Garden in Tuscany

24x30 oil on canvas This is a new painting for the workshop in Washington.
Arts Desire, September 17 th thru the 20th.

Girls Reading

24x30 acrylic on canvas. This is a fun painting I just finished today. I'm still working on it . If it looks familiar it is taken from a Matisse. I really wanted to play using his figures.

EGRETS

16x20 oil on canvas This is the second Egret for the Chambers Gallery. Such a beautiful bird, I hope I have captured that. Now they have to dry, weather is very overcast here so it will take some time.

EGRET

16x20 oil on canvas / I'm doing a couple of Egrets for the gallery. They are prevalent here in the marshy areas after the rain and in some of the streams. They are so beautiful with their snowy white feathers. So regal in their stance. This will be the first of two.

Golden Retriever commission

This little guy is painted in oil on an 8x10 board. He is lucky enough to live in a gorgeous place and has the run of a beautiful rose garden, all white roses and green grass forever!

WHITE ROOSTER

9" tall . handbuilt earthenware pottery . This is the first rooster I've made in quite a while. The glaze on this one came out really nice. I have another one too, using engobe as the glaze,something new for me! It's still drying.

CHEF'S

18x24 painting acrylic on canvas. This will be going to the Chambers Gallery tomorrow!

Sheep Sculpture

sheep 4"x7" Another sheep. These little guys are fun to do. He is a bit different with his wreath of flowers and a bluejay along for the ride!

APPLES

Apples 4" tall These are the first out of the kiln, firing other things with them. I have more in this morning and will post those tomorrow!! I love these reds and I'm very happy with the results!

Porcelain and Stoneware tile

6'x10" stoneware and porcelain abstract tile.
This is an experiment. I pressed and rolled white porcelain clay into brown stoneware clay. This piece has not been fired. Very organic looking. I'm hoping it will be exciting when fired. I like the way the porcelain picked up the brown clay and then one thin white piece across the top.Of course I love abstract and just had to play a bit. these are 2 mid fire clays put together should be a fun result! Hope so!

You can see a close up of it by clicking on the picture. Write to me at susanjenknsart@charter.net.
Apples are going to be fired in the morning, they are all glazed in shades of red and some with orange and yellow, I'm excited to see them!

New Clay Work

this is a new rooster, made with a mid fire brown clay. something new for me, A really nice plastic clay! I want to put a white engobe on it, a clay coating that has a little flux in it. Has to be leather hard tho, have to wait, just made it yesterday and it is very wet!

new clay work

i am back working in clay and having soooo much fun! these are some apples (or will be when glazed) in their raw state.Also made a couple of roosters and a sheep made with paper clay, a very fun clay to work with. that is firing in the kiln today.

In the Garden

36"x48" oil on canvas

I really do believe this is finally done. Staying away from it for a couple of days to give it and me a rest I finished it today. Scrubbing out the face several times and reworking. It's finished and I'm glad! I'm going back to clay for a while. Alot of painting done this past month! Some good, some not so good!! It's all practice tho, nothing ventured , nothing gained!

Special Day

God Bless our men in uniform especially today on Memorial Day.Today and every day keep them in your prayers and thoughts.Thank them when you see them for their service.God Bless AMERICA!

Didn't paint yesterday, went down to Chambers Gallery to deliver a painting and Laura was there with her beautiful sea glass jewelery and was "redoing" cases for Gayle. It was fun and I stayed the entire day!!
I am working today however and will have something up this after noon!!!

XO Susan

To contact me it's susanjenkinsart@charter.net I would love to hear from you!!

In the Garden

36"x48" oil on canvas

I spent the morning reworking the painting. I wanted to work on her face, features. I want it to be simple but yet have her face be important. I think it is now. I always like to have a painting session where the brush is flying and then go back and "tweek" to get it just right. I didn't get to play with the next one but maybe get it sketched in this after noon.

crayon drawing for painting

Another crayon sketch. I will be painting this one Saturday. Found some tweeking to do on the new painting so will do that first in the morning. So tomorrow then!!

second sketch "In the Garden"

Crayon sketch. 6x8 inches. This will translate into a very large painting.36"x48"
I want bright colors, lots of yellos and greens, oranges with an accent of darks.

sketch for "In the garden"

This is the first sketch for my "In The Garden " Series for the Chambers Gallery. This is done with crayons and is how I usually start my paintings.

I do love themes.There will be several more sketches to come. Different colors and back grounds and parasols all painted very loose. Figures will be in different poses. Different shawls and or dresses. More sketches tomorrow!! I'm anxious to get started on this!You can click on the picture for a closeup view!

Pool Painting addition

My client asked if I would add her granddaughters to this painting. Happy to include them!So there are three little "tow heads" added this morning!! It does make the painting come alive. Pools and kids!! When you right click the picture you can see an enlarged view.

SHOW!

What a darling little town Los Olivos is. Just north of Santa Barbara. If you've never been and you want to see a lovely old town full of enchanting homes, darling shops and art, you will love it!

The show was in a beautiful garden, white roses everywhere, lovely old trees and Kathy's beautiful home. Lots and lots of white against the lovely green of nature.

A delicious array of foods and yummy desserts.

The show was composed of jewelers, pottery and paintings. Beautiful art, beautiful day!

I'm back home, resting up for tomorrow. I do want to get that lady with parasol sketched in!!

See you tomorrow.

XO Susan

FINISHED!!

