The art of being grateful

A big bunch of holly from the lovely big tree in our garden

It's just past the Thanksgiving celebration here in the USA. This is a holiday I adopted happily, and I cook up Lee's favourite's because he loves the holiday. We've had some interesting Thanksgivings over the years in various countries, making do with what we could find for the meal. Each one special, I should do a blog on that alone! Part of the tradition is to reel off a long list of things to be grateful for.
I have much to be thankful for - like this morning I Skype'd with my family in South Africa. My eldest nephew just had an operation, a success, but it was a relief to see his face and his lovely big smile and hear his delightful sly humour. Isn't technology a boon sometimes? But I don't understand how people can't get away from their electronic devices - they're connected 24/7/365. Ugh. I turn my phone off, my computer off. I think that's why voicemail and e-mail and facebook were invented - to walk away, and then walk back and check whenever you want to do so. I turned off my computer last Wednesday and didn't turn it back on until today, Saturday. Guess what? My e-mails were waiting for me, my facebook page gave me all the updates. My voicemail gave me my messages. The earth kept turning!
So, I am grateful for family, love, friends, health, cats and dogs who keep you grounded, and technology because it keeps me connected when I want to be connected. Oh, and VERY grateful for a glass of wine and good food.
I've been decorating the gallery for the Christmas season, it's early I think. However, it might be an art gallery but it's still retail. I'm also grateful for my gallery and the gift I have to make art. And the joy of making a living doing something I love. We've got big holly trees just outside our window in the garden - I walked past on my way to the gallery this morning, snipped off some and voila! I have an instant bunch of holiday cheer in a nice pottery vase.
And, I'm grateful for my dear Scots mother who taught me, "It' a great life, if you don't weaken!"

The Art of the Muse

My Africa, acrylic, burlap, canvas - ©2006 Anne Jenkins

When I was a small child in Africa I had an imaginary friend. I used to potter around having these very earnest conversations with her. I have no idea what her name was or if she even had one.
My godmother, a tough, funny lady from Yorkshire, was fascinated by this invisible friend. I would toddle around our two acres of garden and then off in to the woods chatting away to my imaginary friend and hardly aware of the entourage traipsing along behind me. Close to my heels was my dog, and whenever she visited, my godmother tiptoed close by, chortling happily. Ambrose, our night watchman, who had a special place in his heart for me, followed behind. He wasn’t instructed to, he just guarded me fiercely, nothing untoward would ever happen to his “nkosianne.”
When I grew older my family slowly forgot about my imaginary friend. Ambrose never wavered in his devotion. When I announced I was to be married, he traveled miles to come and inspect the husband to be while I visited home one weekend. He didn’t wax lyrical with enthusiasm. Perhaps I should have taken note, the marriage didn’t last.
Ambrose is no longer with us, hamba kahle my faithful Ambrose, but I am sure he is still guarding me in spirit, and no doubt shaking his head often.
But, I still talk to my imaginary friend. Only now I realize she is my muse. And I suppose she always was - she gave me more than fellowship as a tiny tot. She offered advice when I was going to be the world’s greatest ballerina at age eight, “why not?” and then as I kept growing taller and taller, She muttered, “Well, perhaps not.” She encouraged me to draw and experiment with colour, and slyly “do not keep inside the lines.” She practically held the pen and said “Write, damn it!” as I dithered over whether I could weave words together.
Muses are different things to different people. Some have real people or countries or cities. I have a non-existent friend/muse in my head. Thank goodness. It’s good to have someone else to argue with in your head, than just yourself. Maybe sometimes we have the good angel/bad angel thing going. Note to self, let the good angel win more often.
I don’t know if all creative people do this, but I can have long periods of what looks like inertia. I look as though I am doing nothing. But I am actually thinking a process through, or trying to work out how to do something, or what to do. Or I disappear in to fantasy land to see how it will all end up, or how I’d like it to end up.
All this in the mind experimentation is too much for one person, so an imaginary friend/muse is just what is needed. I’m glad I have had mine for so long.

