Thursday, December 29, 2011

BLUE DETOUR

"Blue Detour" challenged me to keep working after I wanted to stop. The goal was simplification. I think I accomplished that but when I came back to the painting after two days, it cried out to me - "hello - you are not listening!"  I ignored it. Walked past it. Organized my office. Cleaned my pallette. Next day I stood in front of it for ten minutes - listening. "Hello - I need some purple!"  Of course! I added the purple and blue as you see it. Bingo!
"Blue Detour"   8x8" oil on panel   $150 unframed
First person to email me with "Blue Detour" in the subject line claims the painting and will be sent a PayPal invoice with shipping and tax included.   jennifer@evenhusfineart.com

Saturday, December 10, 2011

"Spirit Rising"

This piece went through 5 different scrub-downs. Originally the foreground was dark and purple and dominated the composition, so I finally relented and scrubbed it off - one of those - make-it-or-break-it situations. Sometimes you just have to do it - scrub away! Don't be afraid! Love how this eventually turned out.

"Spirit Rising" 8x10" oil on panel $200.00 framed.
First person to email me claims this painting and receives a PayPal invoice with shipping and tax added. jennifer@evenhusfineart.com Please put "Spirit Rising" in the subject line.

Thursday, December 08, 2011

Outbound

More negative painting here - love the grays and the loose brushstrokes. Complementary colors are dynamic! Playing with shapes here. This is an eye-catching piece - small but could be the focal point of your room! Or perfect for your desk!  8x10" oil on panel $150 unframed.
Available through artist jennifer@evenhusfineart.com. First person to email me will receive a PayPal invoice with tax and shipping added. Please put "Outbound" in the subject line.

Corner Turned

Love this odd little piece. A quick study - design, movement, thick and thin, negative painting.

8x8" oil on panel $150 unframed.
Available through artist jennifer@evenhusfineart.com
First person to email me claims the painting and will be sent a PayPal invoice with tax and
shipping included. Please put "Corner Turned" in the subject line.

Monday, December 05, 2011

Sparrow Haven

"Sparrow Haven" is filled with opposites - smooth/sharp, dark/light, quiet/noise, soft/hard, red/green . . . part of the reason this piece is eye-catching - it is best viewed from a distance. Click on it to enlarge and then step back from the computer monitor and you'll see the full impact.
"Sparrow Haven"  8x8" oil on panel   SOLD.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

First Friday Art Walk

JOIN ME at GALLERY 4 SOUTH
DOWNTOWN WENATCHEE
for the
FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK
December 2, 5:00 - 8:00pm

Friends, Food, Festivities, Fine Art
I have new oils on display. You're gonna love 'em!
Perfect for gift giving - Art keeps on giving - all year long!



"Dubious Dame"

Of course in this piece the buds have taken over the spotlight, much to the chagrin of the dazzling pinkish white peony who erroneously thinks that it's all about her! The red against the black make for a strong emotional statement and I love the top background with the touch of purple and geometric shapes that contrast with the frilly blossom.
"Dubious Dame" 12x12" Oil on panel. $425 Framed.
See at Gallery 4 South, Wenatchee, WA  509.470.7714

Monday, November 21, 2011

Midnight Confession

The other-worldly, exotic feel of this painting reminds me of waking from a dream in the middle of the night in a strange place. I've done my job when I have created a "feeling," not just a painting of flowers. This piece went through several stages of scrubbing out and repainting, allowing the image to evolve by itself.
"Midnight Confession" is square, 12x12" oil on archival panel.  NFS



Saturday, November 19, 2011

Coral Caper

In these latest florals, I'm working hard at focusing on composition rather than making the flowers perfect - which is impossible with peonies - one can only hope to get the "feel" or the "essence" of a peony. I love the placement of the buds and their dark leaves in this piece, and the blue gives it an ethereal feel.
"Coral Caper"   12x12" oil on archival panel.  SOLD  Thanks Robert T. of California 


"Nonchalant Rascal"

