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

Practicing Figure in Red

 I've had this photo for a few years now. I took it in Dana Point when I came upon a couple taking wedding photos. I'm practicing getting the figure down fast without any real drawing. I "drew" it with a large paint brush and carved out the figure by focusing more on the negative space. It's not exactly correct but this is the impression I got from it. Another thing I'm working on here is the color of her red dress. Since the original was white I did this from memory or what I thought red would be in bright sunlight. I should take a look at another reference photo for that but I was in a hurry, only had about an hour to play.

Now that I see this, I'm wondering if I should take the groom out so that she's alone. 

About the Facebook dilemma, I am still trying to have the fake account taken down. I don't think anyone will actually believe it's me. Take a look at the friends and details. It's just disturbing and the Facebook people don't are not very helpful. Why can't we rate their service? 

 

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. 

sold

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

 

Poppies Delight
by Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan
sold

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
sold

by Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan
sold

by Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan
sold

Now off to paint my passions! 

by Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan
sold

by Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan
sold

by Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan
sold

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