the Art of doing good

Helping someone in need boosts the spirit. Helping lots of people in need really gives you a kick. It’s especially sweet when they are helping themselves and all you are doing is giving them a hand, or acting as cheerleader. I am hardly in a position to hand out largesse, financially or of the great wisdom variety. I’m pretty much living hand to mouth - albeit happily - I may not have much materially but that doesn‘t bother me at all. I am very rich in love, family and friends.
But what I am doing feels extra special. I am talking about The Bag of Hope project. I’m not trying to blow my own trumpet here - I’m not doing this on my own. Lee, my sister, Ruth, and her friend, Maurean, are involved and all the wonderful, cheerful characters that make up the Amandwe Support Group in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. We are truly a grassroots organization.
It’s primarily women helping women. We are nearly all women - except for Lee and a couple of other males involved. The story behind the project is this:
A group of unskilled women in rural Kwa-Zulu Natal, formed a support group for those living with HIV/AIDS, especially the orphaned children. But with a lack of skills, their problem was how to make some money. They lack skills but not determination. They believe in “Vukuzakhe“, Zulu for “Wake up and do it for yourself.“ They formed the Amandwe Support Group - Amandawe is the area they live in.
They are learning to sew and embroider, tutored by Ruth. They produce little fabric landscapes or pictures made from donated handmade and dyed fabric and thread. Ruth’s friend, Glenda of Amafu Fabrics, donates this glorious mountain of colour. Each picture is different and charmingly simple. Some depict African life, some are whimsical, others are embroidered over the hand-dyed fabric. They send the landscapes to me. Once here, Lee irons them on to canvas tote bags. I set up a website, face book page and the bags sell for $30 at my gallery. All profits go to the group.
The group think big - they participated in a community center to provide education, support and material help for the needy. They run a soup kitchen and feeding program for the little ones, a portion of the money from these bags goes directly to the soup kitchen. This is a safe zone for the children.
It is very heartwarming. But the thing that really amazes and enthralls me is to see how the ladies in the group have grown in confidence and artistic ability. When they started they made these little simple landscapes. We sold them. They made bigger and better landscapes - we sold more. They blossomed. Now the landscapes are more complex. They are still charming, emotional, funny and beautiful. The ladies quite rightly take great pride in their achievements. They are making money, “with my own hands,” and this modest sum means an enormous amount to each and every one of them. Not to mention the children they care for.
There are now similar projects in the U.K., Canada and Australia working with the group. A couple of the ladies have made and sold their own bags. They are fighting the odds and making progress and are more successful ever year. Go to the website and face book page (click LIKE of course) and see what we’re doing. thebagofhope.com

One of the latest landscapes for The LadyBug Shop here in Milford. Landscape by Elsie.

Art has lifted them up and at the same time, lifted us all. My small part in all this makes me feel very good. How sweet it is when this happens. And what a pleasure!

The art of a good week that was...

What a great week! I sniffle with cold … my nose runs and my throat crackles with coughs, so why do I think I just had a great week? Well, because it was:  1. I sold a painting. 2. The sun sparkles in a crisp, cold sky. 3. I made a good start on two commissions that have been waiting patiently for me. Perhaps the buyers who commissioned me are less patient, but they have been understanding. 4. Lee brought home some yummy Jamaican curried goat from a small stand in Dover for dinner. And, the big good news story: 5. I was amoung a small group of artists invited to participate in an Artist Roster Focus Group by the Delaware Division of the Arts.
It was a lively group with lots of ideas and opinions thrown out all the time. As a staff member of the DDOA said afterwards, “The atmosphere was electric.” It was informative, it was fun and we laughed a lot. I met some cool new friends, heard interesting new ideas and got a big buzz out of it. An updated and exciting roster of Delaware artists will be the result. They also served excellent cookies.
I might sound all ditzy as though I’ve been imbibing their pixie dust - but I am just constantly amazed by my new home, this wee State of Delaware. The support the state gives it’s artists is nothing short of exceptional. There are states that can barely spell art - and there are dreadful politicians who want to cut funding to the arts in states and nationally. By lucky happenstance I plonk myself down in a state that nurtures the arts and understands the importance of the arts - for children, for education, for adults, for the state and the country. But, very importantly, for the artists themselves.
Delaware also understands artists actually can make a living from their art - just like the guy on the road construction crew, the bank manager or shop assistant. They understand when I sell my paintings that money goes back in to the local economy. They also understand a rich diverse arts community brings tourists, and the accompanying tourist dollars, to the state. They understand art is good for the soul and the state needs to retain it’s artistic talent.
I wax lyrical but it is just so damn refreshing to have supportive government behind your back as an artist. It doesn’t guarantee people will like my art, or buy my art, but it gives me encouragement and support. That is priceless.

