Choose an artist who's style you like for your commissions...no copying!

Little Island Cottage, 6"x6" oil on gallery wrapped canvas, awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased from: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

The subject of copying art is old. Most college art students are encouraged to copy the works of master painters and sculptors and some are even required to do so in order to learn valuable techniques. Some art schools even have access to museums where students can copy directly from the masters original work. Copying art is a good way for artists to learn but not acceptable past school years.

So why do I bring this up? Professional artists must develop very distinct styles in order to stand out and prosper in the art world. There are literally millions of artists all over the globe, many of which are very good.

As a collector, when choosing art you should look for an artist who already has a style that you like. Usually you will not get great results if you ask an artist to paint/sculpt/create something out of the vein in which they work simply because you like their prices and perhaps even their "natural" artistic voice but really desire a specific work of art of a gallery artist (aka very expensive). Sorry if that was a long sentence but I think that you know what I mean.

Artists: it's been my experience that when accepting commissions out of my natural vein vein of work causes me great stress and headache so I really try to avoid this. We work in series for a reason and our voices in art are well thought out and not easy to change. And in the end, you may not be able to please clients who really would rather have a work of art from a different artist who they usually cannot afford. Turn these commissions down. There is a saying in the art world: sometimes you make the most money on the projects that you do not accept.

I am careful now to try to only accept commissions that I feel that I can do well.

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

'Poi Pu Paradise' and a bit about how artists price work

Poi Pu Paradise', 6"x6" oil on gallery wrapped canvas, awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased from: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

This afternoon I wrote a rather long blog to explain why my reverse painted glass chandeliers are worth my asking price (or why they cost what they cost). If you wish, you can read the entry on my reverse painted chandelier blog here. I thought that it might be good to write something similar on my Mini Master blog to explain why I charge what I charge for my oil and watercolor paintings.

The actual dollar worth for fine art varies depending on the artist and how well known they are, how much time goes into their work, how many works they produce in a year and how expensive their work is to create. Artists who have styles that are very labor intensive to the point where they can only create a few pieces each year tend to charge more for their work than artists who are very prolific and have styles that are quicker. I say 'tend' because there are always exceptions.

Artists also tend to charge more for their work as their career grows. An artist in their prime (who is not one of the super big name people) may charge several thousand dollars for each painting. Also it is mostly true that artists who show in galleries also have higher prices as many of these artists do not do festivals and sell only through galleries or dealers. This is a whole different topic and I won't attempt to answer it here.

There are many reasons why artists charge what they charge and I could probably write a book on this subject but I'd now like to tell you how I personally price my work. My Mini Master paintings here on this blog are collected by people all over the country. They are also my most popular type of painting at my art festivals because they are affordable and because of the high-quality of my work. My small paintings here are inspired by my travels and they are also my study compositions for my larger works. They are quite lovely in person. Many of my smaller mini paintings will indeed become larger paintings at some point. I explained on my reverse painted glass chandelier blog that I've been painting seriously since the age of 15 but that my studies in art began much earlier. And art is what I really did go to college for. It's been my life's path. I am a creative being and I have always been brave enough to follow my dream. My 'dream', as living the artist's life is thought by many, is a reality for me.

So all these years later (I'm not that old but also not that young either) I have built a strong name for myself. I am well known in the San Francisco Bay Area for my island style paintings. Many people in the Bay Area travel to Hawaii and connect with my work for these reasons. My paintings also offer a slice of paradise...a retreat from the daily grind. I am considered a solid mid-career artist at this point. I charge $100 for my Mini Master paintings for the time that they take, the thought that goes into them and for the years of artistry that are behind them...and you will also be able to enjoy them for years and years to come. In many ways, it is a small price to pay for an original work of art. This is actually a steal for art from an artist of my experience.

My medium paintings are anywhere between $350-$850 (again, a steal) and my large paintings tend to be in the $1,200-$2,000 range. Several years ago I decided to sell my works through festivals after being in a Florida gallery that staged it's own robbery for insurance money. That was actually 7 and a half years ago. Last weekend marked my 7 year anniversary in the art festival world. Before that I came out of the gallery world where I did sell my work for several thousand dollars for each painting. It was a different career path and I really was a young artist then (with lots to learn) and my change from galleries to festivals was dramatic but it was for the best at the time. Exhibiting and selling through festivals has also made me a stronger artist and business person. If you are wondering, I sell my works through galleries now at the same prices that I sell them through at my festivals...the consolation to me is that I create paintings with more ease now than I did back then.

Most art festival goers understand that an original is worth more than a print, giclee, reproduction...whatever you want to call prints these days. Most of the work that I exhibit at festivals are original oil and watercolor paintings. My watercolor paintings have a lot of time invested into them. We custom frame each piece and that in itself is very labor intensive. My actual watercolor technique involves a very layered process with masking fluid and I may have a couple dozen layers in any one area. And because of the frame, my watercolors are often more expensive to create.

As I journey further into my career the prices for my works will continue to rise. This is the case for most successful professional artists.

Also collectors, please keep in mind that when you buy a fine work of art that is original that you will have this work for a lifetime to enjoy. It is a small price to pay for something that is truly nice and hopefully the works of art that you purchase from your favorite artists will bring you much joy.

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

'Island Gold' and painting the grandeur of the volcanic Hawaiian mountains

Detail of 'Island Gold', 24"x18" oil on gallery wrapped canvas, awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased from: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

Part of my challenge this year is to depict the beauty of the dramatic mountain ridges of the Hawaiian islands. To portray such grandeur and timelessness on a canvas is no easy feat. This is one of the first of several paintings that I hope to complete this year.

This UPCOMING WEEKEND: Jenny Floravita's Spring Open Studio, May 22 & 23, 10am to 6pm...see my website for more details.

