“Three Blooms”
Creating a commission piece was always challenging for me until I decided it had to be true to my style with the client giving me creative freedom. Knowing this client loved my flower works, I visited their home & space where the painting would be placed. With colors & canvas size in mind, I went to work. Upon completion, I assisted in the frame selection process…… “Three Blooms” was born and a happy customer made!
Purple Haze
“Purple Haze” in the kitchen nook of a beautiful Scottsdale home. Honored to have my work on display in this charming space!
“Gonna Find Out”
There is no doubt that the 70′s & 80′s produced some of the greatest music of all time! The vocals, the instrumental talent…nothing quite like it….
Kate Hudson actress and yes…singer, brings back that groovy, sultry, country, soulful, rock sound all her own. Her band…her back-up singers…they all have it goin‘ on! Feeling that 70′s & 80’s vibe, reminding me a bit of Linda, Emmylou, Carly, Janis, Valerie, Stevie & other awesome female vocalists of that time!
Love that she is following her passion, allowing us to find out…she can sing!
Turn it up & enjoy….
https://youtu.be/H9NqxkQ6tnc?si=oQaRA0LvjX4Td6rC
xo Jana
Hunting & Gathering
Hunting for unique items is fun & even more fun when you just happen upon something to add to a collection. I enjoy collecting & using unique vessels for flowers. I especially love the beauty in vintage perfume bottles. I ponder the thought of who enjoyed the container & contents before me…wondering where it came from, where it sat in the home, was it a special gift to that person or did they save-up their pennies to buy it for themselves? Was the perfume a sweet delicate scent or a spicy exotic one, or maybe it had musky or woodsy tones? Was it only used on special occasions or was it gently dabbed behind the ears daily? Hunting & gathering for vintage artifacts is a way to connect to and honor the past and a beautiful way to add to the treasured item’s story. Perhaps it is the mystery in it all that is most intriguing… the stories continue…
xo Jana
The Benediction
I was selected to give the benediction at my high school graduation ceremony, class of 1983. I was honored and humbled for the opportunity. I wanted to present something unique … so the search was on.
I knew we were all having mixed emotions as we were preparing to move that tassel over… I wanted to speak to what we were all feeling. After much thought , I chose to recite, “I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud“ (also known as “Daffodils“) by William Wordsworth. This poem is about growth and the beauty in nature … giving us the ability to take in and find comfort in that beauty when life challenges appear. It is about the excitement, the wonder and the surprises that are around the bend.
Like in the poem , we would always be able to draw upon the fun memories of our time together, filling our hearts with pleasure, all the while, look forward to the great experiences that were ahead of us! A special moment in my life ….sharing with the class of 1983 …a gift I will always treasure!
After the poem was recited I said, “Now go out there and be awesome, class of 1983 and remember to always look for the daffodils”!
I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud (aka Daffodils)
~William Wordsworth
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
.
The Apron
One of my very first blog posts here was about the kitchen towel and the many uses this fun kitchen accessory brings to the home. Today, as I reflect on this past year and look into 2024, I write about an accessory that comes in at a close second to my favorite …the apron.
If towels and aprons were humans, they would definitley be friends… partners in crime, living in the heart and soul of a home. Like the kitchen towel, the apron hangs out on the sidelines waiting to be put into action. Sometimes they are simple in color and sometimes bursting with flowers or lined with pinstripes & fun patterns. No matter what the pattern or color, the purpose is the same: to protect and to bring the sense of pride that comes along with the preparations that occur in the kitchen, workplace and beyond. And if there are pockets present… even better!
When I paint, I often wear an apron. Tightening the tie around my waist signifies I am ready to get started and I mean business. It is a strength warrior that has me covered for the task … being there to see it through, even if it means hours or days until the project at hand is complete. The apron gets messy…sometimes the bottom corners are used to wipe a spill or dripping paint. Sometimes it gets worn outside of the house on errands. When my kids were little, the apron was often used to wipe a chocolatey face, dry a tear, or worn to the pick-up line at school. An apron is often worn for really rugged work like the bbq celebration, on the fishing boat, on a farm, in a garden or in a restaurant kitchen.
At the end of the day, the untying of the apron signifies a job well done, the close of a good day. Sometimes off to the laundry it goes, sometimes just hung back up on the hook where it will rest and rejuvenate overnight, preparing for another productive day. I take great pride in wearing an apron! To me the apron symbolizes great strength, hard work, dedication and determination. The roll-up your sleeves type of determination, the let’s get this done and do it well determination!
Cheers to 2024 & to you all! Whatever you do, do it well …with determination …just like the apron!
xo, Jana
Backyard Love
Flowers are a gift to the senses! Blooms have always fascinated me… I love planting them, arranging them, giving them, smelling them, painting them! Flowers & greens plucked from backyard trees and shrubs are my favorite…arranging them in the hand as they are trimmed …organic and simple…from the backyard with love!
xo, Jana
Listen To It Grow
Taking the time in our busy lives to slow things down, to reflect, to observe, to go inside & listen carefully is a gift we give to ourselves and those around us.
…Life’s been moving oh so fast
I think we should take it slow
Rest our heads upon the grass
And listen to it grow…
Song: “Splendor In The Grass“ /Storm Large & Pink Martini
Photo: The little adobe home, Phoenix/ 1965
Shed Like A Dog
Recently, while out on a walk, I met a sweet pup and his kind human. As I was admiring the dog’s beautiful soft brown coat, the owner says, “I love my dog but he sheds horribly.” I responded, “I like to look at dog shedding as emitting magical fibers of unconditional love and an abundance of sunshine spreading!”
To keep my art career going strong, I pet sit on the side, getting my dog fix with each of my sweet furry clients. Dogs make me smile and laugh, providing such an endearing tenderness that is so good for the soul! I have to believe that dogs wake every morning thinking this is going to be a great and adventurous day with lots of love to share… and of course, wanting to know when breakfast will be served!
Imagine if we all ventured out there each day like a dog… emitting those magical fibers of unconditional love, kindness, sunshine and beautiful thoughts… what a peace-filled happy world it would be! So the next time you find dog hair a nuisance, think of these magical fibers as a gift….then get out there and shed like a dog!
xo, Jana
Taking in the early morning sun, contemplating our adventures for the day!
GO SUNS!
A Phoenix Suns fan since the Coliseum and short shorts days! Love our Suns! Sending good mojo out into the Valley….
Let‘s GO SUNS!!