Fun in the sun .... it's the small things in life

And I have a nice apartment with lots of light and my cats played happily in the sun, we ate good food and drank nice wine. All is well with the world. Who cares about a flu sniffle or two - that will pass.
So, you can see why I had a good week. Here’s hoping for many more…

Successful art show opening reception

Okay, so I didn't post last week because I was getting my act together for the opening reception of my first show, "Canvasing Delaware," in my new gallery. It was very successful and sales were made! How sweet it is!
Lost track of time and taking photos but luckily one of my new friends, and excellent photographer, April Abel was on hand to snap some shots for me. Thanks for these April! Here's a short video just for fun..
http://animoto.com/play/nLK6NFemTUD4NViIYR0PCQ

Enjoy and I'll update you next week on joining a focus group for the Delaware Division of the Arts, more how sweet it is!!!

Must say Delaware really suits me just fine, thank you. Great wee state!

Art Trails column on online travel magazine

I'm cheating this week.... my blog is a link to my Art Trails column in the online travel magazine, American Roads... sit down, read and enjoy  http://www.americanroads.net/art-trails.htm

When Mr. Doubt visits

The troubling landscape on the mantle

I’m back at the farm. The painting thereof, that is to say. This time I’ve gone big - it’s a 30x40. I do love painting big. I’m reasonably happy with the way this one is going, however, I still prefer painting seascapes.  It’s that “reasonably happy” that’s the biggest problem.
Something in this one is bothering me, can’t quite put my finger on it. Here’s a photo of it above my favourite seascape. It’s still wet!
I find landscapes soothing to look at, I can get lost in the mists or bare fields. I wonder what’s over the horizon. I love the way the light and the colour changes  as you watch, the mood, the calmness, the joy, the saddness. Whatever it is you feel as you look at it - just like a seascape.
So, then… why is it, I have no doubts when I paint the sea. It’s just the right feeling every time. I do a landscape and Mr. Doubt arrives to visit immediately. He loves to linger in my mind and play jokes on me. Then I get nervous and start fussing at it. That’s usually when I mess it up.
I walked away from it some time ago. Now I just walked in to the studio, looked at the painting and picked up a palette knife to start fiddling. Then I thought, “Nope. Not going to - so there!” I put the knife down, picked up the painting and put it in the gallery, on the mantle above the seascape. I stood back and looked. For a long time. Still doubting. But this time, I’m going to leave it there until tomorrow. And then I’ll re-look at it. I WILL NOT pick up the palette knife to fiddle until I really do know what it is I want to change. I must start trusting myself with landscapes.
Let’s see what happens…..

