I haven't posted in so long because I've been a little busy with life. For those of you that have been following me over the, I'm home now! I made it back to the Southbay after 16 years of living up north.
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
2.19.2018
7.07.2017
Peonies!
12x12 oil available here |
close up so you can see the brushstrokes |
and on the easel |
I love all flowers but peonies are one of my favorites! I bought these last month at Trader Joe's and they started out hot pink then faded to this beautiful peach color. I'm trying to paint and post daily starting today. We'll see if I can keep it up this time!
7.03.2017
Solo Show in Santa Barbara!
She Sits in Red SOLD |
So, I hung my first show in Santa Barbara the other day! I hope it's not the last. I absolutely love it there. The solo show will be going on thru September so there's lots of time to see it. The location is a hair salon, called Caio.
Here's what you can see there-
Love is Blind |
Spring Magnolia |
Norcal Winery and Small Winery on the shelf |
Lady in red 'It Takes Time" and Spello, Italy |
These look nice together! |
Small sail boats and Sunset Vineyard |
and more. So if you're going to be in the area stop by!
close up of a commissioned piece SOLD |
4.19.2017
Spring Flowers
Spring Floral 10x10 oil on canvas |
Spring is in full bloom now and so is my inspiration! I finally feel that passion again and can't paint fast enough! It's so good to be back. I hope you're all well.
I'm working on some daffodils from Trader Joe's today...
2.10.2017
Guardian Angels
Available here |
1.20.2017
...and I'm back!
sold |
update- I'm not sure why I deleted the text on this post. Maybe I hadn't written anything. At this time, I was staying at my brother's house in Ventura, CA. I painted this, and so many other oil paintings in a tiny room that was also where I slept. I remember having to move the easel to get in bed. I think I painted my best work that year. I was really working hard to get my art out there. That was when I had a show in Santa Barbara, Ca. She's asked me to do another but I wasn't ready. I would love to make a series of this painting, although it took a while for it to sell. Possibly because of the size. I think it was an 24x30?
Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers but they always wilt as soon as I buy them. I cut the stems right away, on an angle (maybe that's not good). I've soaked the blooms upside down, in a shallow bowl of water but that didn't work. Anyway, painting them is a great way to preserve their beauty forever!
1.03.2017
A New Year A New Life!
Happy New Year!
I struggle to use the explanation point on those words today, but I do believe it can only get better!
Those of you who've been following me for awhile know how difficult this last year has been for me. My mom being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, my ex husband cheating on me and leaving me for the woman, moving to a new place and starting completely over.
Painting should be the first thing on my mind for therapy through this, but I have found it extremely difficult to pick up a paint brush. It's been about two months now since I've painted. I used to do it everyday as it's my source of income and pleasure, but I am so uninspired lately. There's a little more going on with hormones and I think I may be depressed. I have no excuse though, and need to bounce back like I always have, but this time it feels different. It may be because my daughter is on her own, which means I am too. It's hard to go from being the mom to (what feels like) being the child.
I was always the strong one through very difficult times that should make this seem like nothing. I hope this year is better...it has to be.
The positive things are my mom is doing great and everyone in my family is healthy! I live in a beautiful place now and although the sun isn't shining now, it's not snowing! I'm back in school earning my BA and finally passed my algebra class with a B! I have my whole life ahead of me and can choose for it to be whatever I want it to be without being held back by someone who doesn't want the same. I like being on my own again! It's been 16 years too long.
So that's what I've been up to. How about you? Any good New Year's Resolutions?
8.24.2016
Hollyhocks 3 and an Autumn Winery
7.24.2016
7.11.2016
Red Dress painting by Jen Beaudet Zondervan of California
The Night Approaches 8x10 Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan© Sold |
I think this may be the 4th "lady in red" painting I've done now. Something about that color and of course the gorgeous gowns. This one is an 8x10 oil on traditional canvas and will look great in a beautiful ornate frame! Someone recently suggested that I make a series of three and I think I may do that. Just have to decide whether to change the pose, the dress, or the background.
Ventura View From The Cross |
6.22.2016
Studio updates
9x12 inch Sunflowers and Hydrangeas |
She's a covergirl!
I just received my copies of Sasee magazine, which is distributed along the Southern Coastal cities like Charleston! The quote is beautiful too!
4.27.2016
Jacaranda inspiration!
If you've been following me for any amount of time you probably know how much I love jacaranda trees. Well, I'm in heaven! They're everywhere here! This is an 8x10 inch oil on panel. I'm still working on it but should have it listed in my etsy shop soon!
Today I'll be painting plein air at the ocean!
I somehow lost the original image on this post but replaced it with this one.
I somehow lost the original image on this post but replaced it with this one.
4.25.2016
3.13.2016
Roses in an Aqua Blue Pot
available for purchase |
Thank you so much for supporting this living artist! Your support keeps me creating new pieces and I really, seriously can't do it without you!
3.05.2016
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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...