Let me start this post of with a very heartfelt apology, y’all. Once the holiday season started I sorta dropped off the end of the earth there, didn’t I? Let me give you some bullet points of what I have been up to:

* christmas in anthropologie display purgatory

* gallery show (still up) at the Pause gallery in Grapevine. If you are looking to buy some origionals/ prints of things you’ve seen on this blog, then go buy some stuff so I can afford my-

*rent… thats right,  Jen finally got the nerve to move out. Living in one of the historic districts of Fort Worth in a super cute/ non insulated dream home with 3 super cool people and a porch. also, BIKE LANES. also, probably gonna get a kitty.

* car troubles, spent a lot of money on the Carnes cart…. booo. ttfn savings.

* I have some version of what can only be described as ‘the martian death flu.’ Actually, I’m not entirely certain it is the flu, but I’ve been stuck in bed with a fever and haven’t been able to keep my eyes open for more than a few hours at a time. Dizzy, thirsty, and disgusting… even my eyeballs hurt.

* lastly, and the main reason for no updates- my computer is completely out of memory and between that and my car and housing/ lack of internet at my new house (sought refuge at parents house since our house in FW has no insulation and the temp was supposed to be 9 degrees last night, plus I’m sick.)

The good news is that with all the stress and change I am renewed artistically. I am inspired again AND I got a sewing machine for Christmas so we all have that to look forward to. Once I get all this data saved on my hard drive and I can get my computer cleaned we are back in business, I swear. In the meantime, here are some interesting tidbits from the internets-

cigarette butt rug

amano

anna- emilia- laitinen

is it weird that i really liked the style of lindsay lohans court room sketches?

I think you can tell by the bizarre arrangement of images here that my mind is fried and coming out of my ears. I hope this fever goes away soon! Sorry to keep y’all waiting for so long. I miss you. I will be better in the coming months I promise.

Jen

Hey y’all, sorry for not updating in forever in a half… ONCE AGAIN. My computer is running out of memory so it makes it difficult to upload photos/ scans. I need to take it to the mac store and say, “hey, make this work better.”

Anyway, I got a hot air balloon done.

I hung it next to my map, it seemed appropriate. There are still a few details I want to add, but I am too A.D.D. to do much more with it. When the moment strikes, however, you will be the first to know!

I have been drawing a lot recently which is great. Drawing rules! But it always seems to hurt my wrist. I dont know if its Carpel Tunnel or some other horrible affliction, but damn my wrist hurts. But no pain no gain right?!

This I copied from a Yoshitaka Amano painting,

I always loved how delicate she looks and the distant gaze in her eyes. Like she’s regretting something, or thinking about someone far away. The movement in the garment and the various transparencies made it challenging, but great! He used acrylic but I used my trusty prisma markers.

And I drew this today for the hell of it. Elephants are incredible members of the animal community and should be iconic. I wanted it to be more graphic, but I have a feeling this wont be the last elephant I draw. I think this guy would be friends with this guy:

So, you are up to speed now. I will try to be more vigilant about updating, but until i get this damn computer issue resolved, updates may suffer. Sorry! But I have been loving the comments I have been getting and am SO GLAD that a few of you are using my artwork for you theatre troops, logos, and inspirations. Thanks guys! YOU are the best!

Have a great week!

<3 Jen

Howdy howdy howdy,

sorry for the brief hiatus y’all, but I have certainly been a busy girl! With my job and lack of a social life on weekends, I now feel the need to over compensate which leaves me little time for art. BUT! there are some sweet things in the mix i just need to finish. Here is a preview:

I am making papier machet hot air balloons! I have been using old Anthropologie catalogs and some old National Geographics so it stays colorful and weird. (the cool whip container is NOT going to be a part of the finished product, I just had it resting there when I was painting the black checks on it.)

I started crocheting this weird thing to go over the top of it. It will eventually go over the whole thing (not covering it up, of course) and it will serve as the thing that holds up the basket (that I am crocheting at the moment.) I will cut a small opening at the top so one can hang it. I am seriously considering selling these once I get enough of them. Ann Wood has ships and birds, and Jen Carnes has hot air balloons. These would also look so neat lit up! I can keep working on it and playing with it and see what happens. I will certainly post when it’s complete.

Also, I am proud to announce that I will be participating in the Sea of Shoes runway look illustration contest thingy this month. Of which I will also post. Your welcome.

In the meantime, here are some sweet words to get you though your week. Iloveyou.

xoxoxoxo

jen

P.s. These music videos managed to blow my mind one after the other, VIEW THEM! and dance….

