Art for the Heart

Louisiana Paintings

2012-02-05T07:46:00.000-08:00

Louisiana Cajun People of the Swamp themed paintings

2012-02-04T11:51:00.000-08:00

The original painting is not for sale. It measures 16x20 inchees and is acrylic on stretched canvas.

Original not for sale

My Heart's Desire...

2012-01-28T17:10:00.000-08:00

My heart longs to go home. It's more that just a want, it's almost a desperation feel. I've wanted it for years now but I am afraid. Why am I so afraid?

I need to see my sister...my one and only sister. I need to wrap my arms around her and look into her eyes. It has been over six years since I've looked into her eyes. That was the day we buried our mother. Add another year and a half for our last "good" visit.

I'm not afraid to see my sister. I am afraid of what "home" feels like without Mama. I'm afraid of the pain & the emptiness. I do wonder if I'll feel her there...where she loved it so.

And I'm afraid that if I do feel her there, I might have trouble leaving.

It seems that everytime I try to get down there, something comes up. Money issues, kids and sports, school, illnesses...one thing after another. Perhaps I'll try again. March is Spring Break...I wonder if I can make it happen this time.

Maybe I can get these angels to help me achieve my heart's desire.

Once upon a time...

2012-01-27T16:39:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, I was a blogger. I find myself really missing those days. I was really happy with FaceBook, but lately it seems like some weird cross between Twitter & MySpace. It feels cold & distant. I thought I'd find a little refuge here in my blog.

Let's look at some of January's work. Most of these are in their final stages & haven't been printed yet. Oh these are digital paintings. We'll look at the acrylic ones next

still untitled

Creole Lady

Acrylic on Canvas vs Digital Paintings

2011-12-07T21:30:00.000-08:00

I do two types of paintings. I use acrylic paints on canvas or I paint digitally on my computer. I'd like to tell you a little about each type...

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS
...my standard and favorite size is 16x20 inches. I prefer stretched canvas. Anything smaller and it's harder to get the softness often seen in my work. Anything larger and I have to make a special trip to the city.

I sometimes use canvas boards, especially when I'm out of wall space.

In my earliest works, I often painted in monotone...using only one color paint mixed with white. As time passed, the colors became richer...deeper.

I also started out using a spray on sealer over each acrylic painting. Nearly all of them were matte, giving a slight luster to the painting. Just this year, I switched to a semi-gloss brush on sealer...and I LOVE it! It gives the pieces the perfect amount of shine and protection.

I sell the original paintings but offer canvas prints on most. That doesn't mean that one painting has many prints...only that there is a possibility that someone might order one. My canvas prints are extremely rare so far.

DIGITAL PAINTING

There are many types of digital/graphic art. This Wiki article explains more than I can...

What I do is not computer-generated. It is not altered photographs. My "canvas" screen starts off blank and every stroke, every shadow, is hand created...just like an acrylic painting.

I don't have to worry about anyone bumping the wet paint. I can paint in the dark. I have no mess and it doesn't take up much room. These paintings take twice the time or more but I love them so.

When a piece is finished, I have a test print made. Sometimes it might need cropping or a little change in a shadow...then I offer prints. I have prints made locally by professional printers on archival luster photo paper. I find this captures the colors....the "light" perfectly.

I sign and date the prints...which range from ACEOs to 4x6 to 5x7 & 8x10. Larger prints or canvas prints are special ordered.

The difference in appearance

If you've seen me share photos of my work, you might notice the difference in appearance.
The digital paintings are more vibrant...smoother looking paintings. The acrylic on canvas paintings have the natural grains of the canvas and they have the brush strokes that make it a painting :)

I love them both and don't have a favorite...they are so different, yet so much the same.
Often a digital painting doesn't even get printed...so just because you might see prints for sale, doesn't mean there are many out there. It only means that one can be made for you

Jerri

Six Years of Angels

2011-11-01T20:58:00.000-07:00

Six years ago this week, my world was forever changed. I lost my mother. That, in itself, is hard enough, but it was everything else that shook me to the core. I realized that was very naive. I believed that good won over evil. I believed that truth was facts. I believed in a justice system. I believed in people. I believed that truth couldn't be sold or bought. I was wrong about alot.

What I have learned is

that no matter what it "looks" like, assumptions are not facts
It's easy to deny the presence of evil because we don't want to see it or to believe it, but it does exsist.
God never leaves us or forsakes us
we won't always understand why
we won't always have the answers or proof
sometimes we have to believe our hearts
abuse doesn't always leave visable scars but can be just as deadly

I still miss her daily. I still have bad days. I still battle anger. I still paint for peace. It's my personal time to sit in the quiet and listen to God. It still helps ease the pain. It makes me feel closer to her.

I hold faith that God was there that night. HE is the only remaining witness. She was worthy...and justice was His.

links

2011-10-14T18:07:00.000-07:00

JDPeek.com
JDPeek on FaceBook

Another Year Older...Let's Celebrate!

