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!

Public art project...The train is in the park!!

Union Point City workers position the locomotive in the park

Here she is - ready for kids to have fun and learn their town's history! Great for photo ops!!

It was an honor to do this project... working with artist, Jan Whyllson, was a blast and we worked well together. I thank the Downtown Development Authority and Better Hometown of Union Point for this opportunity. The Grassroots Arts program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. GCA also receives support from its partner agency, the National Endowment for the Arts.

April Art Talk Column

I write an art talk column for about 5 newspapers in the region - here's April's

http://lakeoconeebreeze.net/local/x1142033925/Better-spring-weather-means-it-is-time-to-sample-the-area-art-offerings

Public art project stage 1 complete!

The public art project I've been involved with is almost completed. We finished painting the train today - and on Monday I start doing the varnishing alone. It will take about 4 coats - 2 with special UV protection. It's been a great learning experience - and great fun working with Jan! And being supervised by Jamie the poodle. It's a very sweet and cheerful wee train: here she is

When you're having fun ...

it's fun!! Here's a Honky Tonk scene painted with bubble paint over a mess I made of another painting - the inspiration is from one done by my good friend Hannah Cohen, a celebrated folk artist in New Orleans, only hers are better!!

The end of the daffs

I don't normally do still life, so 2 of the same subject in 3 days is something, wonder why? But I'm enjoying doing them, maybe it'll start off a new trend for me. oh - and the shine is because the paint's still wet. Size is 16x20

Spring daffodils

Lee came home Thursday with a little bunch of lovely spring daffodils for me. We put them in a big coffee mug made by a ceramic artist friend, it's a deep wonderful turquoisey blue. I love daffodils. I always think of walking through London's parks in spring. Happy memories. So I decided to paint them - the paint is still wet thus the shine!! Size is 16x20

View from Olga's apartment in Prague

I have a wonderful friend in Prague, she's just a fabulous person, a Czech poet of some renown and lives in the Old District - the Staremesto. I spent a few days with her in January 2010 and loved looking out her windows over the many church spires and red roofs and wonderful old architecture. I could step out her door and get lost in the wonderment of the old district and lovely people. We'd sip red wine and talk for hours with this incredible backdrop. It was a treat and often I wish myself there again ...

Public Art Project - stage 5

Jan (behind the train) and me working away under close watch by Jamie the supervisor

Doesn't she look grand?

We've gotten on a roll now - the wee train is looking good with the lady bugs about done, the flowers need a couple more coats, the fireflies are starting to glow and the historic district on the seat taking shape. It's just the most fun project!

Public Art Project - stage 3

Jamie the supervisor with his own bed in situ

the train is now on stilts to make it easier to work

We got the basic design and color sorted out today - it's starting to take shape very nicely - under the watchful eye of our supervisor, Jamie the poodle.

This program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. GCA also receives support from its partner agency, the National Endowment for the Arts.

Public art project

                                                                               I'm honored to be taking part in a public art project for the city of Union Point's Downtown Development Authority - painting the cutest wee train alongside artist, Jan Whyllson. Here's photos of stage 1 and 2 ... this is just great fun!
Right: Stage 1 - the sanding. Jan Whylllson in the hat
and me behind the chimney
and then below : stage 2 setting the background and design

 

This program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) through appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. GCA also receives support from its partner agency, the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ready to march...

The brass bands that lead second line parades, play at French Quarter Fest,  Jazz Fest, lots of clubs and all sorts of Mardi Gras fun. They make wonderful vignettes to paint of New Orleans life and are one of my recurring subjects. I loved painting them when I lived there and I still do, particularly when I'm missing New Orleans. It's like that Louis Armstrong song - "Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?" The area I lived in had a lot of musicians and artists. Music floated out of many buildings as you walked around from jazz to brass bands to a concert piano player running through a classical piece. Kids would walk home from school blowing quick blasts of sound from their horn of choice. It adds a charm to an old neighbourhood and is not found in silent modern cities.
Now I paint them from memory. They are wonderful musicians and great fun to know.

Must be Mardi Gras time

I miss New Orleans a lot and at this time of year, Mardi Gras time, brings back lots of good memories ... hence the new musical series based on the magical brass bands of NOLA! I always loved painting the musicians or especially the tuba players. I haven't painted them for a long time. An old time member of a brass band once told me, if the band ever got in trouble the tuba player was always the one caught. I asked why and he laughed. "Because he always got caught trying to get through the door," he replied. Always think of that when I paint and it still brings a smile to my face. This one is on a 12x24 wood panel.

Opened an ETSY shop....

I've opened a shop on the website ETSY - smaller pieces, easy to ship. Please go and check it out, bookmark it and return often and perhaps buy a piece! I'll add more pieces (one piece I added yesterday, I had to take off because I sold it this morning in the gallery!! YEAH!


http://www.etsy.com/shop/AnneJenkinsArt

more poppies

Finished painting these poppies a few days ago and now they are winging their way to England - may their new owners enjoy them for many years... it's a big painting over 30x30 but very cool. At least I think - hope the new owners agree!

Night at the Galleries

I'll be joining the "Night at the Galleries" exhibit at the Del Webb Clubhouse at Lake Oconee this Saturday.... if you live there, do stop by and say hello! They held the first one last year and it was an enjoyable evening -

I'll have some variations of poppies, a couple of Women of Courage and other paintings to show.

Art in the Pass

I will be showing again at the delightful art show, "Art in the Pass" in Pass Christian, MS the weekend of April 2 & 3. This show has a spectacular setting right on the Gulf of Mexico and the folks running it are a delight. If you are anywhere in the vicinity then, do make an effort to visit. Pass Christian is approximately an hour E of New Orleans. I'll post detailed information and directions nearer the time.
The photo is the view from my tent in 2010. I first did Art in the Pass back in in 2004, and apart from the gnats who devour me, I love the show - and it gives me a

chance to see my New Orleans artist friends again - always a treat!

my latest article up on travel ezine

Here's another art form I love - writing. I've been lucky to work with wonderful and patient editors, both newspaper and magazines, over the years who have taught me so much. I write, and usually do the photos for my articles, for a travel ezine AmericanRoads, published by Kathleen Wells - a prolific writer and a great supporter of writers and artists. I contribute the Art Trails, it's published quarterly. You can go back in the archives to read older editions (about 3-4 years worth of my meanders) if you feel so inclined. This one celebrates the art of quilts.
So, the first one for 2011 - you'll have to copy and paste the link in to your browser. For the life of me, I can't get this blog to accept my links! I guess I'll work it out one day

http://americanroads.net/Art-Trails.htm

Happy New Year!

Wishing you a very happy and prosperous 2011 - may the economy be vital and booming, may we have peace and health.

I have new ideas and plans for my art in 2011 - working more with mixed media, spreading my wings further and excited to be redirecting and rebuilding once again!! And I promise to blog regularly and keep everyone updated!