Autumn's Awesome Adventures!

Below is one of my recent paintings 'Idling on P3' which will be included in my upcoming two person show at Abend Gallery

'Idling on P3'.........oil on canvas panel.........9x12 inches

Greetings and Happy Autumn!

Summer is winding down and Fall is on the rise. The rise of Fall has begun. Rise Fall, rise. It’s still too hot for me, and the rest of the world too. Something’s got to give though, can’t stay hot forever (I hope!) Anyway, with the cool breeze of the California Autumn comes additional delights, like brisk evening walks, colorful assortment of gourds and giant orange harvest moons hanging low on the horizon. But enough looking to the warm glow of the future, let’s reflect a little on the past and present as I share some snippets of exciting recent events and the McChristian news!

CURRENT / UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

 

'Reverence'.........oil on panel..........15x18 inches

1st Annual Figurative Show

My painting ‘Reverence’ is currently on display for the 1st Annual Figurative Show at the Sage Creek Gallery in Santa Fe, NM. Show runs until October 30th, 2012.
To view online exhibition click here. 

'The Query'........oil on panel......12x15 inches

2012 OPA Western Regional Exhibition

I am also delighted to share that my painting ‘The Query’ was recently accepted into the OPA Western Regional Exhibition which opened on October 5th at the beautiful Gallery 1261 in Denver, CO.
To view online exhibition click here.

'Sentinel'.........oil on canvas panel.........8x10 inches

Three Person Show

This month I will also be participating in a three person show at Abend Gallery in Denver, CO. I will be displaying exciting new works alongside the bold and gorgeous paintings of the talented Sandra Pratt and Zhaoming Wu. Opening reception is on October 26th from 5 to 9pm.
For more info and to view online exhibition click here.

NEWS AND EVENTS:

I am extremely pleased to share that I have garnered several awards in the past several months!  My painting ‘Traipsing in Trastevere’ received the OPA Donor’s Award of Excellence at the 21st Annual Oil Painters of America National Exhibition. My painting 'The Query' recently received Award of Excellence from the OPA Western Regional Exhibition which just opened last week at Gallery 1261!
I also received Best of Show from the BoldBrush May 2012 online competition. Woo Hoo!
In addition to all that awesomely good news I had the pleasure of being a guest speaker on the Artist Mentors Online hosted by the wonderful and gracious Linda Fisler and Blanche McAlister Harris.
Click here to listen to my fun interview as I share informative tips and insights on painting and teaching. Speaking of teaching, I was very honored and thrilled to have been invited to the 4th Annual Weekend with the Masters event which took place in beautiful San Diego last month. I had a blast teaching wonderful students and meeting awesome painters! Below is a pic of me teaching at the Torrey Pines Gliderport in San Diego during the Weekend with the Masters event. Good times!

First day of workshop at Torrey Pines Gliderport

2013 PLEIN AIR PAINTING WORKSHOPS:

I am excited to announce that my 2013 plein air painting workshops have finally been posted!

For more info and registration details click here.

On a totally unrelated note, I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the final flight of the space shuttle Endeavor!  Flew directly overhead just as I stepped out of my house! Looked like some surreal sky whale pack with its two fighter jet dolphins escorting its slow tour of LA.
Weird and awe inspiring! Right place at the right time again :-)

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Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope it helps to give some kind of insight into my mind and general cosmology. I'm off to market now to purchase some pumpkins and irregularly shaped gourds. The fine smell of the cinnamon broom is perfuming my art studio, and soon small goblins and witches will be asking for sugary handouts!  

Have a fun filled Autumn with a Spooky Halloween and a Grateful Thanksgiving!

Serendipitous Summer

Here is one of my recent paintings of a cannon chamber in the Castel Sant D'Angelo from our Rome trip in Autumn 2011

'Cannon Room'..........oil on panel............9x12 inches

Greetings and Happy Summer!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! It’s been a long time coming, still not quite as hot as I’d like or remember from summers past.  But with this year’s wacky weather I should be careful what I wish for...don’t want it to turn out like that old Twilight Zone, you know the one.  

Recently returned from teaching a plein air workshop at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA. My, how I love that place!  Stone hot tubs with natural mineral water right on the cliffside overlooking the Pacific Ocean!  We stayed in the Artist’s Yurt; a small cylindrical wood cabin nestled in the hillside with ocean views.  We dined on organic food grown right on the property on a five thousand year old compost begun by the Esalen tribe of Native Americans.  On the second to last day I accidentally cut a small piece of my thumb off with the dangerously sharp grapefruit knife, so a part of me has most likely joined the five thousand year old compost  (or been inadvertently ingested by a vegan).  Imagine that, straight from vegan to cannibal, no middle step.  That’s soooo Esalen.  Like a riddle, wrapped in an enigma, and buried at the bottom of the sea.  How cool is that! I have included few pics of the workshop, but first a few quick announcements on my 'American Artist Magazine' article, upcoming OPA exhibition at the Evergreen Gallery and my 3 day plein air workshop at the Weekend With the Masters in September 2012.

NEW ARTICLE!

I am very excited to share that I have a new article about me in the July/August issue of American Artist Magazine! Copies are currently available at most major newsstands.
You can also order your copy online by clicking here

UPCOMING SHOWS:

My new painting ‘Traipsing in Trastevere’ was juried into OPA's  '21st Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils'. This wonderful event will be held at the beautiful Evergreen Fine Art Gallery in Colorado.
Opening reception is on Friday, June 22nd from 5 to 10pm.
For detailed information regarding this event click here

'Traipsing in Trastevere'.........oil on panel.........14x17 inches

2012 WORKSHOPS:

 I will be teaching three 'one day' plein air painting workshops this September at the 'Weekend With the Masters' in San Diego, CA.
The workshops are filling up fast so make sure to reserve your spot soon!
For details regarding registration, lodging and fees click here

ESALEN WORKSHOP,  JUNE 2012 PICS:

First day of workshop! 

 Students Usana, Terry and Jodie hard at work

 Here I am critiquing student while

holding up my freshly injured thumb to slow down bleeding

 The lovely Esalen gardens

 Hubby Ben enjoying his 43rd birthday at Esalen

 My awesome students! 

Clockwise from upper left: Ben (workshop assistant), Carol, Lucy, Mary, Janice,

Georgia, Vanessa, Terry, Jennifer (instructor), Usana, Donna, Sharon 

(Jodi missing from pic)

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Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.
May you have a radiant, inspiring and adventurous Summer!

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

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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

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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.

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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!