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

   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