Art of Jenna

Lifeguard; Beach Day

2012-01-02T13:42:00.001-05:00

Here are a couple of oil paintings from a
beach series I've been working on lately. These are 6 inch squares which is an interesting compositional challenge, plus they sell well at the gallery I'm in. (Artist's Faire Gallery in Tarpon Springs FL) If you're longing for summer at this cold time of year, why not pick out a couple of beach paintings to hold you over til then? Two for $100, shipping and handling included. No need to frame -- these have a very wide edge that is painted too. Wired and ready to go. Thanks for visiting!

Gulf View, Alla prima 6x8" Oil painting

2011-11-22T13:34:00.003-05:00

I painted this during the Tarpon Springs Plein Air Paintout last week. The location of this scene is in Howard Park before you cross over the causeway to the beach. Because of all my teaching commitments, I could only paint during one day of the three day event. I was worried I wouldn't have enough time to come up with a painting I liked enough to enter, but I was pleased when I finished this. I like the way I got a lot of color in it and used atmospheric perspective to get a sense of depth. Contact me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com if you're interested in purchasing this piece and I will set up a Paypal page for secure payment. Thanks for viewing my work!
Gulf View, 6x8" $250, framed in a beautiful wide gold wood frame.

Morning Stroll, Sand Hill Cranes

2011-10-11T15:05:00.000-04:00

I saw these two sand hill cranes strolling the PHCC campus one day and luckily - for once - had my camera with me. The sand hill cranes are not afraid of people it seems, and they calmly walk around, usually in pairs and sometimes with a couple of chicks. I painted this in pastel recently.
Morning Stroll, Pastel, 8x10, matted and framed.
Thanks for looking!

Tern and Gull

2011-10-04T11:50:00.000-04:00

I paint with watercolors all the time but rarely post the images here. Here's one I just finished. I was playing with different textures when I painted this. I like the way the birds are looking in opposite directions.
Tern and Gull, Watercolor, 5x7"

Key Vista

2011-07-27T11:55:00.000-04:00

I recently completed this painting which I had started en plein air at Key Vista Park. I really like the colors I got into this one, which you can see more clearly by clicking on the picture. I got it mostly finished that day in the park, but I usually like to look at my work a few days or more later, before completely finishing it off. I feel I need to look at it away from the actual scene with some objectivity to judge whether it's a good painting. In the heat of the moment (literally and figuratively), and after a couple of hours of observing the subject intensely, it's often hard for me to see whether I've said what I wanted to with the painting. Of course the trick is knowing when to stop -- I've ruined very many pieces by adding "just this one more thing!"
Key Vista, Oil, 14x11"
Thanks for looking -- and paint on!

2011-07-20T09:31:00.001-04:00

Here's our plein air group (West Coast Plein Air - Florida) ready for lunch. We're painting at Anclote River Park this month. We have to find places near the water during the summer months because of the heat. Last Friday was delightful - there was a steady cool breeze coming off the Gulf that kept the 90+ temperature bearable. This is one of our favorite places to eat after a morning of plein air painting - Miss Vicky's on the River - the food is great and you can't beat the location!

Brackish Pond

2011-07-07T14:11:00.000-04:00

I painted this little painting of a pond area on Honeymoon Island. It's right near the beach but inland a bit from the water. There's not a lot of shade on the beach and this was one of the few places that had some large bushes I could crouch behind. Even with my large plein air umbrella, it's so hot that I need to be in a shaded place also.
Brackish Pond, 6x8, Oil. Thanks for visiting!

Palmy Day

2011-07-07T14:05:00.000-04:00

Here's a little plein air of a path in Port Richey Waterfront Park, which is a few blocks from where I live. I just finished it recently. I'm going to try to get a few things posted to catch up a bit with this blog. I love to paint and just want to spend my time doing that! I'm always way behind with the photographing and posting of my work. Palmy Day, 5x7, Oil
Thanks for visiting!

Sunday Drive

2011-07-07T14:00:00.002-04:00

Another one from Hernando County along Bayou Drive. This is definitely one of my favorite painting places. We go there a lot because it's so beautiful and there's lots of shady areas and usually a nice breeze blowing off the Gulf.
Sunday Drive, 5x7 Oil.

Country Road

2011-06-16T14:25:00.000-04:00

Our plein air group painted at this farm/ranch for a few weeks during strawberry season and then were asked back for a day event during blueberry season. It's a "pick your own" operation and the fruit is top quality - very nice ranch owners who appreciate art also! The JG Ranch is located near Brooksville FL. and well worth checking out during harvest times. I painted this on the road that leads into the farming area and it turned out to be one of my favorite paintings yet. I think it's even more colorful and lush than my camera seems to be able to pick up.
Country Road, 14x11, Oil
Thanks for visiting!

Bayou Marsh

2011-05-28T15:35:00.000-04:00

Our plein air group has been painting this month along Bayou Drive - a favorite location in Hernando County. I painted this from the side of the road. It's great when I can pull over the car and paint right out of the back of it. I fantasize about being one of those artists that travels around the country in an RV, just going wherever and painting every day. On second thought, I think I'm more the clean room in a hotel with room service kind of traveller. Wait - it's a fantasy - ok I'm back in the RV meandering the back roads with my dogs and a couple of good friends.
Bayou Marsh, 9x12" Oil
Thanks for visiting!

