Crazy Christmas Tree

Click HERE for a link to the Etsy blog where they featured a photo of our little tabletop tree. I was so surprised to see it there, they have a flickr group which I upload some pictures of our house from time to time. I'm really proud that Kenny's painting got a little exposure.

I've been working on a commission, doing Christmas shopping, wrapping presents and mailing off paintings and vintage from my Etsy store TheModShop. I have a large painting swimming around in my head that involves a pink bowl, some lemons, map collage. Also I had an epiphany about something do layer on it which I have promptly forgotton.

Mandarin with Blue Willow original still life painting by Polly Jones

8" square original painting on gessoed masonite panel 3/8" thick, unframed. On Etsy here.

A Chinese tradition has been for the grooms family to give the bride a couple of citrus fruits to share with her husband after their marriage. This is a symbol of a family wish that the bride and groom share a happy and full life together. I like this contrast with the blue willow cup that is supposed to be the story of star-crossed lovers who only attain togetherness in death...rising up as two birds.

I apologize to everyone that subscribes to my blog that I accidentally re-sent an old post the other day. I was trying to edit it and did something wrong.

Shameless self-promotion of a Sale in my Etsy art gallery

"Stocking Stuffer" acrylic 6" square painting in Etsy here.

I'm a little late in getting my Black Friday info out. Having a big sale (half price) on twelve older paintings and free shipping for repeat collectors. New buyers get free shipping with two paintings. More details are in my shop announcement here.

Blanket Flower in Blue Jar original painting by Polly Jones

8" by 10" acrylic on canvas. On Etsy here.

I have to say that this one pretty much painted itself. It kind of irritates me when I hear other artists say that...but it happens so rarely and is so surprising when it happens that you can't blame anyone for just reveling in the fact that it wasn't a soul wrenching, doubt filled and difficult experience.

Apple and Pear original painting by Polly Jones

8" by 10" acrylic painting on gallery wrapped canvas. SOLD

I painted the pear and the apple against one of my favorite wedding presents. There were two cups, broken years ago. I love this porcelain tray that has blue and white scrolling vines and what I believe to be a phoenix in the middle. Isn't the phoenix metaphor wonderful? Even without the Harry Potter connotation?

Art Walk last night and a new small still life

I did it again, brought my camera and totally forgot to use it. My husband Kenny and I had some work in The Big Country Art Association show that opened last night at The Cockrell in Abilene. In fact we each got an honorable mention which is great for keeping the family peace. I'll post photos later perhaps. In the mean time you can check out Kenny's portfolio here. "Blackflow" is the one he had in the exhibit.

Above is a 6" painting I have been struggling with the last couple of days. So much for my rhapsodizing about the lovely experience of doing the small, straightforward paintings. I did have fun with it during the last 10 minutes when I totally revamped the color scheme. On Etsy here.

Lemon Light with Blue Willow original still life painting

6 inch by 6 inch acrylic painting on gallery. SOLD

I was so happy painting this tea time setup. The late afternoon light was brilliant, coming through my windows at a slant. I've been working on larger, layered mixed media which takes a lot of energy, and which I enjoy in an entirely different way than doing the small ones. Today it felt great to simply look and paint, trying to catch the effects of light on simple objects.

Familiar Craving original still life mixed media painting

18" by 24" acrylic and mixed media painting on deep cradled wood panel. SOLD

I dropped this off at The Center for Contemporary Arts in Abilene for a group show of members work with the theme "Black and White." I squeaked in the door last minute with my work and a triptych by Kenny and was able to get a look at everyones work leaning against the wall.
I think it will be a wonderful show and silent auction! Information follows in case you are in the area and can come:

A Holiday Affair 2009: Black and White

What: The Center's Annual Fall Benefit

When: Saturday, November 14

Where: The Center for Contemporary Arts

Why: To support the programs provided by the Center and to enjoy great art, food and fun!

To RSVP, or for ticket information, please contact the Center at 325.677.8389

Globe Grapes original painting by Polly Jones

6" by 6" acrylic on 1 and 3/8" profile gallery wrapped canvas. SOLD

I love these big globe grapes with the seeds. I wonder how they make the other ones not have seeds in them. I was trying to capture how the grapes have an interesting mixture of purple and warm red.

Warm Pumpkin original painting by Polly Jones

8" square acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas with 1 and 3/8" profile. Wired and ready to hang, no frame necessary. SOLD

I'm painting these little pumpkins while I can.

RearrangedDesign

Here's an image of a large painting in our house that I did last year. The ping pong table is usually not so empty. Right now it has wood scraps and the makings of a catapult that my daughter is making for her physics class. They will be launching small pumpkins with them. I just know that she is going to be asking for one of my little pumpkins to test it out. Later today I plan to post another pumpkin painting when I solve a certain problem area and can get a good photo.

