Hi, my name is Jean

Jean Kelly · 09-14-2002, 05:23 PM

I've been lurking this Forum and site for a few months now, and finally got the guts to post something. I'm a 51 year old grandmother of two who is finally back to traditional art. I've been drawing since I could hold something. Used to draw with rocks on the sidewalk!

I use a form of airbrush ink combined with pastel, so am not sure where to post my work. I put the first one, Meagan, under the "Other medium" section. As I have read so often on here, I spent years doing other types of work than art, but the time is NOW to do it. I hope to become a full-fledged portrait artist (also love animals). Any and all feedback will be most welcome. I'm delighted to find this site with all the fine work and kind people.

Alicia Kornick · 09-15-2002, 12:02 AM

Welcome Jean,

Glad to have you aboard. This site is unique. Where else could you have such outstanding contemporay artists critique your work?

Jean Kelly · 09-15-2002, 04:24 PM

Thanks for your warm welcome. I've seen so much incredible art in the past month that my head is reeling. I'm glad to be here. I started painting again in January, after spending 10 years in quilting. I painted, pieced, and appliqued quilts for commercial and private customers. The actual nuts and bolts of the business was in custom bedrooms. I made more dust ruffles, pillow shams, and bedspreads than I can remember. It did pay the bills though, and I was able to do some artwork. I closed the business this year and decided it was time for me now.

I'm working on my 8th painting at this time. Here's my self-portrait with my constant companion, Zoe. She was 6 months old at the time, now a full grown German Shepard with both ears standing straight up. It's done in soft pastel on whatever paper I had laying around. It's good to be here.

Alicia Kornick · 09-15-2002, 09:57 PM

Jean,

I love your painting with Zoe. I am also a dog lover, and my constant companion is a Pembroke Corgi. This obviously shows the bond and love between you. Beautiful job!

Jean Kelly · 09-15-2002, 10:22 PM

Heartfelt thanks to you. This has warmed my night. Like many, I suffer from chronic insecurity. This was my second try at pastel, I succeeded in creating a massive mess in the dining room, but had fun.

Linda Ciallelo · 09-30-2002, 10:33 AM

This painting literally made me get "teary". What an excellent expression of love between mammals. You have done such a wonderful job with the composition and facial expressions. Superb!!!!

Jean Kelly · 10-01-2002, 12:10 AM

Thanks Linda, Zoe is by far one of my best friends. The GSD is supposed to be regal, independent, intelligent, devoted, etc. but Zoe is just a nut. Her favorite position is on her back, waiting to get her belly rubbed. I could write a book about her antics and my love for her but, this is a portrait art forum, so I'll stop here.

Linda Ciallelo · 10-05-2002, 11:26 PM

Jean, that painting of you looks exactly like my daughter. She had a female German shepherd that looked like that. She threw a frisbie for her, and the dog ran into a metal post and died from a skull fracture. She now has a larger male German shepherd.
Anyway, I sent this painting to her by email, and she is using it as wall paper for her computer. She is 35 and lives near Madison Wisconsin.

Jean Kelly · 10-05-2002, 11:50 PM

Hi Linda,

It must be a very small world! Where does she live? I'm honored to know that my painting is being used and enjoyed by someone. Maybe sometime I will run into her at a mall or grocery store and meet my younger twin! And for the record, my self portrait doesn't reflect what I actually look like. See, my brain is still only 35 or so (sometimes only 19) but my face shows normal signs of aging. Of course my hair covers a lot of the wrinkles and hair dye still keeps me blonde! Would it be better to continue this conversation in e-mail?

Mari DeRuntz · 10-05-2002, 11:50 PM

Hi Jean,

Really strong painting that will speak directly to the hearts of dog owners. In terms of marketing, if you want to paint dog portraits, you could approach local veterinarians; they may hang pieces on their walls for you, sort of a one-man show. They will get original art, a community-embracing ambiance, and you will get commissions from it. You've really captured huge spirit here, the no-strings-attached love that connects us to our pets.