Featured on ArtfulMemory.Com

I've started a new Zazzle affiliate website called www.ArtfulMemory.Com where I am featuring fine artists with their work on Zazzle. I'm compiling a list of the best of the best Zazzle fine artists...I hope you'll stop by and take a look! I'm specifically featuring artists who have their paintings/drawings on greeting cards with no words on the front. This is because the Zazzle greeting cards - which are OUTSTANDING quality - are size 5"x7", meaning they can be matted/framed by the recipient, creating a miniature art memory they can enjoy for a lifetime.

Feel like you're missing things on Facebook?

Feel like you're missing things on Facebook? You probably are! I have "fanned" (now "liked") several business pages on Facebook, yet after I've done so, I never see another thing from them, and have such trouble finding the pages again. It is only when I set up my own business page for my art that I discovered this is a problem on Facebook, and it's a fixable one.

Here's how:

1) Click on Home and make sure you're viewing your NEWS FEED page.
2) Go to the bottom right and click on "edit options".
3) Change the # in the "Maximum number of friends shown in Live Feed" box to 5000, and you will then see updates from those pages you have "liked", as well as from friends you thought had disappeared.

Hope this helps!

Win Mini Art, See Paintings in Progress & More!

Visit my new blog at SilajaiArt.Com to see all the latest works in progress, win a miniature art trading card print and more! Subscribe to my RSS feed for the new blog here.

New blog with ACEO Auctions!

I've started a new blog for my big eye animal art on my Silajai art website, and I'm thrilled to announce I'm hosting BLOG AUCTIONS for my ACEO's! The 1st auction on my blog is for "Cheetah Cub", the 1st ACEO in a series of 5~> http://tinyurl.com/cheetahcubaceoauction

Hope you'll stop by and place a bid - all proceeds from these miniature art auctions are going to help get our rescued cat and her kittens their necessary veterinary treatment plus spay/neuter surgeries.

Thank you for your participation!

Jai, as Silajai

Leopard Cub ACEO

He's finally finished! After 5 days on the easel, I bet this little fella thinks I forgot about him. This leopard cub ACEO is #3 in a series of 5 art cards titled "Cubs". See them all on my big eye animal art website.

I have two left to complete in the series - both tiger cubs. I'll be starting on one of them today!

--Jai

Leopard Cub in Progress

Just wanted to share this little gem I'm working on...this is #3 in my Cubs ACEO art card series.

I'm thoroughly enjoying my color pencils again and love this little illustration board for creating miniatures.

--Jai

Cheetah Cub ACEO

It's been a while since I posted, I know. But I haven't been being lazy! :) I've been working my tail off, at my jobs and at my true love...my art. Recently I found some fabulous pieces of illustration board (with vellum), precut to standard ACEO art trading card sizes of 2 1/2" x 3 1/2". I bought one package, and it has 5 boards in the package. I decided to complete a series of 5 miniature paintings to try out this board.

First, let me say, I LOVE IT! I have missed creating art in miniature! And I love the feel of the illustration board. This first painting shown here is titled Cheetah Cub and is completed in Prismacolor pencils. It's the first in the series, which I've titled "Cubs". Keep watching my blog for the other 4...I promise I'll post them!

I've put the original up for sale on my website dedicated to my big eye animals.


This photo here is taken outdoors and shows the original miniature art in natural light.

And this is an example of how the mini art might look when matted and framed.

--Jai

My Heart

I had completed this painting before as a digital work of art and after several months, I decided I wasn't too thrilled with the work. I decided to add this delightful kitty to my big eyed animal art collection, so I completed the same art again, this time in Prismacolor and with - of course - big eyes!

This is little Oreo. Her original photo had her holding a tennis ball, but I thought I'd create her holding a stuffed heart instead. You can check out the in progress photos on my website (though I didn't put as many up of this one as the previous ones). I've also added this art to lots of fun cards and gift items in my shop.

I've started my next work, which will be a delightful Emu. Watch the in progress page for her progression. There's one in progress photo up at this point. I would have worked on her more, but I got sidetracked when I stumbled on a fabulous tutorial. The tutorial covered burnishing and layering in great detail. I have used the techniques in depth on previous works...it definitely creates an amazing sense of aliveness. For about 10 minutes I thought about delving into that with these recent works. But then I changed my mind. I like the looser feel I'm getting with these works, and I'm not sure it would serve the pieces for this series well.

