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A trash heap with silver service?

the aliens have landed!

I am getting some great feedback from the “Carbon Footprints” exhibition at the Park Avenue Club

It seems people are really enjoying sipping their cocktails and munching their posh nosh, amongst my inedible remains and dusty discards.

The restaurant is for members only, so call ahead for a good time to visit the show between sittings : (973) 301-8233

April 16 - September 10 2012

Carbon Footprints Park Avenue Club 184 Park Avenue Florham Park, NJ www.parkavenueclub.com

What Does a Cookie Know? Carbon Footprint #43

Cookie Consultation - charcoal still life drawing  |  SOLD

Despite multiple consultations, that darn cookie did not foresee last week's technical *hiccup* that crashed this blog. Maybe I was unwise to eat those Misfortune Cookies after all

So here is a belated wish that your Year of the Rabbit delivers multiplying health and happiness and breeds many creative opportunities

"Cookie Consultation" charcoal 12" x 10" For sale on Etsy

Emerging at Noyes and Perkins

YEA Opening Reception

If you missed the "Emerging Artists" show at Gloucester County College last fall, you have two more chances see this art exhibition in South Jersey The entire show has been picked up by the Noyes Museum and the Perkins Art Center and will run until the Spring daffodils are poking their heads through the snow - an emergence that cannot come soon enough for me!

February 11 2011 - April 7 2011 Emerging Artists Series Noyes Museum 5 South Second Street Hammoton, NJ www.noyesmuseum.org

February 15 2011 - March 12 2011Emerging Artists Series Perkins Art Center 30 Irvin Avenue Collingswood, NJ www.perkinscenter.org

Last Chance to See...

Carbon Footprints

Carbon Footprints is drawing to a close and I would like to thank everyone who braved the truly appalling winter weather to come and pick through my trash

If you haven't made it yet, you still have a week to stop by : wind, weather, ice and thunder snow permitting

thank you for coming!

Last Chance : February 10th SOLO SHOW : Carbon Footprints Gaelen Gallery West Rt 10 East (look for the Gold's Gym sign!) Whippany, NJ www.jccmetrowest.org

Making an Effort

Making and Effort : charcoal and pastel still life drawing

It seems it is time to reacquaint myself with my hairdresser to get the annual hairdo, for the artist's reception for "Carbon Footprints" is fast approaching

I hope you can suspend your New Year's resolution on Sunday 16th 11-1pm, to stop by and share in the celebratory pie, cookies and other naughty nibblies. (the celery, cottage cheese and cardboard diet will resume on Monday)

If distance and weather prevents you from enjoying a slice of frozen New Jersey, then kick back with a tub of ice cream and sample the show from your sofa at Carbon Footprints

Sweet and Sour : charcoal and pastel still life drawing

Artist Reception : January 16 11-1pm December 14 - February 10 2011 SOLO SHOW : Carbon Footprints Gaelen Gallery West Lautenberg Family JCC Rt 10 East Whippany, NJ www.jccmetrowest.org

Dippy Eggs (Carbon Footprint #42)

Dippy Eggs and Soldiers | charcoal and pastel still life drawing | 16x12"

There is something elegantly simple about a soft boiled egg for lunch. It doesn't take a bunch of elaborate preparation; it's a quick shot of protein to sustain that "big push" through the afternoon slump, but most of all it stirs a childlike joy in being allowed to play with my food

Nourishment for body and soul

Sweet and Sour : Carbon Footprint #41

Sweet and Sour : charcoal and pastel still life drawing

It is a well tested phenomenon that 20 minutes after eating a Chinese meal, you want another one Seems it goes for drawing them too

During the last large still life drawing, I discovered that splendid orange shadow cast on the noodle box and knew it needed a picture of its own - more space to breath

I am loving this paper too - Johannot by Canson - it gives a very soft, velvety finish to the drawing that I really like. I am keeping working notes on all the papers I try in an online scrapbook. So if you are another weirdo who loves paper a little too much, then leave me a recommendation for your favorite at The Paperphiles

Hey, for some women it's shoes - me, I go weak at the knees in a paper store. I remember the day I found Kate's Paperie in New York - boy that was a good day!

(Actually, I quite like shoes too)

Description : Large charcoal and pastel still life drawing of left over sweet and sour sauce and Chinese noodle box

More Magical Woodland Drawings

Well the new shelves are really paying off - I have 4 new oil paintings drying, as well as the promised second Chinese Take Out drawing And whilst they were drying, I found time to finish the second embellished giclee print. This one is in Red Oxide, Violet, Oxide Green Tint and a few smudges of White

I think I shall treat myself to another charcoal forest drawing soon, just because they are so much fun to draw And now I just need to organize some more drying space

Hmmmm - more shelves?

large giclee forest print

Chinese Shadow Play : Carbon Footprint #40

Sweet and Sour : charcoal and pastel still life drawing 30" x 22"

As I was setting up the still life, I fell in love with that shadow looming on the back wall. Such drama! But as I continued to draw and took the time to look closer, other quieter elements of the arrangement started to quicken my heart

So, in order to share what I see, my fortune cookie predicts there will be another chinese take out in my future Hey ho - such are the sacrifices for art

Description : a dark dramatic shadow looms in the background of this large charcoal and pastel still life drawing of chinese take out - noodle box, crumpled paper bag and broken fortune cookie

22″ x 30″, charcoal and pastel still life drawing

This charcoal and pastel still life drawing is part of the “Carbon Footprints” series

Seafoam Pastel Ripples Through the Enchanted Forest

embellished giclee, pastel and charcoal

Hoorah! I am very pleased with my first embellished giclee print 

Back in May, I was pondering whether to add color to the charcoal drawing of a forest. I was yearning to add magical color, but reluctant to give up the elegant black and white drawing... when it occurred to me that I could have both.

After scanning the original drawing at a high resolution (600dpi), I ordered large prints from Imagekind. Two types of paper looked like they might have enough texture to take the Pan Pastels I wanted to use. This one is my favorite, Somerset Velvet, with enough tooth to hold the pastel, with the luxurious feeling of working with a quality watercolor paper - yummy

(I am still working on the second print: too much texture for my taste, and less fun to work with)

Both the paper and ink  are archival quality, and these guys could get really big!  Up to 58 x 44 inches, although I'm not sure my easel would manage that, I'd have to work on the floor. That's it, Lulu is banished from the studio - doggie paws were not the kind of embellished prints I had in mind

I have a notion to do a set of 4 prints to represent the seasons at some point, but I am also taking requests. So please help me out and leave a comment with your favorite color scheme to inspire a creation - one dark color, one mid range and one highlight should be all I need

Description: Burgundy red and seafoam green pastel ripple through the woodland, adding enchanting mystery to forest shadows.

21 x 16 inches , pastel embellished archival giclee print, © Jo Bradney 2010 All Rights Reserved

Black and White Charcoal forest art print from Imagekind

Burgundy and Seafoam Pastel Forest art print from Imagekind