Boho Tapestry
Boho Tapestry
I looked up the definition of Boho after I named this painting. It perfectly describes the energy and vibe of this painting and embodies all the things I love.
Bohemian style is inspired and free-spirited allowing you to think outside of the box.” There are no rules.
It is carefree and eclectic, with lots of layers, vibrant colors, bright punchy patterns and softness.
It mirrors the artistry of those who appreciate texture, color and the organic elements of nature.
30 Days of Paintings
Laurajonesbeachgirlartstudio.com
Drop Me a Line
Pretty Maids In a Row
Pretty Maids In A Row
Original Watercolor Painting 12x9 on watercolor paper,unframed
Here in the Pacific Northwest it’s getting colder and moving further into fall. The leaves are falling, night is coming sooner, mornings are cold and the air is crisp. I thought these pretty little flowers will lighten up our day and bring a little more sunshine. This last weekend, I spent time putting yard furniture away and closing down my little garden shed studio. My favorite little space. These little flowers in a row make smile, I hope they make you smile too.
laurajonesbeachgirlartstudio.com
Drop me a line
Be As Brilliant As the Lisianthus Flower
Being As Brilliant As The Lisianthus Flower
Original Watercolor Collage 12x12x1-1/2-on canvas
This flower reminds me of one of my favorite quotes by Marianne Williamson:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. You're playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
In this flowers bud stage, the petals are tightly wrapped around each other in a spiral pattern. As the flower begins to open it unfurls and opens to loose flowy beautiful petals. Like it’s been liberated. When I feel this tightly wrapped I should remember the Lisianthus flower and learn to unfurl and breathe deeply.
This collage has vintage music paper as its base layer. To soften the paper I used a white acrylic paint /glaze mix. The flowers were painted on sketch paper almost like tracing paper and then collaged onto the music paper. It worked so well that you can hardly see that it’s on top of the paper. It almost melted onto the music paper. I will definitely use this technique again. This brand no longer exists, so I’ll be on the hunt for another paper that acts the same way. I for one love the hunt!
The pictures below give you an idea about the process.
For the Love of the Rose
For the Love of the Rose
Original Watercolor Collage Painting 2 on canvas 12x12x1-1/2
Vintage music paper and watercolor, bring simplicity to these roses on. The vintage music paper was applied to the canvas and the painting I applied over the music paper.
My garden was full of roses. After I moved to Oregon I found Heirloom Rose Garden in St. Paul. This is where my love for heirloom and antique roses began. I spent many weekends wandering around in their beautiful garden. They had so many different kinds. Antique roses that held so much history in them, so many stories, dating back to the 1700’s and modern that tell the stories of rosemen looking to improve their beloved flower. One of my favorite rosemen is from England, David Austin. He cultivates a hybrid mix of modern and antique roses, they have the old fashion blooms, the repeat blooming qualities of the modern rose, and each one carries a beautiful scent. Mini roses, shrub roses, climbing and tea roses all grown at the garden. Unfortunately, they are not open to the public anymore which is a loss to rose lovers everywhere. You can find them online. All the roses they cultivate are grown on their own roots and free from rose disease.
I miss my garden and my roses, but, one day I will have another. Until then I will enjoy painting the flowers, no yard work! Roses, peonies, lavender, cherry blossoms and all the other flowers that I love will grace my canvas.
Lovlies
Lovlies
Original Watercolor Painting- 9x12, unframed
If you have not had a chance to visit Sisters, Oregon it is a lovely little mountain town in central Oregon that has a great vibe. Very inviting. The air is refreshing and clean, friendly people, good food, little shops and not far from Bend. While in one of their art studio spaces I found a really nice brand of handmade watercolors. As soon as I got back to my hotel room I had to try them out. This was basically done with 4 colors, a shell pink, yellow, graphite, and an earthy orangey red. Later I added in the green and magenta, because what painting is complete without magenta. Keeping things subtle is not my strong point, so I just enhanced a couple of the flowers, got nervous about overdoing it and stopped. I have taken too many paintings too far and wished I had stopped sooner. But, that’s how you get better. Unfortunately with watercolor it’s not so easy to go back in time. Acrylic is so much more forgiving, turning back time is easier. Im not sure sure if this painting will go any further, I like it for now, and it feels like one of my grandmothers doilies. Lacy and made with care.
