Blue Horizon

A new painting now available in my Etsy shop at www.livefunky.etsy.com.

There's Magic Here

There's Magic Here - Original acrylic painting on 8" x 10" canvas panel, 2008.
Now available in my Etsy shop at www.livefunky.etsy.com

PLEASE READ MY UPDATE ON THIS POST ABOUT SHOPHANDMADE.COM

http://jessicatorrant.blogspot.com/2008/10/update-on-shophandmadecom.html

Co-Creating

I had SUCH a great day today, hanging out in the studio with an old friend from home named Todd. He brought over a found object piece he had been working on for his daughter. This project is made up of all kinds of things, from scraps found in his father's shop, to found objects on hikes, to random hardware like door knobs and handles that his daughter loved to carry around in her tool chest (a chip off the old block, she is). Some wood pieces are carved, or drilled into as nifty pencil holders or containers for odds and ends. Todd brought his almost complete gift to my house for me to add my touches with paint. It turned out I was able to contribute a few other trinkets as well that I thought she would enjoy.

Now... I just have to say this. Some people wouldn't get it. It's not your usual girly dollhouse with a picket fence that daddy built or anything. But I absolutely love it. And the little girl in me does too. Being a quirky, natural scavenger myself as a little girl, I would have fallen in love with this wild playscape and added my own collection of various shaped and sized critters and found objects. Todd and I had some great conversations today as we worked, and I know he won't mind me sharing that some of those conversations included what it's like being quirky (which we both are) and how sometimes people can't really understand it. Like talking to ourselves, or bouncing between different projects at once when you get excited, or following your intuition rather than a map. There's room for all of us in this world, and when I think about my friend Todd, I thank God for people like him on this Earth. He is constantly meeting new people and befriending them wherever he goes, and he's a roamer. He has passionate and creative ideas and he pursues them right away, not in a rush, but not put on the list of "someday I will...". I've got more to share about Todd, but let me get to what we worked on today...

Todd and the project.

Top showing the shells and rocks and the painted pasture and stone path.

The pasture with little rocks I painted to be moved around. One with a cow on either side, another with a horse. Behind that is a little fairy tower that is removable (tada! fairy wand!) with painted flowery vines and a little ribbon with this fairy figurine I had hanging around among my collection of random items. The animal rocks (and any of her added animal friends, which I'm sure she has) can hang out in the pasture or get daring and jump the fence!

The tree is another removable dowel painted brown with real branches, a photo of Todd and his daughter and a porcelain bird figurine I got in a box of teabags on top. The wood piece with the red flower on it is also removable and it has slots for her tools, or a feather, or a pretty leaf - whatever new treasure she discovers that day.

The view from above - almost finished. The wood piece with the flower turned into a brick building with a window on the side with a cat in the window. (GAH! I wish I took more pictures! There are so many details!). I should add, those stones and shells are glued on and finished, so they have a cool shine, and the stones in the back wrap around like a stone wall. Todd stained most of the wood and I just added little touches of color. The green square on the bottom has another little fence around it, and the other one is more like a platform for a little box with hand carvings that I painted in two shades of green. I wish I had a picture of that too, but hopefully I'll get some updated pics when she gets it.

Here it is, finished for the most part. The blue dowel will be getting a curtain and he also has this funky fish sculpture thing that will go in there (seen in the first pic) and two other wood objects. I painted the dowel first in this subtle gradation from dark to lighter blue and continued that with other the other elements of trim.

Ok. I was introduced to the amazing music of Fela Kuti today. Here is a clip for your enjoyment.



I've got more to share about Todd and what he's up to, but I'll be saving that for tomorrow. Good night and peace.

Handmade Ornaments

The crafty bug has hit me and I've been making these felt ornaments with hand embroidered and beaded embellishments. After several test ornaments, I have two new ones that I think are up to par to list on Etsy. If these sell, I'll be thrilled, but it's not why I'm making them. It's just, quite simply, fun! I feel connected to the kid in me that used to cross stitch and make friendship bracelets with embroidery floss. I also feel connected to my Grandmother, because the patterns I am coming up with really remind me of the Hungarian folk art patterns that moved me as a young child. You can find my ornaments in my Etsy shop at www.livefunky.etsy.com.

Prints

I'm bringing back prints to my Etsy shop! www.livefunky.etsy.com

The Evolution of the Series

Mountains - acrylic on 36" x 36" canvas.

