Momentous May Musings

'View from the Ferris Wheel'......oil on canvas panel......16x20 inches

Hola Bloggamigos!

What better way to usher in the summertime than to celebrate the festive Cinco de Mayo, when Mexico kicked French butt in the battle of Puebla!  This weekend I’ll be in Fredericksburg, Texas for the opening of my three person show ‘The Color of Life’ at the InSight Gallery. So excited!
We’ll be sticking around to see how this town founded on German pioneers will celebrate the historic and at the time unlikely Spanish victory over the French forces! I’m hoping to see some bar brawls myself, with lots of accordions, lederhosen, French cursing, and masked Mexican wrestlers! I suppose I should be careful what I wish for. Vive La Difference!

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS: 

'The Color of Life'

'The Color of Life' three person show opens this weekend at the beautiful, newly renovated InSight Gallery located in the heart of Fredericksburg, TX.

Artists' opening reception on May 4th from 6 to 8pm.

For more info and to view online exhibition click here

2012 SUMMER / FALL PLEIN AIR WORKSHOPS:

I’ll be teaching two more workshops in 2012. One spot just opened up for the June plein air painting workshop at 'Esalen' and there is still time to register. In September, I will be teaching at the 'Weekend With the Masters'.  This workshop is filling up fast so make sure to reserve your spot soon!

For more detailed information on workshops please click here or go to:

http://jennifermcchristian.com/workshops

~

That’s all for now and many thanks for taking the time to read my blog.
Hope you all have a spectacular and sumptuous summer!

Sprightly Spring Things!

Greetings and Happy Spring!
I'm excited to share 'Le Sanctuaire', one of my new paintings that will be exhibited in an upcoming three person show at the Insight Gallery in early May 2012. Participating artists will include myself, Cheri Christensen and Qiang Huang. More info coming soon!

'Le Sanctuaire'.........oil on canvas panel..........11x14 inches

Spring is just around the corner, or some might argue due to the incredibly mild winter that spring is just about to give way to summer.  Either way it’s already March, a time when we celebrate marching bands and all other forms of marching.  That’s right, that’s why they named it March.  Unless they meant to name it Marsh, a time when frozen tundra thaws into swampy mud full of mosquitoes.  Not sure, I’m a painter, not a historian.  For all I know the month was named after a woman named Marge.  Maybe Marge liked to march in the marsh, it’s possible.  Regardless, it’s a busy year ahead for yours truly, with gallery deadlines nipping at my heels like small, unruly terriers and plein air painting workshops thundering on the horizon like a herd of wild horses.  It’s going to be another big year for Jennifer, and I’m running as fast as I can just to keep up with myself.  Thank God for Ben, he’s awesome, I’d be nothing but a small quivering pile of jelly crying in my soup in a house full of cats without him. 

CURRENT / UPCOMING SPRING EXHIBITIONS:

'Cue Ball'........oil on canvas panel.........8x8 inches

'8x8 Small Gems'
My new painting ‘Cue Ball’ is currently on display for the '8x8 Small Gems'
 at the Waterhouse Gallery located in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA. Show runs until March 23rd.

To view online exhibition click here

'Lucky Shirt'.........oil on panel........16x20 inches

This painting was awarded 2nd Place from the February 2012 'BoldBrush Painting Competition' judged by FongWei Liu. 

To view competition winners click here

'Contemporary Masters, Artistic Eden III'
My new painting ‘Lucky Shirt’ is currently on exhibit at the ‘Contemporary Masters, Artistic Eden III’ exhibition. The third biannual exhibition featuring works by nationally recognized representational artists will remain at the Pasadena Museum of History through Sunday, July 29th, 2012. 
For more info click here

'Before Lunch'.........oil on panel..........11x14 inches

'2nd Annual Scottsdale Salon'
In April I will be participating in Legacy Gallery’s ‘2nd Annual Scottsdale Salon’. 

Artists’ exhibition opens April 20th.
For more info and to view online exhibition click here

2012 PLEIN AIR PAINTING WORKSHOPS:

JUST ADDED - NEW WORKSHOP!

I am very excited and honored to have been recently invited to teach a plein air painting workshop at the Weekend With the Masters 2012 event held in San Diego in September 2012!  

More info coming soon!

