Magnificent Arabian | Horse Painting

I thought I'd finish out the month of April with a colorful and expressive horse painting. In keeping with the brighter color palette I used with the tulip from yesterday, I painted this Arabian stallion, and titled it Magnificent Arabian.

Arabians have always been a favorite horse for me. When I was younger, I dreamed of having my own black Arabian stallion. Hmmmm....maybe I will paint him next...:)

This Arabian horse painting is available as fine art prints (canvas and paper!) and on a variety of fun artsy gifts and cards.

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!

Purple Tulip Flower Painting

Recently I captured this really neat photo of a neighbor's purple tulip. I love the way the colors came out in the photo, but I could still imagine it somewhat brighter. So I decided to do a painting of the tulip with brighter colors.

Below is how I began the painting. I used an oil brush this time, instead of the usual palette knife. I love the short choppy strokes from the palette knife, but I felt like experimenting with something different on this one. After painting for a little while, I decided to go for even brighter colors. The end result of my tulip painting is below. I thought you'd enjoy seeing the finished painting compared to the original photo. :)

























Fun gifts and cards featuring today's painting are available in my gift shop. Fine art prints on canvas and/or paper (with matting and framing options too!) are available at this gallery.

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!

Daisies and Bluebirds | New Paintings

Still working on some simple designs this week for my new Sentiments Greeting Card line in my gift shop.

The first design is a painting of purple daisies and it's the art on a "can't wait to see you again" greeting card. The art is also available on other cards and gifts here.

The bluebird design is the featured art on a card with the message of "I appreciate your cheerful spirit". It's a super way to say "thank you" to someone who has graced you with their positive attitude! The art is also available on gifts.

In addition to finishing these designs, I just came back from a photo shoot with Shadow, a 6 year old Chihuahua who lives down the street from me. I hope I captured a few good poses...I'm especially looking forward to seeing his photo with a little stuffed duck toy - I think he will be the next subject in my Dogs With Toys art series!

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!

Iced Tea and Teddy Bears

How about a cool, refreshing glass of tea? Or a couple of sweet, cuddly teddy bears?

These two pieces of art are designs created specifically for my new greeting card line titled "Sentiments". That's right - after 20 years, I've returned to writing verse for cards again.

I still have my first notebook here, which I started writing poems and verse in at age 13. I actually wrote in this same notebook all through college as well.

Now I have a new notebook and a lot of new experiences under my belt which come into play with the sentiments I'm writing.

The iced tea painting is on a friendship card.

The teddy bear painting is on a new baby congratulations card.

The iced tea painting and the teddy bear painting are both also available on a wide variety of other gift items, including fine art prints for those who like to decorate their space with simple designs like these.

Sunday afternoon, I spent some time outside with the birds, enjoying nature, while I wrote. I wrote four verses in a short amount of time.

When I was growing up, I used to ride my bike down to the back of our neighborhood - notebook and pen in hand - and I'd spend hours sitting at this quiet clearing in the woods beside a lake. Sometimes I'd write - sometimes I'd just enjoy the peace and quiet. It was a secret safe-haven I'd found to disappear to and spend time alone. Many years later, after I'd moved away, they built up the area with apartments. So my secret spot is gone, however, I bet one of those apartment/condos at the back, along the lake's edge, would be quite serene, especially if it has a balcony on which to sit and watch the lake.

I hope you enjoy watching this new greeting card line come to life - maybe you'll even find the perfect card to send to someone you care about!

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!

Kitten Portrait | Head Study Painting

I didn't have much time to paint yesterday as I had to work and then we had tornadoes coming through the area all afternoon! By the time the sirens and storms were done, I had a massive migraine headache. :(

Anyway, I did paint this quick head study of our kitten Oreo yesterday. I hope you like it! The painting is available on a wide variety of gifts and cards.

Want to have your pet's portrait painted? Visit my custom pet portraits page for information and pricing.
http://www.jaiart.com/custom-pet-portraits.html

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet 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!

Hamsters & Mice | New paintings

I took a break from my Dogs With Toys series this week to work with some of my other favorite critters - mice and hamsters.

This first painting is titled "Exhaust Pipe" and was inspired by a photo my daughter took of the exhaust pipe on my car. I actually made two separate images from this one painting...the one with the two mice and the exhaust pipe and then a separate piece of art featuring only the mouse on the ground.

Exhaust Pipe is available on fun cards, gifts, and prints here. Version two, titled "Me & My Shadow", is available here.

The third painting featured here today is of a sweet little hamster eating a rose. Titled "Snack From the Garden", it's a painting which will appeal to all the hamster owners out there, and it's available on cards and gifts here.

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet 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!

Dogs With Toys | Special Edition Fine Art Print

I've just released a special edition fine art print featuring three of the award winning images from the Dogs With Toys series of paintings. This one of a kind print features Willow the Pomeranian in "Little Cheerleader", Sam the Black Labrador Retriever in "Let's Play", and Rufus the Rat Terrier in "Driver's Seat". There are also some special edition shirts, mugs, and collectible photo cards available.

So what kind of toys does your dog like? Share your dog's photo playing with balls, stuffed toys, squeaky toys, plus toys which aren't considered a traditional dog toy, and your dog could be chosen to be in the "Dogs With Toys" series of artwork! Visit this page to see how.

Want to have your pet's portrait painted? Visit my custom pet portraits page for information and pricing.
http://www.jaiart.com/custom-pet-portraits.html

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet 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!

Driver's Seat | Rat Terrier Painting

This is Rufus the Rat Terrier, and this is another painting in my Dogs With Toys series. Yes, believe it or not, this doggie's favorite toy is the family vehicle. If it's moving, he wants to be in it. Not just in it, but in the driver's seat! Someone commented to me he looked like he was really in charge - well he is. All 10 pounds or so of him. :)

This painting was awarded a Today's Best Award from Zazzle.Com this week. Thanks Zazzle - as always, I am honored!