Safe Harbor

2011-05-15T16:32:00.000-04:00

A pastel painting of one of my favorite views in Phillipe Park, Safety Harbor FL. My plein air group went there several months back. I only recently completed this painting and entered it into the Pastel Society of Tampa Bay's juried show, "Possiblities in Pastel IV". This show was juried and judged by Doug Dawson, who spoke briefly at the Opening on Friday evening. He said he makes his decisions based simply on whether he likes a painting. Yes, art appreciation is very subjective isn't it?! If you like this painting, you can purchase it for $250 by contacting me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com. Thanks for visiting my blog.
"Safe Harbor" Pastel, 11x14"

West Coast Plein Air Painting Sites May 2011

2011-05-08T14:57:00.000-04:00

Hello painters - We will be painting along Bayou Drive in Hernando County for the month of May. Long views and salt marshes along the Gulf; the closest public restrooms are in nearby Bayport Park. Meet at 9:30 on Friday mornings (5/6,13,20 and 27) on Bayou Drive near Pine Island Drive.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Bayou+Drive,+Spring+Hill,+FL&aq=0&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=41.139534,93.076172&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bayou+Dr,+Bayport,+Hernando,+Florida&ll=28.553767,-82.646284&spn=0.044707,0.090895&z=14

Plein Air Paint Out at the JG Ranch

2011-04-04T11:16:00.001-04:00

We are on to do a paintout at the JG Ranch on Saturday, April 30 from 10am to 2pm. The owners have really enjoyed having us painting out there and would like to make this a public event. Blueberries will be ready for picking. You can bring a couple of paintings to set up near you to sell if you want. There will be parking for the artists (by the cows) and they can handle 10-15 artists. Please let me know if you plan to be a part of this paintout so we keep the numbers within limits.

JG Ranch (strawberry, blueberry farm and they have cows) is located at 17200 Wiscon Road Brooksville.
:

Map for JG Ranch. They will have a sign on the road where to turn into their ranch.----- Look for the "U Pick" sign on the south side of Wiscon Rd. and follow the dirt road all the way back to the picking area.

West Coast Plein Air Painting Sites April 2011

2011-04-04T11:14:00.000-04:00

Hello Plein Air Painters! Our group will be painting at two locations at 9:30 on Fridays in April:

April 1 and 8: Along the Dunedin Causeway to Honeymoon Island: Meet in the parking area by the Kayak Rentals on the south side of the Causeway.

April 15 and 22: On Honeymoon Island: meet in the farthest west parking area along the beach side.

***We are planning a possible publicized paintout for the last Saturday of April - more details to come when details are finalized.

Click on the link below for map and directions to Honeymoon.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Honeymoon+Island+State+Recreation+Area,+Causeway+Boulevard,+Dunedin,+FL&aq=1&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=41.139534,93.076172&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Honeymoon+Island+Island+State+Recreation+Ctr,+1+Causeway+Blvd,+Dunedin,+Florida+34698-8561&ll=28.075464,-82.824726&spn=0.089817,0.181789&z=13&iwloc=A

River's Edge Rhythms

2011-03-12T17:33:00.002-05:00

This is a 12x18" pastel painting of a scene in Anclote River Park. I'm having trouble with the mechanics of this post - for some reason it is underlining the text and not putting it where I want and I can't figure out how to fix it so I'm not going to write anymore now.

Dusk

2011-02-23T22:09:00.001-05:00

This scene is along the south end of the beach at Howard Park a couple of months ago. It was painted mostly plein air but I didn't finish it up until recently in the studio. I had some fun with the colors and values and now I like the atmospheric feel of it. This painting is currently in the S&M exhibit at the Dunedin Fine Art Center.
Dusk, Oil, 11x14
Thanks for visiting!

Garden Dreams

2011-02-18T16:30:00.001-05:00

I set up this still-life and painted it as a demo for my Soft Pastels class at the Pasco Art Center. I love the Art Center - it's in an old cracker-style house behind the Centennial Library in Holiday FL. I've been teaching there for a little over a year now and will doing demos there tomorrow (Sat. Feb. 19) during the open house and reception for the current exhibit. This place is a little haven for the arts and has various classes, a gallery and a really cool gift shop. Come on over and check it out tomorrow - or any time! Visit their website for current information and directions: www.pascoart.org --------------------------------
Garden Dreams, Pastel, 14x11"
Email me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com for more information - and thanks for visiting!

Beach Cove

2011-02-14T17:30:00.000-05:00

I painted this little piece a few months ago along Howard Beach in Tarpon Springs. I've been very lax about photographing my work - and posting it to the blog - but am resolved to get on top of this. So today I photographed many recent paintings and plan to start getting them posted regularly.
Beach Cove, 8x10" Oil
Email me for information on buying this or other paintings at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com. Thanks for visiting!

River View

2011-01-24T15:05:00.000-05:00

I started this plein air painting on a toned canvas, which greatly sped up the process. I tried to think of each stroke as I put it down and wanted to keep it loose and spare. This is a view across the Anclote River with Tarpon Springs houses on the other shore.
River View, 8x10" Oil
Thanks for visiting!

West Coast Plein Air Painting Sites January 2011

2011-01-04T11:20:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year! The West Coast Plein Air - Florida group will be painting at Phillipe Park in Safety Harbor during January. We will meet at 9:30 on Fridays (1/7, 1/14, 1/21, and 1/29) in the parking area near the Indian Mound. Call Jenna's cell to find us on painting days: 727-457-6174. To get to Phillipe Park, take McMullen Booth Rd. to Enterprise; go east to Phillipe Parkway (590) to park entrance. Once inside the park, go toward the right and follow signs to "Indian Mound"; click here for a map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=phillipe+park,+safety+harbor+fl&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=41.632176,93.076172&ie=UTF8&hq=phillipe+park,&hnear=Safety+Harbor,+Pinellas,+Florida&ll=28.007209,-82.673492&spn=0.045467,0.090895&z=14&iwloc=B
and for the last two Fridays, we will paint at the following locations:

January 21^st 9:30 am May Stringer Historical Museum in beautiful historic downtown Brooksville. Located at 601 Museum Court one block north of the intersection of Jefferson (US 50/98) and Broad (US41). Restrooms will be available at a nearby business since the museum doesn’t open until noon. Plan to stay the afternoon and visit downtown Brooksville. Lunch at Mallie Kyla’s recommended.

January 28^th 9:30 am Southern Hills Plantation is a master-planned community in the rolling hills of Brooksville, Florida. The unique terrain makes this a special place. Experience Old Florida living, where southern charm and peaceful days are surpassed only by the allure of nature’s canvas with hilltop vistas unseen by many in Florida, not to mention golf course views. Club House is plantation style architecture. This is a private development and

Directions: From US 19 or the Suncoast Parkway take Spring Hill Drive East to US 41. Take US 41 North (left) about 3 miles. Entrance to Southern Hills is on the right. Continue on entrance road. At gate tell guard that you are going to the clubhouse. Continue straight to the top of the hill to the clubhouse.