I have to admit though, I'm now feeling that little thump-thump in my heart to create a piece with extreme realism again, just like I used to do. Perhaps I'll burnish the Emu's nose and beak area on this current painting just to get it out of my system. But for the rest of it, I think I'll just keep things loose and free form. :)

--Jai

Kitty Cookin' Up Trouble

I completed this color pencil painting in my big eyed art series this week. How about this sweet little fella? He's cookin' up trouble with his chef's hat on and a bowl of vegetable soup, with the letters that spell...of course...TROUBLE! :) I had so much fun with this illustration!

You can see the in progress photos of Cookin' Up Trouble on my website, as well as purchase the original there if you desire. You also might like the image on the wide variety of gifts in my online gift shop.

As always, thanks for stopping in and for sharing my art with others, too!

--Jai

A little BIG EYE art

I have had two delicious days to myself. Although most of the 1st one was spent with a migraine that was trying to attack me, I didn't have to leave the house for anything. Which means...I could actually allow my creativity to emerge again! As soon as I was able, I went down to the studio and began this color pencil painting. It all worked so perfectly (I love it when that happens!). Stroke after stroke, this artwork titled "Uncle Sam" came together easily.

It all began when I was browsing through my photos from the dog show. When I saw the shot of this Pekingese pup, I could just see him wearing patriotic gear for the 4th of July. I could also see him as a BIG EYE dog...a form of art I've been meaning to try for years with my animals. So while I felt I was dying on the 4th, I managed to infuse life into this little fella with my Prismacolors.

This is the first time I've used vellum paper (1oo lb) and I LOVE IT. I think it's what made the painting flow so smoothly. I'm so excited with how this one turned out, I've decided to keep on with the big eye animals, and some other critters like birds and reptiles. I'm going to do them all in color pencil, and under my brush name of Silajai, which I haven't used in several years. I've even set up a separate website address to showcase just these works of art. I hope you'll stop by and bookmark it. With my work schedule, who knows when the next one will be done. I know it will frustrate the stew out of me not to be able to work on my art as much as I'd like, but who knows, maybe the originals will begin selling and I'll be able to do what I'm supposed to be doing again - painting and illustrating.

As always, thanks for stopping by, and thanks for sharing my blog and websites with your fellow art lovers.

InJoy,
Jai

Color Splash Photo Blog

I've started a blog specifically for my line of Color Splash photography. I hope you'll visit and follow me over there as well!

New Kitten Painting ~ New Color Splash Photos

I know I haven't posted much lately...Last week was horrible. My father went in for a "repair" surgery and suffered a massive heart attack. He actually died twice, but they were able to revive him. There appears to be no brain damage, which is wonderful, and he has been coming around very well. He's still in ICU, however, and the nurse today told me he had kind of a rough day. And today is his birthday. He is 70. She said they were going to have a party for him. I sure wish I could be there...he's in Colorado Springs and I'm stuck here in the 100+ degree TN heat with no way to be able to go. :( So I've been rather upset.

Like always, however, I try to take my mind of things I can't control by delving into my creative works. I have completed a couple of new photos in my Color Splash series, both shown here.

"The Monarch" (butterfly), and "On a Wire", which features a bluebird.

I've also managed to complete a new digital oil painting of Molly, one of our kittens. I paired her with the same butterfly in the first photo and titled it "Me and My Monarch".

The kittens and their mom are being spayed/neutered on July 5, and will also have their shots. After that, they will all be ready to go to new homes. You can see their photos in this facebook album. Please email me if one of them captures your heart - I'd be happy to reserve him/her for you and your family!

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Shop for prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Dalmatian Portrait

This is another digital portrait of a Dalmatian from our local dog show. Fine art prints are available here, and cards and gifts here. :)

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Shop for prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Labrador Retriever Portrait

Sam is such a handsome black Lab. Very well trained too. His owner told him to stay and look at me from the back of his truck and he did it! Below is the original photo of Sam in the truck, and this is his painted portrait.

You can purchase this handsome black Labrador on fine art prints on paper and canvas and on neat gifts, business cards, greeting cards, stationary and more here.

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Maine Coon Cat | A Return to Realism

For months now, I've tried to loosen up in my art, trying a variety of different brushes and styles and color palettes...but deep down, my anal, realistic side keeps fighting to get out. So this week, I allowed it to emerge as I painted this portrait of Sassy, a Maine Coon Cat we had stay with us for a short time. If you love Maine Coon cats, you can purchase fine art prints here and gift items with his handsome self here.