My goal with this piece was to "stay loose" - to get the "essence" of my "feeling" of these peonies. This last Spring we had a bumper crop of peonies. We have about 12 plants of various colors. This year, because of all the rain, they were huge, standing almost waist high! And the flowers themselves were larger than my open palm.
I pushed paint around, laying it on thick and thin, dark and light . . . and left it pretty abstract.
"Nonchalant Rascal"  12x12" oil on panel.    Framed $425.00. 
See at Gallery 4 South, Wenatchee, WA  509.470.7714

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Gloria's Plums

Love how the single leaf is trying to shelter the plums like a hen's wings over her eggs! I was blessed to gather plums from a tree in Gloria's back yard. I was there to photograph eggs in a nest for a project and when I turned and saw her plum tree heavy with fruit it took my breath away! The tree was not large and it was so full of fruit that it actually looked purple, maybe more Mediterranean blue than purple.
"Gloria's Plums"   8x8" Oil on panel  SOLD

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Que Syrah Syrah

"Que Syrah Syrah" I couldn't resist. As a child my mother played that song all the time, of course the spelling is a bit different. I love the shape of this leaf, and the abstract quality of the lower portion of this piece. I worked hard to create the translucent feel of the grapes, and to keep them as a bunch instead of individual.
12x12" Oil on canvas.  $200.00
Contact me at jennifer@evenhusfineart.com to purchase and you will receive a PayPal invoice with shipping and tax added. Please put "Que Syrah Syrah" in the subject line.

Simply Syrah

"Simply Syrah" is a scene from a vineyard in Quincy, Washington. Eastern Washington is teaming with new vineyards and tasting rooms. Lucky me because I love to paint grapes and vines and leaves. They offer endless compositions, colors, and delicious wine!
12x12" Oil on canvas   $200.00  Contact me at jennifer@evenhusfineart.com to purchase and you will receive a PayPal invoice with shipping and tax added. Please put "Simply Syrah" in the subject line.

Friday, September 02, 2011

First Friday Art Walk

JOIN ME DOWNTOWN WENATCHEE TONIGHT
for the
FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK  5:00 - 8:00pm
Friends, Food, Festivities, Fine Art





Tuesday, August 23, 2011

20 Paintings Continued in Studio - Painting Fourteen

"Secret Path"  Same location different view. As we explored this treasure by the sea, we traveled down a path that leads all the way out to the point. Love the tall grasses and the wildflowers. I wanted to use bold strokes and keep it simple, but also wanted to capture the "soul" of the location. What do you think?
"Secret Path"  $300.00 Framed   8x8" Oil on panel   
See at Gallery 4 South, Wenatchee, WA   Contact 509.470.7714

20 Paintings Continued in Studio - Painting Thirteen

"Ebey's Inlet" birthed from this favorite view many of us painted from. I began this piece like any other traditional landscape and it quickly wore the "landscape like everyone else's landscape" coat. Totally not me. So I dove in, as I am wont to do, knowing full well I might "ruin" the painting (the painting that really needed to be ruined) or "make" the painting.  Nine times out of ten, when I do that, I make the painting. I let go and just paint. Love this piece. It has energy and it's alive!
Ebey's Inlet  10x8"  Oil on panel. $325.00 SOLD thanks Gallery 4 South
See at Gallery 4 South, Wenatchee, WA   Contact 509.470.7714

Sunday, August 07, 2011

20 Paintings Continued in Studio - Painting Twelve

"Daisies in Lavender" was totally fun to paint. There's lots going on so it was a challenge to work with groupings of flowers instead of individual ones and I used the grasses as a connecting element with the direct complement of purple (yellow). There is quite a bit of negative painting in this small piece.
8x8"  oil on panel  

20 Paintings Continued in Studio - Painting Eleven

Another study from Stevens Pass - love the shape of the trees and the distant mountain with a little snow left at top. This is an 8x10" oil on panel. These small pieces will soon be for sale at auction. Check back to see how you can own an original!