Restrooms and lunch will be available in the clubhouse.

Painting Location for December

2010-11-30T11:28:00.000-05:00

Hello everybody - The West Coast Plein Air- Florida group will be painting in beautiful downtown New Port Richey for the month of December. We'll meet at 9:30 on Fridays - 12/3, 12/10 and 12/17 - in the parking lot of the old Hacienda Hotel, which is on the NW corner of Main St. and Bank St. in New Port Richey. Call Jenna's cell to find us on painting days at 727-457-6174. Hope to see you there and Happy Holidays!

Palm Tree, Dunedin

2010-11-30T11:18:00.000-05:00

Plein air painting of a palm tree near the Pinellas Trail in Dunedin FL. I wanted to keep my brush strokes loose and energetic while I was painting this. It was a little windy that day and the palm fronds seemed to be playing with the wind.
Palm Tree, Dunedin
Oil, 11 x 14"
Contact me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com for purchase information. Thanks for visiting!

STUDIO WALTZ October 9, 2010

2010-10-08T14:34:00.003-04:00

Once again I will be painting en plein air for STUDIO WALTZ. It's tomorrow (Saturday Oct. 9) from 9:00 to 5:00. You can find me near the Pinellas Trail and Main St. in downtown Dunedin. Please stop by and say hi!

Flora

2010-10-08T12:13:00.001-04:00

I painted this still-life as a demonstation for my Pastel Painting class at the Pasco Arts Center. The Center is in a really neat old cracker house in Holiday FL right behind the Centennial Library. The classes are held in what used to be the upstairs bedrooms of the house. Downstairs is a gallery and gift shop space, and in the basement is the pottery studio. It's got a nice artsy charm. Here's the website if you want to check it out: www.pascoart.org

Like most all art/cultural arenas around here, funding has been drastically cut from county budgets for the Arts Council and I was just told they are surviving only because of the money made from the art classes. The library was almost closed down last month because of budget cuts, but luckily that decision has been reversed - for the time being. We've been hit really hard by the recession around here. Sad to see businesses and people faltering.

Flora, Pastel, 10x8"
Thanks for visiting!

Beach Palms

2010-08-12T13:34:00.000-04:00

And here's another painting from Honeymoon Island. I like the simplicity of this composition and I also like the tropical colors in the water and the shadows. These colors are really there, to my eyes anyway. My plein air group will be painting here for a few more weeks. It's a great location for these steamy months because we get in the water and take little swims to cool off between painting and lunch. I know how lucky I am to live so close to this paradise.
Beach Palms, 8x10" Oil
Thanks for visiting!

Honeymoon Beach

2010-08-12T13:28:00.000-04:00

Another view from Honeymoon Island, this was painted on the beach near the North parking area. It's so hot at this time of year but we cooled off by taking frequent dips in the water. Yes, the water really has these beautiful shades of blue, turquoise and green, and changes color depending on the weather conditions. And we are so lucky that the horrendous oil leak catastrophe has not reached these waters. I do not take that for granted. While I'm so happy to have clean and clear water here, I am very saddened at what has happened to other areas of the Gulf.
Honeymoon Beach, 11x14" Oil
Thanks for visiting!

A Shaded Path

2010-08-12T13:19:00.000-04:00

My plein air group has been painting at Honeymoon Island for the last several weeks and this is a shady spot on a little path near the beach. Looking out across the water, you can see the city of Clearwater in the distance. I love this spot and will probably paint there again.
A Shaded Path, 9x12" Oil
Thanks for visiting!

Inlet of Palms

2010-08-08T21:50:00.000-04:00

Palm trees line the inner banks of the Pithlaschacotee River (more commonly known as the Cotee River), which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. This is a large Impressionistic painting that I created from field studies and photos of a day in the James Grey Nature Preserve.
Inlet of Palms, 18x24", Oil
Thanks for visiting!

Beach Parking

2010-07-25T12:09:00.002-04:00

This was painted in plein air from Howard Beach in Tarpon Springs. We set up right off the side of the parking lot, which you can see on the right side of the painting. I like the way the composition breaks down into these neat areas with the sandy beach on one side, strip of natural plants and trees down the middle, man-made parking area on the other side, and water and sky straight ahead.
Beach Parking, 12x16", Oil
Thanks for visiting!

Jenkins Creek

2010-07-19T22:42:00.001-04:00

Another creekside painting, this one has a somewhat abstracty (I know it's not a word) impressionistic quality. I don't usually paint in a square format, so this was an interesting challenge.
Jenkins Creek, 12x12", Oil

Red Tree

2010-07-19T22:39:00.000-04:00

I'm so far behind on posting my paintings and resolve (once again) to catch up. This painting has thick vibrant layers of oil paint. It was painted along the side of Brooker Creek.
Red Tree, 10x8", Oil
Thanks for visiting!

Elizabeth Gilbert on being creative

2010-07-08T12:24:00.001-04:00

Salt Marsh

2010-07-02T12:58:00.000-04:00

This was painted in plein air off Bayou Drive, Hernando County.
Salt Marsh, 8x10, Oil
Thanks for visiting!

Howard Park Beach I

2010-05-29T13:37:00.000-04:00

Here's that view again, this time done in oil. If you click on the picture, you can see the thick layers and texture of the paint. The reflections of the clouds on the water are what originally drew me to this scene.
Howard Park Beach II, Oil, 11x14
Thanks for visiting!

Howard Park Beach II

2010-05-29T13:33:00.000-04:00

I painted this scene several times in a few different mediums. Here it is done in watercolor. I'll post the oil version also. I paint with several different mediums, including oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylics, and combinations of some of them. I like all of them although I think my current favorite is oil. That changes from time to time. I also teach classes in all those mediums, at Pasco Hernando Community College and/or the Pasco Arts Council. What's that saying? Jack of all trades, master of none? or something like that. Hmmm. Anyway, I certainly don't consider myself a master of anything yet, and I know I still have a lot to learn. But that's the challenge and the joy of painting for me - there's always more to learn.
Howard Park Beach II, Watercolor, 8x10"
Thanks for visiting!

