Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Looking Back, Forging Ahead

I present to you my very first 2011 blog post with a recent painting I did titled 'The Artist's Refuge'. Enjoy!

'The Artist's Refuge'..........oil on canvas panel............8x10 inches

It's good to be back in the blogosphere! I hope everyone's New Year is off to a great start and that all your resolutions are sturdy and full of promise, like an acorn, that could be an oak tree eventually. An acorn, they're a hard nut to crack, ask any squirrel, they'll tell you.


~ Highlights of 2010 ~

'Jardins des Tuileries'.............gouache on panel............8x10 inches

There have been so many wonderful and exciting moments in the past year. Exciting group shows, prestigious plein air invitationals, mind bending roller coasters, indeed too many to list! If I had to pick my favorite adventure then my trip to Paris, France tops the list.
Oh Paris, can my blog ever do you justice? The things you showed me in your wonderful architecture and wondering populace were without equal. I'd like to tell the tales of the terrifying toilets, trying tourist traps, and terrorist threats. The musical washing machine, the striking thespians, the sub-par restaurant service, the robust espressos, the disgruntled proletariat, the strange dress codes, the street musicians. Too much to say in too small a space. The museums alone, the cemeteries, the churches and spontaneous choirs on a Tuesday morning. The gardens of Versailles and the fascinating fake farm of Marie Antoinette. My head was spinning, my feet were blistering. Too much! Not to forget the house, gardens, and lily pond of Monet in Giverny! That is all I can put into words. Below are a few pics of my trips highlights:



after a full day at Versailles Palace and gardens










Marie Antoinette's estate









standing next to Rodin's 'Gates of Hell' at the Rodin Museum











Ben standing where Monet once stood!








had an exhilarating time at the Louvre Museum







Pere Lachaise Cemetery (I enjoyed it so much we visited twice!)










Sacre Coeur was a treat!












could not start my day without this








the magical Seine River













Notre Dame is spectacular!
(and of course, so is Ben)








and of course a visit to the Eifell Tower was a must










To view additional pics of my Paris trip visit me on facebook!

~
Here's to a year filled with boundless joy, perpetual creative inspiration and prosperity!

25 comments:

Régis Pettinari said...

Thanks for visiting Paris and loving it !
http://parisenpeinture.blogspot.com/
Best regards.
Régis

Stephanie Berry said...

Love your "Artist's Refuge". All your photos of France are terrific. Post some more!

ddd said...

Nice memories Jennifer :) Paris is indeed a beautiful city.

I love the 'Jardins des Tuileries. It is so loose and full of feeling. The care free sky looks so awesome.

Wishing you best in 2011

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thanks for commenting Regis. Yes, I absolutely LOVED Paris and plan on going back (sooner than later :)

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thank you Stephanie!
You can view more cool Paris pics on my facebook profile if you like.
Cheers!

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thanks Dalibor!
Wishing you a wonderful 2011 too :)

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

Love the photos and the paintings (of course). You deserve all those great moments. Your paintings are spectacular!

Jennifer McChristian said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennifer McChristian said...

Thanks a bunch Mary! :)

Tahirih Goffic said...

Wow, what a trip you had! Your photos are beautiful. I hope to see paintings of them sometime in the future.
Cheers,
Tahirih

Alisa said...

I love your style!

David Lobenberg said...

Cool gouache sketch! I was delighted to see this as I have just finished teaching a six week gouache class at the Sacramento Crocker Art Museum. The class was listed in their catalogue as "Oh my gouache!" The other artist I like that uses gouache with watercolor is Nathan Fowkes. A fantastic painter...like you!

Laurel Alanna McBrine said...

Love Paris! I did a blog on my trip there a few springs ago. Your work is outstanding!

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thank you Alisa!

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thanks for your comment David :)
By the way, 'Oh My Gouache' is a very clever and fun title for a class. I like!
Nathan Fowkes is also a favorite of mine. He handles goauche like no one else. A truly talented and brilliant painter!

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thank you Laurel!

Unknown said...

I love all these paintings. You capture the light so well! I am so looking forward to your workshop at the Scottsdale Art School! See you soon!

Rusty Jones said...

Welcome back to blogdom. We've missed you. You should have felt my presence last Tuesday because I was in Jerome, Arizona channeling you big time. All those angles with all those wonderful buildings. A blessing and a curse. Congrats on your Ray Mar award.

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thanks Joy for your warm and generous comments!
I too look forward to meeting you at SAS in a few weeks :)

Cheers!

Jennifer McChristian said...

Hi Rusty,
It's good to be back in the blogosphere ;-)
It's funny you should mention Jerome. I was actually thinking of Sedona last week and how much I enjoyed Jerome and it's many splendors!
PS-Thank you for the Raymar kudos!

Michael King said...

I keep looking at your 'The Artist's Refuge' painting and am finding so much detail is such simple application of paint. Stellar!!

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thank you Michael!

ZÉ ROBERTO said...

Hi Jennifer!
I loved their work, are very creative and very original.
Visit my blog.
Greetings from Brazil.
Roberto

Márcia said...

Tuas pinturas são deliciosas!
Está sendo um prazer seguir você.Parabéns!

Blog_Commenting_Service said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.