February Bouquet

 February Bouquet / Oil on black canvas / 5x7 / $68, including shipping
Please email me at carrieBjacobson@gmail.com if you'd like to buy this painting! 

SOON, THERE WILL BE FLOWERS. There will be gardens, and sunshine, hummingbirds and the smell of lawns being mowed. 

Already, here on the Eastern Shore, sunrise is before 7 and sunset after 5:30. Already, I have smelled the scent of spring - unmistakeable, indescribable - on the morning breeze. Already, I've heard the songs of springtime birds. 

Garden catalogs have arrived. Daffodil greenery has poked through the soil on the protected east side of the house. The tips of the trees and bushes along the roadways are starting to redden. My mind has turned to thoughts of mulch. 

We will make it. Spring will come, bringing warm days and new flowers, lush lawns, dogwoods shimmering in deep woods, laughing gulls calling on the breeze, the marsh grasses changing to that thin yellow green, tender with the season, with new life, with rebirth. With survival. 

***

Coda

(love is more thicker than forget)

love is more thicker than forget

more thinner than recall

more seldom than a wave is wet

more frequent than to fail

it is most mad and moonly

and less it shall unbe

than all the sea which only

is deeper than the sea

love is less always than to win

less never than alive

less bigger than the least begin

less littler than forgive

it is most sane and sunly

and more it cannot die

than all the sky which only

is higher than the sky

- e.e. cummings

Dancing Sunshine

Dancing Sunshine

Oil on blackened canvas, 36x48

THERE'S A THING that has happened to me now many times in my lengthening painting life. I get an idea of a painting I want to make - maybe even just a whisper of an idea - a ghost, a sliver of a thought. I know I want to make the piece, but I either can't see it, or just don't yet have the skills to paint it.  Blue Canada, the painting to the left here, was one of those. I knew it would be an amazing painting, but when I saw the scene, on a trip to the Atlantic Provinces with my friend, the terrific artist Heather MacLeod, I knew I wasn't ready to paint it. Today, it doesn't look particularly difficult or intimidating, but really, it was and is. There's almost nothing in it, and yet, it's a pretty cool painting. 

The sunflower piece above, Dancing Sunshine, is one I've had in my head for years - really, ever since I started making sunflower paintings.  But I hadn't been able to see it clearly enough to understand what was compelling me, what I wanted to do. 

From the photo, it doesn't look like anything special, I am afraid. This is one of the ones you really need to see in person. What attracts me, and makes me so happy, is the differences in thick and thin paint, the places where the nub of the canvas makes its way to the surface, or isn't covered at all. I love the looseness of the sunflowers and the feeling of their petals and colors and vibrance bursting onto the canvas. 

In my mind are several paintings that are calling to me, that I don't yet know how to paint, or have the skills to paint. I will just let them sit there until they force their way to the front and let me know it's time. 

***

Three Smalls

Shore Spring,

Oil on canvas, 6x12

Iris House

Oil on board, 6x6, not including frame

Three Ps

Oil on board, 6x6, not including frame

THESE THREE are headed for "Earthly Delights," my upcoming solo show at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, in Norfolk, VA. The show will open July 1 and run until the end of August. If you're in the area, I hope you'll stop in. The gardens are amazing - and it's been a long time since I've had a solo show. This is a real honor for me, and I'm excited about it! 

***

Dog of the Day

It's Koko! And she is happy on the couch, for sure. Paintings in the background are by Cynthia Rosen Malter (left) and Bethany Simpson. 

*** 

A Final Thought

"Art is man's nature; nature is God's art."

- Philip James Bailey

Flowers, flowers, flowers - and a Mexican Koko!

 Brown-eyed Susans

Oil on black canvas, 14x14

Please click here to email me for price and availability

AFTER A WEAK show in Tubac and a round of self-doubt and self-examination, I dove back in and started painting again, and it felt great.

I have a solo show in July and August at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, in Norfolk, VA, and I need 30-40 paintings for it. So I decided to paint florals, and just let the paint flow and take me where it takes me.