So what kind of toys does your dog like? Share your dog's photo playing with balls, stuffed toys, squeaky toys, plus toys which aren't considered a traditional dog toy, and your dog could be chosen to be in the "Dogs With Toys" series of artwork! Visit this page to see how.

Want to have your pet's portrait painted? Visit my custom pet portraits page for information and pricing.
http://www.jaiart.com/custom-pet-portraits.html

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet 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!

P.S. I just have to share some of my daughter's work...Allyson, age 16, is already an AWESOME photographer and has recently got into photographing various food items. This is her latest card and I thought the image is just fantastic of this deliciously-sweet cupcake:

Cupcake Happy Birthday Card by AllyJCat

Dachshund Love | Puppy Painting

I knew the minute I saw this sweet little face, I had to paint him. And after doing so, I'm tempted to do another series of just puppies. Cuteness factor times ten. :)

This little fella is available on fine art prints, cards, and other fun gifts for Dachshund lovers.

Want to have your pet's portrait painted? Visit my custom pet portraits page for information and pricing.
http://www.jaiart.com/custom-pet-portraits.html

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet 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!

Dachshund Love Tote Bag by jaisjewels

Mother's Day Gifts

Mother's Day is approaching quickly, and I've made a couple of beautiful, floral designs from my paintings available on unique gifts for your mom this year.

Mother Pink Daisy Art Coffee Mug by jaisjewels

Mother First Light Pink Magnolia Tote Bag by jaisjewels

Mother Pink Daisy T Shirt by jaisjewels

Mother First Light Magnolia Mousepad by jaisjewels

Mother First Light Magnolia Card by jaisjewels

Mother Pink Daisy Card by jaisjewels

See all of the Mother's Day gifts with these paintings here.

And here's another something special your Mom would love...a custom painting of her furry or feathered friend. I have 2 openings left for custom pet portraits before Mother's Day. Visit my custom pet portraits page for information and pricing.
http://www.jaiart.com/custom-pet-portraits.html

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!

Hummingbird Photos

Not much painting got done this past week. Working two additional jobs has exhausted me and slowed down my progress. AND....both of my kids came down with the flu last week! Not to mention the pollen has my allergies really fired up.

Yesterday we all stayed home from church and I spent some time out in the neighborhood while everyone else was gone (or asleep). It was so peaceful and quiet. I parked myself in a chair near the neighbor's hummingbird feeders and waited patiently with the camera.

After watching one of my cats meander through the yard, I glanced back at the feeders and low and behold, one of my feathered friends had shown up!

I thought you would enjoy these photos I managed to get of these elusive little birds.

I published the best one on cards & gifts in my Zazzle shop.

This week is supposed to be beautiful weather all week, so I'll be watching for more opportunities to capture them...maybe I'll even do a painting this week of one of them as well. :)

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet 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!

Let's Play | Black Labrador Retriever Painting

Yes, I'm behind on paintings this month and blog posts. I'm so happy, though, that my newest painting in the Dogs With Toys series titled "Let's Play" has won a Today's Best Award from Zazzle!

"Let's Play" features a black Labrador Retriever named Sam who is TIRELESS when it comes to fetching his red, white and blue ball. As long as you are willing to throw or kick this ball for him, he will go get it and bring it right back. He doesn't stop until you stop.

Prints & lots of cool gift items for Labrador lovers are available with Sam's painting.

So what kind of toys does your dog like? Share your dog's photo playing with balls, stuffed toys, squeaky toys, plus toys which aren't considered a traditional dog toy, and your dog could be chosen to be in the "Dogs With Toys" series of artwork! Visit this page to see how.

Want to have your pet's portrait painted? Visit my custom pet portraits page for information and pricing.
http://www.jaiart.com/custom-pet-portraits.html

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet 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!

Black Swan Painting

I finally completed the black swan portrait I started last week. At first I was going to paint a white swan...but then I decided to paint a black one. There's something so elegant about black swans. Of course, I'll probably paint a white one sometime soon, too. :)

I'm running behind on my daily paintings at http://www.JaiArt.Com. With the addition of a 3rd job last week and a migraine that got me down for a few days, it was really hard to focus on my main job -- which is my art. I normally worked around 80 hours a week on my paintings and growing my art business. Now it's been cut back to 60 or so hours, plus I'm feeling the stress of it all.

I hope things will balance out soon, but I'm anticipating there will be less paintings completed in April as I get used to my new schedules for everything. And commission works always come first. Speaking of custom pet portraits, remember to get yours scheduled before the 12th, which is when my price increase takes effect!

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow animal 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!

Japanese Chin Dog Painting

About a week ago I shared the custom pet portrait of Archie, a Japanese Chin dog. His canvas arrived today and it turned out absolutely beautiful, as always.

I get so excited when the canvas print of one of my paintings arrives. First of all, it's like opening a Christmas present...unwrapping paper and paper and more paper to uncover the treasure within. But once the canvas is listed from it's box, it's even more thrilling, because the pet just jumps to life, right from the box. My daughter said it best -- "He looks so REAL! I just want to touch him!"

My custom digital pet portraits are created on high-quality, gallery-wrapped Chromata Matte Canvas. And they are absolutely spectacular!

I've taken some photos of Archie's completed canvas print, shown next to some of my original acrylic paintings in my office. As you can see, the quality is excellent. For size reference, Archie's canvas is 8x10" in size and the larger painting next to his is 18x24". Click on the photos to see them in closer detail.

So....are you ready to have your pet's portrait painted? Visit my custom pet portraits page for information and pricing.
http://www.jaiart.com/custom-pet-portraits.html

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet 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!