6x6 inch oil $50 |
Hi, I'm artist Jen Beaudet Zondervan, from Southern California, USA. I started this blog in 2009 as a way to share my art journey and meet other creative souls. It became my therapy. I use oil paints with a palette knife and bold brush marks. My work is both, passionate and sensitive; inspired by nature's beauty. I first called this blog My Life As a Starving Artist. I have another website JBeaudetStudios.com
9.07.2015
9.06.2015
Painting away...
8x8 inch oil $125 |
I changed it up a little by adding pink flowers instead of the purple garlic flowers (I think that's what they were), anyway, I thought they would blend in too much. But looking at it now they might have worked too. Wouldn't you just love a little house like this? I sure would. What color would you paint it?
9.04.2015
working on a commission today...
Here's what's on my large easel right now and I've been working on it along with the challenge pieces. Today, it will represent my painting for day 4. I spent the morning dropping off a few paintings at a new restaurant that's having it's grand opening this weekend. I hope they get the artwork up in time! This 24x24 oil is a larger version of one I did a couple week ago. My client wanted the same painting just a lot larger. I think it looks great large (besides my bad phone photo). Tomorrow, I'm trying to decide whether to paint a sunset or a great little house from over on the coast. There's this adorable Victorian town called Ferndale. It's my perfect place, if that's possible. There's all these cute little houses and some grand ones too, farms with cows and chickens, green rolling hills, and the best part is the beach is just down the road. I would totally live there if I could. Anyway, I got some great shots of some houses (well, my mom took them for me when she was over there at the horse races), and I want to paint a few of them for this challenge.
9.03.2015
painting for the day...
This oil painting was painted plein air. It's amazing how many colors I'm seeing now that I'm painting outside. It's perfect weather, except a little off and on wind. At least I can hear it coming and brace for it! I may have to take this photo again when it's dry because some of the variances aren't showing.
I painted this one with both a brush and palette knife. I think I prefer both. The gerber a daisies were from my bouquet from earlier and I think I might be able to get just one more painting out of it, and then they're done. Thanks for viewing!
Jen
9.02.2015
Pink Roses Day 2
Pink Roses Palette Knife Painting
Rosy Posy |
9.01.2015
I'm doing the challenge again!
6x6 inch oil on canvas $59 |
It's September at that means time for Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge! It's so much fun to join along with so many wonderful painters! I love seeing what everyone comes up with.
I posted a question on Facebook about what I should paint. It was more me thinking out loud, but I got some good feedback. Seems most of you like seeing my fancy ladies and flowers. I have the hardest time painting one theme, as you can see. So…I figured as long as I get some kind of consistency in the paint application, size of canvas, and try to stick to a limited palette, that might do the trick. That way I can paint anything and it will still stand out as a "Beaudet". lol That's the idea anyway…we'll see if that holds true.
8.23.2015
Sunflower Dream new oil painting
Sunflower Dream new oil painting
Here's my photo-
you can see I really just use photos for inspiration and don't like to copy exactly what I see. It's not really art if you just copy it, it's a painting of a photo. My goal it for my painting to be an "expression" or "impression" of how I feel about a certain subject. I use certain colors and loose brush strokes to achieve that.
Oh, studio news! I sold my first angel painting…haven't done any new ones…yet, but I definitely will. I have to be inspired though.
sold
sold
On hold (soon to be sold)
sold (look for a larger one soon)
on hold (soon to be sold)
I'm very grateful for all of my collectors! I appreciate you all!
8.19.2015
Pink Roses in the Afternoon
Plein air painting some roses in my backyard! I purchased this pochade box a few months ago but this is the first time taking it out for a test spin. It works! I just need a few more hands to hold everything. Now I understand why they come with attachments for brush holders and a place to put the palette. It will take some getting used to. The hard part is not getting the paint all over the place! This painting was a challenge only because it was almost 100 degrees outside and it was after 4 pm. I can't wait for the cooler weather so I can venture out further from home!
