If I can't GROW them, I PAINT them

During the long winter days when it's too cold to be out working in the gardens, I spend much of my time in the studio painting flowers.

ideas are sketched on large drawing paper

I sit on my old, soft and comfy, vintage foot stool to paint

getting the basic shapes and shadows blocked in before I begin painting the details

sometimes I paint people

once I even painted a "self portrait"

I like to paint cows

This large painting "THE LEAD COW" framed in old red barn wood is available for sale.

It can be purchased at "Gypsy Mama's" in Fort Duchesne.

this 11x14 painting is available for $65.00

8x10 on canvas board $45.00

My original art work and signed prints can be purchased at the store, or 

contact me.   

WHO or WHAT? a description of myself

People have been a bit curious about FarmHer JILL and so in this post I will try to tell you a little about myself.  If I were to use words (which are highly inadequate), I would say ODD, ECLECTIC, UNIQUE, ECCENTRIC, ADVENTUROUS,  maybe even a bit STRANGE,  off my rocker, missed the bus, a wacky sense of humor.  A long, long, long, time ago I came up with just one word to describe myself..............

artsyfartsyjunkycow-hippie

interpret that as you may, it is the best way I know how to describe myself, much to the embarrassment of my children.....hey," what are parents for?" I ask them.

Well, let me see if I can describe myself in words........

my eyes are blue

my hair is long, wavy brown with sparkly silver streaks

I always wear a hat

my hands are square

and strong

my face is round

and usually sunburned

I'm not tall or short

not thin or thick

my teeth..... chatter

my knees..... knock

my feet...... smell

my nose...... runs

my ears...... ring

I have charlie horses in my calves

and goose bumps on my arms

hum...... really makes ya wonder about me doesn't it

going for a ride in my 63 Red Freddy Ford

me and my handsome man team roping

Read this post for more information about

FarmHer Jill

Knock me over with a chicken feather

"Really", I turned and asked Glen when my name was called. Waiting for a few seconds (seemed like minutes) to see if anyone else had the same name as mine, but no one else stepped forward so I decided it must be me.  "Really", it can't be me I thought as I made my way to the front of the art museum to claim my prize.   There must be some mistake.   I was still in a state of shock as I shook the curator's hand as she handed me over a check for FIRST PLACE in the theme oil painting "LEATHER AND LACE" for the 24th annual Outlaw Trail Juried Art Show in Vernal.  Entries are accepted from anywhere West of the Mississippi River.  It is the first juried show I have entered,  I painted, on a large24"x30" canvas, a gardener's view of the theme and my amazing husband built me a beautiful frame to go around my painting.  I clear stained the decorative edge that would be next to the painting, stained the outer edge dark brown and painted grey over the stain and then sanded away some of the paint.  I wanted to give it the essence of looking out a window and seeing this on the neighbor's back steps.   I almost didn't enter it.  I felt a little embarrassed to even think of entering a juried show and didn't fill like my painting was good enough.

"Are you all right" the curator asked me, "You have a funny look on your face".
 I replied "Oh, just in a state of shock".  Yes, you could have knocked me over with a chicken feather!

  My typical reserve, never afraid in the face of danger, totally went out the window.  My knees were shaking and I honestly thought I would pass out. Somehow I managed to collect the check and make it back to where my handsome man was standing without landing in a heap on the floor.  I am shaking right now even thinking about it.  I wasn't even going to make the trip back up north to attend the artist reception and awards ceremony, but at the last minute I decided to go.  So I hopped in good ole Wilma and away we went.  The boy's would take care of the farm while I was gone.

 I still can't imagine why I won, the only thing I  can think of is, the judge ( a professional artist from SLC) must be a gardener too:-) 



yes, it's blurry
I haven't learned how to use my new camera



 Thank you
Uintah Arts Council
for the opportunity to participate in your annual show
and especially for the unexpected
honor.


 

 

 

Seeing RED

It seems as if I have spent the last few weeks obsessed by color.  As artists we tend to see the world in shades and hues, values and depth, the cool and warmth of every color.


                                                     But right now I am seeing RED. 

I have never really liked the color red.  I don't know why I guess it is to bold and draws to much attention to itself.  It signifies courage, but I think you can be courageous without being boastful about it.  Do I own anything red..........hum, I think I have one red and white checked shirt, but other than that no.  Red is a power color, red is an angry color, red is a color screaming for attention, red is a beautiful, self confident color.  Red is the color of war.  I just personally don't care for it especially when I feel it creeping into my face as I survey the damage the chipmunks have caused.    At last count over 400 squash plants eaten.   100 or more cucumber plants gone.  Over 200 tomato plants munched to the ground.   I want to see GREEN when I survey my land,  not the muted BROWN tones of dust and despair.  Today I am a character from a Steinbeck Novel standing with strength, but having enough wisdom to hold up the WHITE flag of surrender.  But wait,........  how many farmers' loose their crop and just say," It will be better next year.  If I do this , that, and the other, maybe things will be different. If I try just a little harder, work just a little longer, I can survive."  Tomorrow I am going to be a strong female from a Willa Cather Novel.  I will up-root that flag of surrender, throw it to the ground, square my shoulders, hold my head high and march forward into battle.  You blasted chipmunks are going down!