PoppyRow

February 28, 2007

Less is More

Filed under: getting started, materials, painting — jen @ 4:31 pm

pots-of-watercolours.jpgI am a stickler for a limited palette. I love color, and I’m hard pressed to decide on a particular favorite. So, when buying tubes of paint, I try to have one of everything. Nonetheless, I don’t attempt to use every color each time I paint. That sounds obvious right? But time and time again, I have seen someone struggling as his or her painting progresses, and they frantically begin adding more and more colors. Colors mix, overlap, and create mud when conscious decisions aren’t made as to which ones will best serve that particular painting.

Here’s an analogy. I like pie. A lot. I like lemon, apple, chocolate, pecan, strawberry, coconut cream, and especially raspberry. (more…)

February 27, 2007

Quality vs. Quantity

Filed under: materials — jen @ 9:34 pm

Quality art supplies can make or break your outcome. Without knocking any particular brands, I’d like toplastic-palette.jpg stress this issue. I paint on
Arches Watercolor Paper, often ordered from DickBlick.com or
MisterArt.com. It is a fabulous paper, well known for quality and consistency. I’m sure it’s not the most expensive paper, and it’s by far not the cheapest. But, nonetheless, it’s a professional product that can deliver professional results.

When I am teaching, and students bring something that reminds me of the paper sitting in my printer tray next to my computer, I inwardly groan. (more…)

February 26, 2007

You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression - Part Two

Filed under: presentation — jen @ 11:25 pm

I know its tempting when selling your work to cut corners and either frame it yourself or as cheaply as possible. After all, you are in business, and framing adds to overhead. But, it can also be an investment in yourself and your work, much like getting stunning business cards printed. Every time I show my work, I get as many compliments on the framing as I do the actual work. I am not insulted by this in any way. Rather, I understand that if someone is considering buying something for their home they will look at on a daily basis, then I understand I must respect that and give it the proper attention it is due. I would not dress my child in a paper bag unless I absolutely had no other possible option, and I will treat my work in a similar manner. People are less likely to value your work if you don’t value it yourself.

Another thing, is that as the artist, (more…)

February 25, 2007

You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression

Filed under: presentation — jen @ 8:16 pm

I am always preaching this, and I can’t stress it enough, so listen up! Presentation is a key element in the frames.jpgsuccess of your work. You could have a fabulously inspired piece, with wonderful contrasts, striking line quality, and compelling subject matter. But put it into a $10 discount frame with no matting, and suddenly it has been cheapened. Some works have little need for supportive presentation, such as a free-standing sculpture. Although, even a pedestal is seen alongside the art when it is shown. But back to the pieces that need something in order to hang properly on a wall- in other words a frame.

First of all, I am an artist. But second of all, I am a certified custom framer. (more…)

February 24, 2007

Putting Your Work Within a Context

Filed under: inspiration, getting started — jen @ 8:45 am

So, today I am returning home after a glorious week in the tropical paradise that is Jamaica. I honestly think I could live here! We are staying at Tensing Pen, which we would happily recommend to anyone. The ocean is amazing, the employees are friendly, the cottages are comfortable, and a little grey cat named Princess has adopted us. I have tried to tell her we are leaving today, but she just looks up at us with her sweet pointy face and says “Meow?”

But all good things must come to an end. I leave invigorated, and inspired. I have taken countless photos, wondering how I plan to tackle them. I have a piece at home, unfinished, awaiting my attention. I’d like to finish that, but when I am stuck, I am thinking of doing a series, dedicated to this fabulous place. I like working in series, because it puts you in a particular mode of thinking, which can carry over from piece to piece. And then I like to see the work as a conversation, and a sentence can carry more impact than a single word, a paragraph more than a sentence, and a great work of literature more than just one of its chapters. Why is that? Perhaps it has to do with the idea of context. Sometimes, when looking at a single piece of art, without a title, or a blurb of explanation, it doesn’t feel quite whole. It seems to the viewer that some sort of context is needed to better appreciate what is being viewed.

I am not completely ignorant, I do realize that there are times when it is the artist’s intention for us to make our own inferences and come to our own conclusions. But placing a work within a context can do so much more than just making something pretty to look at. It says something. (more…)

February 23, 2007

Studio Space

Filed under: inspiration — jen @ 6:03 pm

   So yesterday, the idea of inspiration was tossed around. I’d love to
hear more ideas- what’s your muse? But I want to talk about some of
these things I find most important. I do think studio space is a key
element for most people. I don’t want to say all- because I do know
of one or two rare folk who can set up at the kitchen table for a
few hours, and when dinner is ready, break it down and tuck it all
neatly away. But honestly, for the rest of us poor saps, the idea
of setting up to work can be as daunting to our creative process as
starting a new piece.
   I have found that many of my students who have issues finding time
and motivation to work simply lack the physical space necessary to
devote to the pursuit of their passion. But even a card table that
says “mine” can go a long way toward encouraging work. You’ll pass by,
glance at the piece in progress, and feel more inclined to think about
the next stage, or how to fix a troublesome area throughout the day.
You’ll realize that more time is available to you, even if in smaller
chunks, simply because everything is ready to go.
   In my studio, (more…)

February 22, 2007

Inspiration

Filed under: inspiration — jen @ 9:50 am

art-inspiration-supplies.jpg     One of the most common questions I get when I am either doing a free demo or teaching a class is “How do you stay inspired?”. This is a tough question, because first of all, different things inspire me at different times. It’s also hard because people are so unique, and each one of us is moved in an infinite manner of ways. But, when asked, I do my best to answer. (more…)

February 21, 2007

Welcome to PoppyRow!

Filed under: general — jen @ 4:31 pm

     Welcome to PoppyRow! This is a place for artists, written by an artist. A sort of online co-operative of resources. I’ve been making art for over 15 years, gone to art school, and taken numerous workshops. Now, I sell my work, do demos regionally, and teach classes. I am also a certified framer, so artwork presentation is very important to me. In the journey of my artistic existence, I have studied many mediums, including sculpture, oils, watercolors, printmaking, charcoals, and more. Art is a passion for me, I just can’t imagine not making art. (more…)