"Center of Attention"

"Center of Attention"

16"x14"

Oil on Canvas

     This is my #4 of the 30 in 30 challenge that Leslie Saeta is sponsoring. http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/2012/12/thirty-paintings-in-thirty-days.html 

I painted this from fresh flowers in a workshop taken with Nancy Madina.   Here is a link to her blog:

     I thought I was finished and signed my name.  But, you know when you set it aside to dry, step away from it for a few days, things can change.  It must have.  I knew there was something bugging me about it.  It just seems too bland or something.  I was playing with this teal color in another painting, looked over at this one, and wha lah!  I knew it needed a punch of teal.  It is much improved now.  I must have gotten my camera just a little crooked because I've inspected the painting and the vase is not really crooked.  (Whew).  I know I'm going to add a touch here and there before I call it good.  When I do, I'll take a better photo in good light and post the final painting along with a link to buy.  Thanks for looking!  I would also appreciate a like on my Facebook fan page:  Jay Neal Art!

Motherhood

"Motherhood"

28"x24" Original Oil on Canvas

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     I think the Lord has been teaching me about layers and depth.   Layers of his love.  Layers and depth of spirituality.  Seems like I've spent the last few weeks observing layers and depth in everything from depths of oceans to clouds in the sky.  This painting is a good example of layers and layers of color.  There is no telling how many layers there are of transparent oils.  The white that I used is the most lucius, buttery paint I've ever seen.  It's made by Richardson.  It makes all the other tubes that I have take a back seat.  This has a feminine feel to it, and I'm calling it "Motherhood".  My son and daughter-in-law are expecting their second baby in the spring.  Somehow, this just reminds me of the miracle of motherhood.  What do you think of the colors?

What a Dandy

"What a Dandy"

12"x12"

Original Oil on Wooden Panel

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     It's been just a few days since I got to paint.  Grandchildren coming in, church activities, and a new puppy!  Life is busy sometimes, but sometimes I just absolutely have to take a time out to paint.  It really is therapy for me.  I looked in my garden and couldn't decide which to paint first.  I finally chose these beautiful geraniums after contemplating how to get that rich and beautiful color.  I determined that Thalo Red would do it, and it did.  I love the contrast between the cool and warm colors, and the depth of the reds.  I was entertained today by my new little studio assistant, CeeZee, which was so much fun.  

Promises Reign

"Promises Reign"

16"x20" Original Oil

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     This marks another Mother's Day; one that I will mark down for all time in history.  It's the one that I will always remember.  For 19 years I prayed.  My heart grieved at the loss of my youngest son.  The one that I lost custody of.  In those days, it wasn't heard of to lose a child unless a mother was unfit as a mother.  But, I did.  For all those years I wanted relationship.  I prayed when I didn't even know how to pray.  Seems like everything came against me.  Then, I began to learn how to pray.  It was when I knew that something had to change or I wouldn't make it.  I had two older sons; it was for them that I lived.  Still, as a mother with a lost little sheep out there it was so very hard to hang on.  I learned to hang on to the One that would hold me...the One that would never leave me or forsake me. He was the One that would carry me through and teach me so many things.  I began to learn that all of his promises were yes for me.  I learned that God is all about restoration and relationships; between He and me (vertically) and between mankind (horizontally).  I learned that I can trust him.  That's what I did.  Things shifted and I traded my grief for trust and hope.  For those of you that have followed my blog, you know that my relationship has been restored with my son!  It's a miracle.  He's a miracle, walking out the plans that God has for him.  The other years were spent in prayer for him to come home.  This year it was spent in thankfulness, because he has come home! Thankful that I have three amazing, awesome, and wonderful sons that walk in the favor of the Lord.  They are reunited as brothers, and our family has been made whole.

     Today, I had to trade the box of kleenex for the roll of paper towels.  My heart runneth over with thankfulness, gratefulness, and joy.  

    Is there an area of your life that has lost hope?  Can I just tell you, that if you can verify in the Word of God, that it is his will and if you are praying his will...the answer is on the way!  Do not give up faith and hope in the One that can do all things.  Never, ever give up!  Amen.

Comfort

"Comfort"

16x20 Original Oil on Archival Canvas

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     Comfort, Texas is a haven of rest.  My husband and I came here to get away, rest, and spend some quality time together.  We agreed on "just us"for this trip.  I had to resist calling grandchildren and good friends to join us.  I wanted that.  But, I also wanted him.  He won out.  We have not really had any "just us" time in so long; almost a year.  We are staying at a beautiful place called the Haven River Inn, which is designed for a place of rest.  Ministers come here to recharge.  There is a beautiful river running through this place, and my hubby couldn't wait to get in.  He fished most of the day yesterday and I painted.  It's quiet.  No televisions, no noise.  He and the Lord.  Me and the Lord.  I couldn't help but think of the scripture in Hebrews that says, "I will never leave you or forsake you".  That's real comfort. God is so good.  As I look back, I can see so clearly how He was with me, even when I didn't realize it.  I know know, even when I'm the busiest that He is with me.  It's just so very good to take a time out once in awhile to reconnect with Him, and be quiet.   

Today is another day of comfort.   As we sit rocking on this porch almost silence listening to the birds, smelling bacon in the air, enjoying the presence of each other. This is the day we're going to do some exploring, and I'm sure laughing like we do.   