Beach Fog

2010-05-06T14:51:00.000-04:00

Painted on a foggy day at Howard Beach in Tarpon Springs FL. We get a lot of humidity here in Florida, but foggy days like this are somewhat rare. I tried to capture the neutralizing grays created by the atmosphere. This painting is currently on view in the Contemporary Impressionists exhibit at the Tarpon Springs Cultural Center.
Beach Fog, 14x11, Oil
Thanks for visiting!

Beach Path

2010-04-24T14:47:00.000-04:00

This view is along the north side of Howard Beach in Tarpon Springs, FL. The beach had been closed for a year and a half while they rebuilt the causeway bridge. We missed it as it's one of our favorite painting spots. I liked the dreamy look of the beach and the sky and worked on the contrast of the warm and cool colors in the land and sea. Contact me if you're interested in this painting.
Beach Path, Oil, 18x24"
thanks for visiting!

2010-04-04T13:14:00.001-04:00

Contemporary Impressionists Art Exhibit

2010-04-04T13:12:00.003-04:00

I'm very excited about this show in Tarpon Springs FL that we just finished hanging. I have 30 paintings in it and there around 100 altogether. It will be up for two months and the reception is this Friday, April 9 from 6 to 8 pm. We're hoping for a crowd of art lovers to show up! Please come and help us celebrate!

Rain and Shine, Pastel, 8x16"

2010-03-22T16:54:00.000-04:00

I liked this scene because of the 50/50 weather. It was raining out in the Gulf but sunny up on the shore. This beach is along the north side of Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs, FL. Contact me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com for more information or to purchase this painting. Thanks for visiting!

Bayou, Watercolor& Pastel

2010-02-01T14:57:00.000-05:00

This mixed media piece is a view of one of my favorite areas to paint - the salt marshes along Bayou Drive in Hernando County. I used watercolor and soft pastels to create the painting. It's currently on display at the Pasco Arts Council, where I'll soon be teaching classes in Pastel.
Bayou - 9x12", Watercolor and Pastel
Thanks for visiting!

Beach Flowers, Watercolor and Pastel

2009-12-31T13:08:00.000-05:00

A view from Howard Beach, Tarpon Springs FL, of some cheerful flowers. This painting is a combination of watercolor and pastel.
Beach Flowers, WC and Pastel, 10x14
Thanks for visiting!

A Trail Runs Through It, Oil, 11x14

2009-11-22T20:38:00.001-05:00

Here's one of the paintings I did in preparation for the 17th Annual Studio Waltz, which was held in October. This is a view of the Pinellas Trail as it runs through the heart of Dunedin FL. This is the third year I've been one of the plein air painters for Studio Waltz. Several of us came out to paint for several weeks before the event this year. It was a lot of fun, although the actual day of Studio Waltz was unbearably hot -- heat records were broken! -- and painting outside from 9 am to 5 pm was pretty torturous. Contact me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com if you'd like to purchase this painting. Thanks for looking!
"A Trail Runs Through It" Oil, 11x14

Green Key Palms, Watercolor

2009-10-03T13:00:00.000-04:00

This is a watercolor painting of the little beach on Green Key in New Port Richey FL. I painted it a while back but don't think I've ever posted it. Recently I was going through some stacks of paintings in my studio in an attempt to get it better organized, and I pulled this one out. I like the bright sunny-day feel of it.
Green Key Palms
Watercolor, 10.5 x 8.5"

Contact me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com if you're interested in this painting. Thanks for visiting!

Mermaid Lagoon

2009-09-28T08:59:00.000-04:00

Another painting in the Weeki Wachee series, this one is of Mermaid Lagoon. Oil, 11x14". Contact me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com for information about purchasing this painting. Thanks for visiting!

Captains Quarters

2009-09-12T16:10:00.000-04:00

Another in the Weeki Wachee series, this painting is a view from behind the Captain's Quarters with the water slides and some umbrellas of Buccaneer Bay in the background. I'm trying to simplify shapes down to just the essentials. I like the light effects here. Email me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com for information and prices. By the way, even though I don't post my prices here, which is something I often debate with myself about, they are very reasonable, so don't be afraid to ask. Thanks for visiting!
Captains Quarters, Oil, 11x14"

WeekiWachee Boat House

2009-08-29T16:05:00.000-04:00

Our plein air group has been painting at Weeki Wachi Springs State Park for the month of August. Very very hot and sticky weather! This is a view of the boat house for the Wilderness River Boat Ride. Everyone working at Weeki Wachee was very pleasant despite the unpleasant weather. A couple of my fellow painters and I took this boat ride twice while we there. The first week, we saw a mother manatee with two calves - one of them was 4 weeks old, the other about a year. The three were just relaxing quietly on the bottom of the river, occasionally coming up for a whiff of air. Because the river is so very clean and clear, we were able to see them quite well - a first for me. The blues and greens of the river are so beautiful, they don't look real and I kept wondering if they had put some blue coloring into the water to get it that way. The park rangers said no, that's just the way the water looks because it's from a deep natural spring. Amazing.
This oil painting is 11x14" with thick luscious colors. Contact me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com if you'd like to know more about it. Thanks for visiting!

On the River

2009-08-13T12:29:00.002-04:00

This Impressionistic painting was painted in plein air on the Anclote River right near the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. The black borders at the top and bottom show the digital formatting to size that is required when you submit an image to most major art shows today. I decided to leave them on for this blog post just to see how it looks. I really like the sunny feel of this painting.
On the River, 8x10", Oil
Contact me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com if you'd like to purchase it. Thanks for visiting!