Just finished this after noon!! It was a fun painting to do and a bit of a challenge with the fountains. It will take some time to dry, then I will deliver it to my client!!
Monday I'm starting a new painting, "Lady with Parasol" so stay tuned!!

XO Susan

Pool layin continued

I really got alot of painting done on this painting today. So much more to do, still finishing the wild flowers behind the pool . The vinyard is in,sky pool stone and trees, a little work on the fountains. This is a little more stiff than I like to paint and I don't want it to be a rendering but these fountain areas are important in the painting and I do have to keep the integrity of the subject. Of course at the end I will tweek it, lighten up the grass in the foreground, still lots to do.

Swimming Pool Painting layin

36x48 oil This is a layin for a painting in the studio I'm working on for a client. Her winery will be painted in behind and that is sketched in right now. She has an infinity pool with fountains and that will all be included along with wild flowers also growing behind the pool and gorgeous oak trees behind that.The painting wil be loosened up as I go, this is the sketch and pre painting befor the finish. This will take several days of continuous work.

More tomorrow!!

Cottage Girl with Beets

91/2 " tall. She just came out of the kiln this morning. I love the rosy color of the beets and of course the use of pink and green , my favorite!

Cottage Girl with Flowers

91/2" tall. Earthenware clay. Hand built.She's holding a pot of flowers. I had a picture of her showing her unfired. Now she is fired and finished!

Cottage Girl with Rabbit

hand built earthenware clay. 9" tall. One of 3 new "Cottage Girls". I have been busy making lots of new clay pieces for the show! Working right up to the wire!!

New Clay Work

This is a little "cottage girl", not fired. Just finished her today and will fire her Saturday. I wanted to put her on because I have been working but haven't had much to put up here!When she is fired she will be all glassy except for her apron so that will be fun to see!
I have made 3 of these along with so much more!! I'll have a cottage girl with beets, flower pot and a rabbit.

New handbuilt clay work

this some work I finished today, a cottage girl with a rabbit and some little houses and trees. Not necesasarily to go together! They are drying now and when dry i will fire them in the kiln and paint with colored glazes! I have lots more and will be placing that up soon. just wanted to share what I have been working on of late!!

XO Susan

Green Pear

This is a new pear, having fun with glazes. I just love it when the glazes move. I am making many pears for the show in Solvang along with crows,cottage girls,mosiac bowls, many more things and I'm almost ready.
I must start a painting but I'm just having too much fun with clay!!!

HOME!!

Sue's home made Strawberry Rhubarb jam! This is a big jar unopened this minute for the picture but I am getting into it tonight!! Sue's Jam is the best! Thanks Sue!!

Just home from my workshop in Washington.Sue went with me as always, makes it very fun. Had such a wonderful time seeing all my dear friends.Lots of laughs, going on 20 years!! Made new ones too!Thanks Bev at Arts Desire for putting this together. Always great fun to go but oh so good to come home.

I have lots of new ideas as I get ready for a show in Solvang,a darling Danish town near Santa Barbara here in California. Making alot of new hand built clay pieces.Then back to painting , a large commission. I'm busy!! We love that!!

So, new work up soon, maybe tomorrow!!

See you then!

XO Susan

LONG AGO LAST SUMMER

30X40 oil on canvas. A vintage "kids on the beach" painting.Couldn't resist putting a pink bathing suit on the little one, made it a bit more contemporary.Didn't put the pink reflection of the suit in the water, still thinking about that. Almost think....it shouldn't be reflected, it really wasn't ever there........deeeeeeeep

Lilies

This is fun! 24x30 oil on canvas. Something a little different!

HAPPY EASTER!!

Easter is a special day. Whether it's your Holy day or a day of Easter egg hunts and time spent with the family or a day for a nice walk and being with Nature or all! It's special! Have a wonderful Easter Sunday XO

Finished!! Laundry Day!!

It's finished!! I had such fun painting it! Click on the picture to see it close up.

laundry day finish work

the foreground is in but I want to add some wild flowers and work to do on the ones under the clothes. There are several tweeks that need to be done , all the little fun stuff, high lights and stuff yet to do.

laundry day continued

My client has two playful, beautiful dogs, this is Tigger and Pebbles. I wanted to encorporate these two in the painting. Alot accomplished today, I have more foreground work and will be doing a bit more today and for the next several days.

more laundyday layin and finish work

Alot of work on the vinyard today, most work was on the landscape.Working a bit on the figure and some on the clothes and sheets. Put a ladder in and a tire swing. She has several tire swings for her grandchildren, I love that soI wanted to paint one in.

laundry day continued

this is where I stopped today. Got alot done, still on the lay in but moving along. Want to get to some detail tomorrow but still alot to do. 6 hours today. Ok, more tomorrow, maybe, have to go into town, so will work in the morning some.See you tomorrow!

palette for "laundry day"

I'm painting with acrylics, may finish with oils.

laundry day lay in

I've started the painting, really having fun , reminds me of my mural days.Her vinyard is in the background, wild flowers ,laundry and figure and dogs with basket of laundry in the forground. Still so much to do but with the lay in started and having a map of sorts to where i am heading, I'm on my way! I'm refering to sketches I have made and photographs.I am using acrylics.

Commission Painting

This morning I am starting a very large commission painting. "laundry day". It will be in 3 panels. A mural of sorts. Finished painting will be 40"by 90". I have never painted a painting this large, except in my mural painting days, at that time it was walls.

Because I have a small studio,figuring out where and how to paint it took some heavy thinking!! So rigging up my kitchen and incorporating my dining table whose leaves tuck under I came up with a way to do this. Closer to the coffee pot (and the fridge, whoops) I am going to love being inside!

