New Dana Point Harbor Art

 

Available here on Etsy

close up of the painting above

Here's my latest painting using the new technique that makes acrylic paints look like oils. I'm really enjoying the process and exploring new ideas. I have so many photos to paint from around here. Something about this technique has renewed my love for landscapes! I can't wait to do some more florals too! 

 I am still framing them. I ended up with 5 for the new series but I know it will grow to be larger. I don't think many people are seeing this, but thank you if you are seeing it! It's funny how things change over the years...But I'm still here making art! 

From France to Dana Point, California

 

available here

available here 

Here's two paintings I just completed. For some reason I'm not able to load one more right now. Anyway, I'm loving these little works. Just fun and fresh. Free to explore. This is just want I needed. I hope you enjoy them too! 

Jen

Field of Sunflowers and Peonies

 

available on etsy

Available Here

Working on more landscapes this week and also framing my new flower series! I have to paintings to go though before it's ready to reveal.

I'm doing a workshop to learn how to make acrylics look like oils

 

Field of Peonies in Provence 
Available on Etsy

This new 6x6 painting was inspired by my trip to France last May. My husband and I went to Provence and The French Riviera! It was amazing and I'm still pinching myself. I can't believe the things I've seen in the last two years! I'm living in a fairytale. 

Right now, I'm doing a workshop by Melanie Morris to learn more about acrylics. I've been an oil painter since 2007 and although I always have acrylics around and do use them on occasion, I never seem to get the same feel as oils. I think I have it now! I've looked back to some of my old landscapes that I used oil on, and I think this has a similar feeling. I have some health issues and I think it's time for a change. Also, space is limited here and I don't have room for oils to dry before starting another. This is a small piece and I will have to test it out on larger one, but I'm excited! 

(this painting was from 2012 but you can see it has a similar feel to the new one)

I'm also still working on my floral series (also in acrylics). I set out to complete 10 but might cut that down to 5 for my limited space. I've taken over the house...I just asked my hubby if we can add a leaf to the table. The florals are all medium sized canvas and I've purchased some frames for them so storing them is a challenge. I will get them listed when I have them framed. 

Speaking of listing, I have been going back and forth from Etsy and my website. I know it's not consistent  and may be confusing. It's just the problem of getting it seen. It's been a challenge lately. Hopefully, I can figure it out and just have one platform, but until then, just know that I offer my originals for sale on my etsy and my website jbeaudetstudios Thank you for sticking around through all these years! 

Busy on a new series of florals

 I've started a new floral series focusing on "unfocused", if that makes sense. I have 3 done and plan on completing 10. I felt that my work was feeling stale and wanted to bring freshness to it so I thought doing a series would help that. I'm definitely energized and I hope that shows through! I've realized what I enjoy the most in a painting is the unknown. The less detail the more I like it. That's what the palette knife achieved for me but for some reason it's starting to feel stiff or stale for me. Maybe it's because I've been at this since 2009 and things changed. I changed. So much has happened in that time, in my life, in our world. It's not surprising that my art would change. I need to feel intrigued and invigorated. 

These new pieces are starting to help me feel newly inspired. Two years ago, my world was opened up when I visited Europe for the first time. We went again, this year. We actually talk about moving there. Who would ever think someone coming from where I was would be experiencing life like this! Not me. It has reshaped my thinking in so many ways that of course my art would be influenced by this. I am, like many, constantly seeing art from old masters to new ones, inspired and intrigued. 

I have enjoyed seeing Melanie Morris' art over the years and finally jumped in on her yearly Fearless Landscape course! It hasn't started yet but I'm eager to start. I think I mostly need some direction and to focus. I feel this course will help me with that and I've started to use more acrylics instead of oils (will see how ling that lasts). Lately, I've also been enjoying Anne Blair Brown's work and was able to see some in person in Charleston, SC. I love her fresh approach to painting a landscape. I am also following Ingrid Christensen and have taken one small course about edges (I wish I could have saved it! It was a few years ago and my memory is lacking sometimes) I love her figures. I have also taken a small course with Christine Lafuente. It was about her method of drawing and again I wish I could save it and watch it again. I have been a fan of her work for years now. I think it was 2013, or around that time, when I discovered her juicy, fresh work. I still haven't figured out how she does it though. Maybe I will be able to take on of her workshops soon! 

Anyway, I haven't written anything for a while and thought it was time to update you all (or I should say "ya'll" after our trip to the South! Oh my gosh! The food was amazing! 

below are just some paintings I did over the years that possess the fresh quality I'm trying to achieve. When it just happens it's great but trying to do it again is where the challenge begins. (most of these were from 2014-15)

These two are more recent