"Purple meets Orange", 16x12, oil on linen, by Maryanne Jacobsen

Purple Meets Orange". 16x12, oil on linen

This painting received the People's Choice Award at Friday evening's opening reception of The Venice Art Center's newest exhibit, "Show us your Best". Because most of my newest paintings were placed in my new solo exhibit at The North Port Art Center , I wasn't sure whether to enter this juried show or not. In the end, my husband suggested this piece as an entry, and now I am glad that I took his suggestion. Although I did not attend the opening reception, I understand that the place was packed on Friday night, so I feel honored to have received this award from the votes of fellow artists and the Venice community of art patrons. Thanks to all who voted for the painting!

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Hensche Study with White Jug, 12x16, oil on masonite

"Hensche block study with white Jug", 12x16, oil on masonite

My husband has been hovering in the background for a few years now, thinking quietly about this process that I do each day called "painting". Recently he surprised me by asking if I would give him a lesson. I asked him what and how he wanted to paint, and he sweetly said, "I want to paint like you!" I was touched. A lot of men would be intimidated by the colors that I like to use.

So I suggested that we do a block study together out in our back garden. I set up what I thought was a simple block study (not so simple after all!) and we both went to work. At the end of an hour, I told him we had to stop becuase the light had changed the positions of the shadows. He was surprised but also relieved. "I had no idea how hard this plein air block study stuff was!", he said.

Yeah, I thought to myself. It is hard, but few people realize just how hard it is to chase a light effect!

The block study above was done over a three hour period, in the afternoon of the first day of John Ebersberger's workshop a few weeks back. After the first hour had passed I realized it was becoming innacurate from the way the study had looked initially, but since it was a workshop we all kept working, mostly from memory. Painting white objects is not easy either. It would be simple to think one could open a tube of white paint and just apply it, but that's hardly the case.

Maybe today the hubby and I will work a bit more on our endeavor earlier in the week. If so, I'll post pictures of the results.

Here is a group picture of the final day of John's workshop at The Southern Atelier in Sarasota, Florida:

"Safely Moored-Bass Harbor Head Light", 16x20, by Maryanne Jacobsen

"Safely Moored-Bass Harbor Head Light", 16 x20, oil on linen

This will probably be the last painting of Bass Harbor Head Light that I will do. I apologize if I have bored anyone but I was trying to improve upon the two I had done before this one. I am definitely happier with the rocks in this one, but I need to keep practicing rocks. They are tricky!

If you are interested in this painting, please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

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"Cold Morning- Acadia National Park", 12x16, rock study, oil on canvas, original oil

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"Cold Morning- Acadia National Park", 12x16, oil on canvas

I must confess that I have really been struggling with painting rocks. Ever since I came back from our trip to Maine last month, I have realized how weak I am in painting rocks and rugged structures. I suppose it's because I really don't see a whole lot of rocky structures here in Florida. Everything is flat and sandy so I have nothing to go out and study and paint from.

Anyhow, I struggled with this quite a bit and did it over at least three times. That's what studies are for! I'll keep working at it, folks. I promise. In the meanwhile, this original oil painting has been reasonably priced because it is a study. It was done with a palette knife and has a lot of texture.

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"Bianca in red", plein air, 12x16, oil on masonite by Maryanne Jacobsen, impressionist portraits, plein air portraits

"Bianca in Red", plein air, 12x16, oil on Masonite

This impressionist painting looks great when you are looking at it from across the room. Get closer and it's a lot of knife strokes and heavy texture. It was painted with mostly a palette knife, though I used a brush at the end to give her features some definition. The model was wearing red and was backlit, and the red parasol had a strong influence over the entire composition, so there were some challenges involved in making a convincing statement of light. Although you can't tell from the photo of Bianca below, she had this marvelous little slice of light across her left cheek, and that was the whole reason for the painting!
I was especially happy that I was able to just mass in the hands and make them look convincing.

I am a huge fan of John Singer Sargent, and was fortunate to see some of his paintings recently when I visited the Portland Museum of Art in Portland, Maine. One of his paintings, "Breakfast in the Loggia", always fascinated me, because of the way in which he just massed in the hands with a few deft brushstrokes. Click on the photo of his painting below to see what I mean:

I love impressionism. I am a little sad that it has not reached the level of popularity that we currently see in styles like representational realism. That being said, I'm happy for the painters that paint in that style, but will continue to follow my heart and stick with impressionism.

If you are interested in this painting, simply send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

New Art Exhibit by Maryanne Jacobsen

If you are in the southwest Florida area this weekend, please come join me at the opening of my invitational art reception at The North Port Art Center in North Port, Florida. The reception will be on Saturday, November 6th, from 4 to 6 PM., with refreshments and beautiful art to soothe the soul!

I will be featuring some of my newest landscapes from my recent trip to Massachusetts and Maine, as well as some popular still lifes and portraits. For more info about the exhibit or to get directions, please call (941)423-6460. The art center will also be featuring a brand new exhibit entited "Idols and Icons". Don't miss it! Hope to see you there!