Three new mixed media paintings from the summer


Bearings, mixed media on paper, image size 3.5 in. x 5 in., paper size 8 in. x 10 in., 2012

Today I've been getting my head back in the studio, after the last few weeks of caring for a sick pet, (who thankfully is much better now) getting ready for a new school year, and other things. This morning I cleaned and then looked through mixed media pieces on paper from the summer and have chosen three to share. Bearings (above), I remember and A place where. On these I have been working with watercolor, pastel, graphite, and colored pencil on paper and I have also been making oil on panel paintings. When I work on paper I can turn off my censors, quiet the inner critics and make work that is honest, almost gutteral in a way. I say what I am thinking and paint the way I want. The slower process of oil painting though, requires a different practice of maintaining a sense of rawness. I usually keep several oil paintings going at once so I can move from one to the next. Working on a fresh painting helps me not become habitual in the process. I know a number of other artists who do this as well. (The oil paintings have a ways to go before I can show you.)

Gem and Stone by Jen Altman

At the end of last week my contributor copies arrived of photographer Jen Altman's beautiful new art book, Gem and Stone, Jewels of Earth, Sea, and Sky. This hard-cover book is a beauty featuring full-spreads of Jen's captivating photographs.

When she was starting the entire process she contacted me about doing hand-drawn illustrations for her book. We discussed the concept, shared ideas and it was really a fun project to do. Since the book is soon-to-be-released I will wait to share glimpses of the spreads or of my drawings, which include a number of spot art pieces and watercolor and ink pieces. In the meantime head on over and pre-order your copy. You won't have to wait long! It's due out in the next week or two.

Thank you Jen!

This morning in the studio

 

This morning after responding to some good emails (one about a really fun new project and one continuing an interesting conversation with a college friend) I was walking towards the door, and stopped to look at the activity on my table. Maybe it's messy with its blue tape curls stuck all over or maybe it's simply a sign of a good work flow. I'm going with the latter.

If you'd like to see peeks of what I've been painting or other behind the scenes tidbits, please check out the Heather Smith Jones Art facebook page. Thanks!

Prairie on film

This past weekend we took a morning hike at the lake. The trail zig zagged by the water, which was rather peaceful, waves lapping the rocky beach, and the trail also wrapped around open fields. In all it was about a 4.5 mile hike, on a rather warm day, but thankfully it was largely shaded. With a picnic lunch of tempeh, lettuce, tomato sandwiches on homemade bread, watermelon, grapes from the garden, and homemade chocolate chip cookies we stopped mid-trail perching on a giant log to eat. I took my film camera and did snap a few photos, which reminded me of these film shots I took earlier this spring in the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. If these look familiar, maybe it's because I had shown you pics I took with my phone. This is probably part one of prairie on film.

Have a good Monday. I'm working on a couple new oil paintings today.