Summer Blues in Newton

Jersey Blues, Oil on Panel, 24" x 16", ©2008 Jennie Traill Schaeffer

$729 (unframed, cradled panel)

On August 9th, Newton held its second 2nd Saturday event, Summer Blues. It was an absolute success! During the day several new visitors strolled through TraillWorks, admiring the artwork, sampling the fabulous Buttermilk Blue Cheese from Wisconsin, and taking in the sounds of Roadside Louie, a local blues band.


With the help of Cheddar Alley and the Wisconsin Dairy Board (represented by my Uncle Bob) a variety of blue cheeses were available to taste at five different locations on the street.We learned that blue cheese should be sampled last when other cheeses are offered because of the strength of the flavor. Of course, I was unable to try any of the delightful blue cheeses due to my pregnancy, but I was told they were just delicious.

Inside TraillWorks, beyond the blue cheese, I completed several new paintings for the event. All variations of blueberries, the fleeting summer fruit of NJ, are depicted in oil and on tiles.

Blue on Red, Ceramic Paint on Tile, 6" x 6", ©2008 Jennie Traill Schaeffer
$89 (unframed trivet)

Blue Ensemble, Ceramic Paint on Tile, 6" x 6", ©2008 Jennie Traill Schaeffer
$89 (unframed trivet)


Scattered Blues, Ceramic Paint on Tile, 8" x 8", ©2008 Jennie Traill Schaeffer
$165 (set of 4 coasters)


Scattered Blues, Ceramic Paint on Tile, 8" x 8", ©2008 Jennie Traill Schaeffer
$89 (unframed trivet)

Big Blue, Ceramic Paint on Tile, 6" x 6", ©2008 Jennie Traill Schaeffer
$165 (framed tile)

email Jennie or call, 973-383-1307, to order

Perker gets Painted Again

Bound Perker, Oil on Panel, 12" x 16", © Jennie Traill Schaeffer 2008

Here's my second bound appliance portrait painting. The percolator is wrapped with my husband's grandmother Fran's hand made tulle and velvet apron. I completed it last week and it will be framed and hanging in the gallery this week.

PS - Don't forget about the Sidewalk Sale Specials going on INSIDE TraillWorks now through July 31st.

New Works

Homage to Fran's Taffeta Apron, 5" x 7",

Oil on Canvas, © 2008 Jennie Traill Schaeffer

Homage to Fran's Taffeta Apron, 5" x 7",
Oil on Canvas, © 2008 Jennie Traill Schaeffer

$100

Homage to Fran's Pink Apron, 5" x 7",
Oil on Canvas, © 2008 Jennie Traill Schaeffer

$100

The first two paintings depict my husband's grandmother's aprons that she probably made by hand in the 40s and 50s. I'm fascinated not only in the fabrics and colors, but by the historical / sociological significance of aprons.

A recent NY Times article When Mom and Dad Share it All, brings new meaning to the apron. No more are the days of the frilly hostess aprons that Fran made and wore, but men are now donning them equally in taking a more active role in household chores and child rearing.

But, there also has been a return to the frilly retro aprons of old for women. We now want our cake and eat it too. We choose to do the cooking or have hubby do the cooking, look good while cooking or entertaining, and all after a day's work.

The contemporary apron hearkens back to a time where we were bound to the kitchen, but is not quite so binding. These small paintings are both an homage to the aprons and Fran, and a depiction of our freedom as 21st century women.

New Painting

I know, it's been awhile since I painted during my month-long residency in January. After returning home in February I've spent two months playing catch up, renting a new studio space and renovating it, and finding time in between to enter a juried show with a new painting, apply to a gallery, redesign all of my marketing materials and complete some commissioned works. Whew!

So, here's the work titled, Kitchen Altarpiece, finished on Tuesday and one of three entries into the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council's, Annual Skylands Juried Show. Last year I wasn't selected, the year before I won two awards. I'll let you know in mid-April the results of the jury process.

Kitchen Altarpiece (Triptych), 35" x 16 1/8", Oil on Panel, © Jennie Traill Schaeffer, 2008

I generated the idea for this work while at Peters Valley and had three panels which initially were going to be devoted to separate works, when I realized one of the panels was wider than the rest. Instead I thought to combine them in a triptych (three panels to make one painting), originally used widely in the creation of altarpieces in Europe. Continuing my iconization of kitchen wares I used a similar format to represent a grouping of tools from the 1940s.

jennie@traillworks.com
www.traillworks.com

Day 24 at Peters Valley

Valley Brook Dorm, My home away from home, © Jennie Traill Schaeffer

This month is quickly drawing to a close and though I have had the most spectacular time painting and more painting, I am getting anxious to pack up and return to my husband and puppy. I think they're stopping by tomorrow to go for a hike in Stokes State Forest.

Mother and Child, 18" x 24", Oil on Stretched Linen, © Jennie Traill Schaeffer

This past week I completed another painting, but as I see it in a digital form there is one structural thing that is irking me that I will have to fix. This photo is also slightly blurry. Post a comment to me if you know what it is.

Perker Maesta in Progress, Oil on Stretched Linen, 3' x 5', © Jennie Traill Schaeffer

Above is the Perker Maesta I began working on yesterday. I am currently laying on the "under painting" which are thinned out oils to mass in volume and color which I will then palette knife over with heavier paint.

My last post from Peters Valley will be Monday where I will give you an overview of the other artists who I've spent the past month will. I was very fortunate to have had their guidance, friendship, and company.

Day 22 at Peters Valley

Conte Drawing from my Studio Window

Black Pen Drawing from my Studio Window

Oil Pastel Drawing from my Studio Window

Oil Pastel Drawing from my Studio Window

Oil Painting from my Studio Window

Artists end up collecting and saving a lot of "stuff". Some which is worthwhile and others that are useless. I never throw out mat board pieces and I held onto a bunch for a few years that I hadn't used. Thinking I might do something with them during my residency, I brought them up to Peters Valley. The above studies are about one-hour drawings / paintings using different media to explore the landscape from my studio window. These may or may not end up in finished paintings in the future. Each one was completed at different times of day but all with mostly the same point of view.

Madonna and Child in Progress (temporary title), Oil on Stretched Linen, 18" x 24" © Jennie Traill Schaeffer

The painting above was started before I arrived at PV, and thought I would try to finish it. It has proven to be a challenging piece because I'm still pushing my technique and found the color combinations not working. Since this photo was taken earlier yesterday, I've almost completed it. I chose to remove what were initially halos for a more abstract way of utilizing the gold to emphasize the spiritual nature of the objects and also breakup the monotony of the negative space behind the percolators.

Can't wait for you to see it! I'll be starting my last big painting while at Peters Valley. I only have five more true working days.