Come along with me I invite you to watch as I paint my new Commission of the "Name Plant".
People commission artwork for many reasons but mostly in honor of something they feel very connected to.
A portrait of someone they love, an animal who was loyal or to celebrate something that they have achieved.
This "Name Plant" is a daughters tribute to her mother who just recently got the news she has breast cancer.
The daughter wrote her mother a poem.  The mother wanted to honor her daughter and commissioned a painting that would offer her inspiration. 
Everything was picked out personally and each symbol represents deep meaning to both the mother and daughter.
As I said earlier, when you order a "Name Plant" I will send you a few simple questions to answer so we can work together to make this painting unique and original for you.
In this piece the special poem will be painted on the flowerpot,  ladybugs represent a very special meaning of friendship to the mother, along with the Pink Ribbon for Breast Cancer, she picked a star and and dragonfly.
Jean
http://www.chamberorganizer.com/elkochamber/mem_jeanhart

I am finally back to my portrait. I am now substitute teaching and have been working a lot. I think I may have to  now schedule my painting on Saturday's.
Today I painted in the main subject and the rail of the boat.
He has a black sweatshirt on but you know black is never just black so I have to put some of the highlights in and the  wrinkles in.  The wood on the boat rail, again never just one color is pretty weather beaten so later I will go in and give it some wear and roughness.
Remember it's all about stages. Dark to light.
I still need to build up the skin tones and define the creases for age.
All and all I think it is moving along nicely and I am sure it will be on time.
All comments are welcome.
Thank
Jean
http://www.chamberorganizer.com/elkochamber/mem_jeanhart

ORIGINAL ARTWORK CREATED WITH YOUR NAME
 
I am now taking orders for Christmas,
These are 8" x 10" gallery canvas wrapped painted with acrylic paint.
Original artwork created with your name.
 The definition of your name will be painted on the pot.
I will send you a few questions so we can work together to create your "Plant Name" Just e-mail me if your interested.
jhartart@yahoo.com
check out my new artwork website
http://www.chanmberorganizer.com/elkochamber/mem_jeanhart

Day 4
I am working on the skin tones, and each one of the fisherman's skin is really a different skin type.
I have been blending yellows and reds and white to come up with the right colors.
I have to let this dry and I will come back to the skins. Building up from dark to light and blending the colors in together.
I like what is happening.
It's slow because first, it needs to dry but also because I have other projects going on at the same time.
I have decided to just work on it once a week, so I don't rush through it.
Jean
http://www.chamberorganizer.com/elkochamber/mem_jeanhart

OCTOBER'S FIRST AUCTION
Starts Oct. 1st and goes all month until the 31st,

"Warm Tulips",
With the end of summer Fall now has come. The warmer colors of fall are starting to turn the leaves red, orange, gold and the days are shorter and nights colder.
I offer up this print as my first auction piece for "Jean Hart Artworks"

Print of my original artwork, 16" x 20" framed in a blue contempary metal frame.
I invite you to check it out.
 If you want to place a bid e-mail me at    www.jhartart@yahoo.com

http://www.chamberorganizer.com/elkochamber/mem_jeanhart

I love Sundays, it's the day I make homemade desserts.
With Fall on the way and the evenings getting darker sooner, I was thinking of something warm for dessert.
I had gone to my local dollar store and found a couple of great cookbooks for sale. I sat down and started reading through and find a recipe for Cinnamon rice pudding.
Cooking time was 4 1/2 hours so it's a good thing I did it on Sunday.

CINNAMON RICE PUDDING
Normandy recipe

1/3 lb (150 g) round-grain rice
1 1/2 oz. (40g) half-salted butter
2 teaspoons powdered cinnamon 1/3 lb (150g) sugar
8 cups (2 l.) whole milk
2 or 3 sticks cinnamon

1. Preheat the oven to 480F (125C)
2. Blend the rice, butter, cinnamon, and sugar in an overprood dish, if possible a ceramic one.
3. Bring the milk to a boil
4. Pour the milk into the dish. Mix the ingredients thoroughly with a wooden spoon. Bake in the oven for 30 min.
5. Turn the temperature down to 210-250 F (100-120C) Place the tray in a larger container with water and bake for 4 more hours
6. Let it cool completely in the ovenproof dish.
7. Decorate with a few cinnamon sticks and serve.

This is really easy, and it smells so good when it's baking.
Enjoy, bring on Fall
http://www.chamberorganizer.com/elkochamber/mem_jeanhart

Related: warm, pudding, fall

It took the longest time for the sky to dry before I could continue my work. I asked my artist friends abut this and they said anything that has a lot of white in the mix well take time. I am learning my lesson in patience. Acrylics dry almost immediately!
So today I have moved on to the background people. I do not want to give them much detail because they are not the main subject. However, I did notice that I can not paint areas next to each other while wet without smudging. So, i will paint in stages while things dry. I did learn that if you put the painting in your car it will dry quicker.
I am happy to take a break for drying so I can breath. Oh, did I mention oil paints have a strong odor so I have to have the windows open. The one thing I do find fun is mixing the paints to make my colors. This always makes me feel like a chemist. I think it's moving along nicely and I'm pleased.

There's a new rule in my house. Yes, you have to try it.
Just a few things to say here.
First, I don't think I have ever bought a leek. They look like big chives.  Next, when I got the recipe through the e-mail from my sister I thought great chop chop no cooking, It was chilled soup, you know cold soup, no cooking.
Well, no not exactly, there is slicing, and sauteing and PUREEING!!!
Even with all that said this is really easy and wow what a great presentation with the rings of red peppers and chives for garnish.
Just a quick note, The Brownies, I have had to make 3 batches so far!!!
This recipe comes from ENTERTAINING COOKBOOK
Chilled Red Pepper and LeeK Soup

1/2 stick of butter
1 1/4 pound red peppers, chopped
2 cups leeks, sliced white and pale green parts only
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
red bell pepper rings
chopped chives

Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-heat. Add chopped bell peppers and leeks and saute until tender, about 18 minutes. Add broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Puree soup with hand blender. Refrigerate until cool.
Mix buttermilk into soup. season with salt & pepper. Refrigerate at least 3 hours.
Garnish with bell pepper and chives

Surprisingly good, incredibly easy.
So glad it's still summer.
Bon Appetit
Jean
http://jeanhart.redbubble.com/

Day 2
I put in the sky and the water, more needs to be done, but unlike acrylics, that I'm use to oils have to dry.  So I wait until it's dry before I can continue.

Day two,
It's a good day for painting!! It's raining, cold, and gray.
I am starting with a stretched canvas 16" x 20"
Medium textured, acid free, triple primed!!
For Oil
Non- toxic
I like to sketch out the image first, this gives me an idea of where the subjects are if they are centered,  even and if the composition looks balanced.
This of course is not a very detailed drawing and don't be surprised if things change as I go along.
I really wanted to know where the horizon line is so I can put the sky and water in to day.
A rule of thumb, ( I occasionally mess with) is that NOTHING  goes in the center horizontally or vertically.
More to come,
Jean
hhtp://www.redbubble.com/people/jeanhart