Blog Posts

#GirlTalkJLG complete...again!

9/30/2018

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Hey Look- it's ME!

9/13/2018

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I am really excited to share a feature that just came out...guess who the featured artist is?!

Any guesses? Yep, it's ME! How cool is that?!

Special thanks to Nicole Galluccio telling them about me and my heART!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE VoyageMIA ARTICLE!

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When (fur) folks are trying to keep you from bloggin'

9/10/2018

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Whimsy meets Girl Talk.

9/5/2018

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I never did post any updates or summarize my August series. Heck, I didn't even properly introduce the series...but I kind of need to because it involves my series for September...so I will write a bit so I can explain my thoughts for the next series.

Okay...where to start? My trip to Wynwood wasn't my first encounter with graffiti and street art. Back when I taught art at Indiantown Middle School I wrote a Character Counts grant to bring in a graffiti artist that I have befriended at an art show. The kids LOVED the experience! 'TQueen', the artist, came in and talked about the history of street art, different lettering styles and even 'tagged' their notebooks. We then went on to paint the 'Pillars of Character' on canvases using what we learned, and also using some fun materials like spray paint and paint pens. (If you are an art teacher reading this- do yourself a favor and include some type of graffiti or street art lesson in your curriculum-your students will LOVE it!)

Here are some pics from the presentation/artist visit;

At the time that T-Queen came out to my school I had just started my daily artwork commitment, that was over six years ago (...in daily art terms that is 2,438 pieces!!) At that time I was still taking my cues from the Creative Every Day website suggested prompts, but putting my own spin on it. That first month the theme was 'new', so I chose to create 'new' shoes based on a song by Paolo Nutini that I like by the same title. I collaborated with TQueen on one of my daily pieces during her visit, I created the watercolor of the shoe and had her 'tag' it, then added some bling.

Click here to view my first monthly series, January 2012.

JLove/TQueen collabo, January 2012

Rando pic of a mural in San Diego back in 2012 that expresses my love for fun street art gems like this- and my second home, PACIFIC BEACH!!

Truth be told...I have always loved murals and hidden street art gems. I have never done a wall myself, I mean, I have painted some murals indoors but how cool would it be to have your work literally OUT THERE, on the 'skreet for folks (like silly ol' me!) to interact with.

Fun wall in Denver, CO

...this was one of our trips to California, can't remember where exactly we were, it was like a shopping/arts area in an old barracks I think. We went there on a hunt for a brewery and were pleasantly surprised.

LOVE this artist- Kazilla! I was so excited to see her work on our first trip to Austin. To see more of her work visit http://kazilla.biz/

...told ya'll I love her work! I even totally 'fan-girled' and did a portrait of her as a part of my May 2014 , link: https://www.jenniferlovegironda.com/gallery/may-2014-decoration

Another Austin pic, this was from our visit to the Hope Outdoor Gallery, http://hopecampaign.org/hopeprojects/hope-outdoor-gallery/

Recent trip to Wynwood, one of our favorite pieces

And I haven't done this in a while, but my whole #AngelDropART gig is based on my desire to want to 'tag' but not wanting to deal with laws and getting in trouble and such. I am hoping that I can get motivated to do more of these...right now I am in a rut, but I have 'dropped' about a thousand angels over the years.

Click here to read more about #AngelDropART

...one of the angels I dropped in Hollywood, FL a few years back for Mother's Day.

Which brings me to my last series, #WynwoodWhimsyJLG.

This series was inspired by an anniversary trip to Wynwood Walls to see the murals and visit the local breweries. I wanted to loosen up a bit, and play around with spray paint and stencils.

...just a gal and a lil' can of pink spray paint...

I really like how the bottom piece turned out, I did a quick watercolor face, then added spray paint, went back on top of the face with acrylic paint and then on top of that with marker to make the line work and details.

Oh, and did I mention STENCILS? So fun! I love using these, kinda reminded me of my undergrad days when I used to 'paint' with my silkscreens by layering them...I was too excited about the image(s) and too lazy to wash my screens- but it worked.

I also played about with some paint pens...these worked okay I reckon, they really soaked into the paper, which was okay for what I was doing...but I would not buy them for a true 'paint pen' look.

...just a random pic in the middle of the series...I worked some on phone book pages, that was fun!

...and now that series is complete. Overall I am happy that it looks cohesive, small changes from day to day, I can see where I revisited a thought, or worked with a media or visual technique within a few pieces. To create these pieces I would usually start with a watercolor 'drawing' (no pencil first) then block off areas and do the spray painting, sometimes using stencils, and finishing up with various pens.

Here is a look at the finished series;

I usually completely switch it up from month to month. I mean, I have started re-visiting themes that I enjoyed doing in the past, but I don't think I have ever 'continued' a series- for the most part I just switch gears. I feel like in some of my monthly themes that is a welcome change, I am ready to work with new materials- but I really have been enjoying using the spray paint and stencils and the black line work. So instead of starting something brand new I am continuing to work with these materials- but adding detail rendering with it, which so far is a contrast that I really like. My subject matter this month will be female singers/singer-songwriters that I like as a part of a theme I have done twice now, my #GirlTalkJLG theme.

