Caution:Artist at Play-Artwork by Shana Rowe Jackson

  I recently entered a local art show at Harlow Gallery in Hallowell Maine. The show is a Kennebec Valley Art Association (KVAA) members only show, the theme was Vaughan Vignettes, in coalition with the Vaughan Homestead foundation. The Vaughan family has a long and important history in my area, and this show was to honor them, and their legacy. The Vaughan estates are beautiful, along with the Vaughan woods also known as "Hobbit Land". Hobbit Land is known as a natural treasure in our area, running over 166 acres. The Vaughan stream runs through next to the main path, you can see many waterfalls on this stream as well as a century old dam and stone bridges. It is a beautiful place to spend time with many trails and lots to see. The Vaughan Homestead foundation has been very generous in preserving this beautiful place and sharing it with the public.  Buy Prints     I have spent a lot of time in the woods, taking pictures, walking and just taking in the scenery. M

"Love and Be Loved"-Mixed Media © Shana L Rowe Jackson 2012    Sometimes, I get so enthralled in my artwork that it consumes my whole life. I can't sleep, I have hard time concentrating on other tasks and it makes it difficult to find time for day to day tasks. Often times this feeling comes along with a natural high, when I am crazy inspired and doing some of my best work ever, and whipping out paintings like there is no tomorrow. Other times, it comes with lows, where it seems that my hard work isn't paying off as fast as I would like, I'm not getting many sales, or I don't feel I am getting the recognition I deserve. These lows can be detrimental to creativity, so when I feel this way I know it is time for me to step back from art and let myself re-vamp before coming back to it.    I recently went through one of these lows, and realized that I was too consumed with my art and marketing it. I love my art, and most of the time painting is very therapeut

   I have posted a lot about my paintings and drawings, but the truth is there are many creative outlets that I enjoy. I like making crafts such as sculpting, wood burning, glass painting and hand made jewelry. I also love to write. Many artists have more than one artistic talent, and love to dabble in all things creative. I personally like to try any kind of craft I can get my hands on. Here are a few photos of some of my other fun creations!!   Hand made jewelry sets with beads that I made from clay Chandelier Earrings that I made Hand painted glass juice set Hand made Geckos on earrings Wood Burned Self Portrait Another pair of handmade earrings Hand painted and filled Christmas Bulbs Hand made pumpkin earrings with hand crafted and painted pumpkins!! For more information about my handmade crafts you can email me at shanarowejackson05@aol.com or shanaroweart@gmail.com See more on my Facebook page!!- Facebook Craft Album

      “The artist is a receptacle for the emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, fro m the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web.” -Pablo Picasso    Funny question I know. Surely it means different things to different people. Many say you are an artist if you are able to create, be it architecture, cooking, crocheting, singing etc. Then there are those who say anybody can be an artist. Others say you are only an artist if you are good at what you create. That's where things get so confusing. Who decides what is good and what isn't? Art is so subjective. What is Art? That question is one that may never have an answer that will satisfy everybody. "My Life as a Painter" Oil © Shana L Rowe Jackson 2013    An easier way to answer is to narrow it down. Art is very personal, so forget what others think makes you an artist, why do you think you are an artist? I asked myself today, what does being an arti

    It has been a while since I have written, I have been very busy between my day job and promoting my artwork. I figured I would stop by and share my newest art accomplishment. I have recently gotten seven of my pieces hung in the Senate Republican Office in the Maine State Capital Building!!! The office is just next to the Senate Chambers so I expect that my art will be placed in front of some very important eyes. This may be my biggest opportunity as of yet!! It feels as if my hard work is really starting to pay off. Here are the pieces that I have hanging!! "Summer In The Dale" Oil © Shana L Rowe Jackson "Watch Over Me" Oil © Shana L Rowe Jackson "Morning in The Mountains" Oil © Shana L Rowe Jackson "Hiking in Maine" Acrylic © Shana L Rowe Jackson "Roasting Mallows" Oil © Shana L Rowe Jackson "A Fort in Maine" Watercolor © Shana L Rowe Jackson "Let's Go Fly a Kite" Acryli

  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

  Last night I attended my first gallery opening! The show that I am in is "PLAY" at Harlow Gallery in Hallowell Maine. The object of the show is to Celebrate the Spirit of Play. Artwork that is inspired by children or childhood that is whimsical or humorous. The artwork was chosen by a jury to be placed in the show and the exhibition will be running through April 27th. "Here Kitty Kitty Kitty!!" © Shana L Rowe Jackson 2012  Click for Prints   I arrived at 5:00 pm when the opening started and stayed until 7:00, the opening ran until 8:00. We were encouraged to bring food for a pot luck style opening, I brought one of my favorite pasta salads and it was a hit, over a pound and I barely brought home left overs. The food spread was wonderful, fruits, pastries and dips, I tried new things I hadn't tried before. They also offered wine and sparkling water.   Click for Prints of this Painting   The turn out was awesome. The place was packed!! There were