Small is Beautiful

This small plein air study from Full Circle farm shows the wonderful different colors of mixed farming. Each bed contains different plants. I have learned that brassicas like cabbage are usually blue-ish in color. So are alliums like onions. Green lettuce and escarole have a florescent lime green appearance. And red lettuce is a lovely crimson and brown. Some of the kales are dark purple. I was also interested in the clouds this day. Each one had an aura of light around it.

This is post card sized (5"x7") and is part of the show at Cafe Fiore in Sunset Hill. I have priced it at $150. Now my friends can lecture me again that I should put my prices up. I love them.

Nourish - Plein Air Studies of the Farms of the Snoqualmie Valley

On Sunday I'll hang a show of my plein air studies of Full Circle and Oxbow Farms. The show will run through November and December at Cafe Fiore in Sunset Hill, just north of Ballard. (3125 NW 85th St)

The 9"x12" landscapes are $350 each and the 5"x7"landscapes are $150. The food paintings vary in price. Zucchinis on a cupcake stand called "Cupcakes for the Twenty First Century" and the Radicchio plant are $500. "Blackberries" and the "Zucchinis in Sunshine" are $350.

You can contact me to purchase by emailing me at jean@patchworkplanet.com or calling me at 206 217 0031.

Update November 18: I have added red dots to the paintings that have sold. And an 'NFS' to the one painting that is not for sale.

Grabbing a Moment

Today was sunny. A rarity on Seattle in October. Some moments we need to stop and turn our faces to the sun and treasure its wimpy warmth. 

This painting is on canvas and measures 5x7 inches.

Super Model Chicken

Super model chicken says "Work it baby!" to all those participating in the Seattle Farm Sanctuary Walk for Animals this Sunday. This little painting measures 5x7 inches.

Gorgeous, Amazing, Beautiful Day

A couple of days ago we had such a sunny warm unexpectedly gorgeous day and I was so lucky to spend it painting in the field at Oxbow Farm. 

My friend Tina and I had some fun taking pictures to help me find a portrait photo for the Artist Trust website. Here I am with the children's play tractor.

Megan came out of the barn to warn us that there was a bear on the farm that afternoon. Eventually we were lucky enough to see it on the other side of the lake eating snowberries. The lake area of the farm is a restored wetland with native planting managed with the help of Stewardship Partners.

I hadn't brought a hat so when it was time to paint I had to use a Washington State road map to keep the glare out of my eyes. I love maps!

Here's the finished study. Mount Rainier was 'out' and I couldn't resist putting it in the painting, (in the upper left) along with Cougar Mountain (in the upper right). What a wonderful day.

There are red lettuces in the foreground. Then green lettuce and the dark purply stuff is kale.

Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation

I have donated this painting of a sleeping kitten the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation who are holding a fundraising auction on 22 October. It is painted on a stretcher I made years ago and have used for various paintings. So there is a rich texture of history adding to the soft monochrome.

Upcoming Shows

I am showing my work in four different places this fall. The first show, at ArtsWest in West Seattle, opens on Thursday, 13th October. I'll be there starting at 6pm so stop by and say hello!  Here is a list of paintings that will be there and their prices.

Through the month of November I will be returning to Fuel Coffee in Wallingford.

And for November and December at Fiore Coffee in Sunset Hill, just north of Ballard.

Finally from Dec 1 - 14th January I will have some new pieces at a group show at Lucia Douglas Gallery in Bellingham.

I'll keep posting these events here, but you can also sign up to 'like' my Facebook page at Jean Bradbury Art and I'll make sure you are up to speed.

Cupcakes for the Twenty First Century

Summer vegetables are so pretty that I have been storing them under glass on cake stands on the kitchen counter. So many people are eating more thoughtfully these days, whether for their own health or the health of the planet. I like to think of these as the cupcakes of the 21st Century. Look out Wayne Thiebaud.

This is 12 inches square. The squashes are from Full Circle Farm and Boistfort Valley Farm.

A Grant from Artist Trust!

I have received a grant from the AMAZING Artist Trust to help with my series about the sustainable farms of the Snoqalmie Valley. Thanks Artist Trust. I am so excited!

Under the Plum Tree

This morning I put aside my series of farm paintings to finish a piece that I started in the last week of August. It was the week my daughter left for college for the first time. The end of summer always makes me wistful but there was extra thoughtfulness this year in the dried grasses, fallen fruit and cloudy weather.  

A couple of years ago I painted a small piece with similar feelings called "August Breaks My Heart".

"Under the Plum Tree" measures 18x24 inches.