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!

United | A Pair of Cherries

Sometimes before I begin an animal portrait, I'll do what I call a simple warm-up painting. Not always...but sometimes. Especially if I'm feeling stressed or frustrated...the warm-up helps me loosen up. Most of the time I don't publish my warm-up paintings, but this time, I really liked the way this cherry painting came out so I decided to offer it.

I've titled the painting "United", as the two cherries are still connected by at the top of their stems. It's a simple painting, with a powerful punch thanks to the dark background I chose, which makes the red cherry color pop even more. Dramatic, I guess is the way I'd describe this painting. Gee, kind of sounds like my life sometimes! :)

Fine art prints, cards and other fun gifts with this art are available on my still life page on the 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!

"Small Things" Takes Today's Best Award

Woohoo! My still life photograph titled "Small Things" took a Today's Best Award on Zazzle, and is featured on the front page of the site (above).

Small Things is a simple still life photograph of a white cup with a yellow dandelion flower, with the verse ~Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies~ and it offers timeless beauty as a gift or greeting for someone special in your life. See all of the Small Things merchandise here.

Check out the winning mug design below:

Small Things Mug by jaisjewels

#40 Heaven's Dew

Allyson's newest photo - taken yesterday after the rain. I also think it looks like dew drops, so I designed an inspirational card of encouragement around the dew theme.

Today the rain is gone and the sun is shining...and it is finally cooler here. THANK THE LORD!

InJoy,
Jai

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#40 Heaven's Dew Greeting Cards (Pk of 10)

#33 Look Up

When life knocks you down, look up & ask for help. When things are going well, look up...and say "Thank You".

#32 Open Door

When one door closes...another will open. Be still. Have Faith. Wait. The wonder of a new experience is coming your way.


The interesting thing about up close views of something you see daily, is that you end up seeing things you've never noticed before. I've never noticed the paint on the top of the deadbolt. I've lived here 4 years and never noticed it. I think there's a message in there...it's time to slow down even more, enjoy life, and actually LOOK at what's around me.

Jai

#32 Open Door Note Cards (Pk of 10)

#7 The Good Ole Days

We haven't seen the kittens in 3 days now...but I've been searching for them! I snuck around the back of my neighbor's shed to see if they were back there, and I saw this pile of antique glass soda bottles. I thought the contrast between the greenish colored bottles and the red tray would make a nice photo.

As I look at this photo, it reminds me of the good ole days back at my grandparents house...sitting on the front porch on a hot summer day and sipping on a cold soda....ahhhhh....a nice memory!

InJoy,
Jai

P.S. Get cards and prints with this image here or purchase the royalty-free stock photo here.

#3 Got Wheels?

This photo was taken right after Allyson and I got our new camera. We were actually waiting and stalking birds. My neighbor feeds the birds at the big tree right between our two lots. Seemed the birds knew what was up, so they all disappeared. In order to not call this venture a total waste of time, I turned around and started playing with the zoom, shooting some other things.

This is a shot of my neighbor's carport, right after he changed out his motorcycle tires. He left the old ones propped against the wall. I thought the black color of the tires looked quite striking beside his wife's beautiful flowers! (Click the photo to see the larger version.)

InJoy,
Jai

P.S. Cards and prints are available here, or purchase the royalty-free stock photo here.