Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Time to get to work....

One thing I love about Christmas is that for one moment...one day... everything is clean and sparkling and done. Nothing is hanging over your head to do. You can just sit and be in the moment with no laundry that has to be done, no mopping, no scrubbing the tubs.

Then comes the day after and all the havoc that brings. Boxes to break down and cart to the street and giant bags of wadded up wrapping paper. All of those irritating pieces of wire used to hold toys prisoner in their boxes have to be picked up and kept from the dog. Half eaten candy canes need to be pried off the floor. Irritating musical toys from relatives have to be "lost" or accidentally stepped on.

So here we go, back to the daily routine of chores. Actually there is something comforting in routines and things that can be accomplished, as mundane as they are. But I am looking forward already to the quiet satisfaction of next Christmas day...before the first wad of wrapping paper lands on the floor.

This painting is titled "Chores", is 12 x 12, oil on linen canvas. It is currently listed for sale on my website and on Etsy.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Morning Workout

There is nothing cooler to watch than a rower out in the morning mist, with the sun sparkeling thru the fog. My son used to row, and he used to be pretty good, until he discovered drama class and the girls there.

I think any rowing parent would tell you that the first time you see your child help lift up an 8 man shell over his shoulder is really something. Watching 8 uncoordinated, goofy teenagers get in the boat and smoothly row in time together can bring a proud tear to anyone. There is some kind of magic to it. Of course when they finish and get back on the dock, they turn back into manchildren. The spell kind of breaks a little.

Some Saturday morning in spring get some coffee and go to the Chattahoochee, on Riverside Drive. There are 5 teams practicing there, and you will see some great rowing.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Book Club

I have asked my friends to begin a book club with me. We used to have one BKTO (before kids took over). But that one progressed into more of a wine & whine club and less of a reading group. I have high hopes for this go around. We are first reading "Loving Frank", about Frank Lloyd Wright's mistresses. Apparently Tiger has nothing on him.

Somehow the ladies in this painting began to morph into my mother in law and her best friends. They often sat on the beach and read together. For those who know them, from left to right, are Nancy, JJ, Margaret and Katherine. In their honor I will rename this "Ponte Vedra Book Club". I am hoping that like these ladies, AKATWU, (after kids are through with us) my friends and I can hold our weekly meetings in the same place, with a little wine and whine.

9 x 12, oil on linen board.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

People in your corner......


I am having a self indulgent bit of reflection. I don't think anyone can get through life without those people who support, value and inspire them. I don't always recognize them for the angels on earth that they are. There are some in my life right now that may be moving from my geographical home but never from my heart. Although I am devasted, I am thankful for opportunities. Facebook is always there to post updates, but that just doesn't seem enough to me right now.


It is difficult to really thank people for kindnesses that salvage your day -a pat on the back, a nice email or long, gabby skype , or a gourmet dinner and hilarious conversation to get you through the week. One of my current angels gives me opportunities to shine that I would never have had-she seems to enjoy other's successes as much as her own, and has no idea of the value of her impact. I call her one of those "Life Changers". I like labels, when they are good, and I have labeled her.


There are also angels in disguise. They appear to be naughty and deviant but underneath their dry sarcasm are hearts as big Texas. Nothing picks me up more than a phone call or email from my group of funny people. They include family and friends and it is hard for me to match wits with them all. Times are difficult, and it is not easy to stay positive and true. Your PEOPLE remind you of who you are even when, especially when, you are letting the outside world dictate your course. They get you back where you need to be.


Here are to people in your corner, even if they no longer live round the corner.....
This painting is titled "Pt. Reyes Corner" and is 9 x 12. I will post it on Etsy shortly.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Thankful for ......rainy days?



For Thanksgiving I guess you could say I am thankful for rain-can you believe that I would say that living in Atlanta right now? You can sink a foot just walking across a lawn. I have mildew growing all over my house. But I love gray, rainy, misty days and should probably live in Seattle instead of the South. I get happy when skys are low and dusky blue. Gray days are difficult to paint though. This painting is more dusk than mist, no gray, lots of green and is of the Chattahoochee River. It is 24 x 36, and will be listed on my Etsy site shortly.




It was a nice weekend at the Mt. Pisgah Art Show. "Front Porch Planter" and some smaller paintings went to nice homes.




happy gobble gobble everyone.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

It's all about the pink.....