Breakbot- Baby I’m Yours (feat. Irfane)

El Guincho- Bombay Beware of copious amounts of titties

Hot air balloons… Thats where its at when it comes to whimsical air travel. Unless of course, you are friends with Falcor

Anway, someday when I have a zillion dollars and I’ve already made my Submarine House I will make a sweet hot air balloon to travel the world in. All week I have been looking at hot air balloon photos and illustrations on the internet to get inspired. I think the next few watercolors I do will have a hot air balloon involved in some way. Here are some sweet photos of hot air balloons you never even knew existed/ were even possible!

this would be great if you loved being suspended precariously underneath a giant rodents rectum..

this was too cute not to share with you

And heres what I came up with

Yeah, thats a pelican chillin on a sweet hot air balloon… How could he ever be lonely amongst so many stars and other celestial characters! And the king of red balloons… The hot air balloon its self was inspired by a set of Tarot Cards I bought when I was in Jim Thorpe a few weeks ago.

This was my sweet set up for the day. Yeah, thats a glass of wine. Yeah, I’m listening to Polaris on Pandora (Polaris being the band that sang the Pete and Pete theme song)… and yeah, today was exactly what I needed it to be. There is still a little tweaking to be done on the painting, but it can wait.

Its been really satisfying to daydream bizarre hot air balloons. This one is pretty tame… But there will be more to come.

On an entirely separate but similar idea, my dream man will know how to operate a hot air balloon and will have a tattoo of Petunia like little Pete….amongst other traits…

Jen

As you’ve probably gathered by the title of this post, I have FINALLY gotten around to seeing ‘The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.” If you don’t know what that is, let me break it down… Directed by Terry Gilliam, as in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and 12 Monkeys and starring a bunch of people like Tom Waits, Lilly Cole, and Heath Ledger (he died in the making of this film, his character was substituted by Johnny Depp, Colin Ferrel, and Jude Law)… That was a run on… anyway, the movie is INCREDIBLE. The story is meh (interesting concept), but the imagery is stunning.

Glance

Tom Waits plays the Devil. Don't you know there ain't no devil, thats just God when he's drunk.

I loved the visual style of this movie. It was esoteric meets vaudville (which is esoteric in it of its self) meets modern day, meets psychedelia. Its very dark and moody with that signature Terry Gilliam aesthetic style. The set designs and wardrobe were spot on and are sure to keep me inspired for a few months now. Jeez a lou! You know whats weird? I just saw it last night, but I guess I was feeling the vibe a few weeks ago when I drew this:

I have also been listening to more Tom Waits recently, I always go through bouts with that guy. But you gotta love him. This is probably my favorite song of his at the moment.

Thats all I have to say for now.

<3

Well, I’m back from my little vacation. It was really nice to get out of town, and the HEAT and escape to the mountains Von Trapp style. I had a wedding in a suburb of Philadelphia and then we left for the Pocono mountains a few days later. This is a very photo-centric post today, but we’ll have some laughs, some crys, and maybe a good story along the way. C’ mon! (that was meant to be really cheesy, just imagine an exuberant, over the top arm gesture from a plucky red headed tour guide.)

We’ll start the tour off with a humorous story. Once upon a time, my dad entered ‘avoid toll’ into the tom tom (tom tom narrated by Homer Simpson, I might add) and it took us through a rediculous detour through Soho where we were stuck in traffic for what seemed like hours. While my dad fretted about the traffic and NYC drivers and Homer Simpson chimed in every few seconds saying things like “DOH! Turn around when possible” I was in the back seat taking photographs of pretty much everything. (listening to the Octopus Project as to drown out the barrage of cuss words emanating from the two front seats). The following photos were taken from the back seat of the rental.

pretty rad window display... GOLD MANNEQUINS!!

He's everywhere

Next, after driving through NYC traffic and going to the wedding we escaped to the mountains of Pennsylvania. We stayed at this place called Eagles Rock which was really nice. The weather was drizzly and cold the first few days but was nice at the end. Every time I overheard someone complaining about the ‘heat’ I HAD to but in and be like, “GIRL! You don’t even KNOW! It is 105 where I live right now!” Anwyay-

#1 favorite thing

my 3 year old nephew rethinks his decision to ride a horse. But he did it!

Then my brother in law and I and our young, jaded but really nice trail guide went for a walk. My horse (mule actually) was named Daisy and was SO over me riding her. It was all I could do to keep her from stopping on the trail to eat. At the end of the ride I got a handful of green green grass and brought it to her in the stable to make up.

My brother in laws horse is probably one of the biggest horses I have ever seen!!

as with any good stable, there is a freeloading cat

The next day my uncles and I were to go fishing, so we got up at the ass crack of dawn. When we went to leave these two deer were standing just across the street from our little condo. The early morning fog added so much ambiance.

a stunning early morning portrait of me with not the first but THIRD catch of the day! (I caught the most that day, BTW)

Well hello there Mr. Blue Gill! You do NOT look delicious.