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

20 Paintings Continued in Studio - Painting Ten

My Paint-Out continues, but as a Paint-In. This wonderful small oil is a scene on top of Stevens Pass. The clouds were literally sitting on the mountain creating fantastic shadows and crazy highlights where the sun kissed the snow field. Was so much fun to get back to my oils and mix just the perfect colors!  Ahhh...
Stevens Pass Snow Fields  8x10 oil on panel  $150 unframed
See at Daily Paintworks

20 Paintings in 5 Days - Painting Nine

Well, the Paint-Out is over and the 5 days have come and gone. We all painted our hearts out. My goal of 20 paintings was not realized but that's alright. I'll just carry the next eleven over into my studio using photo reference from Whidbey. It's the perfect temperature and no equipment to carry!

But I will miss my friend and painting buddy Pat Meras who kept me in hysterics all night, much to the dismay of our sleep deprived neighbors down the hall. We plan to write a novel about our experience at Camp Casey, using all of our painter friends as characters in this mystery comedy! It will be a best seller for sure!

This is my last piece, finished yesterday morning under a damp overcast Whidbey sky. I set out to look for a scene to paint and found one I liked just outside of Coupeville after stopping for a hot caramel chai.

I was about half way done and this older gentleman stopped, got out of his rig, and walked toward me. My hand slipped into my pocket where the mace spray was as I cordially greeted him.
He says, "I'm just curious, out of all the wonderful places on Whidbey Island to paint, why you would choose this particular view!?"  I laughed and pointed out the virtues of this location. The interesting shapes of the stand of trees, the colors in the foreground, the Albert Handel sky. I think I was trying to convince myself more than him. After telling me about Ebey landing and how fabulous that location was, he bid farewell and wished me good luck, not knowing that I had been at that location just the day before!

This was another great experience with my friends from the Northwest Pastel Society. Just hanging out with 30+ artists who have a passion for the same thing I do is inspiring. Watching other artists paint always informs your own painting, even if you don't realize it, and being asked to give painting advice to others is truly humbling.

Thanks everyone for adding to the magic of the last 5 days.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

20 Paintings in 5 Days - Painting Eight

Last piece of the day. We returned to the lavender farm and the lily pond. Always have loved lily pads and the designs they make. This is an example of the great design you can achieve. And no those are not fish. They are flat leaves floating on the surface of the water. I was more drawn to them and the energy they brought to the composition than the lily pads. So I minimized the detail and just worked with the water color to form shapes and emphasize the leaves.
This plein air piece is 9x12" on LaCarte

20 Paintings in 5 Days - Painting Seven

So the small one I did before this was pretty traditional - I wanted to get back to "me." So, using a different reference photo, this is where I went next. More expressionistic, more colorful. This is looking through reeds, grasses into the distance with mist rising from the bay.
This studio piece is 8x6" on Wallis Museum

20 Paintings in 5 Days - Painting Six

"Ebey's Marsh"
This is the first piece for today, Saturday, done from a photo taken the night before as the sun set. The light was magical.
This is a tiny studio study at 8x6" on Wallis Museum sandpaper
SOLD

20 Paintings in 5 Days - Painting Five

We found a fabulous lavender farm about 15 minutes up the road from where we are "camping." Yes, I know, this is not lavender. Along with the lavender, there were wonderful bunches of poppies here and there, and being my favorite flower to paint, I couldn't resist. What struck me with this composition were the seed pods punching out of the middle of the bunch of poppies. The color is subtle yet strong and I punched it up a bit with the turquoise. Poppies of course are always a challenge especially if there is a breeze. Love the contrast of the blue sky behind the red poppies.
This plein air piece is 9x12" on LaCarte

Friday, July 29, 2011

20 Paintings in 5 Days - Painting Four



After lunch we headed to the Whidbey Island Winery to set up our easels. I walked around for several moments looking for that "perfect" scene to paint. I wanted to paint the vineyards, but it just wasn't calling me. I kept coming back to this pot hanging on the side of the winery - I love the shadow shapes and colors!
I like the deep red at the bottom and the contrasting purple strip across with the shadow falling over it.
My goal with the flowers was to keep them as simple as possible with only a few strokes each.  I think I succeeded.
This plein air piece is 12x16"  on Sennelier LaCarte

20 Paintings in 5 Days - Painting Three

We are still at the Earth Sanctuary here. I loved the pattern of leaves and water here and tried to capture the abstract designs created with looking through the brush into the pond with sunlight filtering through.
This plein air piece is 8x8" on Wallis Museum  NFS