You people - the community that has grown up around my paintings - you people are so very sweet and so very supportive, it takes my breath away sometimes.

I write about the bad times as well as the good to share the experience, with you who love and admire and buy my art, and with other artists, especially younger ones, who might think that they are the only ones who doubt, who question, who wonder about their work and their direction. I've been making and selling art for a little while now - and that is not false modesty, but the truth: In terms of people making their living at art, I'm still a neophyte.

But I'm successful, and people buy and collect and love my paintings - and still, I question my direction, my purpose, my way. I wish artists with vast experience would share more about their doubts and missteps. I'd love to hear their questions and their answers.

Thank you, all of you who wrote and sent me your love and support. I truly appreciate it, and it always, always helps me gather my courage.

And that is what I'm doing. I'm experimenting, I'm painting with faith and verve, I am going to go where the path leads me, and I'm not painting scared. And guess what? It feels great.

Inset - Peonies, 6x6

Above - Peonies and Tiger Lilies, 12x36

Below, Bouquet on White, 16x16

***

Hola! 

DAD AND PAULA and I went to Nogales, Mexico, last week, so Paula could have some dentistry work done. They, and all their friends - and a number of other people I know - cross the border from Nogales, Arizona, to Nogales, Sonora, regularly for dentistry. The dentists are first-class, and the work is miles cheaper and way quicker. It's often more economical to fly to Tucson, get a hotel, drive to Nogales and have your dental work done, than to go to your own dentist down the street. To the right is the dentist in his waiting room. Below, Nogales, Sonora. 

Above, the border going into Mexico by car. Below, Paula walking toward the border you cross on foot. Dad and Paula park in Nogales, Arizona, and then walk across the border. Apparently, the line for cars to cross back into the US can be very long. 

Above, a Mexican Chinese restaurant. Below, a Mexican Koko! 

Look through the fence at the border return, above, and you can see the metal fence, now lined with razor wire, separating Nogales, Sonora, from Nogales, Arizona. Below, the line to get back into the US. It looked pretty long, but took us only about 25 minutes. 

***

Perro de la Dia

IT'S THE MEXICAN Koko, above! For those of you who might not be able to conjure up an image of the Virginian Koko, I have included a photo of her, below. Amazing likeness, si? 

***

A Final Thought

"Art has many avenues; love is carried through many vessels. Your oceans are your colours, your ship is your brush and your treasures are in your heart." 

- Moncy Barbour

Patty's Song

Patty's Song

Oil on canvas, 20x20

Please click here to contact me for price and availability

It's been raining here, raining and raining and raining, and while all that rain brings its issues - smelly, muddy dogs; a halt to the flower-planting; two leaks in the roof - it also creates a marvelous, quiet, focused atmosphere in which to paint. My studio (left) is the former boat garage, in the back yard, over near the west neighbors. On warm days, I leave the front and back doors open, and open all the windows. This is great for letting in the breeze, the sun and the light, but it also lets in the dogs and all their barking. Running in one door and out the other is a great game for them, too, and while I don't mind, it is distracting. But in the rain, my dog friends aren't interested in playing in the yard. Even when they are, no one is out to be barked at.

I've enjoyed the focused time to paint, and hope you like the pieces I've created. This one is from a gorgeous photograph taken by my talented friend Patty. 

*** 

Stuff I've Seen

Hahahaha! Saw this turkey-painted rock on the road to Arivaca, Arizona. I love that someone saw this, thought about it and then went back and painted it. 

***

Dog of the Day

Saw this loony Australian shepherd at the Richmond show. A cousin of Doc and Lulu! 

***

A Final Thought

"All forms of madness, bizarre habits, awkwardness in society, 

general clumsiness, are justified in the person who creates good art." 