   

"Wild Thing"

"Wild Thing"

12x24" Oil on Canvas

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     Texas!  I just love Texas, and the wildflowers that live here.  This has been a very dry spring, so there aren't nearly enough of these beauties.  There are a few survivors...these yellow ones and the daisy's.  I rounded up this crock to fit the look.  I can just see this one hanging in someone's Shabby Chick living room.  I had so much fun painting this one.  I wish you could see it in real life.  This crock really looks like glass.  I changed the color temperature and added texture.  I really wish you could see it!

"Sweet Fragrance"

"Sweet Fragrance"

14x16

Original Oil on Canvas

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     Song of Songs 4:16 Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread everywhere. Let my beloved come into his garden and taste its choice fruits.

     I just couldn't help but think about the fragrance of the Lord as I painted this.  Man, He is so creative.  The very idea of how in the world he created each and every petal of these flowers wrecks my brain.  Then, to think of all of his creation...even the things that I don't know about.  My God is amazing.  I hope you enjoy this painting!  Tell me what you think about it.

Lilly is Single.

"Lilly is Single"

14x16

Original Oil on Canvas

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     Pretty Lilly here was the first painting that I did in the Nancy Medina workshop.  This also means that it is one of my very first oil paintings, done with a brush, and also done using fresh flowers as a model.  I chose this single big and full beauty very carefully, anticipating what kind of challenge I was up for.  I remember my heart was racing and I was beginning to sweat a bit.  I think that came from being among so many artists.  I know I began to compare myself to all the others before there was even a need to compare.  At the end of the day, I was unhappy with it, so I took it to my hotel room and continued to work.  I haven't had time to work on it until now, but I think a few days to soak in my training helped.  I've made lots of changes and I do love this one now!  My husband made the comment, that the glass looked just like a glass of water!  What more could I ask for? I am pleased with the sharp focal area and the subtle color changes within the painting. I think Nancy would really approve of my painting.   What about you?  Do you think the glass looks like it has water in it?  

Sunshine and Dreams

"Sunshine and Dreams"

16x20

Oil on Archival Panel

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     This painting was started on the last day of the Nancy Medina workshop.  We only had a few hours in the afternoon to paint, and the challenge was to paint a still life (from fresh flowers) with a clear vase.  The previous days were spent painting just a single flower, so this was a real challenge for me.  I carefully selected the flowers and arranged them, while contemplating whether or not I thought I could "do it".  Nancy sped through, kept pushing us to complete the steps in lightening speed.  I remember breaking out in a sweat a few times, in panic mode.  Finally, I had to just let intuition kick in and just "go for it".  I didn't complete it that day, rather got about 70% finished.  I brought it home and looked at it for a few days, wondering what to do.  Late one night, I decided to just "go for it" again.  I'm more than pleased!  My flowers are rich and my vase sparked with water!  I had to title it Sunshine and Dreams because of coarse the flowers name themselves and the dreamy feeling that it gives me causes me to anxiously await summer.  Can you think of a better title?  

     This one won't be going to Deep Creek Art Festival tomorrow.  It's not dry enough to varnish, but is up for grabs.  Follow the link above for buying information.  

Little Hummer

"Little Hummer"

Alcohol Ink on 6" Tile

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     Although I haven't posted on my blog in a few weeks, I have been a busy bee.  I got accepted into the Deep Creek Art Festival,  in Snyder, TX.  I've never done a show, and so have had lots and lots of decisions to make, including making a booth, finishing pieces, and creating pieces.  This is one of my latest creations.  I have wooden boxes that hold these tiles.  I can't wait to get them in.  I love little hummers, and they have started coming to our back yard.  We can't feed them yet, due to the horrific wind.  I think I would have sticky juice all over everything!  I plan to do a few more hummers over the next few days.  I'm also going to travel down to the hill country and enjoy some solitude and solid painting with an artist that I've admired for a few years, Nancy Medina.   I'm so excited to refresh, meet new friends, and learn some new techniques.  The show is April 25th, from 6-9 pm, and the 26th from 10 am until 4 pm; all at the coliseum.   Stop by my booth and sigh up for a FREE drawing!

Quest

Progress on my first painting in this "Quest" series. I'm on a quest to narrow down, think about, and hopefully come to some kind of conclusion as I who I am as an artist. I played with this outside in all the wind, as I kept my hubby company. Or maybe he kept me company. I have been wanting to do some art journaling and I love the work that Kelly Rae Roberts does. Since I am trying to figure some things out, I decided I'd just take the opportunity to play in this style for a bit. I used an old canvas that had already been painted over twice. I used "YES" paste to collage with, and discovered that acrylics don't stick to it well at all. Watercolor will, but acrylics will not. I used some symbolism in this piece and thought about all the things that I wanted to "release", I haven't answered my original question yet, at least on paper. I think I know deep down, but I'm going to give myself some time to contemplate and play. This whimsical approach was fun, and a change from my tight watercolors I've been doing lately. I'll probably add to it before calling it good.

Not the Typical Bed of Roses

"Not the Typical Bed of Roses"

9"x11"

Watercolor on 140# Arches Paper

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     This was a fun piece in anticipation of spring.  My roses have begun to leaf out and will be blooming soon.   I'm so glad.  It reminds me of His mercy being new each morning.  

In Progress

Started this watercolor from a photo of flowers that I think I took at Sam's Club.  I'm using Windsor Newton, Daniel Smith, and Dr. h Martin's Hydrus Liquids on 140# Arches paper.  I'm having fun, but must go to bed.