Beatrice

How can you not want to paint this face?

Tanzania 2013

I got to see my precious babies. They're growing!!!

...because my boss is awesome.

She lets her assistant/underling bring in a 4x4 foot oil painting into the office to paint on during lunch break (well, the lunch breaks that we don't go to the gas station Subway). Truly, since I work in the middle of nowhere, aka Eustis, I have nowhere to go for my hour lunch break. Alas, I paint. It's wonderful. Here's the makeshift studio:

 Miss Mary.

Window shelf.

 Yes, that's an Okra Pickles jar (delectable little guys)!

Awesome boss (left) and awesome officemate (right)

 That's me excited to paint in the office!

Yep!

I blame salmonella in the bloodstream for not finishing 12 paintings by 2012. 

However, I have 12 paintings in progress (that's half of the project!!!!) - 6 of which are nearly finished! Now that I'm 100% healthy Jenna again, I'm going hard. Working mornings, lunch breaks, nights, and weekends is quite effective - and I'm thoroughly enjoying it!

The ambition comes from a new year, an installation this spring (at Cafe Davinci—come see it!), and, of course, the children. I get to see those 24 faces in 2 months when I travel to Tanzania for work! Stoked is an understatement. They'll all be asking, "Mees Jana, whuh is my painting?"

This is what I've been up to the past month:

My studio during Christmas break!

Addy picks four of her favorite pieces for framing.

We "work" the frame as Brandy builds more!

Then we get in trouble and get back to real work, kind of.

And voila, the semi-finished Aneth is hammered onto the orange fabric frame!

Isaka's bright turquoise frame looks stunning against his orange complexion! 

Oh, and here's my custom-made Even Me easel that folds up small enough for my car!

Four paintings packed for the roadtrip home! Thanks Gma and Gpa for the jeep!
Two paintings were left behind, but will soon be back in my studio!

Painting with my cat Leo

Tell me how it is...

was not my initial reaction to my friend saying, "Jenna, time is money. You have GOT to figure out how to speed up your painting process. Wasn't your original goal to finish 12 paintings this year?"

At the time, it was not the best dinner conversation I've had, but, in retrospect, it was a helpful and motivating. It was as though Carl Gombert, my art professor, was speaking through my friend.

Thanks for the kick in the butt. I started 5 paintings this week: Aneth, Mary, Isaka, Rebecca, and Irene. 

10 paintings are in progress.

I will finish 12 paintings by 12/12. Watch.

Beatrice and Maurin