INSPIRATION in the sky

I debated with myself about doing this, but if you know me, you know that a very large part of what I consider to be "my artwork" are the creations I do for my church every Sunday in putting scripture slides up on the songscreen. (So you may be seeing them on my blog occasionally).

This morning I awoke to the most beautiful sunrise (photographed here) and then, lo and behold, if this wasn't in my daily scripture reading. The two just begged to be paired together!

Oh, I do LOVE clouds! I look up at the sky and ask God, "Please teach me how to paint like that!" One of the best things about returning to my painting is that my eyes have become so much more in tune to God's glory all around me. This inspiration is invaluable as an artist and I thought you might enjoy the extra inspiration today too. Have a blessed day!

Nearby - Mama Horse and her Foal

I entitled this painting "Nearby" as you might wonder what the foal is looking at in the distance. It is actually a study for a much larger painting which will contain this same image within it. So stay tuned, and hopefully in a few weeks you will see "the rest of the painting" and what this little one is looking at. Credit for this image goes to my sister who got out of the car on a recent trip to take photos for me...and did a wonderful job, I might add.

I'm enjoying painting horses as it reminds me of how much I loved them as a girl growing up. I spent many a day sketching horses. Horses are hard!!! I remember being so discouraged. I guess the hard work paid off, but I think painting horses is easier than drawing horses.

This 8"x10" oil on canvas is now available for $135 + S/H. Contact me at fineartbymj@aol.com.

Mission San Juan Capistrano - View From the Plaza

Known as "the Jewel of Missions," Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1776.

With a few hours to spare one morning, I took myself over to the mission to walk through the gardens. I had visited the Mission San Juan Capistrano when I was a teenager, but had forgotten how beautiful the surroundings and gardens were. I like this view because it encompasses the bell campanario, the statue of Father Junipero Serra with an Indian boy, and the ruins of the church which are "believed to be the oldest standing building in California." What a delight for anyone who has the opportunity to visit these well-cared for, peaceful surroundings. Especially on a beautiful sun-drenched California day.

"Mission San Juan Capistrano - From the Plaza" 5"x7" oil on canvas, gallery-wrapped

Train Station at San Juan Capistrano

I happened upon this back street view of the train station at San Juan Capistrano, California. Our family has many good memories of taking the Amtrak from Anaheim down to Del Mar to go to the horse races (no traffic!!!) We would stop to eat at the San Juan Capistrano train station. This is such a picturesque area of Southern California. I spent a morning taking pictures in and around the mission here and hope to eventually have a collection of California mission paintings.

This 6"x6" oil on canvas will eventually make its way for sale at a little fountain shop nearby the train station. (More details later) Contact me at fineartbymj@aol.com if you are interested in purchasing it before it finds a California home.

FUJI-LICIOUS

I started a fruit series awhile back and have been surprised at how much fun it is to do these smaller paintings on gallery-wrapped canvas. After doing oranges and pears, I had to do a tribute to my favorite...the ever sweet, ever crunchy, Fuji. All other apples fall to the wayside, in my personal opinion. I remember first discovering them in California and being crestfallen when they were not available in Texas - they eventually made their way to the larger market and no mushy Gala shall touch these lips again (unless my mother uses them for baking). I can slice up one of the larger (1 pound!) Fujis for the whole family.

There's debate about the "so-called apple" in the Garden of Eden and whether it was actually an apple. I'm thinking it may have been a Fuji.

This canvas is a little larger, a 6"x6" and with a deeper gallery wrap at 2-1/2" deep. It would sit prettily on a shelf somewhere. Now available at $125 + s/h. Email me at fineartbymj@aol.com

Fresh From God

This was painted from a picture taken just hours after this little guy's birth. It certainly made me think of a quote which has stuck in my mind: "It is no small thing when those so fresh from God love us." Every now and then you sit down to do a painting and it just flows. That was the way it was with this painting. It almost feels like my hands are not my own. When I can paint from my heart and not my head, I have crossed from execution into enjoyment. First of all, it helps to have a great photo to work from; the lighting and composition work was already done for me so I could sit down and let it happen. Painted on a 5"x7" canvas, the smallness of it added to the capturing the arrival of a new member of God's family here on earth. I enjoyed this so much, I think I'll start a series, "Fresh from God."

Living With a Painting

Sometimes you just think you're finished with a painting and then, after living with it for awhile, you finally get the picture in your mind of what it really needs to finish it off.

The finished painting in comparison to the previous version has the new addition (among other things) of a little foal energized by the electricity of the approaching storm. Meanwhile "mom" is calm, her casual eating of the grass letting her foal know that there's nothing to fear. Personally, I know my enthusiasm for watching an approaching storm from our porch (respectfully appreciating it's power, yet enjoying the drama and excitement) has been passed down to my children who now yell out, "Mom, come see the clouds!!" If you live in Texas, you may be more acquainted with these quick changes in weather. I never remember being quite as drawn to the clouds when I lived in California (less rain, I suppose).

"Approaching Storm" 11x14 oil on canvas,

No longer available - Private Collection - http://artbymj.com/

WELCOME to my BLOG

I suppose it's unusual, and maybe not so business-savvy for an artist to start an art blog with a photograph of her dad rather than one of her paintings. When I tried picking out a painting, I couldn't decide. Then I ran across this photo of my dad that I put together with this quote awhile back. It struck me as a perfect way to start out on another new adventure, that of blogging.
I look at my dad standing there, such a symbol of strength and hard work - He's truly an inspiration in my artwork and my life. And I know that he's my guardian paint angel, sitting on my shoulder with each brushstroke, cheering me on.
When he was a young boy, his mother wanted him to be an artist and she wanted to preserve his hands from the harsh ranch work. His father thought otherwise and said that if he could sell a few paintings then he would consider allowing him to stop his farm work. Poor guy - needless to say, not too many people were buying paintings during the Great Depression. He may have not had the opportunity to sell his paintings, but 70+ years after the Depression, here I am, creating and selling my paintings. We may not always have the success we desire for ourselves, but sometimes we pave the road for our children. Thanks, Daddy!

"...The stout heart stays trying by night and by day!"