I am posting a picture of it all (one canvas panel not up) so you can see what I have done and what is in store!! I will start it with acrylic paints and finish with oils. This will be fun!! I will post as I go too.

Workshop in Vancouver Washington coming up at Arts Desire April 23rd I am so looking forward to seeing everyone!! http://www.bevelar.com/

7,8,9

20x24 oil on canvas Chef in the kitchen counting his baked apples. YUM!!

Spring Daffodil 2

6x6" oil on board

Spring Daffodil

6x6" oil on board. I love these little flowers, they welcome us to spring with their lovely little sunshine faces. They are coming up all over in my mothers beautiful garden!!! 125.

CHEF'S

New painting today, 18x24. Acrylic on canvas. More and more people are cooking at home, a wonderful idea but I say, save a chef,eat out!!

REFLECTION

6"x8" oil painting on 300 lb paper. Small still life this morning. Back to painting, yay! 125.

Sheep with Crown

9"x7" with crown. Brand new out of the kiln this morning!! I have another in now and I am anxious to see it too! I experimented with this one, had fun, I'm loving making the sheep!!To see it larger click on the picture.

susanjenkinsart@charter.net

Tiny Nest

Going thru some pots on the side of my studio I came across this little tiny bird nest. I couldn't believe it. The pots have been on there for some time.I use them for Piquetassiette. Here was this lovely gentle little nest. All sorts of bits and pieces intertwined, even my hair, so beautiful. I brought it in and placed it in my cupboard. It sits there to remind me that there is a quiet gentle, order and rhythm to life. I stood still long enough to see.

Decisions and Change

As soon as we decide an idea is fabulous,fits,works,energizes,and all the good stuff........yep......a few doubts creep in. A few questions.They have. Usually I sluff off doubt. Thankfully I stood still and became a realist for 5 minutes and took a breath.

This was to be a huge change, a positive,a go.....however, as things were unfolding it was not what it looked to be. Being one who always leaps before looking, this time I am staying put! What an experience! Energizing for sure. a week and a half out of my life and it seems like 6 months!

I have been offered an opportunity that I hadn't considered. As so often happens in life it came out of the blue. So, I am staying right here, unpacking after having packed all of my worldly belongings.

As it turns out, all that I truly want and need are right where I am planted and I am excited to get back on my art path! As soon as I finish unpacking!!

Perhaps you are considering a change in your life, a move to something seemingly so much better. Take a minute,ask your self some questions, not to dash your dream but to maybe look at it differently. Better yet, take 5 minutes!!!

XO Susan

TRANSITION

Big changes going on in my life right now, all good thank goodness! I will be writing about that soon, but I am changing my address. Still in Cambria, email and phone stays the same.

Because of this I am happily in the throws of it all and not able to get to my art work! After May 1st I will be back at it,in my new studio! I will be able however to get a few earthenware pieces finished and posted soon hopefully.I'm keeping my present studio running until the last minutes!!

I love change, energizing and good stimulus for the brain cells hahaha!!

More news soon, XO Susan

Rainy Day in Montmartre

18x24 oil on canvas I reworked this painting, tweaked it a bit, really loosened it up . I have tried to get a brighter picture but it is so gray today just is not cooperating!!

Laundry Day

18x24 oil on canvas.This painting is from a photo taken in Italy. The workshop in Vancouver Washington is coming up fast and I am getting paintings ready. This is the first of 4.

Pears

Recent order for 20 pears (this is just a few) all with an Asian stamp on the back for Hope, joy and Happyness. All handbuilt earthenware clay. 43.00 ea.

Cottage Girl, with Sheep

This is my latest "cottage girl" I am loving the sheep! This one is 9" tall. Hand built earthen ware clay.
SOLD!!

Piqueassiette Votive Contenir

8"x41/2" wall hangings for votives ( or any small something) These are shown with a tea lite but there is room for a taller votive. All hand made, backing is earthenware clay covered in small pieces of clay and plate pieces, hand made shelf and hand painted tile with bees,animals, flowers and strawberrys or what ever else I might make to slip into the wall hangings.. 89.

Click on the picture to see a close up. Write to me at susanjenkinsart@charter.net

Take Me Home

This piece is the newest addition to my handbuilt earthenware clay"take me home series" 10" long 71/2" high. Click on the image to see it in more detail.

Piqueassiette Faith Teapot

Newest teapot. This one is about faith. Faith as the grain of a mustard seed. Something we sure do need right now!

Please click on the pictures to see the teapot larger.

9" tall including handle 7" wide.

Piquetassiette Loving Cup

This my newest piece, just finished. 41/2 " tall.Showing front and back. Soft green grout on this one. Loving the pink and green! All of the added pieces I make and paint by hand. 89. SOLD!!

Floral Still life

new small ACEO SOLD!

Floral Still life

The wine festival is over and now it time to get back to work! I have several orders to get to along with shipping out this new little floral this week. SOLD!

Wine Bottles,wine festival

18x25 oil on canvas This painting was done on Friday, I will be painting another today!

Wine Bottles,wine festival

18x24 oil on canvas. This is the painting done yesterday in the gallery. It was alot of fun and lovely to see the interest of children!

Cottage Girl, Picnic

This is my newest "cottage girl" she is ready for her picnic! A bottle of wine and a basket laden with goodies. She is 91/2" tall.
The cottage behind her was built lovingly by my wonderful stepdad Bill, it is a bird house! My "sis" Wendy named these little girls,"cottage girls" I love that! I am making a series of them. They are made of earthenware clay, fired and glazed. Click on the picture to see a larger view.

