Tag Archives: Janell

My Latest Painting … Returning to an Old Friend

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Forest fairy painting by Janell Mithani

She raises her eyebrow and, with a slight shake of her head, she pulls me towards her.

Her lips part, “Tsk, tsk, you have been away from me long enough. Return. “

I nod, and slowly walk through my landscape.

“Well, maybe just for a while.”

I raise my brush and return home.

After a three-year pause from portraiture,

the ever intriguing face draws me through my landscapes into her knowing eyes.

She beckons to me and my brush.

Once again, she has captured my attention.

—-

I have been sketching a lot lately and I have noticed an interesting difference between my sketches and my paintings.  My sketchbooks are filled with the human and fae faces and of my dreams.  Yet landscapes, nature and trees are what come from my brush.  I wanted to start a new series and spent some quiet time over the holidays with my journal — Writing, sketching and thinking about how to merge my paintings and sketchbooks. I want them to share the space of my paintings.  I wrote the above notes in my journal and then this is the painting that emerged.

Now, I am sketching with the intention of a painting.  I still sketch to just relax and record memories and dreams, but now I feel a connection and “full circle” pattern in all of my art.

Well, I better get back to my easel so I can finish this painting. 🙂

Have a wonderful, creative day, Janell

Painting in Cambria

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While we were in Cambria over the holidays, I got a chance to paint the view from the deck from the house we were renting.  I just about finished the painting on site, now it is sitting on my easel … patiently waiting for a few finishing touches.  I just loved the beautiful view we had and the peaceful sound of the ocean as I painted.

painting of Cambria by Janell Mithani

Oh, and here is a visitor that showed up to watch me paint. 🙂

photograph of deer by Janell Mithani

Have a wonderful creative day, Janell

New Gallery Representation at Xanadu Gallery

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In the midst of all our holiday celebrations, I submitted my portfolio to Xanadu Gallery of Scottsdale, Arizona.  My art was accepted to their online gallery!  Yippee!  I am so thrilled to be associated with this wonderful gallery.  And they notified me and had my page set up within 24 hours.  (Even though their submission guidelines said two weeks.)  It was really nice of them to be so  prompt, it kept me from worrying and wondering for two weeks. 🙂

You can check out my page at http://www.xanadugallery.com/2013/Artists/ArtistPage.php?ArtistID=4361

I am still in the process of loading my art to the site and I LOVE how the purchase button is all set up.  It takes you to a shopping cart that gives you payment options.  I haven’t had the time to figure out how to set this up on my Artspan website.  It’s so nice to have it all done for me.

Painting Serenity in a Daffodil Meadow by Janell Mithani

Serenity in a Daffodil Meadow, Acrylic on canvas, 16″ x 20″

I met Jason Horejs, the owner of the gallery a few years ago at a workshop he taught for artists.  His workshop was really helpful and he was so nice and gracious to all the artists that attended.  He has written some great books to help artists with the business side of their art.  Here is a link to the landing page with his books https://squareup.com/market/xanadu-gallery.  He also writes a blog http://www.reddotblog.com/wordpress/  which is a great marketing resource for artists.

If you are an artist and you are interested in submitting your portfolio, here is the link: http://www.xanadugallery.com/Studios/Join.asp

Have a wonderful creative day,  Janell

Sunflower Painting

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It has been a really busy month, but I was able to get out to the studio to work on a painting yesterday.  I love sunflowers and I have photographed them a lot, so I thought it was time to start working on a sunflower painting.  I used three of my photographs as a reference.

Acrylic painting of sunflower by Janell Mithani

I am just about finished, I just have a few more details.  As with all my paintings, I have this “sitting” period when I have it “sit” on my easel for a couple of days.  This is so I can walk by it a bunch of times and get a fresh look to determine the final details and any changes I want to make.  I love the heavy texture and of course, the green background.  You know, this Irish girl loves her green! 🙂

Close up of sunflower painting by Janell Mithani

Here is a close up of the corner where you can see I continued the painting around the edges as I used a gallery wrapped canvas.  I like this style of canvas best because the back of the canvas is double wrapped with wood for a nice clean look.

I will post the final painting soon.

Have a wonderful creative day, Janell

Mother and Daughter in the Wind – A Tree Painting

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Here is a painting that I finished recently.  I was thinking of my daughter and that Mother’s Day will be here soon.

Mother and Daughter in the Wind painting by Janell Mithani

Mother and Daughter in the Wind, 8″ x 10″, Acrylic on canvas

I love trees and how they blow in the wind and how leaves sometimes just blow off in a group from a tree in a wind gust.  I have been thinking of this painting for a while…how trees and people connect and how things in nature become representational of emotions we feel for each other.  I have a feeling this is going to turn into a series as I am itching to do another one already. 🙂

I have been working on a new website dedicated to just my paintings.  It is coming together and it is almost finished.  I am so excited about it!  I will post a link when I get it done.

Have a wonderful creative day, Janell