WCPA paints at Weeki Wachi Springs

2009-08-12T13:26:00.000-04:00

For three Fridays in August, 8/14, 8/21, and 8/28, the West Coast Plein Air group will be painting at beautiful Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, located at US 19 and SR 50 in Hernando County. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=weeki+wachi+springs+state+park&sll=29.363027,-79.859619&sspn=5.666772,11.634521&ie=UTF8&ll=28.515159,-82.562084&spn=0.089296,0.181789&z=13

We have gotten permission to paint on the grounds without paying admission, but artists must arrive by 8:30 to get in and set up before the public arrives. Because of the limited number of painters allowed, you must email me (jennastarfriedman@gmail.com) in advance to reserve a spot for this paintout -- more information, such as meeting location, will then be provided. Hope to hear from you soon about this great opportunity!

On the Bayou

2009-08-04T18:00:00.000-04:00

This one was painted recently along Bayou Drive, one of my favorite painting locations. It's so hot now - August in Florida of course! - but there's almost always a breeze along here which makes it bearable for a couple of hours. In this painting, I like the trees back along the horizon line with their distant muted colors.

On the Bayou, 11x14, Oil

Contact me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com for information about buying this painting. Thanks for looking!

Along the Trail

2009-07-20T09:47:00.002-04:00

This piece is a pastel I did for a show at Brooker Creek Preserve's Art Gallery, where it is currently on display until the end of August. If you have the opportunity, this is a beautiful show of pastel works well worth going to.
"Along the Trail" Pastel, 11x14. Contact me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com if you are interested in this or any other painting. Thanks for looking!

On the Bay, 14 x 11, Oil

2009-07-02T15:56:00.000-04:00

This is actually a reworking of a painting I did quite a while ago. I liked parts of it before but always felt I could have done better on some of it. So now I'm happier with the piece (at least for now). The view is of Tampa Bay, looking south from Phillipe Park in Safety Harbor. As always, you can purchase this by emailing me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com. Thanks for looking!
On the Bay, 14x11", Oil

First Place, Pava Show

2009-06-25T13:13:00.002-04:00

This is the winning painting, "Kayaks at the Causeway", which you can also see in an earlier post in this blog. Not only did I win 1st place, but the painting is sold! Double-happiness!
SOLD

Art Show Winner

2009-06-25T13:12:00.002-04:00

Here I am, the proud winner of 1st place(!) at the PAVA show at the Leepa Rattner Museum in Tarpon Springs.

Causeway Beach

2009-06-24T16:43:00.001-04:00

I sat right on the beach (under my umbrella) when I painted this scene. There were some people walking around, but I didn't include them -- I usually don't want to put people in my landscapes. Not that I don't like people, but I want the focus to be on the natural setting, and once you have people in a painting, the eye immediately goes to them as the focal point. Anyway I first did this painting on the beach, but it got so hot and the sand was blowing around in my eyes and sticking on the canvas, so I finished it up later in the studio. I put the painting away for a while, as I often do when I'm not sure if I'm finished, so that when I take it out again I can see it with fresh eyes. I worked on this one some more and at last feel it's done. Does this count as plein air? Not in the plein air ultra-purist's eyes it wouldn't. This is something my fellow plein air painters and I discuss sometimes: to what extent does something have to be painted totally at the scene to be considered plein air? I understand when competitions need to have strict guidelines and specify what percentage of a painting has to be done outside to qualify for being defined as plein air in order to level the playing field. I have been in some plein air paintout events where I was pretty certain some of the painters were submitting studio work instead. That's deceptive and not fair to others who are painting by the rules. But when it's not a competition or judged event, and simply a matter of how to define a style of painting? For me then, plein air paintings would include artwork that is conceived, started, and mostly worked out in the field. Not that any of this matters much to most people at all! If you'd like to purchase this, or anything else you see here, contact me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com for availability and prices. Thanks for visiting!
Causeway Beach, 11x14", Oil

Garden Paradise, 9x12, Oil

2009-06-18T11:38:00.000-04:00

Another in the series of paintings done at a local nursery, Earthscapes, in Palm Harbor. The settings and plantings in the garden are exquisite -- the hard part is eliminating what's not essential to the painting. I've done so many here that just didn't work, but I like this painting a lot. It's currently hanging, along with some others, in their shop. Email me if you're interested in this painting at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com and you can pay with Visa/Mastercard through Paypal. Thanks for visiting!

Garden Views

2009-06-06T15:44:00.000-04:00

Watercolors en plein air -- These little paintings were done at Earthscapes Garden Room. This is a nursery in Palm Harbor FL that has the most beautiful display areas I've seen in such a place. They are constantly moving things around, as well as getting new plants and merchandise, so each time you go it looks different. I wanted to paint in watercolor there so I could capture with immediacy the vibrant plants. These small paintings are available for $20 each unframed, or $30 with a frame. Thanks for visiting!

Kayaks at the Causeway, Honeymoon Island, Impressionist oil painting, Dunedin FL

2009-05-02T16:54:00.001-04:00

As you travel west on the Dunedin Causeway to Honeymoon Island, there is a beach rental stand where they have kayaks among other things. I've always noticed the brightly colored kayaks on my way to Honeymoon, and last month went there to paint with my plein air group. This was one of those paintings that just kind of flowed out happily from my brush -- doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's an amazing feeling.

Kayaks at the Causeway
8x10" Oil
SOLD

Email me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com if you're interested in this painting. Thanks for looking!

Crystal Beach House

2009-04-19T14:29:00.000-04:00

I started this painting during a workshop I took a few weeks ago with Larry Moore. He is a terrific painter and teacher - and very good at demonstrating how he works through a painting. The workshop lasted for three days and I'd gladly take another one from him. I always go through somewhat of a burnout after an intense learning experience like that, and I have to work through what I want to incorporate into my own work.
Crystal Beach House, Oil on board, 9x12. $100. Email me at jennastarfriedman@gmail.com if you'd like to purchase this painting through Paypal. Thanks for looking!