Our house was featured on Rearranged Design, a wonderful design blog. There are more images of our house here. If you are curious like me and love to see inside other peoples houses you should definitely check out all of Ana's house tours.

Three Bananas original mixed media painting by Polly Jones

8" by 8" acrylic and collage on cradled wood panel, ready to hang with no frame necessary. On Etsy here.

Thinking about my micro/macro world while painting another little still life.

I've always been grateful for the fact that in our family of three we are perfectly coordinated to like every stage of the ripening banana. My daughter loves only the very green bananas, I like them when they have just stopped being green, and my husband will eat them from ripe to overripe.

Sweet Sweet Life blog

Flickr is such an incredible place for inspiration.. There are some amazing images and sense of community. Recently I put some photos of our home up and connected with Amy from the fabulous Sweet Sweet Life blog. She just did a feature on our house right here. Amy is a young mom with loads of creativity and energy. I love her sense of color. The top picture is one of her mixed media art works. Below that is a photo that came from her Flickr stream.

la la lovely

Just wanted to tell you about a wonderful lifestyle blog with the byline of "the everyday should be fun" Isn't that great! It is written by Trina McNeilly. I'm thrilled to have my work featured on la la lovely right here.

Two Little Pumpkins original painting by Polly Jones

8" square acrylic on 3/8 inch thick gessoed masonite.

Here's one I painted last week. My favorite part is the little triangle of light between the two pumpkins. I love it when light becomes more intense around the edges of objects. That's something I started noticing when I looked at Duane Keiser's still life work.

September Flowers original contemporary still life painting by Polly Jones

16" by 20" acrylic painting on gallery wrapped canvas with 1 and 3/8" profile. This is wired and ready to hang without a frame. On Etsy here.

These three flowers in my yard made me think of the song "If We Make It To September" that my parents sing to each other jokingly when times get tough. The zinnias were not quite as fresh and big as the first bloomers but they survived a lot of heat and sporadic watering; I quite admire them.

Little Striped Pumpkin original contemporary still life painting by Polly Jones

8" square acrylic original painting on 3/8" thick masonite panel, unframed. SOLD

I am so excited that it's pumpkin time. I loved painting this small one with loose brush strokes and strong color.

Laura's Peppers original contemporary still life painting

8" square acrylic painting on gessoed masonite, unframed. For sale on Etsy here.

My sister brought me these peppers that she grew in her own garden. I loved how they posed, especially the front one that has a diva like presence.

"Surviving" collaboration at The Center for Contemporary Arts

Thought I would post a photo from the opening last night. It was a wonderful night with several shows opening at the Center for Contemporary Arts in Abilene . This is the collaboration piece that Kerry DiGioia and I did as part of the challenge at CCA of matching up a board member and an artist to create something together. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process and getting to know Kerry. We brought together images of a cancer cell, tulips, collage elements of her daughter's paintings, collage elements of crowns, flowers, and insects. We were amazed when color choices and patterns I had begun on canvas synchronized with the paintings Kerry brought of her daughters on our first meeting.

Friday night opening at The Center for Contemporary Art

Friday, September 18th at 6:30 will be the opening reception at The Center for Contemporary Arts for several exhibits. Gallery 3 (upstairs) will have a collaborative exhibit called "Get on Board" the center's Artist and Board Members. I had the pleasure of collaborating on a mixed media painting with board member Kerry DiGioia. I can't wait to see the other collaborations. We'll be there tomorrow night, hope to see you there!

Thirsty

8" square mixed media painting on gessoed masonite. SOLD

I've a fascination for spoons in glasses and have done several paintings involving that little drama. (I am easily amused) With this one, I was thinking about the idea of seeing the glass half empty or half full. Some days it's so hard to see the half full one. The map page from a vintage golden book encyclopedia of India was actually not an intentional association but a more random pick. Hope it's not too heavy handed, but I like the reference.

Limes in Blue Willow 3 original painting by Polly Jones

6" square acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas. SOLD

I did this by request for someone. Don't know why I still have so much fun with this same set up of limes and my familiar blue willow bowl. I just really like trying to capture the affects of light on these particular objects.

Blueberries, One at a Time original painting by Polly Jones

6" by 6" acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas at Etsy.

Loving blueberry season. With all the good press blueberries get I feel virtuous when I eat them.

12" by 12" acrylic on canvas. This is a larger version of another painting I'd done a while back. It was by request of a lovely collector. I enjoy doing paintings people ask me to do. In order to not freeze up while doing them, though, I let them know ahead of time that if they don't like the result they don't have to buy it. Otherwise I get stage fright.

More Limes in Blue Willow original painting by Polly Jones

12 inches by 12 inches acrylic on canvas. SOLD

Here's a larger version of an earlier painting. It was by request from a lovely collector.