For detailed information, locations, dates and registration info regarding my 2012 plein air painting workshops click here

 ~
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and may your Spring Season be filled with inspiration, renewal and prosperity!

Happy New Year!

'Not Open 'til Dinner'.......oil on canvas panel......8x10 inches

Greetings ! Hope 2012 is off to a delicious start for you!

Made a ton of New Year’s Resolutions, sort of taking the shotgun approach this year. If I make enough resolutions I’m sure to hit some of them. Actually got a lot of the last year’s resolutions under my belt: visited Rome, taught five workshops, completed a new book, but still haven’t learned fluent Italian. Well, there it is. Hope everyone had a perfectly Dickensian Christmas season. I know I did, but I think the three ghosts of Christmas that visited me were just indigestion from too much pie, turkey, and ham. Yikes! 

GOOD NEWS!

The New Year is off to a great start - I received Honorable Mention for my painting ‘Vagabonds at Rest’ from the Oil Painters of America ' Fall 2011 OPA Online Showcase Competition' juried by the very talented Dan Beck.  This painting portrays two beggar women on the Spanish Steps in Rome taking a break to gossip about tourists. A personal favorite of mine! To see complete list of winners click here.

CURRENT WINTER EXHIBITION:

Gallery 1261 'Small Works Show'

My new painting ‘Chestnut Peddler’ is currently on display at Gallery 1261’s 'Small Works Show.'  This prestigious and exciting group show runs through January 21st, so if you happen to be in the Colorado area, make sure to stop by and take a peek. This show includes a wonderful array of stunning artwork from a very talented group of artists I am extremely honored to be exhibiting with! 

To view online exhibition click here.

'Chestnut Peddler'.......oil on panel........12x16 inches (SOLD)

2012 PLEIN AIR PAINTING WORKSHOPS:

If you’ve resolved to learn plein air painting in 2012, please keep my workshops in mind.
This year’s lineup of beauteous locations includes Sedona, Big Sur, France and Italy!
Please reserve your space soon! Availability is limited and subject to change.
For more info and registration details click here.

~

That's it for now. Stay tuned for additional info on upcoming shows and events. 2012 should be a very productive and exciting year!

May your New Year be filled with adventure, creativity and joy!

Buon Anno!

New Book and Current Winter Exhibitions

Greetings!

November's here and it's that time to bundle up and get the sweaters out if you're here in Los Angeles (or sweep those leaves up and get the snow shovel ready if you're further up North).  I miss those Autumn colors I used to see in Montreal, like the entire forest was ablaze with color but in a good way, not a run for your life way.  I have posted this recent painting to pay homage to the memory of those crisp and colorful autumn days.

'Remembrance'.....oil on panel......8x10 inches (SOLD)

NEW BOOK!

I'm proud to announce the release of my new book "UNCOMMON GROUND"! This is a compilation of my favorite pieces from the last five years, and includes some never before seen  color studies that I created for my larger studio pieces. Makes an awesome holiday gift for yourself or the art lover in your family! Copies are available in hard and soft covers and may be purchased online by clicking here.

WINTER SHOWS AND EVENTS:
Here is a brief overview of exhibitions I am currently participating in this month. 

'Vagabonds at Rest'......oil on panel......9x12 inches

Two of my new small paintings are currently on display at InSight Gallery's 'Small Works Show'. This exciting group exhibition runs until December 31, 2011. There's still time to hustle on over to Fredericksburg, TX and stop in for a look.  For more info and to view online exhibition click here.

 

'Pick Up or Delivery'......oil on panel.....18x22 inches

I am also exhibiting my new painting 'Pick Up or Delivery' at Waterhouse Gallery's annual 'Great American Figurative Artists' show. I am delighted to be part of this wonderful group show filled with top-notch figurative painters. For more info and to view online exhibition click here.

RECENT AWARD FROM SOUTHWEST ART MAGAZINE!

'Lahaina Leisure'......oil on panel......14x18 inches

I am extremely honored and delighted that my painting 'Lahaina Leisure' was awarded Honorable Mention from Southwest Art Magazine's '1st Annual Artistic Excellence Competition'.

Click here to view complete online editorial from Southwest Art Magazine's December 2011 issue!