In my 2016 series I started off just pairing random female faces with quotes i liked in the first four pieces, and then I had to idea to create a portrait of the actual woman and her words;

When I revisited the theme in February 2018 I was thinking about my students- that I might be privileged enough to be teaching the next supreme court justice, next world-class singer, or first female president (!). With that in mind I started the series of women that I admire- but as their younger selves.

I liked the piece enough but I just didn't feel attached to the work- it wasn't personal enough. And truth be told, many of the woman I admire are older and it's hard to find a good, clear image to work from on the interwebs...so I actually looked to my own students for inspiration. I selected a group of current and past senior girls that I had formed a bond with over the years and created their portraits with their own words.

Which reminds me...I gotta text my girls and meet up for coffee and art delivery!!!

...so September series...back to that- it will be a continuation of my #WynwoodWhimsyJLG series combined with the #GirlTalkJLG series (repeating that in case it got lost in my rambling) I plan on continuing with the spray paint, stencils and black marker but the face will be graphite. Female singer/singer songwriters and their words or lyrics.

That's it. Here are the first four pieces, to learn more about each one click on the image;

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CGMS Runway-Inspired Show!

8/18/2018

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I love showing my work. It really gives me a positive feeling to share what I love to do with others. But you know what feels even better? Sharing that feeling with other artists! I mean, I have helped to set up shows before but this was the first time my name was officially listed curating a show.

A little back story on how this came to be. Joyce mentioned in June that she wanted to have this fashion-themed show and she was listing me as the contact person- it was gonna be my thing. I said, 'sure' and then ran off into the summer abyss, not stressing about it.

Fast forward to teacher work days, the first week of school...and me setting up this show! What a whirlwind week! I left right after school on Thursday to head over to the gallery with my own artwork, my pink tool set and a step ladder and left three hours a sweaty mess- but happy with the show that I had installed. My goal was to create as many vignettes that would showcase the art by each artist, show off the work as best I could, and also encourage the viewer to approach the work and connect with it.

Anyway, I am really happy with how the show came out and here are some pics!

Thursday- the view of the show after I set it up.

Opening night view- Joyce had some additional pieces from gallery artists...of course they were jewelry- my weakness!

...and of course I was able to show some of my fashion illustrations! I selected shoe paintings from my June 2018 series and fashion illustrations based off Vintage Vogue covers from my September 2017 series.

Thanks for thinking of me for this show, Joyce!

Love you!

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Call to Artists!

8/10/2018

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How fun is this? I am helping Joyce put together a FASHION themed show at Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery in Lake Worth!

INFO/APPLICATION

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Wynwood Walls...finally!

8/5/2018

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I am proud to say that we FINALLY made it down to the Wynwood Arts District in Miami. It has been on our radar since we moved to Florida almost ten years ago, but we just never made it happen. Miami isn't far from us- and we have been down to South Beach and the Design District here and there...but never to those famed Wynwood Walls- until now!

The trip down to Wynwood was actually the final part of an anniversary trip/end of summer vacation that John and I took recently. We were celebrating 13 years of marriage and 21 years together...found a great little condo in quiet little Bonita Springs on the west coast of Florida and spent a few days there. We had some rain, and really couldn't enjoy the beach due to the horrible red tide that is impacting the coasts of Florida but we did enjoy the downtime, many great meals and just being together.

Back to Wynwood.

I wanted to surprise John- but he hates surprises and I can't keep a secret because I get too excited so... I told him about the hotel I booked and the plan to hit up Miami on the way back home. (Side note, if you ever go the Hampton Inn we stayed in was fab- just an Uber ride away from the heart of Wynwood, clean and modern with views of Biscayne Bay)

Long story short- he loved the idea, and we had a great time! Our main goal was to see as many murals as possible and to check out the local breweries. What we didn't plan on was also finding our new favorite taco jam...so basically we are in love with Wynwood and can't wait to go back!

Here are some pics!

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July 2018 series...COMPLETE (and finally posted!)

8/4/2018

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Greetings from Austin!

7/8/2018

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Well...kinda.

I mean, I'm not in Austin anymore- I am back now.

I gotta say, it was another great trip. Willie Nelson was amazing, as was Sturgill Simpson...the barbecue and tacos were delicious...the honky-tonks were fun...the art was EVERYWHERE...oh, and it was fun visiting out NC/NY friend Scott and his kitty Surfer Girl, too!

All in all, it was a great trip...and yup, I made art every day I was there!

(Here is a link to a post about last year's trip to Austin, there are tons of mural pics- and we still didn't see them all!)

...and of COURSE I worked on my daily art while I was in Austin!

I planned my materials for this month knowing that I would be taking this trip- and also considering a visit from John's sister...a glass fusing workshop with my students...teaching a week of Fashion Camp...an Art Hive event...annnnnd an AP Workshop. Let's just say it's gonna be kinda hectic- so I planned on using the graphitone pencils, watercolors and ink based on portability.