Brooker Creek Pavilion

2009-04-12T21:28:00.004-04:00

Ok, here is the last (I think) of the Brooker Creek series of paintings that I'm going to post. This one shows a path to a picnic pavilion, and again I painted it because I loved all the colors of the flora there. You can see the Muhly Grass on the right, which is the common name for the pinkish-mauve fluffy plant, that I referred to in my previous post. I have added a link there also that will give you more scientific information about it. Now that I have most of these Brooker Creek paintings posted (finally), I'm going to have to get busy and get out my camera to shoot some of the more recent work I've been doing. I admit that I'm pretty lazy about keeping up with photographing and writing about my paintings for this blog. I'd just rather be painting all the time! I'm happy to report that I've sold a few paintings recently, which is always a thrill, not only for the bit of financial gain I get from it. If you're interested in purchasing this, or any other of my paintings, email me at Jennastarfriedman@gmailcom and we can arrange it with any credit card through Paypal. Prices are extremely reasonable. Thanks for looking!

Colors of Brooker Creek

2009-04-03T14:14:00.003-04:00

An oil painting exploring the colors found in the natural plant life in Brooker Creek Preserve. This is another in the series of paintings done at this location. I've been trying to look up the name of the pinkish plant in the foreground here, but haven't found it yet. I used to know what it's called, but can't remember right now (this is happening more and more lately, unfortunately!)
"Colors of Brooker Creek", Oil, 11x14.
Thanks for looking!

OK, I just learned about this plant from the director of education at Brooker Creek, Jim McGinity, and am posting a link here, that will give you the actual name and some information on it. Thanks Jim! Click here to find out: http://www.floridaplants.com/post/nativeplants.html

Water Under the Bridge - West

2009-03-12T16:47:00.002-04:00

Here's the view from the other side of the bridge in Brooker Creek. Water Under the Bridge - West, Oil, 11x14". Thanks for looking!

**SOLD**

Cat House, Pastel

2009-03-07T13:51:00.001-05:00

This colorful pastel painting is of my friends' house - they are both artists and their house actually is painted in the vivid colors shown here. I started the painting during Studio Waltz last fall, painting en plein air on the street across from their house. I included their six cats - who are so much a part of the environment - later when I completed the picture. I had fun with this, because I got to be as colorful as I wanted. Thanks for looking!

*SOLD

Water Under the Bridge - East

2009-03-07T13:34:00.001-05:00

Painted from a bridge at the trail's beginning in Brooker Creek Preserve. This was a gray day in fall, and I tried to capture the muted tones of the landscape. Also I tried to paint it in an abstract/impressionistic sort of way.
Water Under the Bridge - East
Oil, 11 x 14"
Please contact me at Jennastarfriedman@gmail.com if you're interested in this painting.
Thanks for looking!

Late Afternoon

2009-02-18T14:16:00.000-05:00

Another in my series of paintings done at Brooker Creek Preserve. I loved the afternoon shadows and light that filtered through the trees on this road in the Preserve. My friend and I painted there one afternoon and set up in the same place. Of course, even though we were painting the same view, our work came out very differently - something that's often remarked upon with surprise by passersby who stop to talk to our plein air group. Yes of course!, I think to myself, we are all different people who see and interpret the world in our individual ways. Our show in the Gallery at the Preserve is still going on until March 3.
Late Afternoon, Pastel, 11x14
Contact me if you're interested in buying it at Jennastarfriedman@gmail.com and thanks for looking!

Study for Tunnel Path

2009-02-18T14:06:00.000-05:00

This little 8x10 oil painting is the plein air study I did for the larger one, "Tunnel Path" that is 18x24". I mainly was trying to get the values and hues I saw out in the field. I enjoyed painting it - I enjoy almost anything I paint outside - because I wasn't thinking about the outcome, just enjoying the process.

Tunnel Path

2009-02-16T21:59:00.000-05:00

While at Brooker Creek Nature Preserve, I painted an 8x10 study for this larger painting. This one is 18 x 24 inches - much larger than what I usually paint in plein air. It shows an area in the preserve where the trees grow up and over the pathway making a tunnel-like covering, which is why I named it as I did.

Tunnel Path, Oil on canvas, 18x24"
$500 unframed

Please contact me at Jennastarfriedman@gmail.com if you're interested in it.

Thanks for looking!

West Coast Plein Air Painting Days in February

2009-02-05T12:28:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the late notice on this but we just got the details finalized. We are planning to paint in Tarpon Springs near the Yacht Club on Fridays during February. We'll meet in the parking lot of the Yacht Club at noon - although some of us will be starting there at 10:00 am if you'd like to go earlier. Click on the link below for directions. Hope to see you out there!
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Tarpon+Springs+Yacht+Club&sll=28.280417,-82.724597&sspn=0.010658,0.022745&g=8500+Green+St,+Port+Richey,+FL+34668&ie=UTF8&z=15&iwloc=A
--
Paint on,
Jenna
www.ArtofJenna.blogspot.com

Creekside, Oil, 8x10

2009-01-11T12:05:00.002-05:00

This is another in my series of plein air paintings done at Brooker Creek Preserve. It's currently on exhibit at the gallery and will be there from Jan. 2 through March 1, 2009. This little painting shows an old tree by the side of the creek just past one of the bridges on the trail. Brooker Creek Preserve is a huge natural area that has been set aside by Pinellas County FL to allow flora and fauna to survive the constant development that goes on around here.
Creekside, Oil, 8x10"
$300 beautifully framed

Thanks for looking!

Trailhead, Pastel, 9x12

2009-01-11T11:58:00.001-05:00

This plein air painting is one in my series of paintings done for the show at Brooker Creek Preserve in Tarpon Springs, FL. The exhibit will run from January 2 through March 1, 2009 at the Gallery in the Preserve. This painting was done with pastels on site. It took two days for me to complete. All paintings in the exhibit were done in plein air over several months at Brooker Creek Preserve, located off Keystone Rd. in Tarpon Springs. We are very proud to be able to put on this exhibit as the paintings demonstrate our love of natural Florida. The show is titled: VANISHING FLORIDA - PRESERVATION THROUGH ART, BROOKER CREEK by the WEST COAST PLEIN AIR PAINTERS. If you are in the area, please stop by to see the work by me and fellow artists of West Coast Plein Air.
Trailhead, Pastel, 9x12"
$400 beautifully framed
Thanks for looking!