Fun time in the gallery yesterday, Gayle,Lynn ,Vicki and Meredithe, all sampling wine and filling the place with laughter. It is the wine festival after all!! I demonstrated a wine bottle painting (what else?) and we greeted the friends and neighbors who came in to visit!

Vicki brought in several of her new small paintings and we all loved them and they were snatched up in a frenzy! A great day and today we do it all again!! Hope to see you there! SOLD!!

XO Susan

Shepherd Girl

This little figure is 91/2" tall. I have named her "shepherd girl " she is hand built from earthen ware clay,painted with colored glazes. Her apron is unglazed. I have another one in the firing right now, can't wait to see her!!SOLD!!

Wine Festival

The Wine Festival is this weekend! Starting today artists will be giving painting demonstrations in front of the shops, or in my case in the Chambers Gallery. This will be going on all thru Cambria along with wine sampling in and prize give aways!

If you are in Cambria come and see us! All the winery's will be in celebration! This is a 3 day event!

Hope to see you there!! XO Susan

Piqueassiette Bird Teapot

This picture shows the top of the teapot.

Piqueassiette Bird Teapot

This is the finished teapot. 10 1/2" from handle to spout. 6"tall. Finished on the bottom too. People have asked me if these can be used. No, they are just a happy addition to your decorating. They are water proofed and can be used as garden art.

Sheep Girl Sculpture

earthen ware clay hand built sculpture. 9"x9" Did you see the movie "The Golden Compass"? It was so fun when the little girl jumped on the back of the polar bear, I just loved that! I love to make a figure and place it on the back of an animal, a fantasy yes,it is, sometimes I think, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could just fly away on a bird or run with an animal or swim with a fish?? Hmmmmm well in the mean time I will have my fun with clay!! SOLD!!

susanjenkinsart@charter.net

CROW

crow handbuilt earthenware clay 4" high and 10 1/2" long. SOLD!!

I just pulled this crow from the kiln. I have been making alot of clay pieces and getting ready to make some piqueassiette pieces. A teapot and a loving cup. All the pieces are ready to go so working on that today. I wanted to get this crow up tho, just love how the light reflects off of it.

WINE in the VINEYARD

18x24 oil on canvas

Wine Still life

18x24 wine still life in oil on canvas.

Good Morning!

I won't be posting today, going to San Luis to get canvas! Meeting with Gayle early this morning and taking these paintings in to the Gallery. A client will be coming in for a viewing so wet or dry these paintings are going!

More painting tomorrow so see you then!

XO Susan

Wine and Pears

18x24 oil on canvas. I reworked the wine and pear painting, didn't really like all the pears lying about. Taking the other one down, if you saw it it was a good lesson in changing the painting.

I think the sliced pear adds interest and I put a label on the bottle. I have another couple of wine bottle paintings to paint in the next few days but wanted to get this one done. They are drying nicely with the dryer too!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Heather and Tilly in Heather's studio!
I just got home yesterday after being at my daughters in San Diego for Christmas, what fun! I am loading a piece that I have been working on this morning,being gone a week there is lots to get to!! with the new year at hand I am hitting the ground running!

CHRISTMAS!!

This is part of my collection of snow men. I always set this up for Christmas. Some are hand made some are special ones that I have found and some are quite old. The one in front is a salt and pepper that my sister Julie made. I love snowmen, tall ones, small ones fat ones skinny ones. Something so fun and cozy about them.
I will be going down south for Christmas to spend it with my children, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year!! I will be making and painting all new stuff very soon!! XO Susan

Yellow Pear

This was fun, a pale yello and the red on the side, feathering the edges on the red gave it a blue tinge.

RUBY PEAR

red earthenwear clay with ruby glaze. 41/2" tall. I just love the color of this pear! My experimentation of glazes is really getting exciting!!

Yellow Brown Pear

This is one I neglected to put in the line up! A really different glaze!

PEARS

I am making "pears" for the Chambers Gallery. These pears are all handbuilt from earthenwear clay. Each pear is 4" to 41/2" including stem. Please click on the picture to see a close up!
contact me @ susanjenkinsart@charter.net

Take Me Home

Hand built earthen clay rooster with little girl riding atop. 9 1/2"x9 1/2" Spoken for.

Happy Thanks Giving

Thanks Giving Day soon will be here and I can hardly wait! My family will be here and the house will be full of laughter, food and blessings. Moms and dads, children and babies, grandmas and grandpas, sisters and brothers ,nieces and nephews and cousins! A huge houseful! I hope you too have a wonderful Thanks Giving and will be with the ones you love.
XO Susan

New Work Soon!

Good Morning!
I have been in San Diego for my grandaughter Elizabeth's wedding. Such a beautiful wedding and so much fun to see old friends and all the family! Home last night and ready to get back to work!

I have alot of ideas and some pieces in the kiln room ready to be fired that I will be adding to the blog as soon as they are glazed.

So stay tuned, more to come!!

XO Susan

CHEFS

24x30 oil on canvas. Just finished! Didn't do too much more to it, just a little tweaking here and there. This is going to the Chambers Gallery when dry.

Chef's

20x24 " oil on canvas Working this morning on this new painting. This is the lay in and I will be keeping it loose , so not alot more to do. A little tweeking and finish work and it's done! Alot of fun! I will post the finished piece today or tomorrow.

