Caution:Artist at Play-Artwork by Shana Rowe Jackson

   Sometimes, when you work a lot, or have a limited income it can be hard to travel very far to get inspiration and reference photos. This can force one to look closer at the things around them, and find compositions that they wouldn't ordinarily think of. This has been what I have been up to lately, partly because I don't travel much, but also because I think there is something wonderful about taking something simple and using it to make a beautiful painting. Growing up I learned at a really young age that you work with what you have, (hence the fact that some of my first paintings were done entirely using q-tips because I didn't own any brushes at the time.) Spring is the perfect season for this, and the macro setting on my camera has been my best friend. I have been scouring my own backyard looking for small flowers, plants and animals that call to me, waiting to be painted. I have also taken reference photos of clothing and random things around the house, when you find

   I have to say one of my favorite things about being an artist is learning new techniques. The possibilities are endless, and there is always something new to learn, no matter how seasoned of an artist you are. I love the feeling I get when I read something or see something that I didn't know before, especially when it comes to a classic medium. Artists as a whole are innovative, we love to push the limits, experiment and see where things go. Because of this, on the internet and in books, you will find so much information just waiting to be learned, put there by generous artists who want to share their hard learned treasures with the rest of the world. No man is an island. This is especially true for fine artists, and a surprising reality for the self taught. Being self taught does not mean you do not learn from others, it's that you go and seek the information out for yourself instead of having it thrown at you in a classroom setting.    Recently I have been playing around

10 Reasons Why We Need Art "Before the Music Died" © Shana L Rowe Jackson 2012   History . Since the dawn of time art has served as a pictorial guide to where we originate from.   From the earliest cave drawings, to religious paintings and everything in between it has served as a way to look back in time and see how different cultures lived, what they went through and how we have grown as a species.        Cultural and political expression . Art serves as a very important purpose when it comes to getting a certain message out. If you look at art from specific cultures you can learn a lot about that culture and the way they live. From longstanding traditions to political views, if it is important to said culture chances are it has been depicted in their art. Street art is a good example of this, as it often expresses the needs of the community in which it originates.       Therapy. Art is proven to be therapeutic, both in the creation of it and in be

"The Big Countdown" First Painting of 2014!! "Free as a New Years Resolution"  Well, another year has passed! 2013 was an interesting year for me with a lot of ups and downs personally and financially but overall I had a lot to be grateful for, especially with my art. I participated in my first gallery show in 2013, and was a part of three in all. I have my work displayed at the Maine State Capital building in their Senate Republican office and at a local restaurant, also firsts for me. I believe I reached new heights as far as technique goes, I was able to explore more in oils, which has been a wonderful experience, and have grown in realism technique. I started two new series', My "Summer Flight" series and my "Revival" project. I added multiple paintings to my "Life in the 'Dale" series making it my largest ever series, and my Freedom Fairies Collection, making it a close second. Recently I have been getting b

In honor of "Cyber Monday" and the Christmas Season, I am offering a 25% discount on all my prints on FAA. This discount only comes off what I make on the print, and not the material cost (Only FAA can discount on their end) Good through th e 18th, which is the FAA deadline for Christmas shipping!! Good on anything in my shop, no limit to how many times you use the code!! Here is the code!!  VTUFJE    http://shana-rowe.artistwebsites.com/

I have to say Autumn is my most favorite season of the year!! The gorgeous leaves, no humidity, even temperatures. The colors are wonderful, the smells are intoxicating. Pumpkins, Candy, Apples, I love everything about this season.  This year I have been particularly inspired. From Halloween, to fallen leaves, here are a few of my newest fall paintings done this year, and there are more on the way!!! "Free as Autumn Leaves" "Trick or treat?" "Fallen from Grace" "Morning after Autumn rain" "Pumpkin Palooza" "Life is Golden" Here are a few of my old favorites inspired by fall!! "Self Portrait 2" 2011 "New England Drive" 2011 "When October Comes" 2012 "I'll be the teachers pet for sure!!" 2012 "What's for dinner?" 2012 "I want THAT one Mom!!" 2012 "Thanksgiving Dinner" 2011

"Caution:Artist at Play" 10"x10" Acrylic     Art, in itself is fun. It is it's own rewarding adventure from day to day, it's relaxing, and therapeutic. I absolutely love being an artist!! It's also a lot of work. I'm not just talking about challenging myself to be better at my craft, reading and learning, pushing myself, experimenting, and the years of work and personal growth. That is a factor but I consider that to be the fun side of art. What I am talking about is the menial things that most people don't think about when getting into art. The things behind the craft to make it possible. There are a lot of things going on behind the scenes, and not all of them are fun. Here is my list of top 10 tedious things that I do for my art, in no particular order as they are all in the same boat in my eyes. 10. Cleaning my brushes. This is a simple task, but it bores me to no end. It can also be time consuming depending on what medium I have been

Since August is here and there are no holidays to speak of this month I thought it would be fun to celebrate the holidays that are fast around the corner. I love the holidays, and each one has it's own special traditions. I also love doing holiday themed work!! Here are a few of my favorite paintings representing my favorite holidays. Hopefully this will help get you in the spirit to celebrate the upcoming holidays!! My favorite holidays to paint in order of where they fall in a calendar year- New Year's Eve/Day- Valentines Day- St. Patrick's Day- Easter- Independence Day- Halloween-  Thanksgiving-  Christmas-