Jen Bowles Design

Bloom True: More Layers

I can't believe we're already into week 4 of Flora Bowley's Bloom True class.  Time flies when you're being brave and loving what you're learning!

At the last painting group get-together I attended, I worked on Layers 3 & 4 of my canvases.  We've been meeting at my mom's house, she's very welcoming☺.

There were 4 of us at this meeting:  me, my mom, friend Lynn, and cousin Penny.  It's always fun and interesting to see someone else's interpretation of the class--and how that translates to the canvases.  The great part about meeting in person is being able to exhange ideas, share materials, and see other people working.  Of course I'm easily distracted...but I love the kinship.

Here are some glimpses at our in-progress canvases...

Lynn

Penny

Mom

Me

I can only imagine what everyone's canvas will look like this coming weekend at painting group--with 2-4 more layers added.  Totally transformed, I'm sure!

I fell behind on last week's painting lessons and then just couldn't pull myself together to go to painting group this past weekend.  Yesterday afternoon though, I rallied and painted at home in my studio.

After Layer 5:

After Layer 6:

I used my fingers a lot on these latest layers--and loved it.  In fact, when I was done with the canvases for the day, I couldn't resist using up the rest of the paint on my palette.

First I did this background on a 4x6 canvas

Then I went to town on my Art Journal/Play Book. 

Are these backgrounds or nearly finished pages?  Who knows!

I used the last little bits of paint on a book page.
Very fun, very freeing and feeling very fortunate to be part of this journey!

Winter Cloche

It's stormy today but here along the coast we're just getting rain.

I can't say that I'm too upset about that.  I've decided that I'd be happy with a mild, make that very mild, winter.

The other morning we did wake up to a light dusting of snow.  The kind of snow you can just sprinkle some ice melt on the steps and call it clear, no snowblower required.  It was also the kind of snow that made a lovely backdrop for photos of my new winter cloche.

My Mom participated in the 12 Artsy Ornaments of Christmas mini workshop offered last month by several talented artists/bloggers.  Lucky me, I had a birthday and was gifted this wonderful winter cloche my mom created during the workshop.

My favorite thing is the blue silk bow around the glittered deer's neck

I also really like the {bleached} white bottle brush, pearl bedecked trees.

And the fence is adorable.

As is the sparkly, pearly topper.

Yep, I love it all.

And really, I'd be happy if this cloche was all the winter I experienced this year!

Handmade Banner LOVE

A few months back on my trip to Charlotte, NC  I got to visit with my wonderfully talented photographer friend, {Miss} Candy Howard.  You see, for one special year we shared a preschool classroom together.  As teachers.  Thus, the Miss Candy and Miss Jen☺. Now, almost 5 years and 1000 miles later, I'm proud to call her a friend.

During my April visit we spent a lovely day together: catching up, lunching on sushi and Candy attempting to impart some of her photography knowledge to me.  As a thank you for my one-on-one tutoring session, I made Candy one of my  vintage inspired banners.  I was secretly (ok, not so secretly) hoping she might be able to use it in her photography business...

Fast forward a few months later and, be still my heart, here it is!   Just as I pictured it, only so much better. 

Two darling sisters + a LOVE banner + an amazing photographer= pure sweetness.

Thank you Miss Candy, my banners never looked so good!

P.S. If you're in the Charlotte, NC area,  you should totally book Candy to capture a moment in time with your family!

Images are property of Candy Howard Photography, used with permission