Abstract Sea Scape

14x18 a/c Big storm today and the ocean is especially blustery!! Crashing waves, beautiful blues and greens.I wanted to capture the feel of the waves rolling and crashing and I decided an abstract would be fun!

Hand Built Pear

High fire stoneware clay pear. 6"tall 3"wide. Love making pears! Love to paint them too!!

Pam's Wine Cellar

30x40 oil on canvas painting commission. SOLD!

Just put the final varnish on this painting and will be delivering it on Thursday. Alot of lines and perspective!! Whew!! Fun tho!!

Raven

Raven red clay, black glaze. 31/2" x 10 1/2" SOLD!!!

Hello! I am back home! Workshop in Washington was very fun, always is! I met new people, terrific students. We had alot of laughs and they painted beautifully! 4 great paintings in 4 days, whew!
Hi to Catherine and Nadiene and Arleta and her daughter ( a real budding artist) all new students. Also hi to Carol and Barbara and Sue and Shirley and Joann, Mary Alice and Gloria not new students but want to say hi and thankyou to all !! Hi to Bev too and a big thankyou for putting this all together! Also hi to Patsy! So glad you came in to say hi!!
Sue sent me home with all kinds of things this time plus her wonderful jams!! 2 big jars!! Thankyou Sue!
I haven't had a chance to get work out, the Raven is a new piece, finished just befor I left and I am just posting. I will be doing new work for the Chambers Gallery, small female torsos in clay about 3" tall. I have been working on the studio getting ready to work in clay, can't wait!

More soon!! XO Susan

2 more Tags

I haven't put the ribbon on these yet, will do that tomorrow. Click on the picture to see them larger. I didn't take the pictures out side, just scanned them. they are so much prettier in the light, you can really see the gold and glitter!! The "Nature" tag has a ruby red glitter, and gold, so pretty!

New Art Tags

New tags. I have been working on them befor I leave on Tuesday. "Friends" and "Home".

Good morning! Well, so frustrating but I am receiving emails letting me know you can't use comments......this must be my fault! I have it set up so that it has a code and for some reason that isn't allowing you to get in!
Well once again, I am taking this off and if you want to contact me just continue to write me at susanjenkinsart@charter.net

So sorry for this inconvenience. I am busy working on a painting, have to get it done befor I leave next week for Washington to do a workshop. Looking so forward to seeing all my friends there at Arts Desire.

I will post again when I have something for you!

XO Susan

New Art Tags, Paris & Birds

Newest art tags. 3"x 8"Lots of glitter and glitz! Please click the pictue to see a close up. 22.00

Wine and Cheese

18x24 oil on canvas Just finished this. Got a bit of flash back because I took the picture in my studio.This is a commission so it is sold.SOLD!!

Tomato Still life

9x12 I am painting again, put my tag stuff away and my wood cut stuff and now I have to get busy in the studio! I will hope fully post a painting today!! SOLD!

Pam Derby's Vinyard

I was at Pam Derby's Vinyard yesterday to look into a piece she would like me to paint for the wine tasting room. An absolutely beautiful day, I wanted to post this picture of the grapes on the vine that will be picked soon. Lovely.

Viki's Studio

Vicki Greene does very beautiful art pieces. From paintings to art tags . She has a wonderful studio and I thought it would be interesting for you to see a portion of her working area.

Crow woodcut

Did this wood cut this morning first thing. It is a small print on brown paper, 3x5. It is a simple piece because I am learning!! Can't wait to make more, have an idea for trees next! Making some sketches.

Briana's Peter Rabbit

This clay plac graces Briana's cottage. It is made of individual tiles that have been carved, handbuilt, fired and glazed. I love this piece. Click on the picture for a close up.

Briana's Gull Cottage

Gayle and I had the best day today, long walk on the beach and then a wonderful visit to Gull Cottage in Cayucos. Cayucos is a tiny little beach town just down the road from Cambria where I live.Gull Cottage is where Briana and her darling husband Bill lived. She had a little shop there for many years, sold her wonderful clay pieces that she made so lovingly. She was our dearest friend.
She passed away some time ago and it was so nice to go out and visit her cottage on the ocean today. She made beautiful totems,really fun and this is one that I have always loved and took a picture of this afternoon.
It was a fun visit with her son Brian and grandaughter Nikki. Just wanted to share.
XO Susan

Yellow Bird Teapot

Teapot finished this morning. Nutmeg grout. I love this shape too. Taking this to Chambers Gallery tomorrow. Click on the picture to see a close up! SOLD!
susanjenkinsart@charter.net

Yellow Bird Teapot

This is my newest teapot. Piqueassiette. It has to be grouted and I will do that with a warm brown color. It will be wonderful with the brown of the handle and bring out the colors of the tile.
There is a yellow bird, a strawberry, faces and words all made by hand.

Grouting tommorow when it has set and will put a picture on as the finished piece.

PEAR

This is one of the wood type cuts I did at Annie's. The piece was cut with carving tools and stamped(on the right) then taken to another step with bronzing powder, bleach and then painted with luminous yellow paint. A really exciting new to me experience! I am excited about it and have ordered tools and materials!!
Have you tried this?? Let me know! susanjenkinsart@charter.net

XO

SUNFLOWER wood cut

Last night our little art group visited Annie Lawrence in her gallery in Cambria. Annie is a wonderful artist and calligrapher . She introduced us to wood carving but using an entirely different material for carving with more of a rubber base.