We switched locations while fishing over to a rocky area. There I was, sitting on a large rock minding my own business when I looked down by my hand and saw the incredible spider web… Upon closer inspection of the area I noticed THE LARGEST SPIDER I HAVE EVER SEEN. She was probably about the size of my palm. She did some good work there with that web of hers. If I could, I would have given her a high five.

another one of my top 10 favorite things

Sun setting (the lake on the left is where we were fishing)

Sun set

By that evening the weather had cleared so the next day we went to a nearby town called Jim Thorpe after the Olympian. The name of the town is completely irrelevant to him, because he had never even been to that town… except posthumously cos thats where he’s buried. (He was native American and from Oklahoma.) I guess his wife was broke and the town was excepting bids or something for a new name so she sold his name AND his body to the town to bolster tourism. NEAT! Cute town though.

So cheery!

On the far right of this photo you can see a little grey fence thing, which is where I sat and drew this-

The church across the street. (the only thing I drew the whole trip. Sorry guys.) It was a very old (like, 1840 old) Presbyterian church. It was commissioned to be built by one of the towns coal tycoons, who spared no expense because the stained glass windows were provided by Tiffany… As in Tiffany lamps.

A small chapel within the church. For some reason this chapel reminded me of ‘There Will Be Blood.’

One of the less ornamental doors of the church. I love that shade of red!

Then I walked around the town and went into many antique stores which is where I stumbled upon these beauties. I love how the store owner arranged them according to color!

When I encountered this my heart skipped a beat. ART NOUVEAU EMBELLISHMENTS! Yes please.

I know its probably a really lame hobby, but I’m seriously considering taking up the hobby of photographing interesting doors.

(This was in front of the house with the cool door.) It cracked me up!

I want to go to there

What is it with Pennsylvanians and their obsession with Alice in Wonderlad??

Well, that was our trip. It was fun. I did everything I set out to do… INCLUDING taking 2 rolls of film with my Holga. Once I get those developed we can revisit the trip once again… YOUR WELCOME.

Then we flew home on a flying fart coffin but the view was nice

<3

Jen

As promised, I finished the drawing mentioned in the previous post.

I truly have no idea what inspired this ensemble, but I like to think of it as “Desperate Prairie” (Desperate Housewives and Little House on the Prairie combined.) My subconscious is a mystery.

There you go! I will miss you while I’m gone for a week. Looking forward to having some time away from the computer. I updated my blogroll, so if you are bored you can bounce around over there since there’s more to see.

Also, introducing-  the product of the week I wish I could afford but am swooning over anyway-

Sea of Shoes new collection of beetle necklaces

Link

Also, M. Ward radio on pandora. DO IT!

<3 Jen

Hey Y’all, sorry for the absence. I have been super busy lately with work and friends visiting and what have you. But, please, dont think I forgot about you! In fact, I am drawing something just for you! I will post it (hopefully) this week before I leave for Pittsburgh for a wedding. In the meantime, to show you that I care, I thought I’d leave you with some sweet images from around the internets and my flash drive. Ok? I miss our relationship. Lets make this work.

made out of cardboard shoe boxes, cerial boxes, etc...

made with velcro (in love with this idea)

exorcism kit... WANT IT

I cannot even begin to express to you how much I want this.

The above from Atlantis Home, right in my own town! If you are reading this, Atlantis Home, I want this. You are a genius.

HA! Graphic design humor

Well, I will miss you while I am away. HOWEVER, I got my Holga in the mail, and some film, so hopefully when  y’all check back in with me, you can see those pioneering images. I’m also taking my D40, I haven’t taken many photos recently, and I know I’m not the best photographer by far, but it is a nice pastime.

Because I love you,

Jen

I have some toys that I had been considering doing something crafty with, and today I finally got around to it.

This one, as you can tell, I had attempted to do something with previously. I had cut off her hair and spray painted her and then drew some ambient design. Meh, I was never quite pleased with the results.

So I decided to do something else with it.

Papier mache!

halfway stage

all done

up snout shot

I think I want to add some yarn hair or something to make it a craft mascot that keeps me inspired. I like repurposing these things, I can give them to my nephews and they wont seem as overtly girly as they were when I got them.

Would this papier mache-ness be too creepy to do on a Barbie doll? It would be sorta *ahem* unique, but I still think it would be awesome. Not as creepy as this-

There are less horrific ways of recycling old toys. (Donation is a great route.) I think its still a cool idea to take a toy you had an attachment to and re-working it so it still maintains it’s relevance in your life. Things should grow old with us.

Make something cool with your old favorite toys

-Jen

P.S. I almost forgot, I have some GREAT news! I am the new FULL TIME DISPLAY COORDINATOR for Anthropologie in Southlake. Come in and see my work!

My brother is in the Amazon right now... le sigh

I’m trying to find someone to hire me to paint murals here in the DFW area so I can make some more money and move somewhere.

When we’re bagillionaires, lets invest all our money and make my dream a reality and sail the oceans in my wheel submarine I’ve been perfecting since I was 11. Ok?

I will probably tweak the design a bit more as I get older, but you get the idea. If I were a mermaid, I’d be happy.