Nightly visitor

This is our new "pet". One of them. This raccoon has *3* babies with her. I don't know why Allyson didn't get photos of the babies...she did get a short video and I caught a glimpse of them in that. Notice the water bowl on the right...spilled! They love to dump the water bowl. And they scoop the cat food up in their "hands" and shove it in their mouth! We've named the mother Henrietta and the babies are Larry, Curly and Moe. Maybe we'll get photos of the babies tomorrow night!

Welcoming the Lambs Completed Painting

A group of sheep and lambs have reached a place of safety,
and are welcomed to the chapel by the lovely caretaker with open arms.

It is complete. And I love it. :) Now I want to do a portrait of a lamb. They are so sweet! I've always loved sheep. One of my neighbors has goats. They're adorable too, but I don't think they're as sweet as sheep.

This painting is available on cards and as fine art prints in my shop. Also, I do have canvas print option - this painting will be fabulous as a canvas print. Read about my canvas prints here. And read about licensing options for this art here. I've also produced this art on ACEO art trading cards, available in packs of 100. ACEO collectors will love it!

Senak Peak 2 Welcoming the Lambs

Here's another sneak peak at the woman in my painting Welcoming the Lambs. She now has long hair...that took 3 hours! I've spent another 3 hours on the background as well. Now I'm working on the lambs, and then I will go over every inch, touching things up and adjusting color if necessary.

Sneak Peek at Welcoming the Lambs

Today I'm working on a more difficult painting. First of all, it's a full scene. Second, it has a human in it. That's always more challenging, as I'm primarily an animal painter. This painting features lambs. But I haven't gotten to that part of the painting yet, so I'm showing a sneak peek of the woman in the painting. I always work on the human first (specifically the face) in a painting like this, because it's the most difficult. So here's a sneak peek at the beginning of Welcoming the Lambs. :)

Vintage Roses Painting

Just completed this digital painting of a grouping of vintage roses. Available on prints and gifts here in my shop. :) I've left it totally customizable, so you can add your own words, quotes, verses, your name, or whatever you'd like along with the design, making it totally your own unique creation.

Beachin' - Summer fun for this Pomeranian

Time for a little summer fun! This sweet Pomeranian boast her shades (doggie goggles!) and stands on the beach with her colorful little beach ball in this new painting, titled Beachin'. This original art is available on products/gifts here in the jaisjewels shop!

How fun would it be to send your friends and family this cute postcard this summer? Definitely a smile-maker! :)

Beachin' (Pomeranian) Postcard by jaisjewels

Purple Iris Flower Painting

My friend Iris will love this painting! It began with about 10 photos my daughter captured in my neighbor's flower garden. The photos were good, but composition wasn't the best and there were too many distractions in the background. I could have worked on the background to deal with them, but decided to do a digital painting instead, and combine two of the flowers into one work of art. And this painting was born! Products and gifts with this image are available in my shop. I think one of my favorite products is the mug:

Purple Iris (flower) Mug by jaisjewels

Customizing Your Print Size at Zazzle to a Standard Size

Zazzle has some odd print sizes listed on the site, which unfortunately will not fit most standard frames. They do have a list of common sizes which you can click on when you choose the "customize" button - why they don't appear in the list of choices is beyond me! I've made this quick little tutorial to show my customers how to adjust the print they like to a standard size. I'm using my Siamese Cat Portrait Print as an example. (click on the images below to see them full size)

Below is the first screen shot showing you what you see when you go to a print product. Notice what I've circled in red. Notice is says 20x15. That's NOT a standard size. If you change it to 20x16, which is standard, you can find mats and frames much more easily. For this example, I've chosen to do that with this print. You want to click on the CUSTOMIZE IT button which I've also circled for you.

After you've clicked on the button, you'll see this screen - you want to choose the "print options" tab.

The image below shows you the print options tab choices. Notice I've circled the check box that says "link these". UNCHECK that box.

Enter "16" in the box where it says "15" and choose OK. Then make your paper choice and click on ADD TO CART.

This is what you should see now in your cart:

The size is correct and you're ready to check out. By using the customize it button and changing the size to a standard one, you'll now be able to easily find a frame for your print. Of course, Zazzle does offer framing on the site - which is fine if you're working with an odd-sized print, as they will make it work. But if you plan on purchasing your own frame, it's better to change the print size to a standard one.

Here are standard sizes for your reference - you should easily be able to purchase frames anywhere for these size prints.

5x7"

8x10"

16" x 20"

11" x 17"

12" x 12" (square)

12" x 18"

12" x 36" (panoramic)

18" x 24"

20" x 20" (square)

20" x 30"

22" x 28"

24" x 24" (square)

24" x 36"

30" x 40"

36" x 48"

48" x 64"

52" x 78" (whoa, nelly!)