Aspen Tree Painting
My acrylic aspen tree painting, "Autumn Gold", is all about the path we choose to follow in life. Aspens are amazing trees. I call them "The Giving Trees", because they are deeply connected to one another under the ground. They are even able to grow a new tree from the offshoot of one of their roots.
Although we are connected to other people in so many different ways, we all must choose the path that we are to personally follow. My path involves expressing myself with brush, paint and canvas, inspiring my patrons through my artwork. It also includes teaching others the "joy of painting". I have some amazing students and look forward to their arrival at my studio every week. Watching them create, grow, and interact with one another, is a beautiful gift that I don't take lightly!
This original painting is sold, but a beautiful limited edition, hand-embellished giclee is available. Click the link below.
Untitled
This is my new 60"x36" acrylic on wide canvas painting, "Choice Encounter". It's about the choices that we get to make in this life. The pear in the middle represents a woman who is being flattered by a new love interest, the pear on her right. The pear on the left is watching to see if he will lose the love of his heart. Life, it's all about choices.
As you can see, this is a big painting! It's vibrant, alive, and if there's just a small amount of light in the room, this painting positively glows! At first, I painted the entire painting with a brush. Afterwards, I went in with a palette knife and textured the entire painting with more paint.
This painting is available to purchase at Matilda's Art Gallery in Historic Roswell, GA.
Lionfish Painting
The lionfish is captivatingly beautiful. Although I've snorkeled in a number of reefs throughout the Atlantic and Pacific, this painting was inspired by photos that I took in the Gatlinburg Aquarium, one of my favorite aquariums in the United States.
This 40"x30" oil painting, "Lion In Blue", is available on my website. CLICK HERE
Tree Art
Each morning when I wake up, I look out my window and think about how different the day is from any other day that I've experienced. It sets the framework for a mindset that is open to new possibilities and adventures. The painting below is from a memory of a special day in Colorado. I simply wanted to capture the nuance of that unique moment in time.
This little 8"x10" aspen tree oil painting, "Summer Nuance", is available at Matilda's Gallery in Historic Roswell, GA. I have other similar paintings available on my website at www.JillSaurFineArt.com.
Aspen Tree Painting by Jill Saur
This 20"x16" acrylic painting is available in a limited edition, hand-embellished giclee. The original painting, "Whisper", is in my personal collection. There is a gentle ambiance that radiates from this piece, and it makes a beautiful reproduction!
The Love Of Painting
Several years ago, I set out to express my thoughts and feelings regarding my passion for painting. This morning, I found what I had written, and I'd like to share it with you....
The Love Of Painting By Jill Saur
I love picking up a blank white canvas. I love contemplating the possibilities of what will emerge when I let myself go.
I love the musing of which brush I will select, or which brush will select me. My brushes are like old friends with whom I am very familiar, yet I still find delight in what they are capable of doing.
I love picking up my palette knife. It is the instrument that will facilitate the mixing and dividing of hue, as well as the application of rich, dramatic texture that will bring my paintings to life.
I love opening the jars of paint, to be reminded of how their hues have deeply affected my life. The vivid blues speak of my first bicycle, and the shimmering waters of the ocean at dawn. Painful or pleasing, color is deeply interwoven into every synapse of my being.
I love the way the first strokes of paint glide across the canvas, and I love the way I can feel the texture of that canvas through the vibrations in my brush.
I love stepping back to become an observer, and waiting until the painting reveals what it needs before I proceed.
I love when light and shadow and form begin to emerge from the canvas, and take on a life of their own.
I love what painting teaches me about life, and I love what life teaches me about painting. I love that I can paint what I feel, and I especially love how I feel when I paint.
I love that the painting experience lightens pain, and gives wings of flight to fettered human limitations.
I love the way painting causes me to look to a source greater than myself for inspiration and guidance. And, when I get to the end of a painting, I love that I know when I’ve made that final stroke that enables me to say, “It is finished”.
I love knowing that although I cannot sing with my voice, my paintings are like a song that will resonate through the years, even after I’m gone. - Jill Saur 2010
My website: www.JillSaurFineArt.com
Koi Artwork
My 24"x18" acrylic painting, "Maui Madness", was inspired by a group of vivacious koi that were in a pond near Black Rock in Maui. I designed this painting from five different photos. I wanted to create a circular effect, portraying the circle of life.
The original painting is in a private collection. I offer this in a limited edition giclee. Thanks for viewing!
Floral Palette Knife Painting
It's a floral day. It's cold and rainy outside here in Georgia. So, I thought I would liven things up a bit with this highly textured and cheerful palette knife painting. The title of this 11"x14" acrylic painting is, "Bouquet In Pink". The texture on this piece makes you just want to reach out and pluck a petal! This painting is currently available and looking for a good home!
Bear Lake, Estes Park - Colorado
Last year, Tom and I went to Estes Park, Colorado. It is one of our treasured National Parks that I hope to return to one day. If you ever get a chance to visit, be sure you spend a day up at Bear Lake. We came away with some incredible photos to use for subject matter to paint. This 11"x14" acrylic painting, "Autumn Inspiration" is inspired by one of my walks up at Bear Lake. The aspens were just beginning to change. The brilliant hues of the quaking leaves, against the azure sky, captured my spirit. I suppose that's why we went back two days later, to take in the extraordinary beauty of this magical wonderland before returning home.
This expressive original 11"x14" painting is available. The cost is $400.00. I invite you to become a collector and experience the joy of owning artwork that inspires and uplifts your soul! - Jill
Michelangelo
If you could go back in time and spend one day with an artist, whom would you choose? Today, I’m choosing Michelangelo. His passion, dedication and genius forever influenced the development of Western Art!
His visage is not always recognized. However, his work is immortalized. Michelangelo was born in 1475, and is known as the supreme Renaissance artist. He was a sculptor, a painter, an architect, and a poet. He lived a long life and left a legacy that has lasted over five hundred years! He is perhaps best known for his renderings in the Sistine Chapel. Contrary to popular belief, Michelangelo did not paint the Sistine Chapel while lying down on his back. He stood on the scaffolding that he designed himself. However, this put tremendous strain on his neck and arms. From his discomfort, unparalleled beauty was born!
It took a little over four years for Michelangelo to complete his frescoes. He used the Buon fresco technique. It was the first time he used this difficult, laborious technique. Buon fresco is painting with pigment that is mixed with water. This is applied on a thin layer of wet, fresh plaster. His assistants helped with the plaster, but only Michelangelo applied the strokes of paint to the ceiling. He also had to learn some incredibly difficult techniques in perspective in order to make his figures look correct on a curved surface, from sixty feet below!
The old masters were dedicated, patient, deeply inspired, and exhibited great focus. I hope these characteristics in future generations; will not be lost to the insatiable desire for immediate gratification. - Jill Saur www.JillSaurFineArt.com
The Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel