I am working on kick starting my attempt at keeping folks informed about what is going on in my art world.  Historically I have vowed the same intention only to have it fall by the wayside.

It would be a great incentive for me to get encouragement from followers.  SO, please contact me and give me a kick-in-the-pants when I falter.

Recently I had 2 paintings juried into the A. E. Backus Museum "Best of the Best" show/sale held once a year.  AND.....one of the paintings sold the first day the show opened to the public.  Color me a very happy artist.  Top painting 8" x 12"  Available        Bottom painting   12" x 9"  Sold

  

It has been quite a while since I have posted on my blog.  Life just got in the way.  In 2015 my husband and I Sold and moved from our home of over 20 years in Ocala, bought a new home in Ocala, downsizing....in other words trying to fit too many possessions and memories into a smaller space.

Then we decided it would be fun to spend summers away from Florida, where we both had lived almost all of our lives.  So we bought a camper and off we went to Franklin, NC.  As if that wasn't enough after a couple of summers we decided to give up camping and BUY A CABIN, so we sold the camper.

It took us a couple of years to realize that living in two places wasn't all it is cracked up to be.  Hauling things back and forth.  Wanting to be in one place when we were in the other. Missing the Grandchildren was the worst.  So....we sold the cabin.

Now we were living in Ocala in a smaller house than previously.  We had experienced being involved with our two older grandchildren - and thoroughly loved every minute of it.  Now one was off to college and the other well on her way in High School...not much time for Grandmother and Grandfather.

Our younger son lived in Ft. Pierce, FL and  had started his family with a son of his own.  He asked us to return to Ft. Pierce to live, where we had lived for over 20 years and raised our sons.  It was wonderful to be asked!  We looked forward to be in the life of our last grandschild and watch him grow up as we had done with our older two.  Soooooo, you guessed it, sold the Ocala house, bought a house in Ft. Pierce and off we went.

Through all those moves I had continued to paint and participate in shows.  My work took me to 3 separate solo exhibits at the Capital in Tallahassee, earned me a visit to the White House with my Hand Painted  Ornament for the Official White House Christmas Tree,  a one woman show at the Appleton Museum, another one woman show at Sante Fe College as well as other memorable events along the way.

We are now settled - for the last time - and looking forward to new adventures.  I will keep you posted as life progresses.  Oh, by the way,  I opened my very own Fine Art Gallery in Ft. Pierce.  I will save that news for the next post.

Lots of Holidays just around the corner

Roseate Spoonbill

While shopping at our local mall this past weekend I noticed that holiday decorations are going up everywhere.  Which made me think of  my hand painted glass ornaments.  In the past  most people have collected  my Christmas ornaments.  This year I'm adding  Halloween ornaments to the collection.  Yep, keep watching here for Pumpkins and Ghosts.  

White Egret

Of course, I still offer the bird collection too.  Choose from the following list:

Roseate Spoonbill, White Egret, Great Blue Heron, Sandhill Crane, Tom Turkey, King Fisher, Pheasant and Cardinal.

If there is one that you would like that is not on this list, let me know.  I will design one especially for you.

Day 5 - Artist Challenge

Grey Day

For Day 5, the last day of the Artist Challenge, I have chosen two paintings that are a bit different from venues I gravitate to.

"Grey Day" was painted during a plein air event in Evinston, FL. a few years ago.  Wild flowers were in bloom and the day was dark and overcast.  I had just finished painting the Wood and Swink Post Office when this scene caught my eye.

Golden Pathway

"Golden Pathway", the second painting is a studio work inspired by photos from a trip.  The light that day was spectacular.  The sun shown through a veil of mist making everything take on a golden hue.

The last painting in the challenge, "Summer Solitude",  is a recent one, again inspired by work on Bud Adams Cattle Ranch.  (I told you I have spent a lot of time painting on the ranch.)

This was a gorgeous day, late in the afternoon when the sun casts a warm glow causing the clouds to brighten and the tall grasses to turn brilliant oranges, golden yellows and warm reds.