Behold the Endless Journey - acrylic on 12" x 24" canvas.

Memories of the Bay - acrylic on 16" x 20" canvas.

There's a blend of abstract expressionism and the Bay Painters influencing me right now. Well, they always have, but they are really making themselves present in a louder way in my work. I feel like each of these paintings connects to landscapes but nothing literal, which is fun and freeing. I see elements of the sea, the countryside and mountains in each of these in different ways. It's really still all about color, composition and chemistry, but that whisper of a landscape sets me in the space in a sort of peaceful, zen way.

I look back at the history of my work and the phases of my life being expressed right along. The angst of youth, the frustration as well as the fear on a quest for answers, making sense of things. The curious exploration of self and others - it's all there, documented in my drawings and paintings. Now I really feel like I am in such a good place in my life. I've resolved certain issues and I'm still working on others, but I'm more confident and centered than ever. It feels GOOD to be centered. I think I used to worry that if/when I achieved any sort of balance in my life that my paintings would become boring, uninspired. Not at all! I'm more focused and the connection is deeper, more meaningful. I've got a lot of life yet to live and it will be interesting how my work evolves on this journey. Right now I feel connected to the brilliance of life and the quiet truths of the soul - I hope that this carries through in these paintings.

www.livefunky.etsy.com

First two paintings of the new series

These are the first two finished paintings in my new series.

I've Been Here Before - acrylic on 20" x 20" canvas

Through the Blue - acrylic on 16" x 20" canvas

Both of these paintings are available in my Etsy shop. www.livefunky.etsy.com

Rainy Day

Here's a picture of a Rose of Sharon blossom in our yard. A rainy day today meant I was painting, but there wasn't good enough light to document any of it. A few canvases are getting closer to complete. I'm really loving paint right now... Good times.

FIVE FAB ETSY FINDS on Look See Saw

Check out my other blog, Look See Saw for a new series of posts called Five Fab Etsy Finds (simply put, the Five Fab). I am sharing this handful of what I consider the best of a specific theme. Limiting myself to only five items has been a challenge, but that's what I think will keep my posts really unique - each theme MUST be specific or else I'd have a really hard time wading through hundreds of listings trying to find my five favorite necklaces, for example. If you have a suggestion for me, please leave them in your comment - thank you!

Below are examples of each of my posts.


THEME 1: AMBER RINGS
Amber Dark Ring by sisicata

THEME 2: UPCYCLED SUITCASES

The Sophisticate Traincase - a go go... by SamariaProject

Next up... Pincushions!

Have an idea for a theme? Leave your suggestion as a comment!

Featured Ahtist!

I am this weeks featured "ahtist" on www.Ahtspot.com - a website for Artists of New Englad (hence the "ahtist" part, gotta love our New England accent!).

Back to Business

brushes, originally uploaded by livefunky.

I have been having a blast painting the last two days. I'm working big again and really exploring expressive gestures, dripping paint, working fast and loose. I love it! I don't want to post anything until it's really finished. I tried to make a video while I was working and I totally screwed this great painting up. I can't work with anyone's eyes on me, and I guess that goes for a digital camera as well.

I hope to post a few finished pieces in the coming days.

The Great Shift

Original acrylic and oil pastel on 12" x 12" gallery wrapped box canvas. Available at www.livefunky.etsy.com

I don't know what other people will think of these really raw new paintings, but I'm digging them. I just wanted to do something different, something truly outside the box. Every instinct I've got to make certain compositions or marks are being washed over and broken. I'm not sure where this journey is taking me, but it's fun!

I'm wondering what sort of products I could offer for Christmas. I've never done much to change my shop during the holidays, except for one time when I made some handpainted gift tags. Greeting cards maybe? Or keepsake boxes? Or should I just let the other thousands of sellers offer things for Christmas and stick to what I do best - abstract paintings. I'm undecided at this point. Thoughts?

Two new paintings

View From Above - Acrylic and oil pastel on 12 x 12 box canvas.

Over Yonder - Acrylic and oil pastel on 12 x 12 canvas panel.

I'm enjoying working really free - fast and loose. There's a bit of a landscape quality to these two paintings. The first piece is titled View From Above because it reminded me of looking down on the California coast from a plane. Both pieces are now available at www.livefunky.etsy.com.

Collective Dream Stream

Original acrylic painting on 8x8 inch box canvas, created in 8/2008. Now available at www.livefunky.etsy.com.

The Art of Cooking 2 - Fruit and Cheese Salad

This installment of the Art of Cooking is a simple and DELICIOUS salad I'm calling the Fruit and Cheese Salad. We've been trying to have as much salad as possible with our meals, and the standard veggie salad with Italian dressing was getting a bit old, so I mixed it up a bit tonight.

What's In There?
Mixed greens
Yellow tomatoes (fresh and local!)
Red onion
Peeled and diced orange

Halved red grapes
Walnuts
Crumbled goat cheese
Strawberry slices

Served with a raspberry poppy seed vinaigrette.


I think apples, pears and grapefruit would be good substitutes and/or additions to this salad.

Check out my first installment of the Art of Cooking HERE!

Here I am! - by Jessica Torrant

absolutearts.com Portfolio

I've been a member of absolutearts for some time now but I've never offered anything for sale. I'm now offering some very recent paintings for sale here to see how things go. Please feel free to contact me at jtorrant@aol.com with any questions or comments you may have about me or my work. Thank you!

absolutearts.com Portfolio

Big eBay Sale!

Today I listed 51 paintings (possibly more later tonight) on eBay with auctions ending in 3, 5 and 7 days. The starting bids are all greatly discounted from my usual prices.



Original acrylic paintings on paper - $9.99 and up starting bid/no reserve
Original acrylic paintings on canvas board - $19.99 starting bid/no reserve
Original acrylic paintings on stretched canvas - $39.99 starting bid/no reserve

I'm offering these at such a discount because I only want to work on gallery wrapped canvases from now on. You can see all of my current auctions here http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZlivefunky

Summer Day Dance

Original acrylic painting on 12" x 12" box canvas, created 8/2008. Available at www.livefunky.etsy.com.

Documenting my routine

Take a morning hike on a local trail through Shenipsit State Forest with my two loves, Leo the dog and Rob the husband. (Rob is on vacation this week - he makes taking a walk ten times more fun).

Get home and start painting. I've been working in the screened in area of the porch because the weather has been so nice. It's so easy to get in a groove listening to the birds sing and the chipmunks peep and scurry about. I love it out there.

You'll see those craft bottles of acrylic there. I've been using them for base coats and then I work over the surface with higher quality paint. You can call me frugal franny if you like, I won't mind.

Continuing on the frugal tip, instead of buying some pre made bbq sauce for our chicken tonight, I whipped up some homemade sauce, a little trick I learned from my dad. Ketchup, molasses, spicy mustard, garlic powder, ground red pepper, and some of my favorite dry rub. I put some boneless thighs in there, as well as chopped onions that caramelize, to marinate for a few hours before baking them. Let me just say, I have a new favorite recipe.

The energetic boy has refueled from his walk and is ready for more. A good old Frisbee session in the back yard is in order.

Back out to the studio to paint, and take pictures of finished paintings, then it's time to call it a day and get started on dinner. After dinner, I dive into online work - promoting and adding new pictures to my various sites. At some point we'll go to bed then the whole routine begins again tomorrow.

So there it is. Not especially exciting or anything, but it's my life, and I love every minute of it.

In an Instant

Original acrylic painting on 8" x 10" stretched canvas. Created in 8/2008.

Since I am trying to keep my Etsy shop filled with only the best of the best, I decided to list this painting on eBay instead because the canvas has stapled sides. I bought staple sided canvases for years at a discount store in the area because, well, they were inexpensive and readily available. But I've found that spending a bit more on a staple free canvas is so worth it because so many contemporary art collectors don't want to worry about a frame.

I like the interesting palette in this piece - a soft pink contrasted against darks and a bold yellow. I'm starting the bidding at a much lower price than what I'd usually charge so if you're looking to invest in my art, but you want an affordable option, you should CHECK OUT THIS AUCTION!

Push and Pull

Original acrylic painting on 8" x 8" box canvas, created 8/2008. Available in my Etsy shop at www.livefunky.etsy.com.

Worlds Collide

Original acrylic painting on gallery wrapped canvas. Now available at www.livefunky.etsy.com.

Borderline

Original acrylic painting on gallery wrapped canvas. Now available at www.livefunky.etsy.com

Testing the Water

This watercolor painting is on acid free watercolor paper. It is being sold unframed for the custom framing of your choice, or an easy DIY project by popping it in a ready made, standard sized 8" x 10" frame (Note: painting goes to the edges of the paper). For a great overview of more in depth DIY picture framing, check out this blog post.
Now available for purchase in my Etsy shop

Today was a great day - very productive! After a walk in the woods with Leo and Rob, I spent the rest of the day in the studio painting. At first I played with some watercolors (this is the most successful one among the three I worked on - the other two are currently incubating) and then switched to acrylic on various canvases. I "tagged" around ten paintings with a fast first pass of color compositions. Just getting back into the flow of things, the feel of it, the zone. Tomorrow I will be getting back into each one, and I'll have at least one complete painting to share by the end of the day.

PAINT ON!

Deep Breath

family portrait, originally uploaded by livefunky.

Sitting on the shore, watching my step son wade out for one last swim of the day, I had this amazing feeling wash over me. Everything that matters is ok. In fact, it's ideal. The things that matter are love and family and inner joy/peace - check, check and double check.

The things that don't matter are the things that we left in a flurry of stress about. It all boils down to one thing - paying the bills. The almighty dollar. It is amazing how such an abstract thing can cause such real emotional, physical and psychological distress. When we returned to our home last night (and the stack of new bills waiting for us like a chorus of Debbie Downers) I couldn't help but let it get me down for a moment. After a "poor me" (or actually "us") cry, we talked it out and toasted a glass of wine to keeping our dreams alive and having patience in ourselves as we take each day at a time.

Uploading our vacation pictures to flickr was the best medicine as the salty air recent memories filled me and replaced my fear and stress with that same optomistic energy I felt every day of our trip. We may be in a pinch, but who isn't? EVERYTHING has gone up - everything. Whereas a year ago we could manage to skate by, even when unexpected car repairs or whatever popped up, now it's a constant skate and that wears on you. But it's wearing on EVERYONE. We are not alone, not by a long shot. There are folks that have to forclose on their beloved homes. There are folks that go without heat because they can't fill their oil tank. I must always be grateful for the blessings that we have and faith that God will provide when we cannot. He always does - when will I finally realize that and do what my mom always says "let go and let God"? Today I resolve to say no to stress and yes to life.

So - back to the best vacation ever.

We stayed in a big, old house built in 1898 right on Wells beach in Maine with a large group of family and friends. Feeling like we owned that chunk of sand and sea in front of us and spending every available moment outside. At night, there are no lights, no noisy traffic to disturb the peaceful sound of lapping waves and the nightly show of a huge, red moon rising over the ocean. We ate lobster, we boogie boarded on some "gnarly waves" (as my step daughter said, getting a laugh every time), we had deep and silly conversations, we shared ghost stories by the fire and had sing alongs. Every day the sun came out hot and heavy, with just a few puffy clouds in sight. Every day we bonded with Mother Ocean, swimming, walking beside her, and searching tide pools for hermit crabs and baby lobsters. As an added bonus, there was a ping pong table. So much fun working up a sweat with a few matches then going for a dip in the chilly water. My mom got to go for a swim in the ocean for the first time since her stroke in 2005. It was a wild group effort getting her out there, but she loved it. With my dad and I on either side of her holding her up and bouncing up over a wave, she giggled like a little girl with a wild smile on her face. That will be one of the memories I hold in my heart forever.

It was a magic vacation based on very simple, down to earth elements. Ocean, family, friends, food, fun, relaxation and conversation. No need to go all over the place or spend money on amusement parks or mini golf. A ping pong table, deck of cards, a scrabble board, our imaginations and the sea were all the entertainment we needed. I am so thankful for my parents organizing this and bringing everyone together. If you read this mom and dad, we all love you and thank you for the best family vacation we've ever had.

Back to the beach!

I'm going to be away for the next week. We are leaving tonight to go to Maine. I am PUMPED! And I must return to packing as I'm always a last minute girl. Have a great week!

New Series of original ACEOs

Well, it's official. My summer sale has come to a close. I cleared out my Etsy shop of all of my older work to clean the slate. I am going to be away on vacation next week and then I'm looking forward on starting my new series when I return.

In the meantime, I had ants in my pants and I had to do something. ACEOs seemed like the perfect solution for my idle hands! I have made a collection of new watercolor ACEOs, such as this one called Dance. You can find them all in my Etsy shop at www.livefunky.etsy.com.

