10" x 10" Giclee Series--only $250!

I tend to paint rather large...so I thought it would be a good idea to provide my collectors with something small and affordable that they could easily take home with them.  I created a new series of nine 10" x 10" Giclees and hung them up on one of the walls at the show.  Each Giclee is printed on canvas and stretched around heavy-duty stretcher bars--just like my originals.  I hand enhance each one with a palette knife and sign with a gold pen.  Collectors love grouping 2 or 3 together or just hanging one by itself.  It all depends on the space they have in mind.  I sell a ton of these minis!  This collector just bought "Finding Peace on Maroon Bells."

Home Complete!

I met Trevor and Nancy at Celebrations of Art.  They were wandering through the show looking at all the art and stopped at my booth.  They both really liked my art and asked if I could bring some of my pieces over to their house to see if they would work.  It was a perfect match!  My vibrant paintings fit beautifully with their transitional decor and we immediately found places for 5 paintings (2 were commissions for the entry niche and Master bedroom).  Nancy and Trevor had waited 4 years to decorate their blank walls with artwork, and it was a lot of fun to see their house suddenly transformed into a world of color.

Aspen Painting sold from Magazine!

American Art Collector is a magazine known for providing collectors with the hottest new trends in the market.  It contains articles that emphasize mainstream art by today's favorite living artists and provides collectors with a pulse of what galleries are showing nationwide each month.  It's a fantastic publication and I've advertised frequently with them.  Just this past month, I received a call from a collector who had seen one of my paintings in February's issue.  He had just received the magazine in the mail that very morning, and my painting, "Morning Stroll" caught his eye.  It was the perfect piece for his mantel.  He called to inquire how he could purchase the piece.  I was pleasantly surprised.  It's not often you sell a painting straight out of a magazine--sight unseen!  I arranged for the painting to be shipped straight to his home that very week.  The client had a big Super Bowl party coming up, and he was hoping he could get the painting in time.  It all worked out and these are the pictures he sent me back after he received the piece.  Wow!  It really does look fantastic in that spot.  The next month, this picture appeared in the "Sold!" section of the magazine.   
 

"Chunky Cards!"

I've been having fun painting a series of square cards that I call "Chunky Cards!"  Each card is a tiny one-of-a-king original painting that I create with a palette knife.  I do flowers (all colors of daisies), hearts, poppies and a brand new "Aspens" series.  It's very fun...and they sell like crazy here at the show!  I sell each one for $10 or 3 for $20.  I think rather than give them away, people like to frame them.  This is what this Mother/Daughter duo from Texas intend to do with their new "Chunky Cards."

Happy Valentine's Day!

This picture was taken on our very first date--August 1998.  Matt and I were toasting the success of our  date with champagne glasses filled with sparkling grape juice. Needless to say, we had an instant connection from day one. I won't say how quickly we got engaged thereafter--but it's probably a record! :)

I found this picture while looking for a photo to bring to a Valentine's Day party.  My dear art collectors, Jeff and Pat Skoglind, hosted a Valentine's Party at their home in Scottsdale.  They asked each of their guests to bring with them a dating or wedding photo. I can safely say we were the only ones with a picture of our first date!  It was a fabulous party.  Most of the guests were very familiar with Celebrations of Fine Art (lots of art collectors in this bunch!)...and promised to stop by my booth to see my paintings in person.

Sister's Trip to Sedona!

Believe it or not...but I have 7 sisters!  It's true. I even have a twin. And, every year we try to get together for a fun "Sister's Trip."  This year I traded some artwork for few nights at a beautiful villa in Sedona.  I planned the trip around the Ratliff Gallery show and invited all my sisters to come out for the weekend.  5 of them plus two husbands (and one friend couple) took me up on the offer. We had a blast!  First stop was Scottsdale to see Celebration of Fine Art. Most had never seen the show.  It was fun leading this group of blondies around to all the studios.  They got a lot of attention!  It was just like the old days. It was fun making the artists guess which one was my twin. 

This is Valerie.  We were born 6 minutes apart. We're fraternal twins, so we don't look too much alike--more like sisters born at the same time. And no, she is not an artist.  If I am right brained--she is left.  We are very different (most say "opposites"), but perhaps that is why we get along so well. Together we are genius (we like to say!).

It was fun having my sisters at the Gallery Reception.  The James Ratliff Gallery put on a very nice event--with catered food and wine.  It was packed with people when we arrived.  I gave a short little speech and mingled with art collectors for a few hours.  It was a fun show!  4 paintings sold that weekend!

The Villa was fantastic!  I wish I had taken more pictures.  I had to grab this pic off the website (www.sevencanyons.com).  It was all luxury--well worth the painting trade.  The whole house was done in a beautiful Tuscan style, with ceilings made of wooden beams and smooth, Italian plaster walls.  It was really gorgeous. None of us wanted to leave!  I especially hated to leave my waterfall shower and towel warmer. 

"Sister...Sisters...there were never such devoted sisters" (classic song from movie: White Christmas)

Another "twinner" shot.  We just don't get together near enough. Our 10 kids keep us pretty busy!

(left to right): Nikki Hom, Rachel Whoolery, Jennifer Vranes, Valerie Harmon and Laura Jones

The view right outside our villa!  It almost looks like a fake backdrop!  Love that red rock.

Hiking through the ancient Palatki cliff dwellings. Fascinating tour!

We grabbed a quick snack of cactus fries and fried python at the Cowboy Club.

Cactus Fries. Yummy!

Fried Python.  Not too bad.  A little chewy.  And no, it didn't taste like chicken!  Okay, maybe a little.

It was fun just hanging out with my sisters again.  The trip was way too short!  We're already planning our next one.

Aspen Confetti ships to Florida!

I love how great my "Aspen Confetti" (48" x 72") looks on this wall!  The moment Jessica saw this piece, she knew it was perfect.  This is the email she just sent me along with the above pic:

    Hi Jennifer,

    Here is our beautiful painting and our greyhound, Intensity agrees.
    Thanks for everything.

    Jon and Jessica

James Ratliff Gallery in Sedona

Linda Timberlake, from the James Ratliff Gallery, just sent me over these pics of my pieces hanging in the Gallery.  Linda came to my Scottsdale show last week and picked up a few new pieces for the show.  I think she did a fantastic job with the hanging.  Everything looks great!  I'm excited to see the new Gallery (just moved to a new location in prestigious Hillside) and participate with the Artist event this weekend. 

 Linda Timberlake and me at the Celebration of Fine Art Show in Scottsdale. 

Gallery Show this Friday in Sedona!

The James Ratliff Gallery in Sedona, AZ will be hosting Gallery show themed: "Celebration of Women Artists."  The show will be featuring my paintings, the equestrian sculpture of  Jan Van Ek and the ceramics of Joyce Nelson.  Artist Reception is Friday, February 4th from 5-8 p.m. Here's the invite.  All are invited!