So I finally finished my plein air hosta. It sure was difficult for “him” to become green, hence the title, lol. I sketched it last summer and inked it soon after, but never got back to it with color. I think I was afraid of screwing it up so I kept putting it off and putting it off… I came across it in the back of my art folder and thought, “what the heck!”. I’m so glad I did, I think it’s my most successful painting so far. (Click to Enlarge)
Title: “They Call Me Mr. Hosta” Pin It |
I remember that day so clearly, sitting outside in the fresh warm breeze, with a glass of iced tea and peanut butter crackers. It was one of my happiest days last summer. I was so exquisitely thrilled with how the hosta sketched out and it was my first time doing plein air. (definition of plein air: style of painting produced out of doors in natural light.) Now I can’t wait until this upcoming Spring and Summer. I intend to go take my sketchbook and enjoy the outdoors, now that I know I can be successful at it.
This lovely, happy hosta will be up in my Etsy shop by tomorrow, so if anyone falls in love with it, just go there and purchase! He’d love a happy home where he would be as well loved as he is here. (actually, when my mom saw it she seriously started holding it up over currently filled frames. I’m like… “I know you love him, but you can’t keep all my pieces!” She already has all her walls full!) It certainly is flattering, though, that she loved my work so much. Gotta love moms. :o)
One last piece of business… I’ve made a new bloggy friend, Ellen. She perused both my Etsy shop and my old blog posts (totally flattering!) and fell in love with a painting I did called “Bi-colored Rose”. I was lamenting the boring title, even though I couldn’t come up with a better one. She suggested “Tango” because it reminded her of a tango-style dress she bought for her daughter. So, the new name of this painting is:
Title: “Tango”
Pin It
Thank you, Ellen, it’s just perfect!
I’ll be back soon with more art. I’m half way through a macro flower and intend on finishing it tomorrow. I’m on a roll, people! Everybody stay away from black cats and no walking under ladders tomorrow. Friday the 13th is always a little spooky, although I understand my Grandfather considered them his lucky days. Hmmm, “Grampa?? If you can hear me from up there, I could seriously use a lucky Friday the 13th. How about a lucky lottery ticket? I’ll buy a SuperMax and you can do your magic. Does it work like that up there? If not, I love you anyway, just send me hugs instead. That’d be good. Lots of hugs. :o)
Well, I don’t have any cookies to entice you back. I could whip up some seriously good gluten free corn bread though. Would that work? Yes? Cool. I’ll yell when it’s ready. Until then, how about a cup of hazelnut coffee? It’s my new obsession. Yes. Yummy. Seriously. Gotta have it! I know how to share, though, my mom raised me right. One lump or two? ;o)
Christina Persson
I just happened to stumble upon your video on Youtube where you show your scetchbook. Wow!!
It is so beautiful, different and smart. Great inspiration.
Christina
jawsca
Thanks so much. It was such fun.
Cheree @ The Morning Latte
I love the hosta and it's name!!! The detail is awesome. ("Tango" is a great name, too, btw.) I'm kinda wishing my dh and I hadn't just bought some artwork (three actually) for our bedroom this past fall. This would've gone very nicely!
jawsca
Thanks for the compliment. It would have been wonderful to think of him on your wall!
Debbie
Your hosta is beautiful! Great title, too. 🙂 I've always loved their leaves, such beautiful shapes to work with. I think you got the color and the background right, since hostas are shade loving plants.
jawsca
Me too, I loved my mom's hosta garden. Especially that particular plant. The leaves just spoke to me and said "DRAW ME".
sally brown
Hi, I just found your post through Blog Engage and truly love it. Your passion for your art rings loud and clear.
The hosta is incredible and I love 'Tango' for the roses name-it is perfect. Thanks for sharing your art. If I wasn't a struggling new writer, I'd buy lots of your stuff. Until then, I'll certainly be supporting you. Sally
jawsca
Thanks so much! I"m so glad my happiness with painting shows through. I understand the struggling artist problem, lol. Thanks for the compliments.
BlackPumpkin
Amazing piece!
jawsca
thanks!
Pointy Pix
I love this post and your hosta is fantastic! I also love the sound of those peanut butter crackers you had when you did your outdoors sketch (which I admire you for greatly as I don't have the confidence to draw outdoors, ever!)
jawsca
I can still taste the sweet tea and feel the sticky peanut butter on my tongue. That day was truly special.
Netty
Loving your beautiful hosta, its fab. Happy PPF, Annette x
jawsca
Aww, thanks!
Carol L McKenna
Lovely work on the hosta ~ very creative and well done ~ namaste, carol (Share the Creative Journey) ~ Happy PPF ^_^
jawsca
Thanks so much.
Geri Centonze
What a gorgeous painting – I love hostas! Happy PPF! and hope 2012 will be a great year.
jawsca
I do too, I'll have to do another this summer, thanks for the compliments. Blushing.