I have an 8 year old daughter. Her whole world has been pink since birth. I did manage to paint her walls a soft ballet pink
before she could choose bright bubblegum, so I consider it a victory. This week she announced that her favorite color was actually blue. I am heartbroken-the barbies are gone, American Girl and all of her outrageously expensive friends are shoved into the closet, the adorable Lilly dresses hidden under the bed where I am not to find them....and now this. I have a hippie chick, peace sign lovin', ABBA singin', blue jean wearin' preteen. I fear what is just around the corner.... goth boyfriends, her own facebook page and piercings. I think I like blue afterall.
"Pink Reflections", 22 x 28, oil and medium on canvas.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

More Reflections.....

I have nothing charming or witty to write-I have been home for many days with an ill child. I finally attacked a canvas with a pallette knife. This painting survived the brutality, others were far less fortunate. Between this and the giant Hershey bars a neighbor slipped to our kids on Halloween, I may retain my sanity.

"More Reflections", 22 x 28, oil and medium on canvas.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Just let the current take you... or paddle upstream?


Unfortunately I am prone to just drift along with the current. Situations develop though, when you have to paddle as hard as you can against the mainstream. I'm there now. It is not always fun to set a new course and to establish boundaries but it has to be done. Without boundaries I guess your river would turn into a big lake, with you rowing in circles.


This painting is "Chattahoochee Morning"- 40 x 30, oil and medium.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Time to pick up the brush again...


The sale last weekend was a huge success for all involved. "Waiting on Feeding Time" (see left) went home to a horse farm, which is where I knew it would go as I was painting it. Several others sold, such as Morning Coffee Run, Escape, and Jerry the Rooster. My painting ego got a giant boost.
I am proud to be part of a new painting group tentatively named The Picassos, and more details will follow as to our first show. These painters are sure a talented bunch and I am thrilled to be associated with them.

Friday, October 9, 2009

CCOS Charity Sale


On Friday and Saturday of next week, the 16th and 17th, Country Club of the South will be holding its annual garage sale, with some benefits going to Peachtree Hospice. It will be held from 8-2, at the old Stein Mart location at the corner of Jones Bridge and State Bridge roads. I will be set up there with my paintings as a "gallery' so come on by. There will be great stuff all around as several families are bringing loads of furniture.


This is a quick study I did recently. It will be listed on Etsy.com in a few minutes.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Bucket 'O Color

Is it 'O or O'? If one is writing a blog, one should know these things. Speaking of O -my new favorite blog is Orangette-it is a wonderful blog, written by Molly Wizenberg. I have her book "A Homemade Life" which is just a very cool cookbook/ memoir. (even though she is not out of her 20s yet!!) Molly and her husband have just opened a pizza joint in Seattle and the menu makes me want to grab a flight immediately. Plus she is very witty.

The painting above was done while my husband was on a ski trip in Feburary of last year. It was dreary out, the kids were climbing the walls and I needed some happy. It is 18 x 24, oil on canvas, and will be listed on Etsy.com in a few minutes.


Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Dad's Coats


I will get a new camera, really soon and then will be able to crop too!! Until then bear with me. But I am excited about this one. 16 x 16, oil on linen gallery wrapped canvas.

Monday, October 5, 2009

"Sabre's Flowers"


These flowers were done with impasto technique and charcoal and were quite fun! They have a lot of texture and a lot of pale color which my lame camera is not showing. 16 x 16 oil on canvas. Please contact me for pricing.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

"Morning Coffee Run"


Santa needs to bring Jenny a new camera! 9 x 12, oil on linen board. For purchase please contact me at jschultz05@comcast.net

Saturday, October 3, 2009

"Pearhaps...."

I love painting pears-they have so much personality.
8 x 8, oil on linen panel.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Wish you were here.......


I wish that Lake Burton was in my backyard. Here in Alpharetta. This is titled "Goldmine" as it is of Goldmine mountain. It was painted for my step sister in law who let me use her magical home on the lake. Sssh -she doesn't know it yet.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

"Wake Up"

I like waking up with a giant cup of coffee. Flowers would be nice too. I was working on reflections with this one, as the table had a shiny surface. Lots of scraping and dragging too. This is a 9 x 12 oil on linen board, framed, listed at $225. To order please email me at jschultz05@comcast.net.

Monday, September 28, 2009

A New Beginning....Again




In all art business classes, the instructors will tell you that you must have a blog! That is assuming that painters can write well, which is a bad assumption if you ask me. Anyway, here we go again. I swear I will keep up with this-really.


"Peonies" sold yesterday from the Etsy website and I am very happy. It will be shipping this morning. "Escape " sold at the Art House show last weekend, which was held to benefit the Shepherd Center.
So here's to my new beginning.....