We had so much fun and being so generous with her tools and supplies we carved for hours!
I made several pieces, some good, some not but I sure did learn alot! Vicki is a natural, made beautiful trees in the Arts and Crafts tradition.Such an artist! Gayle did wonderfully making many pieces and always amazes me and her self and Lyn did a sweet tiny landscape and we were so impressed! Pizza for dinner and so much enthusiasm in Annie's wonderful workroom.

Above is a carving of a sunflower printed on paper that Annie had done and I so loved. I begged to have it and she gave it to me! I love it! So, we are all off on another art experience!!!

OLIVES art tag

We have many olive groves in Paso Robles. Olive oil is pressed here. It is just wonderful. Along with the vinyards in a marvelous micro climate in this particular area. This tag is made from one of my paintings of "olives". Had to add a bee of course, beloved bees.

Brittany Cupcake art tag

Special order, SOLD!

CUPCAKE art tag

I have to say, this is very cute! I love it! Of course pink and green my fav! SOLD!

FRENCH CUPCAKE art tag

I love putting the cupcakes on art tags. So pretty!

CARROT "CUP" CAKE art tag

This is a special order. The painting of the "carrot cup cake" placed onto a tag. I love it! I will do more cup cake art tags!! What fun! SOLD!!

MERMAID art tag

mermaid art tag just fininshed. Dreamy.

FRIENDS art tag

Lots of gold and glitter !! SOLD!

CARROT "CUP" CAKE

5"x7" oil painting on canvas panel. Yes, still painting, and still painting "cup cakes"! This one just painted. SOLD!

A PUMPKIN FOR FALL

art tag of pumpkins. Please click on the picture to see it enlarged. I took my pumpkin painting and made an art tag of it!! I love it! Notice the little bee in the corner. Speaking of bees, which we so love, they are back hugely in my mother's beautiful garden. YAY!

Home art tag

Newest art tag. "HOME" I love to make the "home" art tags.
All of my tags are at the gallery. Took them down yesterday. You can see Gayle's gallery along the side of my blog, at the top right is her web site address. She just got it up and running and is busy tweeking it. SOLD!
susanjenkinsart@charter.net to talk to me!

PUMPKINS for Fall!

24x36 oil painting on canvas. I feel Fall in the air, a crispness. Fields of orange,laden with beautiful pumpkins, turning leaves and ohhhh the pies! SOLD!

BELIEVE art tag

This one just finished this morning, gold papers, glitter et al!

COFFEE art tag

Well am I a bit obsessive?? Yep, I think so! I just LOVE making these tags! I have stuff all over the place! I am going to find a show to be in, I am making so many of them, these would be great for a show!! SOLD!

ESPRESSO art tag

Drinking alot of this and Having Fun!!

CROW Art Tag

81/4"x3" Crow art tag. Words at the bottom read "take flight" .

HOME art tag

81/4 "x 3" Home art tag. Wonderful gift for a house warming, or as a tag on a gift! Click on picture to see up close! SOLD!

Repast art tag

This would be a wonderful gift tied to a wine bottle. 81/4" x3"

Sunflower art tag

SOLD!

Trattoria Uliveto

Yesterday I took my mom to Orcutt. Old town Orcutt is really rural! It is right out side of Santa Barbara. Up the highway 101 a ways north. My niece Amy and her husband Alfonso along with another family opened this wonderful new Italian restaurant. Alfonso Curti was the chef at Grappolos in Santa Ynez ,his brother's place. Fabulous Italian food! Now he has opened his own darling place and it was really an exciting day! If you want fine Italian food , excellent service , white linen and fabulous Italian ambiance go!! You will LOVE it!! You will also need reservations!

PEAR art tag

New "pear" tag. I am finding it better to take the pictures in the sunlight than to scan them, just so much brighter! Click the picture for a close up. Notice the bird too! This is one of my paintings photographed and then again hand applied paint, layering of papers,cut out and applied pieces,sprays and glitter!! 22.00 plus shipping.

Scottie by Heather Roddy

I just had to share this painting of the Scottie that Heather, my daughter painted for a client. I just love it, to see more of Heather's work scroll down the side of my blog and find her website there. To email Heather to inquire about her painting your best friend troocolor@aol.com
Yay Heather!!

"FALLEN" art tag

Newest angel. Collage and painting on paper. Please click the picture if you would like to see a close up.

"LISTEN" decorative art tag

This is a new tag, just finished. An angel. I have so much fun with these. Hand painted and assembled.This is large, 11"x 51/2" I have several done that I will be adding soon. I have used lace and different papers that I have found and they are finished with a spray of gold and varnished with a mat gloss. Hope you like them!

XO Susan

Baa Baa Black Sheep

24x30 oil on canvas Just finished this painting this morning. Love the black face sheep! I had to put a blue Jay atop, funny little guys they are! SOLD!

Royal Cup Cake

6x6" oil on panel. 125. Pink frosting is fun and yummy, a cup cake fit for royalty!!

Wedding Cup Cake

6x6 oil on panel 125. Just had to paint a wedding "cup"cake! Fun! SOLD!!!

Pink Rose Cup Cake

6x6" o/b I am painting chocolate cupcakes because.......... I love them! Got an email about white cake cup cakes, those are yummy too!! Ok, I hear ya!!
XO Susan

Fancy Cup Cake

5x7 " o/b 125. This looks like a French cupcake! Very fancy! SOLD!

CUPCAKE

5x7 o/b $ 125. More cup cakes tomorrow!!