Mary C. Nasser
Your hosta is really beautiful!
Hostas are one of my favorite plants…I love the way they flourish in the garden!
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art
jawsca
Thanks so much, they undulate beautifully in real life, I was inspired.
Carol
Love Mr. Hosta!!!!! He'd be right at home in my garden :0)
jawsca
I bet he wishes he could join his three dimensional cousins in your garden too! Thanks for the compliment. :o)
TwoThirtyFiveDesigns
Great work! Thanks for linking up at my 365!
jawsca
I'm glad I found you, thanks for coming over!
Christine
beautiful hosta and rose!
jawsca
THank you, bows.
Helen Campbell
Mr. Hosta is fabulous! I have yet to attempt a plein air painting, but your work has inspired me to try… when it's a bit warmer outside.
Happy PPF!
jawsca
you should do it too. It was great. Thanks for the compliments, I blush.
Gloria
Your Hosta is really looking fab. I've planted a few but they haven't made it. Going to have to give it a try again. Nice job.
jawsca
Normally, they grow really well. We found that some of the species though, are REALLY affected by sunlight and need total shade. THanks for the compliments!
Mandy
Gee jenn …these are both amazing..your plant and flower are brilliant…oh yeah..a sketch book outside is something i would like to do tho i don't know how good they would be..lol….xxx
jawsca
I loved the plein air and can't wait to repeat the experience. Thanks so much for the compliments.
Daniele Valois
This is really nice!!!
jawsca
Thanks so much!
Ellen S. Jarvis
Hi Jenn! The hosta is gorgeous … with the Opera Rose, my favorite of your works. They're on my wish lists as soon as I have both the cash as well as the right space for them. They both bring a true sense of inner peace that envelopes me when I breathe them in. Beautiful!! I know most artists don't like to be told how to make their art more commercial (my relatives I've told you about hated when I gave them suggestions), so at the risk of offending, I offer suggestions that your pen/ink sketches would make for beautiful botanical stamps to provide to art-morons like me to marker color … and/or to print/market sets of your best work miniaturized on gift/note cards. I'd buy them by the dozen!!!! I LOVE your work, and feel very honored that you accepted "Tango" for your rose's name. (Another favorite of mine!) I wish I had a pinkie-full of your talent …
…Love, from your newest admirer…
Ellen
(aka CardMonkey)
Jehanne's doodles
These painting are beautiful and your store has some really fabulous work.
laurie
I just found you today from Cgristines blog, your blog title is great, beautiful paintings you are very talented.Its so niceto meet you, I'm your neewsest follower, please excuse my spelling, my sight is a bit off right now,
Carol L McKenna
Mr Hosta and Tango are wonderful ~ here today w/Sweet Saturdays ~~ namaste, carol (A Creative Harbor) Happy SSs
bohemiannie! art
The hosta is WONDERful! It makes me miss Virginia – where my flowerbeds were full of them!
I saw your offer to be Creatively Featured in AIB and just need you to send an email. I'd be thrilled to set you up for the spring time…when you'll be in the middle of all that plein air sketching!
Anne
Gorgeous hosta! The green looks perfect. And your description of your lovely day outside creating it was so evocative!
Belinda Carson
I think this looks gorgeous! beautiful gorgeous colors! Thanks for sharing!!
Belinda
Megan
Love hostas ~ there are so many variations available, but I like the bluish or lime green varieties the best… you did a great job with the details… glad you decided to finish it 🙂
Beadwright
Ohhh Jen this is magnificent!!! I mean absolutely magnificent.
Nicole/Beadwright
Crystal @ Ordinary Days
You did an awesome job. That is amazing!
Maria Ontiveros
I love the grey, green and white color combination. Very soothing.
Rinda
bettyl
Awesome job!
art2cee2
Fantastic! I used to have hostas in my previous home all along the side of the house and your's are wondeful! You have captured the curl of the their leaves perfectly! Now, I will wait for you to paint the flowers that appear on those same hostas in the summer. 🙂
Diana Evans
oh wow!!!! amazing work!!!! thank you for sharing this with us at Sweet Saturdays!!!! love it!!!!
wednesday
I am being green…envying the way this painting turned out. It's just great.
elisa
I love the output of your painting! It's just all beautifully green! Great job on being brave and painting it! It's worth it!
Jennifer @ Studio JRU
I think hostas are so amazing. The details are gorgeous. I love your piece. It is beautiful… your work is beautiful! I have to say that I agree with your grandpa about Friday the 13th being lucky! I happen to be born on a Friday the 13th. 🙂 So happy you joined us this week 'in the studio'… hope you join us again!
Tracey Potter
lovely.
Anne @ Domesblissity
Hi Jenn. Just wanted to say thanks for linking up to my Thriving on Thursdays party last week. It's on again tomorrow (Australian time). We'd love to see what you've been up to.
Anne @ Domesblissity xx
Laurel @ Ducks in a Row
It is gorgeous!