August Newsletter: Plein Air, Blueberry Prints, Progress on Art, and Fall Art Lessons

Published: Tue, 08/01/17

Jennie Traill Schaeffer: Teaching Artist
Dear ,

If you're like me, I'm feeling very mixed emotions about the beginning of August. I'm really enjoying the summer and wishing to savor each moment before we roll into September. While I greatly enjoy working, painting, and developing my business, I also acknowledge the need to take time off. I've built in some much-needed vacation time this summer to truly decompress. 

In June, I enjoyed a week of unscheduled time with the kids: going to the pool, having play dates, and just being home. I was ready to get back to work in July after my husband and I snuck away to Jim Thorpe one weekend without the kids! After our trip I was able to regroup and focus on teaching my adult classes, work on a new Wedding Cake Portrait commission, and introduce my new giclée, June's Pearls. This past week, I drove the kids with my sister, her son, and my mom out to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to visit my family. It was an informal reunion with all of my aunts and uncles, cousins, and second cousins and the first time my kids have been to Ann Arbor and met the cousins. Now that I've survived the 10-hour car ride out and back, I'm so ready to be in the studio again. 

Scroll down below to see what's coming up in August before I head off for one last family trip to celebrate my sister in law's marriage out in Jackson Hole, WY! 

Creatively,
 
I'm thrilled that I will be participating in my first Plein Air event, along with artists from surrounding towns in New Jersey. We will be creating PLEIN AIR PAINTINGS throughout the upcoming weekend at the many beautiful Essex County Parks. Our works will be judged on Sunday August 6th during the Celebration/Exhibition by award-winning artist, Mark de Mos of Morristown. "The purpose of this new event is to raise awareness of the beauty in our parks as seen through the eyes of the areas best artists. A display of the wide variety of artwork will be open to the public and available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Parks."

WATCH ME PAINT: Check in with me on Instagram or Facebook to see where I'll be painting on Friday, and to watch me paint live. 

COME TO THE EXHIBIT: Join me on Sunday from 6- 8pm at Gallery 508, in the Riker Hill Art Park, located at 276 Beaufort Ave in Livingston, NJ. The exhibit will run through August 25th, with hours on Wednesdays, 4 - 6pm and Saturdays, 2 - 4pm. ​​​​​​​
 
Add June's Pearls to your Home!
June's Pearls, my watercolor of ripening blueberries, is being offered as a limited edition giclée. Several have added it to their collections, or have given them as gifts. This image shows it matted in an archival, concrete colored bevel mat, sized for a ready-made 18" x 12" frame. They are being printed on demand by my local printer, upon receipt of orders. Turnaround time is about a week. Each print is hand-signed and numbered, and packaged in an archival clear bag. Free local pickup or delivery is available. Shipping via USPS is also offered within the U.S. 

$45 un-matted
$60 - $65 matted or mounted
shipping and tax is extra, where applicable
 
Progress on a New Wedding Cake Portrait
I've been hard at work developing a new Wedding Cake Portrait. I'm still in the initial drawing stages, awaiting approval to being painting, which I'm hopeful to do this week so I can aim to complete this prior to leaving for vacation. Keep an eye on Instagram for progress shots. I can't wait to get some color on that panel! 
 
Be on the Lookout for Fall Art Lessons
I know you haven't heard from me in a while about art lessons. I've taken some needed time off, taken a trip with my kids, and am ready to get back to teaching. I'm working this week on planning my fall schedule and making final decisions about where I'll be hosting classes. Please keep your eye on your inbox for updates as they are finalized. 
 
Both of my summer adult watercolor classes have spent the past few sessions focused on painting in short 20-minute periods of time to develop their ability to perceive the whole quickly and make quick judgements about what is essential to include in their work.

As artist Robert Genn said, "Better to have a small diamond, than a large piece of glass." 
 
Below image and art by student, Carin Cali, painted and photographed at South Mountain Reservation.