8.17.2015
A Little Drive Through Winecountry
this one has been spoken for already
Confession…I don't really drink wine. I know I'm alone in that but it just gives me a headache and some of it makes my celiac problems surface. However, I love everything else about it…the beautiful grapevines, gorgeous wineries, even the taste and smell. This painting was inspired by a photo a friend posted on Facebook. She actually took a bunch for me as she drove through the Napa valley. I combined it with a photo of a Tuscan winery that my step mom took awhile ago. I've used it in another painting I did when I was first starting to paint with oils. I'm going to be doing a series of wine country paintings so stay tuned and join me on our make-believe winery tour!
8.12.2015
Oil Painting of Woman in Red by J Beaudet Z
SOLD
Scarlet by Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan©
Hello! I just finished this one after a little break from painting. I've still been working on painting, just not actual painting. I found a great source for online learning called ArtforFree. Even though it's free it has very high quality videos and amazing instructors, like Kevin Macpherson. I've read several of his workshop books but there's nothing like seeing him paint! Thanks for offering this! I'm also really fixing up my studio, and this time I'm mean really. I always have plans that get in the way but I'm really going to do it this time.
This painting is an 11x14 inch oil on canvas…named…Scarlet, by one of my Facebook fans! Thanks John! I hope you all like it as much as I enjoyed painting it!
7.31.2015
Some Summer Blooms...
sold
This is my latest painting of hollyhocks. It's my first time painting them but won't be the last! They're so much fun to paint! It was done with oils on linen panel and I only use a palette knife for the stamen in the middle, everything else was painted with a new bright brush. I wish brutes stayed new forever.
I'm a little messy with my brushes and although I do try, I just can't seem to keep them sharp for long. I've been holding off buying some really good ones for this reason, but read somewhere that good brushes are the most important thing about painting. I wonder if that's true.
6.26.2015
New Romantic Floral
Buy Now with Paypal |
6.23.2015
Inspiration Overload
available here |
Can there be such a thing as too much inspiration? I'm not really sure what's been going on with me these last few months, but I'm trying to work through it. I get so inspired to paint but then hesitate because of too many choices and the thought of out doing my last piece. I don't want to regress!
I just got back from a whirl wind trip to Southern California. My mom and I traveled to see my sister and attend my nieces high school graduation. It's a long, long drive and we did it in one day. The following day was spent recovering and wasn't helped any with a sleepless night. We enjoyed one spectacular day in Laguna, where we had lunch at Las Brisas, overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean (my home), followed by more inspiration at a few galleries. I was pleasantly surprised at the down to earth feeling I got from the Art Directors/Owners of the few galleries we stopped in. I had thought they would be stuffy and indicating. I was so wrong. Since this was a spur of the moment idea, I wasn't prepared to introduce myself as an artist interested in representation. I did tell them I was an artist so they would waist too much time selling to me, but they still took time with me even after finding that out. Anyway, this little excursion left me with a new goal. I think I would like to seek some representation down there. It's probably a big dream and nothing more but I'm just "putting it out there" to the Universe. I had pieces in local galleries but have never tried to get in anywhere else. I might never try but it's on my mind now and will soon be on my Dream Board.
prints and more available here |
The whole trip left me yearning to be back home at the beach even more than ever. We were there for such a short time, busy with family (not complaining though. It was great to see them) I didn't even get to put my toes in the sand. While we were having lucy we met a daughter visiting her father who lived in Laguna. She had grown up there and like me misses the ocean, a lot! As soon as they finished lunch she changed into her suit and went for a dip! I should have brought mine with me. I'm on a new mission to move to Oceanside-San Diego, somewhere around there. Huntington Beach would be my first choice but it's quite pricey. My guy is 55+ and I'll be 45 next month so we qualify for the retirement communities! haha I'm happy for that! Now...I just have to get him to go along with me. He's not from California originally so doesn't have a love for it like I do, and would actually like to move away.
available here |
I will write about the angel and her significance in my life in my next post.
6.01.2015
Where Did May Go?
work in progress |
Where did May go? It happens every year. I wait for Spring and Summer and they fly by! I remember this even as a child growing up in Southern California. Yes we did have the best weather but i still waited for the perfect beach weather. We had what they call, June Gloom, where the marine layer stays along the coast, never burning off. July was my favorite but that could have something to do with the fact that it's my Bday month! But the weather was always the best late summer, early fall. The water warms up to a nice temp, and the nights stay warm. What great memories I have of that time of year. The night blooming jasmine fills the air and swimming at night was not out of the question.
