Facebook Sucks

 Facebook sucks. I know you already knew. Some evil person (I have a hard time calling them a person). Some evil being is stealing my art, my name, my photos, and made an account. And after I changed my photo they stole that the next day! They are obviously watching my page. I reported it to Facebook. Friends and family have reported it. Facebook says the account doesn't go against their "community Standards"... So I went through all these hoops, filled out an intellectual property theft report and they did take the photos that I reported down, but the account remains with some of my photos that I didn't add links to. And they just stole different photos of mine and put them on their page again. 

Me from a few years ago

The way I found out about it was suspicious too. Some woman that I had never seen before came on my personal page and wrote in a comment that someone was impersonating me. I thanked her but I wonder how she knew. Because now when I post about it I am bombarded with "nice people" trying to help. They want me to click on a link or type in someone's name who can help me with hacked accounts, etc. 

I'm not that naive. I know a scam when I see it. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I may be deleting my Facebook business page. Maybe both, I'm not sure. 

If the Facebook people don't take this serious yet they take all kinds of things down about politics or nudes that might offend a certain group. They have their priorities all wrong. I am an artist. That's it. And I started sharing my paintings in 2009. First, on this blog. You guys actually saw me and encouraged me. You are why I kept going. Then I went on Facebook and shared more receiving more encouragement. It was a great time. It's not the same anymore. It has been overcome by malicious people, trying to ruin it for others. Facebook should have been on top of this instead of trying to be so accepting of all. Evil people have no place in my world. 

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It's been too long...I've been loving Renoir

 

Poppies Delight
by Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan
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Does your life fly by? Mine sure does! How does time go by so fast? I just returned from another amazing trip to Europe, and now summer is quickly approaching. It's my favorite time of year. You know how they say the older you get, the faster time goes by? It's the truth! I'm only 53 now, I can't imagine what it will be like when I'm 70 or 80. It makes me realize that every moment is precious, and will never come again. When I'm painting, time stands still. I am entranced in the moment and all of my thoughts and senses are given to my work in front of me. It's a magical gift. I often tell people who don't paint, that they should try it,  just for this reason. I am so fortunate to have been gifted this passion. My art has gotten through many trying times and will always be there for me. 

I painted this Poppy painting around 2012 but It's still a favorite. My love of the impressionists and my passion shows in this piece. I try to convey that with each piece and although my work has evolved over the years, it's still in me. When I was about 16, I did a Renoir copy of  his "Dance in the Country". I wish I still had it. It wasn't a total copy of course, and I used pastels back then; but it symbolized my love for beauty, romance, history, fashion...everything I loved. Out of all the art I could choose this was the piece that resonated with me the most. I feel a closeness to Renoir's work. So imagine how ecstatic I was to find myself in Renoir's home! We didn't research very much before our trip, just stumbled upon what cam in our path. Anita, a long time blogger friend, recommended St Paul de Vence (an amazing village that I have to post about later) Since we were in that area I noticed Musee Renoir, so we drove up to it and happily paid 6 Euros to get a glimpse of where Renoir lived and painted until he died. It was amazing. Walking the property that he painted, I was overwhelmed with inspiration. The olive trees are gorgeous! I felt as though he was there among them. 

me with Renoir's Painting

the gorgeous olive groves

another bather of Renoir's

My painting (revised and sold)

My painting (sold)

My painting (sold)

My painting from a challenge on Dailypaintworks (sold)

Renoir's Home

My love for Renoir's art is forever and I feel closer to it than ever. I can't forget my love for Van Gogh and Monet, and more recently loving John Singer Sargent. Those are just a few, and I admire so many living artists! But for now, I'm trying to focus on when I started my art journey and why. So going back to when I was 16, in my art class helps. I could go back even further. I have memories of being about 5 or so, drawing on computer paper with my sister. My dad was an engineer and would bring home stacks of computer paper for use to draw on. Our world came alive with those blank pages and we would spend hours drawing and cutting out paper dolls. Fashion was one of my first passions. It shows up often in my art. 

by Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan
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by Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan
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by Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan
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Now off to paint my passions! 

by Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan
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by Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan
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by Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan
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So many paintings, so little time! 

Modern Impressionist Field of Flowers

 

Available here

New art available on my website! I love flowers and I'm not sure what these would be but I hope you enjoy it! This was originally a winery and I sold it and the collector decided he wanted larger. I said sure of course! So, I changed this one to be something unique. Can you feel the Van Gogh influence? I love his landscapes. So much feeling in them.
I'm so happy Spring is here! Although, now that I live in Souther California the weather is almost always perfect but I still notice when the trees start to bloom and the light in the sky changes. It just feels good. I'm energized and can't paint fast enough! I'm happy to say that the sunflower painting form the previous post sold and I have a commission to paint another one! When I do that I change things ever so slightly so that it will be a unique original. I'm sure the art police would say not to make copies of your own work but they aren't paying my bills! I'm trying to save up for my next trip to Europe! 
I have a lot of catching up to do, as far as travel goes. When all my friends were traveling to Europe after college, I was being a mom to a beautiful little baby girl. I would never want to change that experience, but I'm so excited to be experiencing new places and enriching my life! 

Thanks for your comments and for your visit!

