Art for a Cause

Twitter Art Exhibit 2020

I'm so happy I finished this in time for the 2020 TwitterArtExhibit! This year's charity is for Horry County Disabilities & Special Needs. Such a great cause to donate to! I loved painting this little piece and love the cause it's going towards. I hope someone falls in love with it at the show.



I found some other entries from the past, and feel like this one is maybe a little more primitive, even though I've been painting longer. It could be the brush size I used and it's also acrylic instead of oil paints. They all have an impressionist feel but the colors are a little more complex than the new one. I go back and forth and I know that's not what an artist should do. It's like I have a split personality! I wonder if it's determined by my mood.

I revisited some paintings from years ago to get inspired. I need to get back to painting just because I love it so much. No pressure to make my next masterpiece or sell it. Just for the love because it's my passion. I feel like I got lost somewhere. These paintings below are also larger than the new one which changes the amount of detail when using a larger brush.

available as a print 

on etsy

Sometimes simple is better. What do you think? I like the new one but I'm going to try it in oils to see if that's the difference.

New paintings and working hard for my upcoming show!

Can an Artist Change Their Name...successfully? By Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan...

If you have been following me you may already know the situation I encountered of another artist having my same exact name...even the same middle name! She also paints oils of similar subjects. The style is not quite that same but I'm afraid it could get confusing for my collectors. I've since spoken with her and found out that she's very cool and is also a great artist. It's a strange feeling and until it happens to you it's hard to understand how it feels. I had been working hard to brand my name and have managed to show up in a lot of places online. However, I took a little break and feel like I haven't fully come back from it. A divorce, being abruptly ripped from all of my possessions, having to start my life over from scratch...it's been a journey. Things are great now! I started working as hairstylist and happened to meet someone very special. We moved to San Clemente, California together in May and will be married soon!

Field of Flowers by Jen Beaudet Zondervan Original Sold

I know I've been focused on getting my life back and my art has suffered from that. But I still had my name, at least I thought I did. There is another Jennifer Beaudet whose website has much more power  than mine, so it comes up first. I just don't have the money to put towards that and have been doing it all on my own so far. My images show up first because there are so many, but her website shows up. I don't want to compete for my name. Art is a hard business and is very competitive. I liked my name J. Beaudet but now I feel like it's lost something. It's not me. I'm going to be married soon and will change my name to Zondervan. What if I started signing my paintings, Zondervan? How would that work in the art world? I've sold hundreds of paintings as J. Beaudet. My signature is recognizable. Would I be essentially starting over if I started painting under a new name?

It's frustrating and I feel a little loss of identity. But really, what's in a name? My name was Rutkoskie before I was married at 22, I could sign my paintings Rutkoskie. I'm conflicted and could use some advice. My heart says just keep painting (or I should say...start painting again like I used to) and keep signing my name J. Beaudet and it will all work out, but my mind says different. What would you do?

My hometown! PV View by J. Beaudet Zondervan Sold

Kincaid's on The Pier by J Beaudet Zondervan Sold

Peonies Delight by J. Beaudet Zondervan Sold

Koi Fish by J. Beaudet Zondervan Sold

My Pochade

Trinity River by J. Beaudet Zondervan

Update! My name is officially Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan now! I'm signing my work J Beaudet Z for now. I still live in San Clemente, California and have always lived in California (except one mistake by moving to Arizona for about 3 months...) 

Palette Kinfe Painting of a Women in Red Dress

sold but available as a print on my Etsy
Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan ©

This oil painting was created using only a palette knife and oil paint. I tried to keep to a limited palette of complimentary colors for a dramatic impact. For her dress, I used alizarin crimson with some green for the darks and cadmium red for most other light areas. I painted this one in 2016...I don't remember exactly. I loved painting her red dress. This one just flowed so effortlessly. They don't always happen like that, so when it does I remember it, for sure! I've done several paintings of women in red and I'm sure I will do more someday. I'm inspired by beautiful fabrics and bridal gowns and since I've been wedding dress shipping recently, I have lots of paintings in mind. This oil painting is only an 8x10 and I'm trying to paint on a larger scale lately, so I may do something similar but larger.

Finding My Place by Artist Jennifer Beaudet

12x12 inch oil available

Moving to a new place is exciting but can also be an adjustment. New surroundings, new job, new life. Best thing is, I'm inspired to paint again and love my new studio! I guess it's a natural occurrence because of so many changes...I feel a transformation in my art happening. Am I struggling to find my voice as an artist? Or am I just adjusting to my new life?

18x24 inch original oil available 

I wrote this before I created my newest abstract. I am going to explore this direction and see where it takes me. It actually started because we want a large abstract for our new home. I have been wanting to try something like that and this is the perfect opportunity. The one posted here is a test and I love it! It's not large enough for my space, but I think the colors are going to work.  I already have a new commission for another one...just happens to be for my mom. I know when she loves something I've done that I'm onto something good. I mean, of course she likes most everything I do, but when she loves it it's obvious. My mom is an amazing interior designer who just never worked as one. Her life took her in a different direction, raising 3 kids, playing tennis, shopping...but if she had to make a living she would have been a top designer, really! So...when she loves something I've done, I listen.

I feel like abstract art comes from such a personal place it's not always easy to share it. I feel vulnerable, like I'm putting it all out there...naked. This is the direction I need to go not just for my art but for myself.