So fun to work with Heather

So Heather designed this cute simple decorative mural painting for a client (twin girls), and it happened that I was able to help her this afternoon--bust out the finishing touches. She originally stopped by to drop off her two year old, so I could babysit while she finished her project, but we got to thinking how our projects go so much quicker when we're able to collaborate, so we left the children to watch themselves (it's okay--we do have two teenagers). I wish there was a way to convey the fun we have when we work together, but it's probably best kept secret, and it's not just because I enjoy watching Heather knock over cups of icky paint water and cans of diet coke (she's a bit clumsy [and first to tell you]), but because she completes me...I just can't quit her.

This little name banner is my favorite part of Heather's design.


Forgive the pictures--it is my sad camera, and mural pictures are always tricky when considering space and light.

(jen)

Here comes the sun--do do do do.

peacock pantry mural 2009

So I finished a little mural project yesterday. I appreciate Patti (the client), because she loves color and she's not afraid to show it. This piece is intended to hang on her pantry right smack dab in the middle of her kitchen/dining/living area. It's not often that a project this bold comes up, so hats off to Patti.

*Also, just a little note to the sun: Thank you sun for making a bashful appearance today. I see your rays streaming into my windows, and I encourage you to come straight out and show yourself. We miss you here in the Northwest. Don't you know you make us happy when skies are grey?

(jen)

Some updates

twinkle twinkle—designed by Heather, painted by jen

Okay, so first…I should explain that my back-up computer crashed. It was a reconstituted computer that had crashed a couple of years ago, so it’s not completely shocking, but a little disappointing. Thanks to my friends Jodi and Keith, I am borrowing this computer until I’m finished with finals—and really I feel a little guilty writing this, because it’s not completely necessary, but I feel I owe it to my and Heather’s [imaginary] public to state I don’t know how we will blog without my computer. I guess I need to save up my cookies and buy a new one…or better, strong-arm Heather into going public.

Oh, an important announcement: I just received conformation that Heather, Mary Hawk (artist/counselor), and jen (me) will have the opportunity to show our work at a building on Capitol Hill (Seattle) mid January through February. We’ll have little kick-off reception to open our modest show. I’m really excited because our art will compliment another well. *stay tuned for details.

As for the art, since my computer is gone, I again have no images. I considered borrowing a picture or two from my friends’ computer; there seem to be a lot of pictures of their kids eating ice cream. I decided against borrowing. Instead I dug through prep sketches for a mural project Heather and I did. It was a storybook theme. There were 3 sketches between us, and to keep it fair, I did one, she did one, and the third she designed and I painted. So the first picture shown is her original design re-painted by me for our final sketch, and the one below is a final sketch I designed and painted.

Hope to touch base soon.

(jen)

this old man--by jen

A Favorite Mural & *new links*

This is a photo of a mural Heather and I recently did for a nursery. I was the photographer that day, so I apologize for the quality of the photo (but I'm not entirely to blame, it was also a gloomy rainy Seattle day, so I was working with limited light source). This work is designed by Heather and painted by me--a circus theme--which is actually a running joke with us. Heather loves circus themes; I think the fact she keeps suggesting them to clients helps her work through her deep seeded fear of clowns (notice no clowns?). We've both painted children's furniture in the past, and Heather was fortunate enough to be able to paint her walls while growing up, so that may have something to do with most of our murals being children's themes. We do occasional "grown up" designs, but mostly gravitate toward children's projects...they are the most fun clients to gain inspiration from.

As for this week's three links that don't stink:

20/20 Vision--Burien Arts Association art show, so this one is for the Seattle locals. *please note the $40*

Pierre Riche--cool sculptor.

Mo Willems--super funny author/illustrator. I actually once went to his book signing (Knuffle Bunny Too), while my kids were in school. I think I may have been the only grown up unaccompanied by a child, but it was worth it--he's so entertaining. *check out Pigeon Presents* and play hot dog dress up & Elephant and Piggie Dance Game

(jen)