Back to the Blog

 

Wouldn't it be nice if we could go back to the blogs the way it used to be? With Facebook and IG down, I thought I'd do a post here. I'm happy to have sold this one last night right after posting it on IG. I used to post things on here and sell them. I remember there was a burner feed that people could subscribe to but I think that's gone. I think Google photos may have been affected as well. My photos aren't on here anymore. 

Anyway, here's some happy sunflowers for you today! 

I don't want you to miss this!

 

Hi Friends! 

I just launched a new floral series exclusive to my newsletter recipients! If you're not signed up it's not too late to...unless they sold in minutes! Here's the link to the newsletter sign up! 

Thanks for looking! 

Valentine's Roses For You

 I'm working on a series of rose paintings just in time for Valentine's Day. Roses are good anytime of year though! I haven't posted the paintings on my website yet but wanted to share what I'm working on...and I realized I hadn't posted anything on the blog since October. Time flies! I sent out a newsletter from my website, which is where I will be launching this series, and will be available for purchase. If you're not signed up yet, it's not too late. Here's the link...you just have to confirm it on your email. 

Happy Valentine's Day pre weekend! 

New one!

My roses from Haley

Next up...

Gorgeous! 

Original Sold but available as a print

Loose Bold Floral Painting

 I was given the best gift ever by my daughter and son in law! It's an ongoing subscription of absolutely beautiful flowers sent to my house, directly from the farm! Every month is different and gives me inspiration for a new painting! This one was waiting at my door upon our return from the East Coast! I think it may have been there for a day but was so delighted that it survived and for a long time. 

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I am so thrilled how this one came out. I painted it outside en plein air which allowed me to see the

flowers in natural light. It also helped me be more spontaneous because I didn't want to stand outside too long. I think it took about 1-2 hours. I was in the zone and not watching the time. I used large brushes and then a palette knife in a few areas. I am pleased to have captured the light and impression of these gorgeous blooms! 

So now on to the next painting. I'm faced with deciding what to paint. I feel like my travels to Europe then Martha's Vineyard have given me so much inspiration that I can't choose just one. Add to that, my daughter's beautiful wedding (I am going to paint her for sure!) So much to paint, so little time.

I feel like I may have an attention deficit disorder because I have a hard time focusing. I'm a little scatter brained. It could be my Hashimoto's, it has so many symptoms I can usually blame everything on it...but that doesn't help solve it. I see some artists on instagram who have everything organized. Their studio, their feed, the whole production from painting to shipping. Is that why they're successful? Is my lack of focus keeping me from reaching my goals? How do you stay focused when there is so much going on, all the time? 

I'm currently taking commissions! Please contact me if you're in treated in learning more.

Find out more here!  

Lots of new paintings coming to Etsy!

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available on etsy

I'm late to posting this and now have many more coming.

I painted something every day in June and am getting them listed now. A few have sold and I'm still posting some. I was working on this oil painting before I started the 30 day challenge and just went back to it to finish it. It's an 11x14 inch oil and wax on cradled wood. 

available on etsy

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My First Trip To Europe...How it Changed my Views About America - Part 2

 

available on Etsy 

So, A little more about Bruge. We stayed in the most spectacular hotel...more like a boutique hotel, called Hotel de Orangerie. It was so beautifully decorated and the breakfast buffet was so nice! 

It's a 15th Century renovated convent! There was so much history in Brugge! Every in Europe but Brugge is so well preserved. If you can go there it is definitely worthwhile. 

I even saw a bride and groom.

I haven't painted Brugge, or the bride yet but hope to. I currently have an overload of photos I want to paint, from our trip and the Facebook Group Free Reference Photos for Artists. It's become my go to for sleepless nights, but now I have saved so many to my phone, it keeps me up thinking about how many paintings I want to do! ha I don't have any problem being inspired as an artist. My problem is actually painting everything that inspires me. Sometimes I'm a little all over the place. I need to bring back my word of the year...FOCUS. 

So...let's get to what I would change in America from visiting Europe (because I know you can't wait to hear it)-

1. Public transportation -Europe's has got it down! Why can't we have something like that? At least in California. We took the bullet train from Amsterdam to Paris! What an incredible ride! In Paris, The Metro was so convenient and took us every we wanted to go. We even rode buses a few times. Everything was clean and efficient. So opposite of here. The Metro in DC is the exception. 

2. Cameras on the road-

 Sorry to say but we need policing. People here in Southern California, do not follow the laws and it's scary. I don't know where they came from, but I don't ever remember it being so bad (I grew up here). People run red lights like it's nothing, and the freeway is full of crazy drivers out for themselves. 

We drove on the freeway in The Netherlands and everyone drove the speed limit, which made it a very pleasant drive. If you've ever noticed, speeder don't really get there faster. 

3. And the best thing that Europe had that we definitely need here

  Pay for toilets it's about $1 but in my opinion worth every penny. Having a bathroom attendant assures   

 everything is clean, toilet paper stocked, and safe (safer than not being there)

Of course these are just my opinions and some will disagree and I know this has nothing to do with art but I just wanted to get that out.

My next post will be all about Paris and art! 

Here's a few older pieces I did that remind me to Europe. I have so many! 

2015 sold

2013 sold

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They are all sold and from years ago. I'm currently working on a June challenge of small paintings which I will post on here soon! I'm sharing them on instagram @jbeaudet_art

I'd love to have you follow me there!