Revamping again ...!!!!

I'm revamping my site ... finally. The home page and 'illustrations' changed so far. Still have a long way to go. But think it will be easier to view the larger images, and also should be easier to present works for sale from my site, which would be great. I've just had a cover design for a book approved - with raves! Now I just have to live up to expectations. I need to do a sketch of a guy's home that is a spectacular castle, and have some real estate sketches I've done, to color. Still finishing off the cartoon illustration project. As well as trying to do some creative artwork for myself. I took 700 rodeo photos Saturday night, and I'm itching to do some paintings from them. I also want to do some more roses (I'm a glutton for punishment, I'm sure!), as these seem to be readily accepted into galleries. I have 4, including the one in the last post at a gallery with an opening reception Friday night. I have 2 small ones at another small community gallery.
I'm definitely on an adventure.
Life is always a surprise, as is *art*.
Jillian

"Peaches and Cream" Acrylic Painting of Roses.

Well, this is a 14x18" acrylic painting I've been working on most of the week. Biggest I've done so far. Not sure how many hours in this. Quite a few, I suspect. The frame is only a virtual graphic 'display', not actual.

~Jillian

Back of the miniature art gallery roombox.

There is a false 'door' on the back of the gallery, suggesting a back room or classroom.
To the left is a stand with fern, and a filligree 'iron' trunk to store artworks (works I didn't want to frame). The 2 paintings here are also my watercolours.
The nude Greek God statue is from my origins of loving art - reading about them in old encyclopedias, and my wicked sense of humour to have a nude male. The 'god' is leaning on a LION - again a link to my starsign (Leo).
To do a miniature gallery is a lot of fun, so might as well have as much fun with it as I can!
Hope you enjoy it.
~Jillian
http://www.JillianCrider.com (more photos of gallery on there - see 'galleries')

Back part of the miniature art gallery roombox

Forgot to say that the palette also has brushes.
This photo is the back of the gallery. There is a gallery sofa and a beautifully carved table for the opening food - with wings and meatballs and dipping sauce. I jug of punch with lemons, as well as 2 glasses of punch with lemon and straws. A cheese tray. There is a lion 'sculpture' - a symbol of my starsign (leo). There are also a couple of champagne glasses on the table, and a wine cup.
The back 'cabinet' has 2 bottles of wine, one of champagne. Champagne glasses and wine cups. There is a guest book with actual pages. There is a sea captain 'sculpture' - a symbol of my link to the ocean and to replicate a friend's link to the navy.
Both watercolors are by me! :)
Naturally I have LOTS of paintings to add to this room, yet to be done!

~Jillian

This is the left side of the gallery. The framed art are miniature watercolours I've done. The desk has a lamp, artist's sketchbook, desk can with pencil, scissors and ruler. There is also a phone and a decorative clock. As said before - the drawers of the davenport contain books for accounting, money and also door keys.
There is a canvas on easel for painting (at some stage I'll do some 'work-in-progress' on the 'canvas'). There is a glass of water with brushes, and palette with paint tubes on a small table. Desk chair, magazine rack and small gallery dog.

~Jillian
http://www.JillianCrider.com (more photos of gallery on there - see 'galleries')

miniature art gallery room box - interior

This is photo looking direct into the miniature gallery 'room' with the facade removed.
This miniature gallery came about from my desire to again have a gallery, so this is one way I can! But also I needed storage for my mini works of art. What better storage than a miniature art GALLERY! :)
To the left is a davenport, with drawers filled with money and accounting books. :) When not working on business, the gallery artist can indulge in painting, hence the easel and paints.

~Jillian
http://www.JillianCrider.com (more photos of gallery on there - see 'galleries')

miniature art gallery room box

I received some of my missing pieces of my miniature art gallery recently, so have set about finishing it off. I still need more to do on the shop facade, windows, and side of the 'room'. As well as do more artworks to frame for the walls. Or even purchase more artworks to add, done by other artists.

It was good to give a final coat of paint to this. Because of attending a recent Art Gallery opening, I decided that I would portray my gallery as a working studio/gallery and have a perpetual exhibition 'opening' complete with food and drink. :) Fun!
Here is the front/facade - some of it. Windows are repeated on the right. I will put on signs, posters and faux finishes, but am still deciding what I want to do.


~Jillian
http://www.JillianCrider.com (more photos of gallery on there - see 'galleries')

Dogwoods in Atlanta.
How do you describe pure delight and discovery?
Why did I never discover these from when I was here before (1975-1983)?
The dogwoods are scattered throughout the woods that abound in Atlanta.
The blossoms are large - just 4 petals. Delicate. They are held on delicate limbs, with no leaves, so they 'float' through the air. They follow the sun, and the spring sun makes the white such a bright color.
How you you describe looking at lace delicately but abundantly sprinkled throughout the taller trees just regaining their green after the bareness of winter? The white such a contrast to the dark trunks and sparce greenery that becomes a jungle of green with the sultry summer humidity.
The delicate white blossoms appear as if they float on air. Truly magical fairy wings fluttering.
The large petals make it seem as if a cloud of delicate white butterflies has drifted to earth to filter through the forest, and reach out to delight the heart and eye. They appear in unexpected places, suddenly and briefly, to add joy to the day, for they are the art of today. Enjoy! It does the soul so good and adds poetry to the heart that sighs within one's existence.

Spring is hell for hayfever sufferers. The blossoms are incredible. Azaelias are gorgeous, the pollen shows on the cars. This is the apartment group that I live in, and the Dodge Ram 1500 pickup (country cadillac) that I'm driving.

Jillian
http://www.JillianCrider.com

30th October 2011 - update I lost all my images so have just replaced one of them. Sorry.

All moments are fleeting ...

Be grateful for every moment of life.
All moments are fleeting and once past, are gone forever.

From some of my childhood memories I'd love to bring back again, even of such simple things as Xmas dinner at my Aunt's - to moments of sharing another's touch and warmth and glow.

~Jillian
www.JillianCrider.com

Where am I?

I get emails from friends asking where am I - and then saying that they are looking on my site at my blog to catch up with my latest news. I think this means that probably I am going to have to update with more than art news.
Life is an adventure. Never more so than now.

The twists and turns of life can never be assumed or taken for granted. In many ways I'm not pleased at my change of plans, but at the same time, I have shouted to the heavens that I will not let things get me 'down'.

The adventures I am on are currently a curiousity and I will ride them as I feel myself grow with them, letting my passion and zest for life touch and caress the world around as I pass through this transition to the future which lays firmly ahead in the unknown, untried zone.
I am in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Marietta, in fact. Home of the big chicken. What a boon to say I live on the same road as the big chicken - run a search on 'big chicken' - you'll find it! I remember it from 20+ years ago when I lived in nearby Smyrna.

I guess it's part of re-living some of my past, moving away from my son who lives south-side of this incredible city that seems to constantly be on the move.

An appropriate city for one in transition.
Come with me.
Discover.
Experience.
Jillian
http://www.JillianCrider.com