CUPCAKE

5x7 o/b yep, back to food! I love cupcakes, going to paint a few more too! Also, making them in clay! I'm having a cupcake affair!!
Did you know that in England they are called fairy cakes? Love that!
Let me know what you think,ok? susanjenkinsart@charter.net
XO Susan

New Gallery

What a fun day! Todd Elliot came to my studio today. He is the owner of Elliot's Art and Frame in Carmel and the son of Vicki Greene. He went thru my paintings and picked out a bunch he liked and we all had a really fun visit! Oh it was nice to see those paintings on their way to a wonderful new home!

He has a real mix too. Animals and flowers, big works and small!! Exciting! Thankyou Todd and Vicki!!

If you are visiting Carmel please stop and see!!

XO Susan SHEEP SOLD!!

WISH art tag

Newest tag, these are bigger, 51/2 " x 11". I have drawn angels and used paints,lace, sheet music and all manner of things. Still having fun! Gayle of Chambers gallery would like to carry them! Oh Boy!!

HOME art tag

This my newest art tag. Sorry it is so dark,it is way lighter than this, I don't know why that happens!! I am finding all sorts of wonderful things to add to these. Home makes one think of all sorts of fun ideas. Home is such a special place, where ever it is.SOLD!!

Lavender Wand

My dearest childhood friend Annette was here yesterday to spend the day. She has a Lavender farm with her daughter Kim. They both work the farm in a sea of lavender! She brought me this darling hand made lavender wand, made by weaving ribbon in and out of the stems, lovely. It is about 12 inches long. You are supposed to put them in your undie drawer as a sachet. Right now it is in my front room on the coffee table and the fragrance has just filled the room!!
They are making soap and oils and all manner of wonderful lavender specialties.
She said the bees are really coming to the farm in great numbers and we are all so happy about that! She will be adding bee hives soon on the acreage and told me lavender honey is delicious! I can hardly wait!! I know she will share being that she most certainly is my dearest childhood friend!!
Thankyou Annette for a treasured visit and my beautiful lavender wand!!!
XO Susan

Raku Pears

Speaking of pears! Just took these out of the kiln, hand formed rakued pears. I am continuing my facination with pears in clay and paint and raku. Loving it all! I painted these in colorful glazes and the raku process softened them nicely. Comments? Write to me at

www.susanjenkinsart@charter.net

Pear Trees

I just had to take a picture of the pear trees at Pam's too! Just beautiful! I had only seen pear trees once in my life and this was a treat. There are fruit and wonderful old olive trees surrounding her home.
A wonderful day, thankyou Pam!

A Visit to Pam Derby's

Gayle and I went out to Paso Robles ( wine country)to visit with Pam Derby and see her lovely new home out in the middle of her vinyard "Lauras Vinyard, Derbyshire Farms".
As far as the eye can see in all directions it is gorgeous vinyard with beautiful grape vines. This is a picture of Gayle standing at the edge of Pam's new infinity pool!
Her home is a Craftsman style with windows looking out forever!
I will be doing a small tile repair and painting as at one time that was my business, tiles and murals, ( a really long time ago!).
It was a really fun day, a tour of her beautiful home and lunch by the pool!
Today more playing with an old friend and then I really must knuckle down and get to some art work!!

ART DAY

It was a truely beautiful day yesterday! Today is my birthday so the girls gave me a party!! So nice and such fun! Vickie's garden is magical and we were sitting on her patio right in the midst of lovingly collected vintage statuary, beautiful flowers and succulents of all variety everywhere. Cascading sweet peas, water flowing from a fountain,nature, nature, nature, ( am I gushing?)nature!

I didn't get much work done, the girls painted working in acrylics and I brought all my tag stuff or so I thought, glue was the biggie forget and Lynn helped out with her "Yes" glue. Great stuff, ever tried it? It is archival and used professionally. I have been using glue sticks from Staples!! Vickie loaned me her special small cutting scissors, a major break thru!!
Too much fun and I should actually have painted because believe it or not tags take much concentration.
We did show and tell and Vickie showed her gorgeous tags and I am more determined than ever to do these! Lynn showed us her extraordinary bead collection, beads from all over the world!

The girls completed many small paintings and I almost completed a tag!!

Thankyou Lynn and Vickie and Gayle for a truely, special,unforgettable day!

Now, to work!!!

SEASCAPE mixed media

8x10 encaustic mixed media seascape on board. I have really been all over the place lately! Tags and now back to encaustics (wax) painting and acrylic.
I love the wax medium, you really don't know what you will get. Alot of surprizes!

I am going to an art day with friends today and will be making more art tags.....we will all be doing something different! Hope you are having a great day, perhaps an art day too???

Well have fun! XO Susan

OCEAN art tag

This one is purely experimental. This has paper, paint and wax!Real mixed media. I am going off in different directions.....I am not selling these now because I want to get a collection of them and have them printed to sell at shows inexpensively. There is so much time involved in making them! This just the most fun I have had in such a long time!! Try this at home!!
Back to the studio!! XO Susan SOLD!!

BIRDS nesting

We have so many birds flying through right now. Yesterday at Lynn's we watched as a mother and father bird flew back and forth feeding their new borns . The nest was right above our heads! Wonderful surprize!SOLD!