Now for my challenge:  Susan Cassens, Kathleen Chenet, Sean Dowie, Michael Enns,
and Elizabeth Ferber.  All are very talented artists and friends.  I know you will enjoy seeing their work.

Summer Solitude

Day 4 - Artist Challenge

Day 4 of the Artist Challenge brings more memories.  This painting of a Royal Poinciana Tree and Coconut Palm was inspired by many painting trips to the Ft. Pierce Inlet.  It is in the private collection Ft. Pierce natives who live on the Indian River Lagoon.

The Lagoon also inspired the Roseate Spoonbill painting.  Kayaking on the Lagoon reveals many hidden treasures.  

And, of course, another painting from Bud Adams Cattle Ranch.

                                                                                                                                 

Day 3 - Artist Challenge

Salt Springs

Seminole Hut on Adams Ranch

 I paint all around Florida but find I most
enjoy painting the interior.  The hammocks, pine forests, rivers of grass and natural springs and river hold more of a mystery for me as a painter than sandy beaches and coconut palms.

Don't get me wrong, I also like to paint swaying palms and crashing waves, just not as often.

Pine Forest

Day Two Artist Challenge

Day Two of the Artist Challenge brings back more memories of plein air painting in the 90's on the Bud Adams sprawling cattle ranch in St. Lucie County.  Bud kept his property as close to "natural" as possible, instructing his cowboys to eliminate any plants not native to Florida.

No hunting was allowed on the property so wildlife was abundant.

White tailed deer, flocks of wild turkeys, egrets, herons, ibis, alligators, etc. could be seen on every trip onto the ranch.

These are three paintings from those "good ole days".

5 Day Artist Challenge

If you enjoy seeing original art of all types now is the time to be on Face Book.  A challenge is circulating throughout the arts community with individual artists challenging artists of their choice to post 3 of their works each day for 5 days, then that artists challenges other artists to do the same.

What makes this so exciting for everyone is that all on Face Book get to see and enjoy art that they otherwise may not have had the opportunity to see.  New artists may be discovered by collectors and friendships forged.

My friend and artists Susan Koon has honored me with this challenge.  This is day one and these are my three paintings.

 

Wishing All A Wonderful Thanksgiving

As I plan my Thanksgiving meal and think about both of my sons and their families joining Harry and me for the day I am truly grateful.  I am fortunate to have dear friends and family filling my life with joy.

I send warm thoughts your way as we all give thanks for what we have and the love that surrounds us.

Three New Ornament Designs

My first attempt to paint a Christmas Ornament was when I created an ornament for the White House Christmas Tree that represented the State of Florida.

As a result, my series titled "Florida Native Birds" was born.  This year I have added two new images to my original series: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, Kingfisher.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird 

Although the Humming Bird migrates through Florida I decided to include it in the collection because it is seen in so many parts of the state.  

Quoting from Field Guide to the Birds by Roger Tory Peterson,

 "They are the smallest of all birds; iridescent, with long needle-like bills for sipping nectar from flowers.  The wing-motion is so rapid that the wings look like blurry gauze.  Ruby-Throats are metallic green above; males with glowing red throats; females with white throats.  Range: Breeds from Gulf of St. Lawrence and Saskatchewan to Gulf of Mexico; winters from Florida south." 

Kingfisher

Again from Peterson:

"Hovering on rapidly beating wings in one spot above the water in readiness for the plunge, or flying with peculiar uneven wing-beats, rattling as it goes, the Kingfisher is easily learned by the novice. Perched, it is big headed and big billed, larger than a Robin, blue-gray above, with a ragged crest and one (male) or two (female) broad breast-bands."


My brother and his wife are Florida natives (like me) but spend part of the year in South Dakota. They have shared stories with me about the abundance of Ring-Necked Pheasants in that area, their graceful flight and beautiful plumage.  So, I am beginning another series starting with the Ring-necked Pheasant, but have yet to come up with a title.  If you have a suggestion please let me know.