20 Paintings in 5 Days - Painting Two

This was quite the interesting journey. Thursday morning we traveled to the Earth Sanctuary. A privately owned parcel of land with trails, ponds, bull frogs, herons, water lilies, meditation centers, and even a labyrinth. I happened on what is called a prayer wheel. As I painted, this character appeared along with floating leaves and sunlight sprinkled on the ground. Lots of fun.
This plein air piece is 9x12" on Wallis Museum


20 Paintings in 5 Days - Painting One

So the challenge begins! We're here on Whidbey Island with our Northwest Pastel Society Group of over 30 painters. I arrived Wednesday late afternoon. This is my first piece painted from a photo I shot on my way over Stevens pass of a stand of aspens. Love aspen stands. The way the trunks stand tall and proud. The leaves quivering in the breeze and especially the dark spots on the trunks.
I strive to keep my work quite expressionist with abstract leanings.
This studio piece is 8x8" on Wallis Museum  SOLD

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

20 Paintings in 5 Days

So what are the chances of painting 20 paintings in 5 Days? I've given this a bit of thought (5 mintues worth) and think this might be fun. I leave tomorrow morning for the Whidbey Island NPS Plein Air Paint-Out. I like having goals. It gives me a deadline. 20 paintings in 5 days is totally possible. They may be small - 8x8" or 8x10" or 9x12".  Yup, let's give it a try. I'm already lovin' it! Check back often the next few days and see how I'm doing! 

Monday, July 25, 2011

Aspen Dance

This is my newest pastel. Done in the studio from a photo reference from a hike in the Methow last summer with my daughter. Just love aspen stands - and I wanted to create a more abstract piece and work on portraying just the "feel" of being there.
"Aspen Dance"   9x12"    NFS for now

Demo Fun at Soap Lake Art Guild


I thoroughly enjoyed giving my pastel presentation and demo last Wednesday. Thank you for inviting me! Your hospitality was wonderful and the smorgasbord delicious!

Everyone had interesting questions about the pastel medium and my techniques. I enjoyed sharing about the plethora of pastel paper available today compared to when I began in pastel some 30 years ago. My two favorite grounds today are Wallis and LaCarte.
The surface on the Wallis paper is a neutral pH, pigmented coating with an inert white aluminum oxide abrasive used to create the texture. The durable coating can be tinted or under painted using water, alcohol or solvent based media and will withstand extensive scrubbing and reworking.


Sennelier LaCarte is still my favorite of all time. There's just something about the surface, a finely ground pH neutral vegetable flake and cork that is applied by hand. The surface is uniform and wonderfully abrasive, promoting excellent pigment adhesion without requiring a lot of pastel for coverage. La Carte has a soft "touch" when compared to other sanded pastel papers, but still holds many layers of pastel.

Then I talked about the pastels themselves and all the different brands now available. When you paint in pastel, it's a good idea to have a good selection of colors, values and hardnesses within reach. You can see a small amount of my collection in these photos. I sort my pastels by color and then value.

The time came to dive into my demo. I used a photo reference of a stand of aspen I shot last summer when hiking with my daughter. Since my photo is for reference only, it is not unusual for my finished piece to be nothing like the photo and quite abstract. That's the fun of it - to use artistic license and play with lines, shapes, and colors.

This night was no different. Since I only had a short time, my beginnings had a long way to go, so I invited the crowd up to have their hand at laying on some color. And boy... did they ever improve the piece! They added red, muted bluish purple, midnight blue - hopefully I encouraged a few of them to pick up pastels again and begin a journey of wonder!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Pastel Demo at Las Brisas in Soap Lake Wednesday

Jen will give a pastel presentation during the Art Guild of Soap Lake 3rd Wednesday Art Presentation Night at Las Brisas Art Center in Soap Lake Wednesday, July 20 at 6:30pm.


Her signature color-drenched pastels will be the subject.
Jen plans to talk a little about materials and equipment and then dive into a pastel demo while talking about how she creates her abstract paintings using landscape reference material. Watch Jen use rich layers of pure color and broad strokes to create dynamic abstract paintings.

