Abiquiu

Abiquiu

Oil on canvas, 10x10, $100

Last year, I painted in Abiquiu, NM, where Georgia O'Keeffe lived. (You pronounce it "Ah-bee-kyoo" - I asked). 

It's strange to paint in a place where a famous painter lived and painted. It would be like writing in Les Deux Magots, where Hemingway sat to write, or taking photographs of Half Dome in Yosemite, as Ansel Adams did. 

There's a part of me that rejoices in it, and hopes and believes and feels that the spirit of O'Keeffe will guide my eye and heart and hand. Then there's another part of me that's hopelessly aware that people might be looking at me thinking that I think I'm Georgia O'Keeffe. And that's the last thing I'd ever want. Do you know what I'm talking about? 

At any rate, I painted a year or so ago where O'Keeffe lived, and I took a lot of photos. This river, and the orange-red brush growing on its curving banks attracted me enormously. I couldn't find a safe place to pull in to paint, but I took a lot of photos, and enjoyed making this one. 

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Dog of the Day

I saw this dog in Oklahoma, guarding these two horses,

 and doing it pretty seriously, in spite of the fact that there was 

a barbed-wire fence, and really, no one around. 

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A final thought

"The world is what we think it is. 

If we can change our thoughts, we can change the world." 

- H.M. Tomlinson

Farm on the Ridge

Farm on the Ridge

Oil on black canvas, 24x24

Please click here to email me for price and shipping information

A couple years ago, I was in a plein-air paintout in upstate New York. On the drive there, I realized I was getting really, really sick. I stopped at the home of a friend (a scheduled stop), and got enough medicine and care to get me on my feet for the rest of the drive. 

Feeling somewhat better, I stopped to paint a farm on a ridge. Halfway through the painting, I realized all was not well, still. I ended up leaving of the event early, and skipping a show the following weekend. 

When I looked at the painting I'd made, I did think that maybe I should get sick more often. One of my collectors bought that painting, but I decided to paint is again, as part of the Red Barn series. 

I love the colors in this one, the light and dark reds, the high blue sky and the autumn-gold fields. I love the deep shadows in the front, and the collected buildings, huddled together on the ridge. 

And I love feeling healthy and well! 

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Dog of the Day

It's Jada, who lives with Elissa and her family in Stonington, CT. 

They adopted Jada, and I've always been so glad that they did. 

She loves them - and it is mutual - but like so many rescues, she's not an easy dog.

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A final thought

"To succeed in life, you need two things:
ignorance and confidence." 

- Mark Twain

Woodreau - and a Grand Project

Woodreau

Oil on canvas, 12x12

I made this painting of Woody for Sara Harley's Paws for Charity magazine, and then, in the rush and tumble of getting ready for the Origins Painting Trip, forgot to send it to her. Sigh. 

But the mag is GREAT even without Woodreau! Here's a link to Blurb, where you can see it, and order it, too. It looks like a wonderful book, rich with paintings, photographs and stories about the animals we love, and who love us back. 

Sara Harley lives in Canada, and has created Paws for Charity publications for many years. She also created the California Calling Painting Extravaganza book, and is making a book of the Origins Painting Trip. She's an excellent photographer with an active and engaging blog - Nova Scotia Postcards - and a truly gifted publisher. 

If you want a portrait of your pet, or you know someone who does, please contact me! Prices begin at $350 for the 12x12 size. 

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It's cold here, and an icy wind is blowing, but in the sunny shelter of the house, 

the daffodils are blooming as though it really felt like spring! 

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Dog of the Day

I think the truck cap is this guy's doghouse..

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A final thought

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal:

 it is the courage to continue that counts."

- Winston Churchill

Down the Fence Line - and Still Point Gallery

Down the Fence Line

Oil on canvas, 18x18

So far, my recent question about flower paintings vs. other categories of paintings I make has elicited interesting and varied responses.  Some people like flower paintings best, others like landscapes, others like my animal paintings. No votes yet for cowboy paintings! 

I'm in the midst of this farm series - the Red Barn series - and I really like it. I've always loved farms, and at one point, thought I might like to be a farmer. Then I realized how much work it is! 

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A FRIEND AND FOLLOWER of this blog told me about Still Point Art Gallery's regular online shows. Today, one of my paintings - "I Do" - is on the home page! All of you artists, sculptors and photographers in there might consider entering these shows. It's $25 for three images, and I believe it's fairly competitive. 

The work is shown on the website and in a lovely magazine that you can see online, or order on paper. Still Point publishes a variety of books, in addition to having the online gallery. Click here to reach the gallery's homepage. 

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Dog of the Day

Saw this dog outside the Island House restaurant, 

while Jojo and I were walking. He makes me think of Sam. 

Want your pet to be the Dog of the Day? Send a jpg to me at carrieBjacobson@gmail.com

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A final thought

"There was such a glory over everything. 

The sun came up like gold through the trees, 

and I felt like I was in heaven."

- Harriet Tubman

Wllow

Willow

Oil on canvas, 12x12

commission

Willow's family asked for her to be painted on a turquoise background - and I love it! It's a color I've never used for a background, and it makes me smile. Willow herself (I think she's a her) also makes me smile - that's one of the things about making dog paintings. I feel like I get to know the dogs, even though I'm painting from photographs. Willow traveled to Arizona with me, while she was drying. I missed her as a traveling companion, after I sent her off! 

Would you like a painting of your pet? Prices start at $350; it takes about eight weeks from the time I start to the time your painting is delivered, and start times depend on how many are in front of you in line. I love making paintings of pets - dogs, cats, turtles, goats, parrots, whatever! 

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Dog of the Day

It's Woody and Smokey, taking it easy after a tough day playing in the yard. 

Want your pet to be the Dog of the Day? Send a jpg to me at carrieBjacobson@gmail.com! 

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A final thought

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."

-Roger Caras

The Earth Laughs - and George!

The Earth Laughs

Oil on canvas, 24x24

This is the first time that I've used my petal-painting technique and the concrete-stained-glass background ideas together. I've been thinking about it for months, but have not had the courage to try until this painting. I think it works - what do you think? 

And while you're thinking about that, what do you think about my flower paintings in general? Do you like them as well as the landscapes and cowscapes? Better? Not at all? 

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Dog of the Day

It's George - in his new harness! Or, as one of his humans says, it's George, 

dressed for his job as a crossing guard. He is paid in cookies (not really)! 

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The title of the painting comes from this quote:

"The earth laughs in flowers." 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Pulaski Farm - and the Joys of Being Home

Pulaski Farm

Oil on canvas, 20x20

I'm home, and I'm so glad to be home! 

The Origins Painting Trip was wonderful. I made paintings that I really like, I spent great time with my dad and stepmother, and with friends in and around Tubac. And I learned a lot, painting on the Navajo reservation where I was born. It was enlightening to be on the reservation for an extended period, and it was a little depressing, as well. 

The show in Memphis had its moments, but only one sale, so that was a bit of a bleak ending to the trip. But I got home safe and sound, and am overjoyed to be with Peter again, and with the dogs, and to be sleeping in my own bed and painting in my little studio. 

The spring and summer show schedule is starting to get fleshed out, and I'm happy to have a few weeks to paint and build up some inventory before it all starts. 

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Here are a few of the paintings from my trip! 

Rocks, Fort Defiance, 10x10

Off Navajo Road, 20x20

Light and Shadow, 10x10

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Dog of the Day

It's Jojo, the dog of my heart. Was she ever happy to see me when I got home! And it was mutual.