Ring-Necked Pheasant

Peterson:  "A large chicken-like or game-cock-like bird with a long, sweeping pointed tail.  The male is highly colored with a white neck-ring.  Established in farming country mainly north of Mason and Dixon Line and north only as far as deep snows will allow."

All three new ornaments are available along with: Roseate Spoonbill, White Egret, Great Blue Heron, Tom Turkey, White Ibis and Sandhill Crane.

Christmas Ornaments-Time to order

I hate to say it but.........time to order Christmas ornaments!  Last year got crazy close to Christmas so I thought I would get started early in order to get them all finished on time.

Go to my web site to see the collection.   Www.jackieschindehette.net

No Fine Art Festivals This Year

I have had a wonderful time participating in Fine Art Festivles these last 20 years from the great Coconut Grove festival in south Florida,  Chain of Parks in Tallahassee, Under the Oaks in Vero Beach and Gasperilla in Tampa to name a few.

So, I have decided to take a break from festivals this year.  Anyone expecting to see me and my work at a particular show can see new paintings and fine art giclee reproductions on my web site or contact me to arrange a visit to my studio in Ocala. 

You cam also follow my blog to see all that is new and what I am up to. You may be surprised cause change is in the wind!

Third Group of Five "Cedar Key Sunset"

This third set of five miniature oil paintings was inspired by a trip I took to Cedar Key.  I stayed longer than planned and was treated to a wonderful display of evening color flooding the marsh.

If you have not been to Cedar Key on the North West side of Florida put it on your bucket list.  This little fishing village is right on the water and filled with quaint shops and restaurants serving fabulous seafood.

Number 2, Set of 5 "Cloud Burst"

"Cloud Burst"

With all the rain we have been having in Ocala I had to include a rainy day in my Collection of 50 for the law firm.  This is Number 2, Set of 5 from that collection.

Rainey and foggy days are fun to paint because they are so low key.  The chroma must be kept in close range as well as the value.

The First Set of Five

This first set of five original oil paintings from the 50 collection is titled "Everglades Sawgrass".  These scenes are indelibly burned into my memory from the many times I drove across Alligator Alley from Miami to Naples and back again.

Painting in groups of five allowed me to focus on the type of landscape as a group.  I could also use most of the same paint mixtures in each of the five, so I did not have to mix new paint for the next painting, which kept me from wasting paint.  And all oil painters know how expensive that can be.

50 Paintings Commissioned

50 Miniature Paintings

It is great to be contacted...totally out of the blue....for a commission.  A Miami law firm emailed to say they found my web site, liked my work and commissioned 50 miniature paintings to be given as gifts to their clients.

Thank goodness I had a couple of months to work on the collection!  No two paintings were to be exactly the same!  Even though the paintings are 4"x6" I got drawn into each one as if it was a much larger work so this became a bigger challenge than I anticipated.

Painting images were chosen by the Firm from my web site that they wantedwww.jackieschindehette.net represented in the miniature collection.  I used the content in those paintings to compose 5 paintings each...no two paintings alike.

The above photo is the total collection.  Yep, count them...there are fifty, 4"x6" original oil paintings shown.

The Law Firm has received the collection and love the paintings.  And I have received my check.

All is good!

Keep watching my blog .... I will be posting all the paintings in their 5 count groups.

Getting Ready For A Show

Normally my studio is somewhat organized.  We all know....at least us artists know.....that our studio is never 100% organized.  This photo shows how my studio looks most of the time when I am painting on my normal schedule.

I go into overdrive getting ready for a show, painting all day and into the evenings, everything gets forgotten except the painting on the easel.  When not actually painting I am planning the next painting. So, that is when all goes to &%$#$.

I am currently in that state of mind.  I have to deliver a collection to the A.E. Backus Museum no later than January 10.  This is a very special show honoring my friend and mentor Beanie Backus:  "Tribute To Backus  with a Focus on the Indian River Lagoon".    