Exhibit at Brooker Creek

2008-12-23T12:54:00.002-05:00

Click on the picture for an announcement about upcoming plein air show at Brooker Creek Nature Preserve in Tarpon Springs, FL.

Old Sponge Building, Oil, 9x12"

2008-12-01T12:34:00.002-05:00

I painted this picture off the side of the road in Tarpon Springs FL. Tarpon Springs is known for its natural sponge trade and authentic Greek fishing village. This sponge building is located near but not on the main road of the village. Unfortunately it is no longer in use.

Old Sponge Building
Oil on Canvas Panel, 9x12"
$300 unframed

Contact me at JennaStarFriedman@gmail.com if you're interested in buying this painting.
Thanks for visiting!

History of the Hacienda Hotel, New Port Richey, Florida

2008-11-20T10:42:00.001-05:00

Click here for more information on the History of the Hacienda Hotel, New Port Richey, Florida

Hacienda, Oil painting by Jenna Star Friedman

2008-11-13T14:02:00.001-05:00

The Hacienda Hotel is located on Main Street in New Port Richey, FL along the Cotee River. The Hacienda was built in the 1920's and has an interesting history which I'll insert in my next post. There have been various rumors about the next incarnation for the building but the hotel is not currently in use.
This is a heavily textured oil painting on an 11x14" canvas support. Contact me if you're interested in purchasing this painting. Thanks for visiting!

West Coast Plein Air Paintouts for November 2008

2008-11-03T12:55:00.000-05:00

The West Coast Plein Air group will be painting at Brooker Creek Preserve off Keystone Rd. in Tarpon Springs on Fridays for the month of November. Meet in the last parking area (near the entrance to the Education Center) at 9:00 am on 11/7, 11/14, and 11/21. Click on the link below for directions to Brooker Creek:http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=brooker+creek+preserve+tarpon+springs+florida&filter=0&sll=28.138635,-82.71363&sspn=0.018284,0.103216&ll=28.16373,- 82.667656&spn=0.076274,0.181274&z=13&iwloc=FPaint on,Jenna www.artofjenna.blogspot.com

West Coast Plein Air in the News

2008-10-01T21:37:00.003-04:00

My plein air group made the news! While we were out painting near Pine Island, a reporter and photographer from the St. Petersburg Times came out and interviewed us. The next day, Saturday, Sept. 27, this article appeared in the paper. Read here.

Palms at Green Key Beach

2008-09-27T11:30:00.001-04:00

Painted recently en plein air at Green Key Beach, New Port Richey, FL. Our painting group, West Coast Plein Air (a chapter of Plein Air Florida) goes out weekly to paint the landscape. I painted this during our stint at Green Key in New Port Richey. This oil painting is richly textured and colored and reflects the lighting and my impressions of that hot day.

Palms at Green Key Beach
Oil on board, 9x12"
$300, unframed

Contact me if you'd like to purchase this painting with Visa/Mastercard at JennaStarFriedman@gmail.com. Thanks for visiting!

Patio Garden 3, Watercolor

2008-08-28T14:52:00.001-04:00

This is the third in the series of paintings I did on my sister's patio in Phoenix. I just realized that I forgot to post this earlier with the others. If you look back a bit in my posts, you'll see two more watercolors of this view. These were all painted on different days of the same subject but with somewhat different focuses. In this particular painting, I used a few different watercolor resist techniques. Can you find them? Thanks for visiting!

Another Path in the Woods, Oil, 8x10" by Jenna Star

2008-08-28T14:39:00.005-04:00

I painted this tropical pathway near a kayak trail in Howard Park, Tarpon Springs, in July and recently finished it up in the studio. The paint is highly textured and glazed. If you'd like to purchase this painting through Paypal, contact me at Jennastarfriedman@gmailcom. Thanks for visiting!

Path in the Woods

2008-07-25T18:28:00.001-04:00

Lately I've been working on a few unfinished paintings to get them to a point that I'm happier with. I painted this path at Honeymoon Island in plein air a few months ago. I just didn't feel satisfied with it and put it away for a while. Now I've touched it up to where I like it.

Path in the Woods, Oil, 9x12"

Thanks for visiting!

Bird Sketches, Watercolor.

2008-07-24T17:27:00.001-04:00

I decided to post a few sketchbook pages that I painted in Phoenix while I was at the hospice with my mom. I usually carry a small drawing/watercolor kit with me anyway, and this turned out to be a good way for me to get through some of the long hours there. I tried painting some of the birds I see often in Florida, as well as a few doves that hung out in the garden there.

Patio Garden 2, Watercolor, 8x10

2008-07-15T11:49:00.000-04:00

I painted the same view of my sister's garden several times while I was in Phoenix. In this one, the colors are more intense and I included the view outside her garden wall. This being Phoenix in June, it was very hot, and I wanted to capture the intensity of the heat and sun.

Patio Garden 1, Watercolor, 8x10

2008-07-14T12:21:00.000-04:00

I'm posting a series of small watercolor paintings I did while in Arizona from May through June. I went back home to be with my mom. She spent her last month in the Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix as the cancer took over the rest of her body. I was with her every afternoon and night. I saw her pain and confusion and struggle, but also I became aware of a grace I didn't know she had. In the mornings, I painted on my sister's patio and walked her dog. The emotional anquish and impact of this time affected me deeply. I became aware of some changes I needed to implement in my own life, which I have started since returning to Florida. It's not easy. Anyway. Painting is my grounding and my outlet. I need to paint. The next few posts I'll put up some of the little watercolors and sketches I did while waiting with my mom for her next journey.

Path to Honeymoon Beach by Jenna Star

2008-05-15T14:16:00.002-04:00

Honeymoon Island continues to be one of my favorite painting spots. This view is of a path leading to the beach on the south side of the island. I am always drawn to places near water, and the gulf here is a beautiful turquoise blue.

Path to Honeymoon Beach
Pastel, 12"x 18" $400-

Email me at JennaStarFriedman@gmail.com if you're interested in purchasing with Paypal. Thanks for visiting!