Exploring Delaware back roads

Yesterday & Today, Delaware back roads

We explored the back roads of our new state for two days and what a grand time we had. We lunched at an out of the way tavern with newspaper for tablecloths, and met the fisherman having lunch with the owner, his boat still tied up outside after delivering the catch. You don‘t get a plate of flounder much fresher than that!
Completely deserted beaches with miles and miles of sand beckoned. We drove down roads marked ROAD CLOSED (well, it didn’t say DO NOT ENTER, okay?) and entered a wild, quiet area with a wealth of bird life - herons, cranes, egrets and more. We wandered around lonely marsh docks with old dilapidated fishing boats tied up alongside. Restored one-room school houses popped up in the middle of nowhere and falling down barns elegantly sat waiting for time to take it‘s ultimate toll.
We stood awed at marshes older than time with a thin strand of sand and trees protecting it from the ocean. And marveled how man can take these barrier strips of islands and turn them in to ugliness when surrounded by such beauty. Luckily Delaware has protected much of these areas and man is huddled in one corner. But I worry in time they’ll want more. They always do and then it’s ruined.
Little flat Delaware continues to impress us with it's big sky - and it certainly puts on a show with clouds and sparkle! It keep coming up when I paint it - and I just can't resist painting it!
We stumbled on a farm where they sell pork and veal direct to the public… “no preservatives, milk fed and humane slaughter” (is there such a thing?) Definitely must buy some with a group of friends as they sell either the entire pig or half pig. We bought direct from a farm in England and it was pork to stir good memories - tasting like pork we ate as children. I mean, it actually tasted like pork, not the stuff you get in mass supermarkets today.
A yummy Italian deli with charming staff and irresistible fare tempted us to spend far too much money on cheeses and salamis and wafer thin speck. We’ve savored two meals on the purchases already and can’t wait for the next one.
We never turned on our cell phones, didn’t touch a computer at all or listen to the news. We wanted to enjoy the time standing still and we did. Such bliss.
I’ve painted 2 of the scenes and have more still trying to jump out of my memory on to canvas. This one displayed is the painting of a strip of barrier island with the humans encroaching from the right. I’ve called it “Yesterday and Today.” I prefer the “yesterday” part, I don’t trust man to show any respect for the natural world. I also believe I am turning in to a cranky old fart as the years slip by!!

Red Farmhouse in Delaware

Red Farmhouse in Delaware

I decided to have a longer break from seascapes so I don’t get old on them, when I say that I mean, so I don’t get tired of them. Lack of enthusiasm shows right up there on top of any painting. You can’t hide it, at least, I can’t. Now the marsh scene I did recently was such a disaster I didn’t want to go there. Failure twice in a row would be too much. A while back I saw a lovely old red farmhouse nestled in the far end of a field - the crops went right up to the house it seemed. The farmers in Delaware do not waste an inch of land. I guess because there’s not much of it! And the scene has been at the back of my mind.
So I did a 16x20 study of it to see how it worked. For some silly reason I cut the canvas in half with sky and land, instead of thirds or more of one or the other. It looks wrong but at least it was on this small study and not a big canvas. I cheated and cropped it for a nicer effect in the photo. I like the feel of it though, so I think I will do it big. The wheat fields really turned out well in this one - lots of movement.
I’m not painting for a couple of days to get some rest, and get some writing I need to do done. Then Lee has a day off Monday, so we’re going to explore the back roads of our new state and I’ll take the camera along. And I’ll be back with lots of ideas and scenes to paint on Tuesday. It’ll be so nice to have the break!
Just hope this drizzly rain goes away, not that it matters that much but it would be nicer to visit the cool backroad bars on a sunny day!

Discovering Delaware ... or Canvasing Delaware

Fallow Field in Delaware

     The countryside around Delaware constantly reminds me of Holland - flat, tranquil and rural. Good biking country. And it’s lovely in its sparseness - it gets all moody with various marshes and wildlife reserves. There are fabulous beaches showing off big dunes and miles of sand, but some of the inland vistas are breathtaking for their sheer simplicity. This is a very small state but somehow, and unlike Holland,  it seems to have a big sky. I guess it’s the flatness. I think of big sky in Africa or Montana or Nevada. Not the East Coast - and here’s little Delaware with a BIG sky. Delaware is also changing the way I paint - and I just love it when that happens! A “new” always gets the creative juices flowing like nothing else - the sheer excitement of discovery.
     During my life as a professional artist, there’s been nothing subtle about my use of colour - tons of crimson, strong yellows, orange etc. Hardly any blending… just wham! Straight out of the jar. Now I suddenly find myself blending and lathering on layers of whites, soft blues, sweet greens, olive greens - only adding just a touch of red here and there. It just sort of happened, I didn’t think about it. And, strangest of all, it feels so right. Just as strong colour seemed to work before, now soft light is in.
     No doubt I’ll go back to strong colours every so often - I’m from Africa, it’s in my soul. Just like whenever I dance to African music, I wiggle my butt and yell “Ehh-yeh!” Just like whenever I hear a penny-whistle, my whole body starts to vibrate.
     I’ve decided the first show I have here is going to be called, “Canvasing Delaware,” (with thanks to my old New Orleans friend, Patrick Burke - wordsmith supreme - for suggesting titles.) The paintings will chronicle my introduction to my new state. I am so enjoying thinking of which scenes to paint, or seeing a scene and thinking “Well, if I leave that out ..” or “just use that section…” I have always enjoyed painting vignettes more than the whole, so this dear wee State’s topography suits me well. I was looking at a field and remarked to Lee, “I’ll just use that bit, make it smaller perhaps,” and Lee, typically American, replied, “Anne, you can’t make Delaware any smaller.” Sometimes I think there’s a bit of Texas in them all!
     There’s a field near here that’s lying fallow right now and there are a couple of scraggly old trees on the side. The small space is so sparse, open and inviting, it tricks you in to thinking it is huge and you could get lost in it. This is the 12x24 study I did for it, and I’m not sure I will do this one bigger. In it’s case, I think the small, long canvas captures the spirit of the place.

