sunlit Forest" New Diptych Aspen Painting by Jennifer Vranes

Here is a new Aspen piece I just finished up. I love the colors, and the size (60"x48").

More tomorrow!

"Laura"

This is Laura Leonard. She came back three times to watch me paint. Finally, I proffered her my palette knife, and she excitedly took it, and painted some autumn leaves. What a special gal! I think she was a little shocked at my prices, though. She thought "seventy-nine-fifty" meant $79.50!!! Oopsy. So she tried to think of something she could trade me, and came up with a month's stay at her house in NY this summer. She's only a 45 min. train ride to the city. She said my whole family could come, too. I'm really thinking about it...

"Golden Memories"

I titled this piece, "Golden Memories" because we all can relate to the time when we played in the autumn leaves. I remember how fun it was to bury myself entirely beneath a pile of leaves--with not even a toe or finger visible to the eye! This painting is a sweet reminder of those times not long gone by.

"Young Masters"

Sean Elcock was an old college friend of mine--one whom I haven't seen for over 10 years! He and his wife, Jana, and their two darling girls live in Phoenix...not too far from my Scottsdale art show. I sent them a couple of passes, and they came out to the show! It was great seeing Sean again, and meeting his beautiful family. His two young daughters were delighted when I handed them each a brush and told them to paint me a masterpiece. Oh, the inhibition of youth!

"Golfing with the Fam"

Since the show lasts for 10 weeks in Scottsdale, AZ, I missed two of my kid's birthdays! So, on one of the weekends home, we celebrated Jayden's and Colton's birthday at the Family Fun Center.

Home with the Kids

On the weekends I fly home, spend Sunday and Monday with the kids and then fly back to Scottsdale. It's a hectic schedule, but it's working out. When I'm home, all my time is spent with the kids (no painting allowed!). The boys are finally old enough to play real board games! It's so much fun. They were whipping me pretty badly at Monopoly, so Jayden (6) told me to close my eyes for 10 seconds and tried to slip me some of his own money! Colton (4) gave me tons of comforting hugs and said, "Oh Mommy! I don't want you to lose!"

"Tolula"

This is Rolande. She is an amazing jewelry designer. Her booth is directly across from mine. I must say she has opened up a new world to me with her beautiful pieces. I've never been much of a jewelry type of gal--but some of her creations have made me want to change my mind. We have a "trade" arrangement in the works! That's what I love about Art. I even do trade with my Dentist! Rolande is also an avid Dog lover. Here she is with her baby "Tolula"--a hairless Chinese Crestant. What they say about doggies and their masters looking alike is true in this case! Tolula has a whole wardrobe of clothes and accessories I'm told!

"Autumn's Paintbrush"

Just finished this one today! Talk about glorious color!! I can't get enough! The texture on this piece is pretty incredible too. Extremely thick--lots of palette knife!

"Grandfather's Cottage"

In response to Antoine's comment a few days ago...I do occasionally add people to my landscapes. This painting, for example really needed something to counter-balance the trees on the left side and give it some additional "umph!" Adding a figure is usually the perfect remedy. It also tells more of a story. This piece is about a young girl on her way to visit her Grand-père.

New Friends!

Here are Chuck and Sharon. I met them today as I was sitting in the Seattle airport waiting for a flight to Phoenix. What a neat couple! I invited them to the "Celebration of Fine Art" Show in Scottsdale...and they surprised me by showing up that very day! Sharon confided to me afterwards that walking around the show, and looking at all of the amazing artwork, was a big highlight of their trip. Not bad considering my competition is Spring Training!