Caution:Artist at Play-Artwork by Shana Rowe Jackson

Whoo! Time sure flies!! It's already August, which actually means I am a bit behind. I am currently working on my 2015 calendars and my goal is to have them done by the beginning of September. Like 2014, there will be two choices for calendars, one will feature landscape and still life images the other will be "Life in the 'Dale" themed ; a favorite for 2014. The landscape/Still life one will feature quite a few of my newer works as well as a couple of my old favorites. "The Life in the 'Dale" will be chalk full of fun, humor and plenty of puns! If time allows I may also do a third featuring my "Freedom Fairies" collection, but that may have to wait until next year.  Keep your eyes open because once I am finished with my calendars I will post previews and will be able to take orders at that time! "Berried Alive" Featured as August in the "Life in the 'Dale Calendar!! © Shana L Rowe Jackson 2 014

  I have been in the throws of inspiration this lately, and have created SIX new pictures since last week. One was a landscape strait from imagination, the next was inspired by a photo my husbands friend let me use,  then a heartwarming photo of my dog Max, a sketch of my cat Puff and the other two were additions to my "Revival Series" I think I pretty much covered every medium this week. :)   On Tuesday the 9th I had the opportunity to paint with a local painting group called the Tuesday group. It was nice to paint with others for once, and after we took sometime to critique, which was a really nice change for me and I learned a lot. I didn't really know what I wanted to paint, so the night before I did a quick landscape sketch from my head, and that's what I ended up doing. It's called "Daisy Lane" it's 11"x14" acrylic. I finished most of it there, then did a couple updates that were brought up during critique when I got home. I can'

  I read an article recently about a program that takes children's art and makes it into realistic versions. That, coupled with my recent re-do of my "Mother Nature's Kisses" that I originally painted two years ago, got me thinking. It inspired me to go through my paintings that I did when I was a kid, and see if there were any I could revive and make realistic versions of now that I am an adult.  "Revival Painting Comparison, The first was done when I was 13!!   This project is really exciting because it takes the simplicity of my childhood imagination to a whole new level. It brings me back to my roots. It is fun to see where my style started and to see how I've grown as an artist. It's interesting to see the things that I use to come up with. I would sit for hours painting, making things up from my head, and it has been inspirational to revisit those ideas.  Original version 11"x17" Acrylic on Cardstock  Shana L Rowe Jackson 2001