As for whether I'll stick with the realism...I'm going to do another painting in this manner and see how I feel. :)

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

In the Garden | Pug Painting

Here's another painting in my "At The Dog Show" series. This little Pug was having some fun exploring the gardens outside at our local dog show. I captured several photos of him, and just completed his painting.

His owner told me he is still very young, and he would begin participating in dog shows later this summer.

Pug Fine Art Prints • Pug Gifts

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

The Observer | Long Haired Dachshund Painting

Here's another new painting from my "At The Dog Show" series. This painting is titled The Observer, and features a long-haired Dachshund observing all of the excitement going on around him at our local dog show here in Jackson, TN.

Dachshund Art Prints • Dachshund Art Gifts

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

New Paintings!

It has been a c-r-a-z-y week but I have managed to get some new paintings done and put online!

New in my At The Dog Show series: "Arms of Comfort", featuring a Cocker Spaniel in the arms of his owner. Click here to view my At The Dog show series webpage and see more detail of this painting.


Next up, I was in a bit of a fruity mood....so I completed a couple of still life paintings of juicy oranges. Click here to see them in more detail on my website.


And finally, the last painting was a quick floral study I did of a Daffodil. I was still experimenting with different brushes in all of these paintings, and I finally nailed the look I was after with the Daffodil. See this lovely flower in more detail on my website.


Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Longing | French Bulldog Painting

Here's the 2nd painting in my new series "At The Dog Show". This painting is titled "Longing" and features a French Bulldog being posed in the show ring. Is that just the cutest little face?

Longing is available on canvas and paper (with matting and framing options) and is also available on cards, mugs, mousepads and other fun gifts. Perfect for the French Bulldog lover in your life!

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Attentive | German Shepherd Painting

Time for another series. I've been thoroughly enjoying my "Dogs With Toys" series, however, submissions of photos have been so slow...and I want to paint a VARIETY of dogs...so I just have to be patient and wait for people to send me their best photos of their dogs in order to do more paintings for that series. I *did* get two dogs at the local dog show playing with toys, so those will be painted for the series.

In the meantime, I decided I'd take a portion of the coolest of the 3,000+ photos I made at the dog show and do paintings based on them. :) Hence the new series..."At the Dog Show".


This is the first painting from the series, titled "Attentive", featuring Ria, the blue ribbon winning German Shepherd I met on day one. I've included a close up of the brush work using an impasto style technique which I am super-thrilled about! The original photo is shown here too.

This painting is available on canvas and paper (with matting and framing options) and also on cards and other cool gifts in my GalleryJai gift shop.

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Chow Dog Portrait

More for the Chow Chow dog lovers out there! Painted from a photo I snapped of a Chow at the local dog show.

Fine art prints are available here and cards, mugs and other fun gifts with this Chow painting are available here.

This morning I experimented with some more of my dog show photos are created two other paintings using a different brush I haven't tried before. I really like the way they came out and I'll post them soon.

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Wood Chow Dog Earrings

The plan yesterday was to work on a wood burning of a tiger, which I've been trying to get moving on for over a week. Life incidents managed to fill my days, however, and when I got down to the studio yesterday afternoon, I was a bit hesitant about starting it. Usually when I feel this way, I'll work on something smaller-quicker-simpler to get the "feel" for the larger piece.

I decided to create a pair of earrings as a warm up for the larger work. Using one of the photos I shot this weekend of a Chow at the dog show, I created these earrings. I think they turned out really well. I like the fact they're large enough to see the art well, yet still very lightweight and easy to wear.

I burned the design of the Chow and also burned the edges of the teardrop shapes in order to give them more interest. I sealed them for protection and then added silver hardware. I've added these to the Pyrography section of my website. Visit there to see more photos of the earrings.

I'm also really excited because I found some ACEO size wood this weekend. The plan is to make some wood art cards using pyrography with them.

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Jackson and Clarksville TN Dog Show

I've had a BALL the last 4 days! My daughter and I spent hours down at the dog show here in Jackson, TN, which consisted of both the Clarksville and Jackson shows.

Between us, we took around 3,000 photos. Of course, since I don't like to use a flash, most are only suitable for reference photos for my paintings and pyrography work.

Allyson will be putting up the best dog photos on cards and gifts in her shop.

