Artist’s Almanac: Summer 2025
The Unveiling
Summer’s Completed Artwork
Caught Lightning In A Bottle
To me, this painting is about hope.
About the moment you realize that some part of you,
despite everything, still believes the impossible can happen.
It’s part of my series, They Might Be Gods.
And maybe the figure holding the bottle is a god.
Or maybe they’re not.
Maybe we all are, or could be.
Study For Pomegranate Painting
I’m currently working on my largest painting yet, a pair of pomegranate trees heavy with fruit where black crows gather to eat.
This is a smaller study of a section of the bigger painting. In between the two trees is a crow laying down one of its feathers upon an altar-like stone. I’m still playing around with the myth and story telling in the larger painting and so I wanted to experiment with how this idea could visually look. The birds giving a piece of themselves in order to taste the fruit.
On The Easel
Summer’s Works In Progress
The Pomegranate Painting
I haven’t named this painting yet. Right now the nickname is, The Pomegranate Painting. This painting is already taking a different turn from my the original concept. Before I had planned on this painting having the color scheme being the primary colors of strong Blues, Reds, and Yellows. Now it is taking on a more golden color story where the other colors are muted.
Even my process for how I apply the paint has changed too. I used my razor sharp palette knife to scrape off my thickly applied dried paint strokes. Now I am applying the paint thin my with my largest brushes. It’s giving it a more dreamy atmospheric feel.
My next step will be adding the crows and developing the surface of the painting further.
Seasonal Inspiration
This is my first full summer in North Carolina. I love being outside but the oppressively hot humid weather is keeping me indoors.
In my free time I’ve been going through my artwork and finding places to organize and hang it all. I’m really happy with this gallery wall I created.
Studio Musings
‘What Painting Is’ by James Elkins
This is my current book right now. It is just so good! James Elkins talks about painting in a unique way comparing the act of painting to alchemy. It’s like a love letter to slow days in the studio pushing paint around and figuring out all the little discoveries one has when they focus on the craft of painting.
In the World: Art Events
I am now the newest member of the prestigious Oil Painters of America.
Fresh off the easel and into the Eclipse Gallery, I have already now sold my large persimmon painting, Fruit Of The Gods.
I’m preparing my art work for the Landfall Art Show next month in Wilmington.
Summer’s warmth is giving way to cooler air and longer nights.
I’ll be here in the studio, carrying that glow forward into the winter season.
Your artist friend,
Jennifer Marie Keller