CROW Art Tag

New Tag for today. SOLD!!
Spent the morning on the beach with friends Gayle and Lynn ( absolutely gorgeous morning) and had every intention of making several today, instead went to lunch with mom and sis in law ,Joanie! Really played! We have to do that now and again don't we??
I did manage to get a new done this after noon...my table in my kitchen is just full of fabulous stuff I have cut out! I don't see my self stopping any time soon hahaha!
Going to try hard to get some painting done tomorrow!!
XO Susan
susanjenkinsart@charter.net

NATURE art tag

A new art tag for today.Oh so fun!! Please click on the picture to see it enlarged. 7 1/2"x2 3/4"

Art Tag "Nature"

Well, this is it for today, tried to get a lighter picture of this but the scanner is scanning it dark?? This has been fun, spending alot of time looking for bits and pieces. It reminds me of mosiacs, very much the same ...cutting all the pieces and searching for just the right one. If you click on the picture it enlarges it and it is easier to see. More tomorrow! XO Susan

Art Tag "Friend"

These are the newest, a little different, click on to enlarge. "Friend" 7 1/2"x 2 3/4" SOLD!! These little guys have just been purchased by Susan in Sacramento! Thankyou Susan!

Art Tag "BEE"

7 1/2"x2 3/4" art tag, paper card embellished with original paintings,papers,printed words, and stamping. Click the picture to see a close up!
I think as I go these are going to get more lavish! I thought I would draw the line at lace but I am looking fondly at some sweet pieces I have collected thru the years.Jewels would be nice too, have put a few on some of the cards. It is amazing what we have just sitting in boxes and in our cupboards. At some point I will put these in the gallery but right now I am having a very good time learning as I go along. Yes, I am still painting and doing clay and what ever, idle hands you know!!
XO Susan
susanjenkinsart@charter.net

Art Tags

Ok, this is a stretch, but I am having a really good time making these. Art Tags can be for gifts and book marks or just to hang on the wall! I love them, always picking them up at card shops and shows. I am working out new ideas for these.
I am meeting with some art friends next week and one of them is the "Queen" of Art Tags, Vicki Greene. We are going to really have fun with these but thought I would share!
These are 71/2"x23/4". I have pieces of my paintings on them and other things I have collected. Click the picture for a larger view!

I went back in and played with these. Added a few more pieces. Rather than taking the others out(which I don't know how to do) and redoing the whole thing I just added the new ones!

Abstract ACEO Trees #7

2.5"x3.5" a/p painted on water media archival paper with a high gloss varnish. 22.00+3.00 shipping. These paintings are mounted on a white 5x7 mat and come in a clear plastic envelope.

TREES "ACEO" # 30

2.5"x3.5" abstract of trees. a/p archival water media paper , varnished to a high gloss. 22.00.

I am encouraged this morning because Andrea purchased the first ACEO painting! Trees #4. So I am afraid you will have to endulge my fun love of painting these just a wee bit longer!! Thankyou Andrea!!
XO Susan

Big Sur

The fire in Big Sur up in back of me here on the Central Coast is 65% contained this morning. The smoke and ash has lessened a great deal. We are so relieved. Highway 1 is opened and the news has brought a lot of people to town here in Cambria. I understand too that businesses are opening back up in Big Sur.

The condors have survived,we have a very large area that is a sanctuary for them and the young were air lifted out. The older followed their instincts and prevailed.The firemen , heroes all, beat back the fire and saved our historic structures there. So much loss in homes, wildlife and majestic pines. Thankfully no lives lost!

The Big Sur is spiritual, nature at its most pristine. It will most certainly return to it's magnificent grandeur.

A heartfelt thank you to all of the brave heroic firemen and so too the many courageous workers and volunteers.

God Bless, XO Susan

TREES "ACEO" # 28

2.5x3.5 aceo abstract painting. a/p Painted on water media paper varnished with a high gloss.22. susanjenkinsart@charter.net

TREES "ACEO" # 19

2.5"x3.5" a/c abstract aceo "trees" Painted on archival water media paper and varnished with high gloss. Another is my series of trees. Really loving these. Love the color. 22.
susanjenkinsart@charter.net

RAKU PEAR

This new pear clay raku piece is 6"x4". Hand built in white stone ware clay.Taken out of the kiln last night. I have made more pears, just love the raku finish on them. I have to decide if I want to stay with the white or try some yellow. I think the next one will be a deep yellow!!

Floral Demo

Kind of dark but this is a demo I did yesterday for some dear friends in their studio.I am in the process of working on it here, What a fun day! Lots of great snacks and coffee and a beautiful arrangement that had great meaning to our hostess. A fun day had by all ! Thankyou Ross and Hedy!

Floral aceo

2.5x3.5 aceo acrylic painting on archival water media paper. 42.

CROW aceo

2.5"x3.5" aceo a/p Painted on archival water media paper and varnished with a high gloss 42.
SOLD!! Thankyou Lynn!

Clay and Glass show ,Palo Alto

What a fabulous day! Yesterday Gayle and I went to Palo Alto to the huge Clay and glass show.

Incredible work, miles of it!! Alot of Gayles artists from her gallery were participating and that was fun. A wonderful demonstration on the wheel. Throwing off the hump which I had never seen, (Nichibei Potters)all of you potters out there know what that is!?
The most beautiful glass work and huge clay pieces, thrown and hand built and sculpture. All of it just blow away! I didn't leave with out a little something!
Gayle met up with many of her artists and I was so fortunate to be introduced to some of these extraordinary glass makers and potters.

It was a beautiful day, a bit of smoke from the fires but not too bad. Nice for the artists and a wonderful turn out. If you ever get a chance to go it should not be missed!!

Highway 1 is open to Big Sur!! We are so happy to hear that. God Bless the Fire men, real heros!