Keep an eye on my website for new paintings. :)
My favorite photo I captured is of this little girl showing her bulldog. Even though the pair didn't win in this class I was photographing, they did amazing in my eyes. I loved watching them!

Then there was Ria the German Shepherd. She won a blue ribbon in this class I was photographing. What a gorgeous dog!

Another favorite dog I spent some time photographing was Karma the Great Dane. She's just a puppy! She was a little nervous and shy, but I can see her becoming an expert at this in her future.

All in all, we had a great time, and we'll be able to bring you many fabulous gifts with beautiful dogs as a result.

Jai

Grandma's Pearls | Pyrography

After delving back into pyrography to create a suitable grave marker for Rowdy, I realized how much I missed it. I've always loved the smell of fire and burning wood. When I was a child, I used to sit for hours in front of a fireplace and watch the flames. As I grew older, I enjoyed sitting in front of an outdoor bonfire on a cold winter night. Creating pyrographic art takes me back to those times.

I decided to take on the challenge of another wood burning this week. I had my daughter photograph a partial strand of knotted pearls which belonged to my grandmother. Working from that photograph, I stippled the pearls onto a 4"x4" piece of wood. This art is appropriately titled "Grandma's Pearls" and is for sale from a new page I've added to my website.

I've already been working on another design - a tiger. It will be very tedious, but I plan to use the stippling technique with his artwork as well. There's something about the effect I really love, and it never ceases to amaze me that an artistic image can arise from the combination of thousands of tiny dots. :)


Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Pomeranian Painting

I couldn't resist doing another painting of this sweet little Pomeranian. I know she looks bigger than life here, but she's only about 9 pounds. She's just a tiny fluffball! Her cream colored fur is simply gorgeous, and I love her perky little ears.

This painting is available on paper, canvas, and a range of artsy gifts for the Pomeranian lover.

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Yellow Ducky | Chihuahua Painting

How about some good news for a change? It's been a pretty crappy month for me so far, but despite it all, I plugged along on Shadow the Chihuahua's painting.

I painted Shadow with a yellow ducky toy which he really wasn't at all interested in, but the pose made a cute one for my Dogs With Toys series of art. :)

Little Shadow is sure adorable. He's just a tad overweight...too many snacks from the table, I'm sure! He's only about 12" tall. I do believe he's the smallest dog in our neighborhood!

I think Chihuahua lovers will enjoy his cuteness on these great gift items.

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

RIP Rowdy

This week, I had to say goodbye to a dear friend. Rowdy is the second cat we lost from the original group of the three wild kittens we raised. Oreo was the first.

Last Sunday, Rowdy became very ill. I knew he was sick from the way he was acting, and he also felt warm. I got him out of the bushes where he was hiding and brought him up to the carport. He slept in the same place on the love seat all evening.

The next morning, he was still in the same spot. He hadn't moved all night. A few hours later, he got up and he could hardly walk. His left front foot seemed injured, and he seemed dizzy. I immediately gathered him up and took him to the vet.

I left him at the vet while I went to work and waited for a phone call. Honestly, I thought he had contracted a cold or something, the vet would give him an antibiotic and he'd been fine.

A girl from the vet's office called - they wanted to draw blood. I said okay. She called back and said his white blood count was too low...which is indicative of feline leukemia. They wanted to test for it. I said ok.

The next call I got was from the vet himself...when I heard his voice, I knew this wasn't good. Rowdy tested positive for feline leukemia. His fever was 106. He was very, very sick. His white blood count should have been around 5000 - it was 1000. The vet told me, he most likely would be picking up everything that came along as his body didn't have the defenses to fight off anything anymore. He also told us this was very contagious, and could easily be given to the other cats, if it hadn't been already.

It was time to make a tough decision. I went to talk to Bill, who is a "co-owner" of these cats and who loves them all dearly. We decided it was best not to put Rowdy through continual sickness and pain, and it was best for the other cats, as we had no way to separate him.

So we went to the vet's office to say goodbye to our dear friend. Rowdy was with us two years. He touched our hearts in more ways than you can ever imagine. He was unique and special...and we will miss him forever.

I made him his own personal grave marker. It's pyrography on wood with color pencil, and sealed to protect it from the weather. Linda is going to plant some pretty flowers on his grave, too.

RIP my dear Rowdy...we loved you the best we could, and we are so sorry we had to say goodbye too soon.

*The other two cats we have left tested negative for this horrible disease and have also been vaccinated for it. The vaccine is only about 70-80% effective, and there is no cure.