"New Growth Rising"

Wood Element

9" X 9"

acrylic and handmade paper on canvas

Spring has arrived a few weeks early. I am definitely feeling the productive "wood energy" pulsing through my body. This painting was inspired by a walk through the woods last Spring when I stumbled upon a small tree that was cut down and noticed new green shoots sprouting up around the trunk. 

"Autumn Eggs and Nest"

acrylic and handmade paper on canvas

20" X 24 1/2"

barred owl with eggs in nest

In June I completed a commissioned painting of a barred owl. I was thrilled to work on this project as the nest and egg motif are subjects that I've explored in previous artwork. I am currently accepting commissions. If interested my contact info: jannonbaer@gmail.com   

new mixed media paintings

 "Gold Coin"

acrylic and handmade paper on canvas

8 3/4" x 8 1/4"

 "Singing Bowl"

acrylic and handmade paper on canvas

8 3/4" x 8 1/4"

 "A Soft Letting Go"

acrylic and handmade paper on canvas

9" x 9"

"Golden Sun"

acrylic and fabric on canvas

"9 x 9 1/2"

 "Desert Landscape"

acrylic and fabric on canvas

9 1/2" x 8 3/4"

recent commission

      

       This is a recent commissioned painting for my friend, Lauren, to go in her office space at a wellness center. The painting is 24" by 24" and is entitled "Enso". It is inspired by the element of water. This is similar to the smaller 13" X 13" version of the "water element" painting that I created for a "Five-Element Series". This original series was inspired by the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water of Five-Element Acupuncture. 

       I am drawn to the "essence", "spirit", and qualities of the specific acupuncture points. In the Five-element acupuncture tradition, water is associated with the season of winter. The color associated with water is blue. The organs associated with the element water are the bladder and kidneys. When we have an abundant reserve of the water element we have strength, confidence, and will power. When we have a lack of reserve of water element within us we tend experience more fear rather than courage. 

      Water and the season of winter brings our energy inward to practices of meditation, stillness, and quietude. It is the most "yin" of all the elements. This storing of our energy throughout the winter months allows us to emerge with productive energy in the coming Spring. 

       In the Zen Buddhist tradition, the word "enso" means circle. It represents strength, elegance, the universe, and enlightenment. Traditionallly, an enso is created in Japanese calligraphy paintings using ink and a brush. It is both a disciplined and meditative practice.

       For "Enso", I gathered organic materials from nature such as: dried pine needles and sticks. I combined them with acrylic and iridescent paints. The sticks resemble a raft floating on calm waters.  

       I am looking forward to the opportunity to research further into the characteristics of the five elements in acupuncture as they have inspired me so in my artwork. (image credit: photo by Lauren Going)

painting the elements

 "In the Unknown", water element

acrylic and twigs on canvas

13" x 13"

"Summer Temple", fire element

acrylic, leaves, and sticks on canvas

13" x 13"

      This Spring I have been inspired to revisit the theme of seasonal cycles and the five elements. These are two paintings from an earlier series of paintings that I created that are inspired by the Five Element acupuncture and the qualities and characteristics of each element: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.....more images to be posted soon.

Illustrations for "Byron and Mortimer"

      Recently, I had the amazing opportunity to illustrate my first children's book written by my friend, Stephen Intlekofer. The book is called Byron and Mortimer. It is a magical story about a 10 year old boy named Byron and his pet cat named Mortimer. The story depicts Byron's journey into his highly imaginative world amidst his every day life adventures. The images that I came up with are simple and straight forward freehand drawings. This was such a fun project. I'd love to explore the avenue of working on more children's books in the near future. Here are a few illustrations from Stephen Intlekofer's, Byron and Mortimer. 

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/171704

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/byron-and-mortimer-stephen-intlekofer/1111939281?ean=2940033296163

http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Byron-and-Mortimer/book-hXnSCpKitUeaKN2WMXs8dg/page1.html

http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/SW00000171704/Intlekofer-Stephen-Byron-and-Mortimer/1.html

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/byron-and-mortimer/id539094984?mt=11

autumn musings

"Love Sun"
acrylic on canvas
8 1/4" x 10 1/4"

"along the shore"
acrylic on canvas
8 1/4" x 8 1/4"

       These are some recent experimental paintings that I consider both minimal and simplistic in terms of technique. They both started out as drop cloths which evolved into little landscape meditations. I enjoy playing with paint in a more subtle way in terms of color & texture. The process is an improvisational dance that keeps me in the present moment.

expressions of Spring

"In Flight"
mixed media-acrylic & paper collage on canvas
10" x 10"

"Rainbirds"
mixed media-acrylic & paper collage on canvas
9" x 12"

"Spring Moon"
mixed media-acrylic & paper collage on canvas
9" x 12"

        It has been a quite a while since I have posted on this blog. After a long winter of "hibernation" and "incubation", I am feeling inspired to find creative expression. Springtime has inspired me to begin painting again. Currently, I am experimenting with various materials & with using a brighter color palette. Enjoy.

mottled bark

I love finding the textures in nature. The sycamore trees are quite beautiful when they are in the process of shedding their bark. This process is due to the rigid texture in the bark tissue. The bark does not have the stretchy ability to accommodate the new growth of the wood underneath. Therefore, it peels away from the new growth and creates the mottled appearance.

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!