Las Brisas Art Center, Soap Lake, Washington

21058 Highway 17 N - Large white building
From Wenatchee just go to Quincy, to Ephrata and then to Soap Lake

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Bluebirds Over Mustard Field

This is the second plein air piece done Saturday in the foothills above Spokane. I was driving around looking for a scene to paint. I drove up a hill and looked around. Nothing really struck me until I turned all the way around and saw the mustard fields below me. I knew I wanted to paint this scene but I also knew it had to be abstract. I wanted to capture the "feeling" of the place. The "soul" of the place. I paused for a while letting the air seep into my skin. The sweet aroma of just-cut alfalfa brought back childhood memories.
Charcoal in hand, I placed a line, a smudge, a curve. Using the mustard field as my impetus, the place became mine.
9x12" pastel on Wallis

Sunset On a Country Road

This is a plein air piece done Saturday in the foothills above Spokane. Love using pastels for abstracts. Using landscape objects as reference to begin an abstract piece is totally fun because with abstract painting you are not locked into what is in front of you. You can move things around, change the colors, play with values and create magic!


9x12" pastel on Wallis

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Variations

Variations on a Landscape - Mt. Vernon Field
Mt. Vernon Field #4   12x9"   Pastel $150 unframed
Visit my website to purchase www.evenhusfineart.com


Saturday, May 28, 2011

Variations

Variations on a Landscape - Mt. Vernon Field

Mt. Vernon Field #1     12x16" Pastel     $150  unframed
Visit my website to purchase www.evenhusfineart.com
 
Mt. Vernon Field #2     9x12" Pastel     $150 unframed
Visit my website to purchase www.evenhusfineart.com

Mt. Vernon Field #3     9x12" Pastel     $150 unframed
Visit my website to purchase www.evenhusfineart.com


Pastels at Gallery 4 South

Decorating for Summer Company?
There's nothing like original art to liven up a room!
My pastels are still on display at Gallery 4 South
4 South Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee, WA
Florals, Still Lifes, Landscapes


Friday, April 01, 2011

Jen's Art Reception Tonight

Remember . . .
 
Jen Evenhus
Artist’s Reception Tonight April 1st
Gallery 4 South, Wenatchee 5-8pm
New Oil and Pastel Paintings
 
4 South Wenatchee Ave. Palouse/Wenatchee Ave.
Meet your friends, view exciting art, pottery, jewlery
and more while enjoying yummy hors d’oeuvres
If you cannot make it this evening, the show is up now,
so you can stop in today, plus my exhibit will hang until April 29.

April’s First Friday ArtWalk in Downtown Wenatchee April 1st
Enjoy these:
Art on the Avenue – wonderful sculptures on the street
Caffe Mela – Art & Photography
McDee’s Art Center - essential art supplies
Performing Arts Center – music in lower lobby
Two Rivers Gallery – display of Walter Grahams work
See you there!  Jen Evenhus


 

 

Saturday, March 26, 2011

"Vociferous" in NPS Members Exhibit


"Vociferous"
12x12" Pastel on LaCarte Card
Will be hanging in the Northwest Pastel Society
Member's Only Exhibit - Kirsten Gallery, Seattle
April 10-May 12, 2011
5320 Roosevelt Wy NE, Seattle, WA 98105  (206) 522-2011
$575.00 Framed in a slim elegant silver frame with double mat

Please come to the exhibit and if interested in purchasing this piece
please call the gallery for presale.

April Gallery Exhibit

You Are Invited to My Artist's Reception
Friday, April 1, 2011   5:00-8:00pm
Gallery 4 South
Wenatchee, WA
New pastels, small oils, large abstract oils
Enjoy dynamic art, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and great conversation!
Meet all your friends there!
If you cannot be there, visit their website
http://www.galley4south.com/ to see some of my work.
If you see something you'd like to purchase contact the gallery for presale.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Friends

When we painted plein air on Lopez Island, one of the favorite spots was Center Church. Well, the local herd of sheep was very friendly - I suppose they knew they were being painted!
They have such fun round bodies!
Don't you just love the oranges and pinks!
"Friends" 6x6 pastel on LaCarte   
$200 framed. Available at
Gallery 4 South, Wenatchee