As a result this is how my studio looks now.  Give it one more week and it will be hard to walk around in there.  Sure do wish I had a studio fairy to come in a clean it all up.  But the, I wouldn't be able to find anything!!   Oh well,  it will get back to normal after I deliver the collection.

Painting Auction Ends 8 PM Wed. Dec. 11

"Red Bud Tree and Live Oaks"

Christmas is just around the corner.  So, I am speeding up the auction so more paintings can be offered. This first painting will be available until 8 PM Wednesday, December 11.

"Red Bud Tree and Live Oaks" was painted en plein air (on site) in Micanopy, Florida.  It is 8" x 10", oil on canvas board.

The auction started yesterday, Saturday December 7 with the beginning bid of $.99.  The current high bid is $100.00.  Bids may be raised in any increment until the last hour----7-8 PM Wednesday, December 11 all bids must be a minimum of $5.00 higher than the last.

Contant  jackie@jackieschindehette.com with your bid.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Gifts of Unique Art Available

Top Left to Right:  White Ibis, Tom Turkey, White Egret
Bottom Left to Right:  Sandhill Crane, Great Blue Heron, Roseate Spoonbill

The holidays are here!!!!

I don't know how it happens but I am always caught off guard, and am amazed to wake up one morning and find that I am in the middle of the holiday rush!!!

This year I vowed for that to not happen and started painting my ornaments early and accumulated 4 ornaments of 6 different images.  I was all set.  

The GOOD NEWS is that the Backus Museum in Ft. Pierce, Fl. on the east coast contacted me and ordered 2 dozen for their Christmas Extravaganza.  The BAD NEWS is that after shipping them off to the Museum I didn't have any left for the new orders coming in.  Or is THAT the GOOD NEWS?  

Oh well, the BAD news is that I am back in the studio spending long hours producing more ornaments. But the GOOD NEWS is that I thoroughly enjoy painting them and am having fun.  I am hearing from many collectors and that is ALWAYS GOOD NEWS. 

If you would like to place an order just email jackie@jackieschindehette.com  Tell me which bird or birds and how many ornaments you would like.  The bulb color may be different from what is pictured here.  Each hand painted 4 1/2" bulb comes with a lovely gift box and is $40.00 plus Fl Sales Tax (if you live in Fl) and shipping.

Grand Children are FUN

There is nothing more fun....or tiring.....than having your grandchildren for a week.  My son and his wife are are on a trip celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary and my husband and I volunteered to keep our two grandchildren 15 and 10.

The 10 year old is in 5th grade and was selected to be on the Safety Patrol Squad this year.  One of her duties is to raise the American Flag each morning.  I am soooo proud of her!!! Her mother is proud also but not quite as enthusiastic.  I found out why this week.  She has to be at school by 7:20 AM!!! That means getting her up about 6:15 AM!!!  Which means I have had to get up by 6 AM!!!! Everyone who knows me is aware that I am NOT a morning person!!

School time is much more reasonable for my 15 year old grandson.  He doesn't have to be there until 8:35.  High School is much more civilized!  His scramble time is in the afternoon.  He gets home about 3:30 PM, has a snack (of course, a snack for a boy of 15 is two Big Macs, large fries and a giant drink), and does his homework.  By the time he is finished it is time to take him to the college for swim practice.  He is on the Varsity Swim Team and I am soooo proud of him!!!  His mother is proud too but not quite as enthusiastic.  I found out why this week.  Not only does he practice EVERY EVENING, but  sometimes at 6 AM before school.  Then there are the competition meets with other schools and oh yes,  a conference meet all day Saturday.  Oh, and don't forget the snacks for the whole team.

I had two sons and I really do remember the Little League games, Tennis practice and matches, a little bit of football, etc.  I just don't remember being so VERY TIRED!!!

 Grandchild Number 3 is coming this afternoon for the weekend. ..... he is 3  1/2!!!