2011-09-11T14:29:00.000-07:00

Laissez les Bon Temps Roulez! Let the good times roll!

In just two weeks, I'll be 43 years old. Not sure how that happened but it's true, I checked the dates! I was thinking that since I've never had a birthday party, I need to do something! A day with family and friends sounds delightful so I figure, why not host it myself? The only gift requested is their company. I can even feed them...hey, FREE FOOD & someone might come.

I hope I don't end up sitting alone in my party hat! But if I do, I'll have good food and great music! I'm easy to please :)

I was also thinking...usually for my birthday, I give away alot of artwork, both paintings and prints. This past year was pretty slow so I'm not able this year but I can make a special offer. My offer is ANY 8x10 art print for $10...good from now until my birthday September 25th, 2011. That's half off and will cover my costs. Images are posted on my FACEBOOK page JDPeek. The shipping charge is $3 in the US & $5 for overseas.

I'll set the listing up in my Bonanza booth

Painting Prayers

2011-09-08T23:01:00.000-07:00

You may already know that when I paint, I talk to God and when I need to talk to God, I paint. Like tonight, my thoughts and prayers are with everyone facing these wildfires. Thousands and thousands of acres have been lost. Hundreds of people have lost their homes. Lives have been lost. Other lives have been forever altered.

So many people are risking their lives to put out the fires. It always amazes me when so many step up to help. I see help being offered everywhere...helping the people...helping the animals.

And it's the tenth anniversary of 9-11. So many brave fighters. Such sadness...

Because I know that He never leaves us...because I know that he wraps us in his LOVE...because I know that even when the body perishes, our souls are held in HIS loving arms, I dedicate tonight's piece to the heros, the angels that walk among us, the people who risk all and to everyone who knows or loves one.

Thank You doesn't seem like enough

Birthday Wishes to Heaven

2011-09-07T21:13:00.000-07:00

Another year, another birthday wish to Heaven. September 11th is my mother's birthday, but she's not here. This is the fifth birthday without her. It's hard to believe that November will mark six years. She would be turning 63 on Sunday. She was exactly 20 years & two weeks older than me. If hers was on a Sunday, mine would be too. So I'm looking at my 43rd soon.

I try hard each year, in fact each day, to celebrate life like she taught us. I had plans for the weekend...cooking and laughing. Today though, I'm not so sure I can pull it off. Already I feel the emptiness...the sadness.

She would hate for us to be sad, I know. It makes sense to my head but my old heart is stubborn and fragile. It likes to wrap up in the memories like a handmade quilt...like a mother's love.

Funny how we spend so much of our lives blaming our mothers for the bad things, and then when they're gone, we give them the credit for the good things. It was like this light came on and suddenly I understood EVERYTHING. Even the things that drove me crazy are now the very same things that bring me a smile. I see her everyday in my children. I feel her everyday in my heart. Some days it's enough to get me through, then some days, like today....well

And so, perhaps this post can remind someone not to take things for granted. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. If you love someone, make sure they know. And when you hug your mother, hug her extra for me

2011-08-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

Today, I started with the basic urge to paint. I opened up a new canvas and looked at it awhile. I needed to choose the colors I was feeling.

Finally I decided on a beautiful azure blue with a dab of dark blue and a touch of purple.

Once my paint was ready, I began to cover the canvas.

Then came the clouds.

Once I saw the angel, I realized that there were two and that they shared a deep love. I tried to mark them like I saw them.

After more time, the details began to take shape.

It won't be long now until the painting is finished.

The World Needs More Sundays!!

2011-06-21T20:56:00.000-07:00

Sunday...

We need more Sundays in this world. Now, to some people, Sunday is nothing more than a day on the calender, but some of remember what a true Sunday was.

Sunday was the day of rest. It was the day to celebrate life and enjoy the things that you spent the week working so hard for. The only places open were churches and convienence stores. People used Sundays to visit each other, get families together, to love and laugh.

Sundays were filled with music and singing and dancing. Where did the music go? Where is the fun and laughter? Where are the Sundays?

Sunday celebrations can come on any day of the week. It's more about the reason for the day than the actual day.

Nowadays everyone is working so hard but never taking that day to sit back and enjoy life. It seems like we've replaced Sundays with the occassional holiday but even that seems rushed, not relaxed.

Let your hair down, be silly, play in the rain, roll in the grass, sing, dance...it's good for the soul and the blood pressure! Go ahead and have yourself a Sunday!

2011-06-16T16:34:00.000-07:00

This is a work in progress. The canvas measures 24 x 36 inches, I believe.

2011-05-23T10:18:00.000-07:00

JDPeek.com

JDPeek on FaceBook

JDPeek on Twitter

JDPeek on Ebay

A few of my newest paintings

2011-03-04T17:37:00.000-08:00

These are some of the most recent pieces. They are all 16x20 acrylic on stretched canvas. None are listed for sale anywhere at this moment.