- Roman Payne

Uncloudy Day

Uncloudy Day

Oil on deep black canvas, 36x36

Please click here to email me for price and availability

The smell of new-mown grass blew sharp and sweet on the wind yesterday, and this morning, the dark scent of the marsh spreads softly in the crisp dawn air. Dandelions brighten our lawn, and around town, forsythia seems to explode in bursts of brilliance, while pink and white trees trail petals like lace on their limbs and on the ground below. 

People are working on their boats, cleaning and shining and polishing, and we've heard that flounder are already running. Piles of sticks and leaves and brush and pinecones stand on lawns, and at the edges of the roads, and JD and John will pick them up, maybe this week, or maybe next, depending on when they have the time, and room in the ancient town truck. 

Bluebirds are building a nest at Pat's house, and the laughing gulls are here already, cackling away. Our azaleas are budding scarlet. I am hopeful that my lilac bush might bloom this year for the first time. 

I'm loving painting flowers, and coming alive as spring comes to the Eastern Shore. 

***

Stuff I've Seen

It's a little hard to make this out, but it is a giant sculpture of a road runner, in Las Cruces, NM. It must be 40 or 50 feet long! This was as close as I could get. 

If you see a cool, or strange, or heart-warming sight, and would like to share it with readers of The Accidental Artist, please send a jpg to me at carrieBjacobson@gmail.com! 

***

Dog of the Day

It's Batty, who lives with Blanco and Shadow, and 

my friend SaraBeth, in Tucson. She's a sweetie! 

***

A Final Thought

"Art is to console those who are broken by life." 

- Vincent Van Gogh

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. 

***

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! 

***

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?  

***

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!

***

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.

***

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... 

***

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. 

***

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. 

***

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. 

***

A Final Thought

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

-Wassily Kandinsky

Calendars, Tote Bags, Pillows - and a Discount, Too!

 Hope you all had wonderful Thanksgivings, filled with family and friends, love and warmth and an abundance of delicious food! I was lucky enough to celebrate with family in Connecticut and Rhode Island, and then come home and celebrate with Peter and the gang.

I spent part of the time making calendars for 2016, and they're on sale Sunday and Monday, at my store on Lulu.com - http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/carriejacobson. On Sunday,use the code TWOMOREDAYS at checkout and get 30 percent off. Monday, use the code ONEMOREDAY and get 25 percent off! The regular price is $13.88 each.

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I HAVE SOME FUN items on Fine Art America, too, like shower curtains, pillows and tote bag you see here... there are also note cards, mugs, coasters and I don't remember what else - all emblazoned with your favorite paintings.

You can click here to reach my page, or go to fineartamerica.com and search for me! I'm adding paintings all the time - if there's one you particularly love and it's not there, drop me an email and if I can put the painting up for you, I'm happy to do so.

***
AND CONTINUING in the self-promotional vein, the 101 Dogs Project is a great idea for a present! For $375, you or your giftee will receive a 12-inch-by-12-inch oil painting of your dog, a book or poster starring said dog, and some other items, too, depending on your sponsorship and your choices. Part of the money you give me will go to one of four dog-related groups, or to a dog-related group of your choice. And for a bigger sponsorship, you will get two paintings, or a bigger one! Check it out by clicking here, or go to jacobson-arts.com and poke around a little.

***

Dog of the Day

I bet this German shepherd puppy is pretty much all grown up now! 

I took this photo in the summer, at the South Norwalk Art Festival. 

***

A Final Thought

"One can have no smaller or greater mastery than mastery of oneself." 

- Leonardo da Vinci

Flowers for Jojo II

Flowers for Jojo II
Oil on canvas, 12x36
sold

The second in the series of florals I've painted since Jojo died.

Yet again, I am thankful and grateful that painting came into my life when it did. It's helping to get me through another difficult, sad time.

I'm healing, and Peter is healing, and that's good. Thank you, all of you, who have reached out. Knowing we have your love and support is tremendously helpful.

***

Still no Dog of the Day, sorry. Soon.

***
A Final Thought

"It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child." 

- Pablo Picasso

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? 

***

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)! 

***

The title of the painting comes from this quote:

"The earth laughs in flowers." 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson