SoCal Weekend: Day Three - Newport Beach

(all images above are photographs. no artwork.....yet)

My final full day was spent taking a hike along the cliffs of Crystal Cove in Newport Beach. Followed by a couple hours of languorous dining and beach-combing. It's something of a local's secret because, unlike Balboa Island or Huntington Beach just up the road, it was not packed and I had a long stretch of shoreline to play with. I would describe the weather as "balmy", such a shock as it had snowed back home in Las Vegas just two weeks prior. Suffice it to say, I was a little sweaty by the time I sat down to lunch (not pictured), a large plate of swordfish tacos and a decent smoked tuna paste with crostini. And water. A girl can work up a thirst with all that sunshine and exercise (cue angry emails from snow-packed followers). Did I mention I got a sunburn???

I should clarify something. The out-of-place photo of the dog in a window is only there because I thought it was so funny. This is what I woke to Sunday morning before the trip to Crystal Cove. Lucky, my brother's chihuahua, bounded across the bed and up onto the window ledge, wedging himself between the glass pane and the blinds, so afraid he might miss something going on outside. At 6:45am. On a Sunday. While THE ENTIRE WEST COAST was still sleeping.

©Jelaine Faunce. All rights reserved.

SoCal Weekend: Day Two - West Hollywood

(all images above are photographs. no artwork.....yet)

On my way to Newport Beach, I took a detour and visited my good friend Laurie in "WeHo" for lunch. She lives and works in an area that is fascinating to me, visually. Situated between Santa Monica Blvd. and Melrose Ave. on the steep hills that never quite feel earthquake-friendly, her neighborhood is an architectural soup unlike any other I've ever seen. Little Spanish-style bungalows sit across the street from modernist hipster condos, each and every one of them tucked away behind private drives and lots of flowering plants. It's a bit of a jungle. Anything can grow there and flourish. Year round. Coming from the desert, this makes my heart ache. I'll never "get" L.A. no matter how many times I'm there, but I'll always love the climate and the architecture. And the restaurants. One of which, a lovely Vietnamese cafe with outdoor seating whose name I can't recall, Laurie and I dined at Saturday afternoon. So good. Nothing beats a giant steaming bowl of phở, except maybe miso. No, phở is better. Sorry, Japan. You lose.

©Jelaine Faunce. All rights reserved.

SoCal Weekend: Day One - Temecula Wine Country

(all images above are photographs. no artwork.....yet)

I worked straight through the holidays on an ambitious goal: seven juried show entries. I finished up last week, just in time for a pre-planned long weekend to Southern California where I have family and friends. The timing was perfect, I must admit. I was more than ready for a break, satisfied with what I'd accomplished, feeling good about myself and my efforts, but in need of a change in scenery.

Taking the time to clear your mind and relax your body after any endeavor is good for creativity. Amy Chua may disagree, but I've found it to be most effective for attaining long-range goals. This trip, I left my notebook, sketchbook and real camera at home. I vowed to live in the moment of each day I was away and document the experience only with my iPhone camera. No grand plans to take photos for potential paintings, I simply let myself roam. But after looking at some of the many images I captured, I may be tempted to put at least a few to canvas. It's amazing what those photo editing apps can do, and I have twelve, so far (sheepish grin). Ever the perfectionist.

Now I'm home, refreshed and ready to begin the New Year. I'm back to working on a series of new studies I prepped before leaving town and back to working on my new portfolio. I'll begin listing the studies by week's end. In the meantime, I thought I'd share my journey with you, to show you what inspires and re-energizes me.

(Added Note: Inspiration for this layout comes from Alice Gao and her breathtaking blog)

©Jelaine Faunce. All rights reserved.

Sweet Inspiration

"Gift Box III" - oil on canvas - 4"x 4" - SOLD

Last week I got an email from a fellow artist, named Brendy Vaughn, who now makes beautiful custom cakes. She has made a cake based on my painting, "Gift Box III". I was flattered. And then hungry. Below is the image from her site (Warning! NSFW! - Not Safe For Waistline):

I wonder if I can get a referral commission for this. One cake will do. Oh, okay, send me two. ;o)

Richeson 75 Small Works 2011

"Now Being Served" - 6" x 6" - oil on hardboard panel - NFS

I'm pleased to announce that my painting, "Now Being Served", has been accepted into the Richeson Small Works 2011 show. The show hangs February 7 - March 25, 2011 at the Richeson School of Art & Gallery, 557 Marcella St., Kimberly, WI 54136. The opening reception will be Friday, February 11, 2010 from 5-7:30pm.

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Black Coffee, Three Sugars (Eyes Wide Open)

"Black Coffee, Three Sugars (Eyes Wide Open)"
12" x 4" - oil on gallery wrapped canvas

My final entry for the 5th of 5 juried shows I chose to enter since November. Breathing a huge sigh of relief. I will now get on with the next series of studies I've been wanting to begin. And back to my gallery portfolio. And regular posting. And possibly a quick trip to SoCal wine country for some R&R and photography. (sigh)

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