I thought I would let you follow the progress of my newest picture. This is the one I am doing in oil pastels. Remember that I have never worked with this medium before. My style is very different with these pastels- much more loose, almost as if I am working with paints not a drawing instrument. I will continue to post my progress with this picture. If interested in anything I've done be sure to contact me at 850-893-8434 or jeansart@myartbyjean.com.

I've missed a couple of days, just did not get "around to it". I have pledged that I will do better. I am always challenging myself to do something new, harder, etc., in the art field. As I stated earlier I am trying out oil pastels which are proving interesting to work in. Monday I started in a clay class. This is one where we work with clay to produce figures or hand build pots without using a wheel. It should prove interesting. If I ever produce something noteworthy I will take a picture of it and put it on this blog.

I thought I would add more of my note cards to this blog. They are blank so you can write in what you want. If you are interested in getting some be sure to contact me at 850-893-8434 or at jeansart@myartbyjean.com.

I am a member of a Red Hat Society chapter here in Tallahassee. Today is a luncheon meeting where we will exchange Christmas presents. I am giving 2 packages of my note cards as my present. We will put all the presents in a piles and then each member will get to choose one. Because this is my birthday month I will be wearing a Purple Hat with a Red top - the opposite of what I would usually wear. Hope all of you have a good weekend.

Because it takes me from 35 to 40 hours to complete an 11"x15" colored pencil painting I work from photographs. An example of one portrait is shown here. The original picture is of a cousin that was taken in 1938.

I will accept commissions to do portraits. You can contact me at jeansart@myartbyjean.com or by calling me at 850-893-8434

Yesterday I mentioned that I also do note cards. I have two types: those based on my pictures (Wakulla River series, Florida series) and then a number of nature prints that I have done. They are available for $8.00 for six plus shipping and handling of $3.50. This is one sample. Contact me at jeansart@myartbyjean.com or call 850/893/8434 if interested.

I am experimenting with oil pastels this week. It is an interesting medium - very different from the very precise, detailed work that is needed with colored pencil. I am enjoying the looser style that I can achieve with them.

"Cruising on the Wakulla" won Best of Show at the Linear Rhythms 2008 Juried show at the Old Armoury Gallery in Tallahassee. Painted in Prismacolor Pencil. Framed 16" x 20". Available for $450.00. Can be seen at the Gadsden Art Center gift shop in Quincy, Florida. Giclees are available. Contact the artist for information: jeansart@myartbyjean.com or 850/893/8434

Art by Jean

December 10, 2008. I must be crazy but at the age of 74 (will turn 75 in two weeks) I have started a new (third) career. I have been taking art lessons off and on during my adult life but the necessity of supporting a son, then being a housewife to my second husband interfered with my pursuing my art full-time. Now that I am a widow on limited income I am trying to develop the art business. I have won some awards in juried art shows and produce note cards that are sold in a couple of the gift shops attached to local art galleries. Most of my pictures are either colored pencil or pastels, although I have done a few water colors.