Say a Little Prayer

Say a Little Prayer

Oil on canvas, 36x48

Please click here to email me for price and availability

When I started painting this large floral, I wanted to paint a chaos of color and shape, a song of blossoms and springtime, a poem of shade and bright sun - and I think I got there. I love the little stream winding through the foreground, and the small surprise of the three daisies in the middle of the garden. What do you think? 

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I AM GRATEFUL for all the big things, my husband, my family, my faith, my success. And I am grateful for small things, too. The smell of lilacs, the tenderness of a sleepy little dog, the delight of a beautiful iris garden in a neighbor's yard. I hope you are feeling lucky and grateful today. 

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Dog of the Day

 It's Doc, suspicious, thoughtful, scheming, shy, devilish. One of my favorite dogs, ever! 

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A Final Thought

"The beautiful is always bizarre." 

- Charles Beaudelaire

Daisies

Daisies

Oil on canvas, 10x20

sold

Well, the show in Florida was terrible for me, just terrible. I sold one small painting and three pillows, and that was it. The people at the show liked my paintings - but didn't want to part with their money. So I think the bottom line is that Florida just doesn't like me. And that's OK. I will put it on the list with a couple other states I believe I should avoid. 

After the show in the Not-So-Full-of-Sunshine State (it was cold and rainy for most of the show), I headed for Arizona - and am still heading there. For some reason, this trip has seemed loooong. I mean, it IS long - but this time, it's felt long. But I'm in El Paso, getting the oil changed in my van, so I'm almost done with the longest part of the drive - Texas. 

I had to wonder, as I was driving through West Texas, why it is that I love the open nothingness of Montana and Wyoming, while the open nothingness of Texas makes me just long to be gone. 

If you're in southern Arizona next week - and who wouldn't want to be??? - please come to the show in Tubac! It runs from Wednesday through Sunday. I'll let you all know my booth number when I have it, but I'm hoping I'll be in my regular space, on Plaza Road near Bunnuel Street. 

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Stuff  You've Seen

This fun sign is from my friend Laurel, visiting New Mexico. Good sign! If you have a photo of something fun or funny or poignant or just something that needs to be shared, please send it to me at carrieBjacobson@gmail.com. Thanks! 

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Dog of the Day

Best thing about the Florida show? The dogs! Here's one of my total favorites, Jack, who was with a couple artists in the show. Isn't he adorable?  

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A Final Thought

"There is no great honor than supporting someone's growth 

and evolution as a human being."

- Ellie Burrows

Summer Bouquet

Summer Bouquet

Oil on black canvas, with gold leaf, 30x30

Please click here to email me for price and availability

This painting is on its way Friday to Center Framing and Art in West Hartford Center, CT.  I've been in this gallery for longer than any other, and I love being represented by Lori. The gallery moved early this year, and I haven't seen the new digs yet, so I'm excited. I plan to paint in front of the shop for at least part of the morning, weather permitting. Ronet Noe will be there with me, also painting!

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A FRIEND ASKED today about my Abraham Lincoln paintings - an idea I had back in the summer, to paint Abraham Lincoln doing this and that, in 21st century America. I made one painting, of Abraham Lincoln jumping rope with a Muslim girl - and while I really liked the painting, it became clear to me that the Lincoln idea was a short road.

I've found a whole bunch of short roads while I've been on this journey. The underground bunnies, the tiny food paintings, tiny bird paintings, and to some degree, the swirly sky paintings. This last road might pick up again after a little detour, and who knows, maybe I will come back to some of the others.

It's interesting to me to see how - no matter how exciting the idea is - a few paintings in, I can tell whether there's more to go, or whether that's just it.

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Dog of the Day 

It's Henry, Cynthia and Kevin's new puppy, having his first bath. I can name a few Wachapreague dogs that could use a good bath... 

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A Final Thought

"If I could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint." 

- Edward Hopper

Good Day Sunshine

Good Day Sunshine

Oil on black canvas, 30x40

Please click here to email me for price and availability

Earlier in the year, I came to the conclusion that I must - must! - make paintings that are bolder, brighter, and even bigger than I've been making. And so, I am on my way. 

When you visit my tent this summer, you'll see fewer paintings on the walls. The colors will be more vivid. The images will be larger. 

 I'm going to concentrate on canvases that are 40x40, 40x60 and 20x60. I will have some 10x10s, and I believe I will have a small bin of paintings on panels and perhaps on paper, or canvas paper. But that's it. 

I will have to get my thick skin on, and be ready and willing to sit there and wait for the buyers to come along. There will be shows when I sell nothing. But that's OK. There are always shows where I sell nothing. My point in this will be to sell bigger paintings for bigger prices, and to stand out from the rest of the people at the shows. 

When I make smaller pieces - and I'm sure I will - they'll be available from me on line, and in some of my galleries. And I will always be happy to make smaller pieces on commission. 

So what do you think? Good idea? Bad one? Am I shooting myself in the foot? I'm interested in any and all feedback. 

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The other day, it was warm enough, even late in the afternoon, to hang laundry on the line. I did have to put it in the dryer for a few moments, but if it had had 30 more minutes on the line, it would have dried! Amazing. 

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Dog of the Day 

It's Koko, sitting pretty in the studio. Most days, she's still too much of a puppy to be a good studio dog. But every now and then, she has a spell of calmness and sits or sleeps out there. 

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A Final Thought

"There is no 'must' in art, because art is free." 

-Wassily Kandinsky