Good times.
This piece I'm currently working on, of Catalina, brings back some wonderful memories. But now I'm once again, scouring the internet for a way to move back down there (well, I kind of always do that). I'm not sure if it's a case of "the grass is always greener", or if it's because that's where I was born and raised and nothing compares to it. Whatever it is, it keeps me drawn to painting its beauty of never endless inspiration.
I just purchased my first pochade box and am planning on getting out and painting the world…that's my plan at least…we'll see. I have a french easel but it takes so long to set up, I'm hoping that the ease of the pochade box will make it so I have no excuse. I tried to make one myself but it never quite came together. I think the box was too heavy, anyway.
This painting of Avalon on Catalina, CA is not from plein air painting, but from a great reference photo from Ivy Faulkner of Palos Verdes Pictures. I'm friends with her on Facebook and have admired her photos for quite awhile now. When I saw this scene, I knew I had to paint it, so I was thrilled when she said yes to my question of using it for reference. I cropped it a little tighter and added the bougainvillea, which really sets it off. I'm really liking this one… I can just imagine the ocean air and warm sun on my face. It's an 18x24 oil, so is taking about a week to complete, but I'm enjoying every minute of it.
sold |
available soon |
So now I'm off to paint more! I will be continuing my painting every day but am taking a week off soon! Can't wait to get some new inspiration photos on my trip! Have a great June!!!
5.12.2015
What do you think?
This is one of my latest figures. I'm happy with how she turned out but she went through some changes. I originally painted her nude but ended up adding the little scarf in the end. I also used a palette knife to not only soften some edges but just give the paint a more lively feel.
A few people on my Facebook weren't happy with the changes, or at least they liked her in the nude better. What do you think?
5.07.2015
Tonal Portrait, Practice makes perfect!
Here's today's painting for my May challenge! It's an 8x10 oil on panel
I'm going to retake the photo because there's too much glare here.
Yesterday's was for a client who wanted a larger version of my previous rooster! I gladly painted it again. It's so much fun to paint the feathers. Kind of like painting the hair in the one above.
Thanks for following my challenge!
5.05.2015
Jacaranda Love New Maui Purple Tree Art
Jacaranda Love 6x8 inch available here |
Here's Day 4 of my "Painting My Day Away in May" Challenge. Love, love, love jacarandas! Even better when they're on Maui!
sold |
This was Day 3 and it went fast! I'm posting on Facebook and instagram first because of the ease. Here's my instagram - @jbeaudet_art and my Facebook is JBeaudetStudios
Thanks!
*blogger brightens the images slightly more than the original
Update: I have recovered my old website domain name! I lost it in 2017...not sure if it will help but I'm happy about it!
5.02.2015
New Pink Fancy Lady Painting
This pretty lady in pink was inspired by a vintage photo. I believe it's Vogue. The photo was black in white without any flowers. I also made my own interpretation of her face.
I love vintage fashion! I grew up making paper dolls and admiring my mom's framed hand-painted prints from the Godey's Lady Book and Magazine. And of course my favorite movie is
Gone With The Wind! The fashions were so beautiful back then.
This original oil painting is on an 11x14 ampersand gesso board. I ended up naming her
"Blushing Anticipation"…a combination of help from my Facebook friends!
4.28.2015
Lilacs palette knife contemporary impressionist painting
Lilacs palette knife impressionist painting
I'm busy painting, trying to get more for the next show! This one is an 8x8 oil on canvas with thick painted sides- $100. The sides are thick and painted black so no frame is needed! You can see all the texture on it! Only a palette knife can do that. It's like frosting!
available here |
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Whispers of Serenity-A Painting Journey
Sold This is a new floral from my latest series. It sold but I still haven't posted all of the others. I have frames for two of them a...
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This is not the giveaway painting...but a commission I just finished! Click to get details for your own! Hi guys! I want to thank my loyal ...
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This painting came from a blogger that I contacted and asked for permission A question I'm asked, and sometimes I'm the one asking...