30 Days of Paintings. #30in30withamira.
Email me for more info
Do Something Different
Do Something Different
Original Acrylic Painting on Canvas 24x30-Sold
I had this painting hanging on my wall for a long time. I was at a standstill as to what I should do next. I would need to do something really drastic and out of place to make this painting work. As you can see in the pictures below I tried lots of different things. I added and subtracted lots of colors and shapes until I hit the blue plateau. Really sick of this painting I put it aside to work on something else, then I hung it on my wall for awhile. At this point, being on the wall helps to give me another point of view. That is also why I take pictures during the process of a painting. In a photo you can see things more clearly. I decided it needed to be shocked. Yellow to the rescue! And lots of dripping paint I love the dripping paint. There is also lots of texture. And with that, things just fell into place. Now I love this painting! My lesson? If we want our lives to be and feel different we have to do something different. Hopefully, not to shockng, but definitely shaking things up. Keep doing the same actions and you get the same results. The beauty is there we just have to uncover it and let it shine through. This painting has already been sold, and soon will be available as Fine Art Prints and Giclees..
30 Days of Paintings
LauraJonesBeachGirlArtStudio.com
Contact me for more info
Zinnias
Zinnias Original Mixed Media Collage Painting- 12x12, on a wood box panel, ready to hang
Zinnias are such bright cheerful flowers and they have great detail. This is a collage with vintage music paper, vintage ledger paper and some newer papers that worked with the composition. When I first started painting again I did lots of collages. I love papers as much as I love paint. Who didn’t love paste and paper as a kid! Most of my collages have gone to new homes, but they will never be forgotten.
laurajonesbeachgirlartstudio.com 30 days of Paintings
The Girls
Original Watercolor Painting on Paper, 9x12 ,unframed
”The Girls” is a shoutout to the invaluable friends that we have in our lives. We all go through many things in our lives and it is much easier to make it through when we have close friends that help us through. It doesn’t make the trial hurt less, but it is nice to have a hearing ear and shoulder to lean on. They are there when you are crying, and laughing, holding your hand. They will come when you call, no matter what time it is, or where they are. They accept you how you are, they protect you and often times have to tell you the hard truth. They support your businesses and cheer you on to do better. They are there to celebrate the wins and the routine of daily life. We are fortunate to have these kinds of people in our lives. They are a precious commodity and I so appreciate the love they bring to my life.
30 Days of Paintings
Available to purchase - Email me for info
laurajonesbeachgirlartstudio.com
Light
Light
Original Acrylic Painting on canvas 18x24
One day as I was driving cars were stopping along the road, people were hanging out their windows and taking pictures.So of course I had to stop and see what was so intriguing that would would stop on a 2 lane highway with hardly any shoulder. What I saw was one of the most gorgeous sunsets. I was not able to get an amazing picture of that sunset because I was facing the light, but I got enough that I could try to paint it. Of course this painting does not do it justice, but it serves as a memory of the glorious sight I saw that early evening.
Water Lilly Leaves
Original Watercolor Painting on Mineral Paper-9x11-unframed
This painting was inspired by the beautiful gardens I visited this spring in California. The Huntington Gardens and Descanso Garden. Absolute eye candy!
Are you wondering what Mineral paper is?
Stone paper products, also referred to as bio-plastic paper, mineral paper or rich mineral paper, are strong and durable paper-like materials manufactured from calcium carbonate bonded with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin. They are used in many of the same applications as cellulose-based paper. It feels like velvet and gives the painting a lot of texture.
Gratitude
Gratitude
Original Acrylic Painting 18x24, on canvas unframed.
The universe is mind blowing vast. its has always been and will always be. I share this painting in gratitude for the things that keep me grounded amidst the difficult things we see on the earth.
30 Days of Paintings. Available for purchase. Contact me here.
www.laurajonesbeachgirlartstudio.com
Happy
I just feel happy when I look at these flowers and their colors. It makes me think of May when all the flowers are in full bloom and gardens look so happy.
Read More
It’s All A Part of the Process
Even though I have been creative ever since I can remember I don’t have a lot of “art school” training. I’m mostly self-taught. My learning has been through trying new things.. sometimes that is the long way around but sooner or later I get to a place I love. I have taken lots of art classes with artists whose work resonated with me. I’m thankful to the generous artists out there who have shared their creativity and artistry with me. Every artist is different in how they approach their craft and I have been inspired by them all. These floral studies have helped me take watercolor flowers and translate it it into acrylic flower paintings. Learning watercolor has been a challenge and broadened my scope as an artist. It has also given me a deep appreciation for all the watercolor artists who make it look easy. All of the flower studies helped me to create the Poppies Painting.
Matilija Poppies
Matilija Poppies-
Original Watercolor Painting on paper.
I find this plant fascinating for some reason. The flowers are big and have a crinkly tissue paper look with a big yellow Pom Pom center. These poppies are from the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden this spring. Laurajonespaints.com -30 Days of Paintings. #30in30withamira
Transitions →
This painting has two of my favorite things. The ocean and sunsets. Ever changing.
Read More
Embrace The Journey
Embrace The Journey →
Change is hard.. Why is acceptance of the way things are so difficult to embrace.
Read More