painting with jennifer mercede

             

{an instagram taken while looking over one of my paintings in progress this morning}

This weekend I was lucky enough to take a painting and doodling workshop at Studio Crescendo taught by Jennifer Mercede.  I have always loved her art, and have posted about it here before, but was thrilled to be able to watch her create in person and hear more about her process. The class certainly did not disappoint. I woke up this morning inspired and dying to paint some more. Haven't been able to yet, but soon, I must get back to it soon. During the class I instagrammed a few photos like this one below of Jennifer and me at the very end. We are holding my purchase, a Jennifer Mercede original. Lucky, lucky me.

               
Here's what it looks like hanging in the living room:

 

              

                                      This instagram was taken when the paints first came out :

               

          and later this one of one of mine (a giant 30x30 canvas) in the early stages:

                 

which, after various exercises (including one where we had to cover over 90% of it) now looks like this:

                  

It's still not finished, but when I look at it I see a barn on the bottom center that I just don't think I'll be touching, that way I can call it "she bought the farm" ;) . Like I said before, I'm itching to get back to painting on it.

This is as far as I got on the 2nd board, a 12x12" piece:

                 

The doodling part of the lesson came quite naturally as you can imagine if you've seen my journals or other paintings.

Then there was this piece below :(the closest I got to finished? Not sure.) It's on a birch board sized 20x20.

                 

            Here are some of the "sweet spots" to me:

                        

             

               
                 

On the 2nd day I brought in some other pieces that I had started previously or that were blank so I could take the opportunity while the paint was out if inspiration struck.  I worked on all of them at least a little bit. Working on lots of things at one time is what is most comfortable to me, if I had to work on one and only one at a time, I would feel very constrained. I like the freedom I feel with lots to choose from. I also usually have a journal present when painting to slap the extra paint down on some pages. You know I'm crazy like that. It doesn't bother me at all until it comes time to clean up.

                    

                   

                    

                         

                    

                  

The best part really was getting to know Jennifer though, and getting to see her think while she worked. Here is another instagram of her painting Jenny's dogs, using a photo as inspiration:

                    
Want to see the final portrait? Go to Jenny's post here and see it from start to finish. So cool.

I could go on, but really, I'd be saying the same thing over, so instead, I'll finish by saying a great big thank you to Jennifer for coming down to teach, and Jenny for asking her! I think her teaching gigs have just begun...if you like to paint or doodle, I highly recommend you enroll yourself in Jennifer Mercede's Paint and Doodle School!

 

Comments

[Photo To Painting]

nice work done by you thanks for sharing a great artist with us thank you so much

[iHanna]

Oh what a fun class, thanks for sharing with those of us too far away to join this kind of thing. :-)

[Elizabeth]

Absolutely beautiful. I love how you take the teaching and techniques of others yet your "style" always shows through. I am pretty sure I would recognize your work anywhere. Kudos.

[charlotte lyons]

great post, fabulous work! and isn't this new blog format fantastic!!

[Tina]

So much gorgeousness! I wish I could stay home to paint now. And a class from Jennifer would be a wonderful way to spend a couple of days. Added to my bucket list.

P.S. I love your new site design. Thanks so much for posting the info about the woman you're working with. I'm anxious to get some time scheduled with her now.

[corey moortgat]

Oh, so jealous! I LOVE Jennifer's work! And I love so many of these pieces you've shown here! Doodling is hard for me- it's something I'm always trying to work on. Seeing your stuff here gives me an itch to go do some art!

[connie freedman]

pam loving your new blog layout! it's beautiful and the colors are stunning... and loving your art!!!

[meg duerksen]

i am so jealous!!!
that looks like the best day ever!
i want to come to that....and i want to paint....and create!
wow.
i love what you made.
sigh.....
it's lovely.

:)
love your new blog too!

[Daniele Valois]

Very cool. Thanks for all the photos. And I love how your blog looks!!!

[Lindsay Overbey]

i LOVE these so much. i'm also loving the new blog design. i ooooooood + aaaaaaaad over it :) do you just buy the birch board at the hardware store? how do you plan on hanging these? i'm having a big problem decide what to paint on. i love boards + i've been using the gessoboards but they are getting so expensive. i always bought the ones that were cradled so i didn't have to worry about how to hang them for shows, etc. now i am painting on paper + i really miss the boards. HELP :)

[Jennifer Mercede]

PAM! Awesome! Your pieces look great & that art fits so well in your home. YAY!

[Jennifer Mercede]

Lindsay! See if you can find a woodworker to build some cradled birch. Much cheaper! Mine makes them with 1/4 inch ( i think) birch. Have fun!

[Renelde Napoli]

I love what you did ! I don't know Jennifer, but I will go look at her work. I really like the new look of your blog by the way.