That's all for now folks. Stay tuned for more adventures as 'Winter' takes the stage and 2011 gives way to the new and exciting, very highly publicized 2012. There hasn't been so much apocalyptic anticipation for a New Year since we had the Y2K bug destroy all the PC clocks and shut down civilization as we knew it!  Boy, that was a disappointment, here I still am using the internet ;-)

Wishing you and yours a very memorable, magical and peaceful Holiday Season!

Sizzling Summer Scene

Here is a new painting I recently completed for an upcoming fall group show at Insight Gallery.  Exhibition opens on September 2nd, 2011. This painting also placed as finalist for both the 'Raymar'  and 'BoldBrush' June 2011 online competition!      
 

'Pieton'.........oil on canvas panel.........16x20 inches (SOLD)

Greetings!

  Welcome again to my latest blogello, chock full of interesting news and pictures about my life and art.  Summer has finally arrived in all it's glory, having shaken off the overcast gray of the June gloom and kicked in to gear with some scorching hot days.  What better time to check out the 'Landscape' group show at Abend Gallery where my painting 'Prelude To Summer' is currently  on display.

 ~ A w e s o m e   N e w s   a n d   E v e n t s! ~

'Where R U?'........oil on panel.......11x14 inches (SOLD)

I am so delighted and honored to have received the 'Member's Choice Award/Associate and Signature Division'  for my painting  'Where R U?' from the Oil Painters of America's '20th Annual National Juried Exhibition' which was hosted by Devin Galleries. 

Click here for complete list of winners.  

WORKSHOPS UPDATE!

I've got one last workshop scheduled for 2011 so there's still an opportunity to join me in Big Sur for some plein air fun! Ahhhh, Big Sur, where Heaven really has come down and touched Earth.  After a long day of painting 'en plain air' you can unwind by soaking in natural sulphuric hot springs, the stone tubs lining the cliffside overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  Skilled massage therapists are on hand to work out all the muscular knots that five hours of standing, painting, and concentrating can create.  The food is all organically grown on site, and the kitchen provides three nutritious square meals a day in a beautiful oak finished dining hall.  

For more info on Esalen and to register for my August 2011workshop click here.

Stay tuned for more exciting news and have a dazzling, adventurous and resplendent summer!

Full Speed Ahead!

Greetings All!

Spring has finally sprung and I have an exciting roster of events, group shows, and workshop updates to share with you. For starters, I'd like to share a plein air painting I did while in Maui for the '2011 Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational'. Enjoy!

'Sugar Cane Train'..............oil on canvas panel.............8x10 inches (SOLD)

'Salon International 2011'
April 2 - 22, 2011

(SOLD)

My painting 'Le Marais Twilight' (which also received 'Best of Show' from the January Raymar Fine Art Competition) is included in Greenhouse Gallery's 'Salon International 2011'. Show runs through April 22, 2011.
To view online exhibition click here.

'Around the World: The Painted Journey'
April 8 - 30, 2011

(SOLD)

I will also be participating in Abend Gallery's 'From Around the World: The Painted Journey' exhibition which will feature remarkable pieces which have been selected from the participating artists' world travels. 'Rue Saint-Antoine' will be one of my three paintings included in this impressive exhibition.
Show opens April 8, 2011.
For online preview click here.



'1st Annual Scottsdale Salon of Fine Art'
April 21 - May 19, 2011


Another piece created from my Paris trip is 'Strolling Parisian' which has been selected for the '1st Annual Scottsdale Salon of Fine Art hosted by Legacy Gallery.
Exhibition opens April 22, 2011.
For online preview click here.



'20th Annual National Juried Exhibition'
June 10 - July 9, 2011


Finally, a fourth Paris inspired piece, 'Where R U?', will be on display for the Oil Painters of America '20th Annual National Juried Exhibition' at Devin Galleries in Idaho.
Exhibition opens June 10, 2011.
For more info about this exhibition click here.

~ 2 0 1 1 W o r k s h o p s ~


Here is a recap of my remaining plein air painting workshops for 2011:
Both the Sedona (May) and Big Sur (June) workshops are currently full with waiting list. The Big Sur workshop in August still has some spaces available. Spaces are filling up fast so be sure to register soon in order to secure your place and experience the seaside organic gardens and cliff side hot spring tubs!
Click here to view my current workshop schedule for 2011.


~
Be sure to have an awesome and productive rest of the spring season and prepare yourself for more fun and adventure in 2011's summer!

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!