Puddles on the Path to the Beach

Puddles on the Path to South Bowers Beach

       When sage advice is given, I listen. I listened to my muse in the wine glass, as my friend and fabulous artist, Carol Lee Beckx, told me I should. 'Paint the sea,' it said. I drove out to discover a new beach, Bowers Beach. It’s just about 8 miles north of Milford. I headed to South Bowers beach, there’s a wee river runs through the town and you can‘t drive from one side to the other.
The drive out is lovely - rural and tranquil through farm country. And then you turn a corner and just know the sea is close. The atmosphere changes with a salty-ness about the air. I parked and walked up the path which was full of puddles from all the rain we’ve had lately. I’ve always loved skipping barefoot through puddles, age doesn’t seem to dim the pleasure. It’s an instant flashback to my happy childhood.
The beach appeared and it went on for ever - best of all, it was totally empty of people. In the distance was the vague white shapes of the houses of the village, and the first thought I had was, “Oh! how perfectly wonderful, another empty walking beach to enjoy!” Truly the Delaware coast is that way - whether its on the Atlantic or the Delaware Bay. There’s a bunch more I have to explore.
After Bowers I drove down to Big Stone Beach, thinking it might be just as lovely. The drive was just that - part of it wound through a wildlife reserve. I saw a golden eagle, a mother deer, 2 teenager deers alongside her, a hawk dived and lifted a mouse right off the side of the road. I stopped to watch - it was that quiet and without traffic, I could stop in the middle of the road. But, alas, the welcome was definitely not warm at the end of the road. Signs stated it was a private beach, a private road - no stopping, no standing. No anything it seems. There were only about 4-5 houses there, and it was vaguely creepy. So I dashed to the edge of the beach and took two photos and left. I’ll have to find out what the story is about the place.
I went straight back to the studio and this is the 18x24 study of “Puddles on the path to S Bowers Beach.”
It just felt right to be back painting the sea … although I am also eagerly, and with much excitement or trepidation, looking forward to my next big challenge when this local Delaware series is finished… my collaboration with the marvelous artists of the Amandwe Support Group in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. I work with them on The Bags of Hope project. Stay tuned, it should be interesting! Here's the Bag of Hope website : TheBagofHope.com

What to do when it's not working...