Crowded Shoe

Designing funky Keds on Zazzle is addicting. This is my new favorite pair. They feature my black and white Crowded House design along with a red and white polka dot insole. This pair of sweet ladies shoes should scream "Hey man, I may not be good in crowds, but get me alone and I'm a real laugh riot".

Get them in your size HERE - which means this link - yes, please click on it.

Graphic Art Sneakers - Keds get a makeover

Check out my new line of Ked's shoes at www.zazzle.com/artjct* -sassy footwear is where it's at!

New and Improved Website

In the last few days and nights, I've been steadily working on revamping my website. I have to say, it's my favorite version to date. The design concept is simple and I hope that it is easy as well as interesting to navigate. There are still some things I need to add (like tags and page titles) but for the most part, it's complete!

Please check it out and let me know what you think. I'd love to hear your comments and suggestions. http://www.livefunky.com/

What I'm most excited about is my new Art Prints of the Month feature. Each month I'll be offering three new print designs to be purchased directly from my website. Check out the August collection HERE!

Good times

These pictures were taken tonight at my cousin Steve's house. He and his wife live in a farmhouse less than a mile down the hill from our house with some wonderful, lush property. Steve and Rob are old friends and I have a brotherly connection with him, so we all have a good old time when we hang out. The pictures above are of the insane blackberry bushes at their house LOADED with fruit. I picked a bunch to mix with some fresh local peaches for dessert. Ah the bounty of summer fruits and veggies! I'm in heaven.

No artwork updates right now. I'm working on home improvement stuff and just enjoying the golden days of summer as much as I can. Happy summer to all.

some things are just not meant to be

After all that build up for a second Etsy shop, I've decided to close it for now. I've removed all of my inventory, and I'm going to keep it in case I get the urge to make something different that fits that description. The paintings that I made are all going to eBay to find new homes.

Although I got a lot of hearts and views from PureDecor, there wasn't a single bite. And I understand why. LiveFunky as a name has a history and reputation on the site. PureDecor was just a baby in a sea of tons of talented newborns. I've seen the success of some artists that find a sort of system of production for contemporary decorative art and I wanted to try my hand at it. I am happy I did and I gave the idea a real go, because otherwise, I'd continue thinking "I could do that". It may be true, but it doesn't mean I can do it really well, and it doesn't mean that it will be a really popular product. I'm good at what I do and that's creating intuitive, one of a kind, abstract art. Why screw with what you know works?

Part of me is blushing thinking of all of my steps back and forth on this journey documented in this blog. The tangents of big plans and then a few weeks later the "oops, actually THIS is what's going to happen" update. But hey, it's the truth. Each change of plan offers lessons to learn along the way and unforseen opportunities. In the case of PureDecor, the Etsy shop of originals didn't work out, but my PureDecor Zazzle shop was a success. You just never know!

You can see all of my eBay auctions here http://myworld.ebay.com/artjct

Funfest in Boston

Ladies night out, originally uploaded by livefunky.

Here's a picture of me and the ladies on "our" boat (we wish!). We stayed on this masterpiece of a vessel thanks to our friend's boyfriend who is on the crew. So much fun just soaking in the sun, dunking our feet in the water off the dock, talking, laughing and making up dances like we were 16 again. Not to mention the incredible food and *ahem* beverages that were enjoyed. I am so thankful that our bond has continued and grown through the years. This is our third yearly gathering and I'm already dreaming of plans for next year. Much love to Jill, Jess, Nicole and Chrissy - you are the greatest.

She has wings and she can fly

Here is my lady with extra layers of paper mache.

And here she is with a hair cut and a little bit of gutting the junk in her trunk - which was all filler for an otherwise firm form. Scissors are a dangerous tool for me when it comes to this sculpture - it relates to many really bad home made haircuts like chisels chipping away at my plaster sculptures - once it's gone, it's gone. I tried to be conservative. Once I get back from my little vacation, I'm going to paint her and REALLY give her life.

As for this vacation, I am beyond excited, I'm just about jumping out of my skin. My girlfriends from the way back machine and I are getting together in Boston. I'll be back on Monday when I'll ship whatever I need to out, keep working on my sculpture prototype and bask in the glow of having been with the best of friends. If I ever complain about life, slap me, because right now, I know I got it good.

First Armature: A Woman Emerging

We'll see where this soul sister goes and grows, with new layers of paper and paste, and paint and everything else. I'm thinking in 3D - this should be interesting...

stayed tuned.