Hi, blog readers and fellow artists. I'm Jim's wife Jeanette, the lady in the background of the videos. A few of you have asked to see what I'm up to, so here's a look into my recent sketchbooks.
Remember the scene of the house in the Catskills? What attracts me is that dark ridge of land brooding over the house. I also want to show the garage next to the house, because the owner keeps going back and forth to deal with his classic cars.
I usually prefer vertical compositions, so most of my sketchbooks are set up that way. I'm working in watercolor in a Stilman and Birn Beta Softcover Watercolor Sketchbook 5.5 x 8.5
".
". 
I paint the Vanderbilt Garden on two peaceful mornings, standing under a shady pergola covered with grapevines and surrounded with ferns.
The only interruptions are inchworms falling on my hat. Two sessions are really great to have for finishing a sketch, if the weather stays consistent. Seeing it with fresh eyes helps me to repair the inevitable mistakes.
This house undergoing renovation is lots of fun to paint, and luckily I have two sessions again. I like the contrast between the pile of heavy rocks and the delicate scaffolding. There's a bright red clump of hollyhocks bravely blooming amidst the chaos.
The last two paintings are done in The Perfect Sketchbook, produced by Erwin Lian in Singapore. The 7"x 10.25" hardbound book has Fabriano watercolor paper, which has a "softer" surface than my other watercolor sketchbooks and an ivory color to the paper.
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Hi Jeanette. I know I'm only one of many people who sees you in the videos and wondered what you were doing, as well as Jim. Thanks for sharing! Lovely work!
ReplyDeleteJeanette, Thank you for posting these! I've been wanting for years to peek over your shoulder, and knew the sketchbook paintings would be as beautiful as what you've shown here. More, please!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's wonderful to see your work. I enjoyed seeing your paintings and reading your comments.
ReplyDeleteTo me, that touch of yours seems a wee bit less sure than James'. But there's a tentativeness which has got a charm of its own. I really like these fine and well drawn out pieces.
ReplyDeleteDelicacy I find not only in the scaffolding, but all over the place; and yes, those little spots left without, or with hardly any paint: I'd miss them, if they were'nt there.
Just my impression /2 cents.
Beautiful work, Lady.
ReplyDeleteYou could post more of your work in the blog
or creat your own.
There´s always room for great Art like yours.
Having a partner that is an artist too is a blessing for You and James.
Keep up.
Paulo Rio Brazil
Hey Jeanette,
ReplyDeletegreat to see more of your work on the blog. Thanks for sharing!
:-D
Together with the links to Jim's drawings they complete the stories of your drawing adventures in the wild.
It would be fun to see more often yours and Jim's drawings side by side after a day of painting outside.
Keep up the great work.
All the best,
Christian
Always enjoy seeing your work posted. There is a wonderful meditative feel about your work, a gentleness, but with an underlying strength, and a quietness that draws me in to consider the story of a place as seen through your eyes. Its a nice compliment and contrast to James' work.
ReplyDeleteAs a newcomer to the blog, this is the first time I've seen your work - like it very much, especially the garden. Hope to see more :)
ReplyDeleteWhat delightful watercolor sketches, thanks so much for sharing them with us. I do hope you'll do that more often. James should film you too (if you're willing) I'd love to see one of your pages start to finish.
ReplyDeleteLovely work Jeanette! I was also curious and it was such a treat to see your artwork. Hope you will post some more! It's so wonderful that you both share this passion and obviously work so well together. A real team!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to see your work Jeanette. Your watercolors are exceptional and I'm sure James is proud of you. So...when will you be releasing a painting DVD of your own? :)
ReplyDeleteI was wondering when we would get to meet you Jeanette. Your sketchbook paintings are beautiful, thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolute delight , Jeanette! Your watercolors are little gems. I know this is "Jamas' Blog", but I also know that you have lent a significant hand in many of James' ventures, so it only seems fair that he shares this space with you. I, too, would like to see more "paired" outings. What fun adventures that would be!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see your work, Jeanette. Thanks for giving us a look. I like the Fabriano paper and use it in full sheets (soft press).
ReplyDeleteLove these! The mood of the darkened hill, and the treatment of the water and foliage...❤️ Now I'm wondering why I don't do more two-parters. As to the sketchbook paper: Fabriano can seem a bit "thirsty", but that's probably because I've become so used to Arches, which is practically slathered in sizing. But the results you've gotten here... **tries to refrain from buying yet another sketchbook**
ReplyDeleteAwesome paintings, Jeanette!
ReplyDelete[And a note to Rich: It's straight transparent watercolor without a bunch of opaque paints--you can't get much bolder than that. This isn't some lady's feeble attempt, they went to a highly respected art school together. I'm sure James would agree that he wouldn't be half as good as he is now without her solid art direction.]
Repetition, subtle as it is, of apex (dirt pile, house, trees) nice.
ReplyDeleteJeanette! Thank you for sharing your beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad Jeanette has shared her work with us. What I have seen in the past here and there was beautifully detailed work with the sensibility and sensitivity of a watercolorist from the Golden Age of British watercolors and my girl, Beatrix Potter. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing! Your work is excellent and a fascinating counterpoint to Jim's. You two are so blessed to share this artistic journey together.
ReplyDeleteThank you for showing some of your work! I am one of those people that always wishes James would point the camera at your easel once in a while. :) I love the one of the house under renovation, and "the red hollyhocks braving the chaos"! Show some more when you can.
ReplyDeleteYes Colonel:
ReplyDeleteThat apex escaped me - great compositional device.
When I said "tentative", I would never have thought about anything vilifying.
There's a tenderness in Jeanette's paintings presented here, even surpassing Jame's;-)
Never mind.
Awesome work!!!!!!!! where can we see more from you?!!
ReplyDeleteLove it! thanks for sharing!!
Hi Jeanette, I had the pleasure of meeting you and getting to know you and Jim at IMC in 2012. I always knew that you're a good artist because Jim would want it that way. I hope you will continue sharing your good work.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Jeanette, James! Love your post Jeanette!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I always wondered what your work looked like and it is great!
ReplyDeleteFaisal
I am also curious to peak over your shoulder in those videos and would love to see more of your superb work alongside James' - or as mentioned - a separate blog dedicated to your own creative processes. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI love these beautiful paintings! Thank you and please post more!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your beautiful paintings with us. You're both incredibly talented artists. I'd like to see more posts featuring your work -- or even a Living Sketchbook app demonstrating your technique and artwork.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, Jeanette _ Love your paintings as much as Jim's :) --always wanted to see your paintings as you panted right by Jim's side and was curious about what you selected to concentrate on !
ReplyDeleteHi everybody. Thanks for the love! I've read each and every one of your comments (and compliments) with a big smile on my face. This charges up my batteries to get out and do more paintings. Let's all go out and do more paintings and all get better at it, too! xxxxxx from Jeanette
ReplyDeleteLove seeing your work, Jeanette and reading all the comments. Look forward to more. Miss you guys!
ReplyDeleteJeanette, thanks for sharing your work. Sometimes (today was one day), my wife goes out with me to urban sketch, but she doesn't paint, and only come if we'll go to coffee or something, heheh :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful,work, Jeanette! I hope you post more. ;-)
ReplyDelete