Section of Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, DE

THANK YOU to all for your good wishes during last weeks hurricane saga. I am so very happy to be here in my own home writing this weeks blog - last week I had visions of being blown to hell and gone, but Hurricane Irene was merciful to us. She blew over as a light Category 1 and then went her merry way. Some folks up North of us weren’t so lucky, I feel for them. So, now things have settled down, we find our eyes back on Tropical Waves, numbered storms threatening to build in to hurricanes. Let’s hope Katia, Lee, Maria, Ophelia, etc - all come to nothing. Although I’m not impressed about that name, Ophelia, who names a hurricane after some one who threw herself in to a river to drown?
I continue to build on inventory for my upcoming show, “Delmarva through New Eyes.” Since I’ve done 3 seascapes, I decided to go back to marsh painting. This is a section of the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge … just on the other side of the road from Slaughter Beach, a place which is obviously my muse at the moment. This is an 18x24  study I did for a big canvas to make sure I‘m in the right zone. And, nope, apparently I’m not.  I can’t seem to get the greens right. Marshes are wonderfully messy places. But even though I’m a messy painter, I struggled with this one. Last night over a glass of wine I pondered on why it wasn’t working. A light bulb went off in my head and it occurred to me.. I love doing the sea, don’t change tack in mid-stride for once. Why not just keep doing seascapes?  This study is going to lurk in the corner and I shall ignore it. And happily go back to painting the sea until the marshes call me and I can paint them once again. When it’s not working, don’t try and force it. The marshes will return, but until then… whoopee, seascapes I’m baaaaack!

Hurricane Irene

I CAN’T BELIEVE Hurricane Irene is heading our way. I have spent the past 6 years with a scarred and blown mind because of my experiences with Katrina and Rita. I believed my pysche had improved enough so we could move back near the beach in Delaware - although, before I said yes definitely, I checked the regularity of hurricanes in Delaware and was pleased to find it a rare, VERY rare, event.

And then, voila! I show up … obviously with a hurricane magnet on my back. I’ve been here just shy of 3 months. Bloody hell.

I am unable to write about art this week. My mind won’t go there now. So, instead I have stocked up on water, candles, food and wine. Filled the car just in case. And last night the nightmares returned.

I hope everyone in her direct path get the hell out of there, never mess with Ma Nature throwing a temper tantrum. You lose every time. We’ll watch and listen to warnings.

I also fervently hope when I write this blog next week, we’ll all be safe and sound in our own beds and no damage done. I really, really hope so.

DuPont Nature Center

This is the postcard now on sale at the center

There is a wonderful little facility at the mouth of the Mispillion River at Slaughter Beach, Delaware - the Dupont Nature Center. It is a treasure trove of information and fascinating stuff - like baby horseshoe crabs. Dawn, the manager, asked if I'd do a sketch of the center... now they're selling it on postcards.

When I went on Tuesday a family with about 5 kids in tow were visiting. It was such fun to hear the kids, they were so excited and interested in everything - take your kid, nephew, grandkid, whatever... it's a wonderful experience for them. On the deck there are strong binoculars and its cool to check out the birds and the view close up. If you are interested in birding, they've got a deal on a book on migrating birds thru Delaware... hurry while stocks last! There's a map at the bottom of this post to guide you in...
And don't forget to buy a couple of the cards to send to friends!

And check out their website http://www.dupontnaturecenter.org

See ya next week!

Startin' over by the sea and lovin' it!

Okay, I know I haven't been too good about posting lately - just had a tad much to handle I guess. But - now I am settled in my lovely light little apartment and my studio/gallery is up and running, so - I will do better. I have also been trying to take a little time to paint. I'm back in the mood to paint big. During the economic slowdown I painted small but now, to hell with it, I want to paint big again. I love it. So here's one I did - a 36x48 of Slaughter Beach which is 6 miles from our new home. I am just so happy to walk on a beach again. I knew I'd missed it but didn't realize how much. I had a commission to paint but put it aside and HAD to paint this. The sea was calling....
I am now going to try to post at least once a week

Great article about my new gallery

Thank you to Bryan and the gang at MilfordLive for the great article on my gallery opening
http://www.milfordlive.com/review/MilfordReview071911.pdf

Gallery opening!

So excited ...I am opening my new gallery Thursday, July 21 - hours will be Thursday-Saturday 10-5, any other day just call (302) 393-6629 and I'll open for you! Come on buy - looking forward to seeing you soon
annejenkinsart.com

my latest article on the travel ezine American Roads

http://www.americanroads.net/art-trails.htm

Article from Athens Banner Herald, Georgia

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/052911/liv_836408860.shtml

New Gallery

Life can be so exciting and there's always something new happening! I have a new gallery - it's a mess of boxes right now but once I get working on it full time (i.e. from tomorrow ... I HOPE) it should be fixed up quite quickly. More to come!