Caution:Artist at Play-Artwork by Shana Rowe Jackson

     Spring has finally sprung, and that means flowers, green grass, blue skies and beautiful weather. This kind of beautiful weather means the opportunity to get out and paint something wonderful. The apple tree in my front yard has been a great inspiration for many of my works in the past, and recently the apple blossoms have been in full bloom, making it a perfect subject for my newest painting. The sky was an awesome blue, and I was so eager to get out and paint that I forgot sunblock until it was a bit too late (big mistake...ouch!!) but I had a wonderful time, and in the end it was all worth it. I didn't realize how much I had missed my acrylic paints!! They lend themselves perfectly to painting outside, I just kept a little water on hand in case it got too breezy causing the paint to dry too fast on the pallet. Sometimes the perfect subject can be right in front of you, in your own yard. I found a day of painting outside was very therapeutic, and fed my soul. The finished p

  I live in Maine, which is a wonderful place to be an artist. The different seasons are a great backdrop for new inspiration, and it's nice to have the change in scenery. However, winter seems to run on forever!! I love winter don't get me wrong, the snow is beautiful, the cool crisp air, it is a magical time of year. By February though, I am ready for spring. It could be that the snow is all brown from the plows, or the fact that I am sick and tired of being sick and tired (flu season, ick!!) or it may be the fact that days are finally getting longer so I know spring is around the corner and it makes me want it that much more!!! Spring and fall tend to be my favorite seasons anyway, the colors are vibrant,(makes for fun and dynamic paintings!!) both seasons mean big changes and neither are too hot or too cold.        Lately I have been inspired to work on spring, and even some summer artwork. This is not unusual for me, it seems my inspiration "clock" is always a