What I guess I forgot was DRY TIME- yikes! I reckon I could grab a hair dryer to speed up the process- but not while traveling. So I had to start my pieces earlier in the day, even if it was in small spurts to allow for my dry time. For example, it might take me a few minutes to lightly sketch out the image and then do the first layer of graphitone on the face- but then I would go back in with 1-2 more layers to build up value, each layer having to dry. Same with the watercolor. So working a little here and there has been my saving grace so far.

I started my first piece on the plane. I used an ice cube for my 'water' on the face. Not ideal- but it worked!

At Scott's...sometimes I would work sitting on the bed in the AC (it was SO hot in Austin!) However, when it was cooler I did make use of the table outside on the porch- and used plenty of bug spray! His little cat Surfer Girl wasn't too interested in what I was doing- she just wanted me to brush her and watch her nap.

These are the finished pieces from our time in Austin (and traveling)

...and these are the two pieces from this past weekend, after getting a ton of sleep and unpacking.

...oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little sister, Morgan!! Love you!

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...that's it- the new series is decided!

7/2/2018

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I just kept thinking about butterflies, so butterflies it is!

Butterflies are a reoccurring theme in my work since...well, since forever. I was thinking, 'hey, I should write up an intro- you know, give some background on why I keep using butterflies in my work.'

Turns out- I already did! #win

https://www.jenniferlovegironda.com/blog/new-series-for-july

...just a sample of some work I have created that includes butterfly imagery. With the exception of the piece in the top left corner, all of these works have been created since 2012...and most are parts of monthly themes that have 27-30 other pieces in 'em. You can tell that some of these are from the same month/theme...but still...that's a whole lotta butterflies, ya'll!

I took a bit of time back in 2016 to give some proper background and I feel that it still fits- so for once in my life I am going to make it easier on myself and say, hey- please visit that link (above) for more background info!

In the meantime, here is my most recent series dedicated to butterflies- my #ButterflyBellaJLG series from July 2016. I really loved how this series turned out so I am so excited about revisiting it...and you know, I am just excited to get back to my big eyed ladies- it's been a minute!

;
What will be new for this round? I'm not sure. I can already see from the first two gals that I am making an effort to give some kind of background, even if it's just some light, textured watercolor. I thought about maybe doing some mixed media elements later in the series...gonna leave it open-ended and see what takes flight!

Here are my first two Bellas;

Bellas from July 1-2, 2018

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#GirlTalkJLG complete...again!

Hey Look- it's ME!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE VoyageMIA ARTICLE!

When (fur) folks are trying to keep you from bloggin'

Whimsy meets Girl Talk.

I never did post any updates or summarize my August series. Heck, I didn't even properly introduce the series...but I kind of need to because it involves my series for September...so I will write a bit so I can explain my thoughts for the next series.

Here are some pics from the presentation/artist visit;

Click here to view my first monthly series, January 2012.

Click here to read more about #AngelDropART

Here is a look at the finished series;

CGMS Runway-Inspired Show!

...and of course I was able to show some of my fashion illustrations! I selected shoe paintings from my June 2018 series and fashion illustrations based off Vintage Vogue covers from my September 2017 series.

Thanks for thinking of me for this show, Joyce!

Love you!

Call to Artists!

How fun is this? I am helping Joyce put together a FASHION themed show at Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery in Lake Worth!

INFO/APPLICATION

Wynwood Walls...finally!

July 2018 series...COMPLETE (and finally posted!)

Greetings from Austin!

(Here is a link to a post about last year's trip to Austin, there are tons of mural pics- and we still didn't see them all!)

...and of COURSE I worked on my daily art while I was in Austin!

...oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little sister, Morgan!! Love you!

...that's it- the new series is decided!

https://www.jenniferlovegironda.com/blog/new-series-for-july

Author

Archives

​CLICK HERE TO READ THE VoyageMIA ARTICLE!

​I never did post any updates or summarize my August series. Heck, I didn't even properly introduce the series...but I kind of need to because it involves my series for September...so I will write a bit so I can explain my thoughts for the next series.

Here are some pics from the presentation/artist visit;

...and of course I was able to show some of my fashion illustrations! I selected shoe paintings from my June 2018 series and fashion illustrations based off Vintage Vogue covers from my September 2017 series.

​Thanks for thinking of me for this show, Joyce! Love you!

How fun is this? I am helping Joyce put together a FASHION themed show at Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery in Lake Worth!INFO/APPLICATION​

...and of COURSE I worked on my daily art while I was in Austin!

​...oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little sister, Morgan!! Love you!

Author

​Archives

CLICK HERE TO READ THE VoyageMIA ARTICLE!

I never did post any updates or summarize my August series. Heck, I didn't even properly introduce the series...but I kind of need to because it involves my series for September...so I will write a bit so I can explain my thoughts for the next series.

Thanks for thinking of me for this show, Joyce!

Love you!

How fun is this? I am helping Joyce put together a FASHION themed show at Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery in Lake Worth!

INFO/APPLICATION

...oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little sister, Morgan!! Love you!

Archives