Painting Award

2008-04-20T10:41:00.004-04:00

Here I am next to my painting, "Near the End of the Cotee River", which won an Honorable Mention at the Tarpon Springs Art Association show. The painting is in an exhibit at the Heritage Museum, located on Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, FL. You can see this painting in close-up in the previous entry below.

Near the End of the Cotee River by Jenna Star

2008-04-06T17:54:00.005-04:00

Painted en plein air recently with my friends of the West Coast Plein Air group. A couple of months ago, we discovered the James Grey Preserve right here in the middle of New Port Richey, FL. We've made many painting expeditions here and will continue to do so, because of the astounding beauty. This is where the Pithlaschacotee River ends. The river is tidal as it goes out to the Gulf of Mexico, so there are low and high water levels every day. The birds and vegetation here are varied and numerous. I did this on one of the first times we went there in February, and there were flocks of hundreds of robins flying and nesting overhead. So this is where they spend their winters, just like all the other (human) snowbirds that populate Florida in the cold months. I just wonder why would they ever want to leave?
"Near the End of the Cotee River" Oil, 11x14" contact me at jennalovesparrots@yahoo.com if you'd like to buy this painting through Paypal. Thanks for visiting!

Trail Ride, Starkey Wilderness Park, FL by Jenna Star Friedman

2008-03-15T11:35:00.005-04:00

My daughters and I rode through Starkey Park, Odessa FL when they still offered trail rides. Because of ever-mounting insurance (what else is new) they can no longer rent horses out to the public. We have always loved horses, but can't afford to own them ourselves. It's still a dream of mine to someday have a ranch with many kinds of animals, especially horses.

Trail Ride, Pastel, 12x18"

Howard Beach, 11x14, Oil

2008-02-07T20:02:00.001-05:00

This oil painting was done mostly in plein air at the beach in Tarpon Springs and I finished it up recently in the studio. The view is looking west toward Anclote Key in the Gulf of Mexico. This beach is a local gem, one of many I've discovered since moving to Florida a couple of years ago.
Contact me at jennalovesparrots@yahoo.com if you're interested in purchasing this painting through Paypal. Thanks for visiting!

Marsh View by Jenna Star

2008-01-30T09:53:00.000-05:00

Marsh grasses lead out to the Gulf of Mexico and a view of some distant palms.

Marsh View, 11x14" Pastel, $300

For more information or to purchase this painting through PayPal: Email me at jennalovesparrots@yahoo.com

Thanks for visiting!

Green Key Beach by Jenna Star

2007-12-31T19:23:00.001-05:00

Green Key. Painted in plein air at the beach. I was impressed by the colors and reflections in the low tide that day. The beach was nearly empty except for a few of us painters out there trying to capture its beauty.

Green Key, 9x12" Oil on hardwood panel. $250.

Contact me at jennalovesparrots@yahoo.com if you're interested in purchasing this painting. Thanks for visiting!

Snowy Egret, Pastel by Jenna Star

2007-11-18T11:16:00.000-05:00

A snowy egret searches the shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico near sunset. These egrets have black legs and bright yellow feet. I think one of the most amazing things about Florida is the great variety of birds here. And if you know me at all, you know I love birds.
Sorry for the long lag between my art postings recently. I've moved and am going through all the extra work that entails. Still painting often, but getting them up on the internet has dropped way back.
If you'd like to purchase this, or any of my paintings, you can pay by credit card through my Paypal account. Email me at jennalovesparrots@yahoo.com and I will send out the information to you. This pastel painting is about 8x10" and $50 unframed.

Great White Egret by Jenna Star

2007-11-04T16:44:00.000-05:00

A Great White Egret looks over a salty marsh, searching for his next meal. Click on button below to purchase, or contact me at jennalovesparrots@yahoo.com. Thanks for visiting!

Estuary, Oil, 9x12

2007-10-23T16:38:00.000-04:00

A great blue heron stands near mangroves in an estuary leading to the Gulf of Mexico.

Contact me for information about this painting at jennalovesparrots@yahoo.com. Thanks for visiting!

Path, Pastel, 9x12" by Jenna Star

2007-10-23T16:24:00.000-04:00

Pastel painting of drive near Clearwater Library. Path, Pastel, 9x12"
$100.00
Thanks for visiting!

Egrets

2007-09-03T11:34:00.000-04:00

I painted this along the edge of a bayou that leads out to the Gulf of Mexico.

Egrets, Oil, 11x14" $300. You can buy it through Paypal by clicking the button below. Thanks for visiting!

Tree by Bay

2007-08-21T11:16:00.000-04:00

I painted this looking northwest along Tampa Bay.

Oil on 8x10" canvas, with 1 1/2" deep edge also painted. $200.00.

Click on the paypal button below if you'd like to buy it. Thanks for visiting!

Country Store

2007-08-13T10:35:00.000-04:00

" Country Store" by Jenna Star. This store is one of the many restored old Florida buildings that are a part of Heritage Village in Largo. I've spent a lot of time painting there. I painted this on site a few months back, but was never happy with the sitting figure. I put the painting away for a while and recently got it out and touched up the man again. I like it now.

"Country Store" 9x12", Oil

$300.00.

Thanks for visiting!

Palm by the Bay

2007-08-07T11:26:00.000-04:00

Palm by the Bay by Jenna Star

I painted this view in Phillipe Park, looking south across Tampa Bay. It was a really hot day. I found a spot of shade and breeze, set up my gear, and got into the zone. I am inspired by nature and that is where I find peace.

Palm by the Bay, Oil, 11x14"
$300.00
Thanks for visiting!

Roseate Spoonbills, Pastel, by Jenna Star

2007-07-29T13:58:00.000-04:00

Two roseate spoonbills graze along a mangrove bayou on the west coast of Florida. I have only seen spoonbills twice in the three years I've been here. They are becoming more and more uncommon. When I heard there were some nearby, I rode my bicycle there and took some photos. I painted the bayou en plein air, and added the spoonbills later from my photo.

Roseate Spoonbills, Pastel, 9x12"

$200.00

Thanks for visiting!