After the Storms

2011-02-26T22:10:00.000-08:00

Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast at the end of August 2005. It took many lifes and changed many more. It was difficult to comprehend what was happening. It was excruciatingly painful to be here in Texas with my people there, maybe hurting. Well, of course they were hurting, just like I was, even if they were safe. It took a week before I had word from everyone that they were ok. Shaken, but ok.

Then came Rita at the end of September. Rita actually hit my family harder than Katrina. It was like the world had gone mad. I was miserable with worry, yet again until I found all of my family.

October we breather a little easier but the devastation of New Orleans and the Gulf stayed close. Just as things were calming, the phone rang

That phone call, the one that comes and rips your heart out. The one that plays over and over in your mind. The one you can still hear after 6 years.

It just so happened that my husband was home that night. He worked out of town and was never home during the week. I don't believe it was by chance that he was home. He was here because I NEEDED him to be. He was next door at the arena. After the phone call, I gathered up my kids and drove over there. I don't recall much more than that about that night. I remember the phone call, I remember hearing "She's dead! The SOB shot her! I remember hubby holding me tight and I remember bawling like never before.

I tried and tried to get someone, anyone on the phone. Hubby left for work the next morning and I sent the kids off to school. I had to take care of things before we could leave the ranch. Still no luck talking to any family. I don't know how I made it through that horrible day...nor the days to follow

Overcoming Heartbreak and Grief

2011-02-26T21:29:00.000-08:00

I'm not certain that "overcoming" is the appropriate word when talking about heartbreak or grief. In fact, seven years ago, all I knew about heartbreak was when relationships went bad. And though I lost friends who I adored, I had never lost a piece of my soul...such a huge piece that breathing was near impossible.

I have no doubts of a Forever After. I have no fears of "nothingness". I am certain of God's Love. My hurt after losing Mama was more about the way she was treated and the way she died. Sometimes answers never come and we have to believe what we know in our hearts. Some days it's easier than others.

I was caught off guard by some of my feelings after her death. There were people who asked too many questions of me. They hardly knew her, the details shouldn't have mattered to them. I should have mattered to them. I'm afraid that I made some just-as-rude comments back to them. Like the one who asked me where mama was shot. First my jaw dropped, them I snapped "Louisiana". My God, I had not even left Texas yet to go down there. I hadn't even asked those questions.

And then there were the folks who wanted some of her artwork. I won't even go there.

So, here's to those who truly loved me through this ordeal... Those who never asked but wondered what all happened...and to those who offered to give me some of her artwork...to those who made me laugh and read through my breakdowns...I owe you guys alot.

So, I'll tell a story, with no intent to badmouth anyone. The man in this story has had his judgement day. God was there that night and he knows everything. And I know what I know, just because...

Why Angels?

2010-12-18T19:03:00.000-08:00

Some ask why I paint angels. I never set out to be an "artist" although it comes naturally throughout the family. I never set out to paint for anything more than a hobby. I've always painted but it was never ever emotional. It was never about what I felt or what I hoped to feel. I had never dreamed that anything from my hands could actually cause another to "feel".

As many of you know, that changed the night my mother was shot. My world had crashed, my heart torn open. The only things that enabled me to cope, were my family, God himself, and the Angels. The long drive back to Texas after the funeral five years ago, I had this incredible, unmistakable NEED to paint. I even picked up supplies on the way home.

For days, I did nothing more than sit in the floor cross legged and paint. It was the only way I could calm the anxiety. It was the only place I could put the emotion. I held myself together in front of the children but it was very difficult.

I could not close my eyes to sleep for a very long time. I saw things that I had never asked to see. I would wake wet from sweat with a racing heart. Often during the night I would get up and paint...or stay up until exhausted.

In 2006, I began to sell my art on Ebay. It provided me with the funds to keep painting, which was as needed as air to breathe. Year after year, my art has grown. I've upgraded my supplies and I have learned so many things. It's incredible to know that a piece I've created is in nearly all 50 states and spread out all over this incredible world. It's a feeling, that even though never expected, I am so grateful for.

Life gets hectic and I sometimes wonder why I'm still painting. I do have so many other passions...then I realize that painting is not a hobby for me anymore...it's a necessity. I still need the peace it brings. I still need that "place" to put what I feel. I still battle anxiety. I still need to be surrounded by that overwhelming feeling of LOVE that only angels hold.

Peace on Earth

2010-12-18T18:20:00.000-08:00

Painting through tragedy and sadness

2010-06-16T22:21:00.000-07:00

I pray and I paint

I cry and I paint

I paint what I feel

I feel what I paint

Angels

2010-01-10T19:41:00.000-08:00

2009-04-19T17:04:00.000-07:00