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

"Oceanside Dremas" & Thumbs up to Open Studio Organizers

Detail of 'Oceanside Dreams', 24"x18" oil on gallery wrapped canvas, awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased from: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

I'd like to give a big THUMBS UP to Jack Gaughan and his organizers for doing such an awesome job on this years 2010 East Contra Costa County Artists' Open Studio Tour. I'm certain that this will be the best year ever. Here is a two page article in 110 Degree Magazine...the article is on pages 80-81

http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/110mag/may2010_110mag/2010042901/

For those of you who live in the San Francisco Bay Area and are willing to drive only a few extra minutes, you can come visit my studio and others and enjoy some wine, chocolates, good art and sunshine. There are 62 artists on the studio this year and if you start at my studio, you can pick up your free 18-page full-color catalog with samples and maps of the other artists' works. The group works very hard on this event!

I will me hosing the fabulous sculptor, Crystal Lockwood, who often uses Hawaiian woods for her beautiful figurative pieces.

When? THIS WEEKEND, Sat & Sun, May 22 & 23, 10am-6pm. Call me at the number on my website if you need directions or have questions.

Next Show: Jenny Floravita's Spring Open Studio, May 22 & 23, 10am to 6pm...see my website for more details.

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Beachside Bliss detail and Twitter nettiquite

Detail of 'Beachside Bliss', 36"x24" oil on gallery wrapped canvas, awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased from: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

I must confess, I'm not exactly in love with Twitter...but I do participate on the platform. The reasons for my less than amorous feelings have more to do with how many fellow Twitter people find fans. One behavior that simply drives me crazy is when a person 'follows' you, you then get the email (and I always follow legitimate people back) but then you get a second email saying that they are now following you.

Did you follow that (no pun intended)?!!

What's going on is that after they've initially followed you so that you receive email about them, they then delete you from their list to pump their numbers up. Some decide to re-follow when you've signed up to get their streams...they are counting on the fact that a percentage will follow back but really, how is that a good way to reach people? Do these Twitter crazy people really think that others don't notice this same exact pattern?

What they are trying to accomplish is to show that they are popular and therefore, they must be worth following. It's kind of shallow considering how many people have the same exact businesses on Twitter. I mean, how effective is this obsession for most? Probably not enough to justify the time many can sink to gain followers who don't really connect with their product (like I need a get-rich-quick plan or like I need another protein-power-max-drink).

Thank you for not taking this rant to seriously...now must post on Twitter...

The above image is a section of a new larger painting titled 'Beachside Bliss'.

Next Show: Jenny Floravita's Spring Open Studio, May 22 & 23, 10am to 6pm...see my website for more details.

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Island Shack Getaway and to my collectors who have moved

6"x6" oil painting titled "Island Shack Getaway", awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased for $100 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

Here is another beautiful Waimea Plantation Cottage oil painting...but what I really want to address today are my hopes that my collectors who have moved over the past year are happy in their new homes, wherever that may be now.

Every spring I send out my Open Studio postcard to most of my mailing list and there have always been postcards that get returned because people move and sometimes they move and the US Post Office can no longer track them. This is the case with several of my well known collectors this year and if you are reading this...then you know that I wish you a very happy future in your new residence! Hope you are still within the San Francisco Bay Area and that I will see you at a show this year. Stay in touch and be well!

Next Show: Jenny Floravita's Spring Open Studio, May 22 & 23, 10am to 6pm...see my website for more details.

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Island Hut

6"x6" oil painting titled "Island Hut", awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased for $100 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

What I love about this particular painting is the way that the sunlight filters through the palm and banana leaves. It's been less than two months since I was on Kauai last but I already miss it. That said, I'm lucky to be a full-time working artist who paints from their inspirations. Most of the past month has been devoted to my reverse glass painted chandeliers but I'm thinking that I'll be able to begin painting in oil on canvas early next week and perhaps through much of June...must get ready for the La Jolla Festival of the Arts, which happens at the end of June!

Next Show: Jenny Floravita's Spring Open Studio, May 22 & 23, 10am to 6pm...see my website for more details.

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Green Island Shack and What is an Open Studio Tour?

6"x6" oil painting titled "Green Island Shack", awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased for $100 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

It's that time of year again and I'm preparing for my Spring Open Studio. Actually, I'm part of a group of artists who are all part of an Open Studio Tour. If you are like most people, you may be asking 'What is an Open Studio Tour'? If you are an art collector, then you probably know a lot about this sort of thing already...but let me tell you, it's one thing to tell people I'm having an Open Studio event at my studio/gallery but it's another trying to explain what an Artist Open Studio Tour is to people who probably don't spend much time thinking about art.

Some people just don't 'get it' if they aren't interested in art. You probably do, as you are interested in fine art.

Communities that have a strong pool of working artists tend to have what is called an 'Open Studio Tour' at least once a year. It is a highly organized event where anywhere from 10 to over 200 artists get together, produce postcards and a catalog with a sample of each artist's work and a map of all of the various locations and then they distribute the information to their clients and to the community. Often these events are held on one weekend but sometimes they spill over onto two weekends if the area has enough artists. Also, there is usually a gallery that will host a reception with one piece from each artist. This allows the public to preview artwork in person so that they can better decide which studios to visit.

What is the purpose of an Open Studio Tour? There are many benefits to this event. Working artists have an opportunity to show their collectors their studio work space and all of the work that they have on hand. Demonstrating their creative process helps to show collectors how they create their work. The public hopefully understands a bit more about an artist's life and their work from this experience and perhaps a few of these people even walk away with a treasure or two from the event. That is the heart of the Open Studio Event.

When I lived in Santa Cruz, the Open Studios spanned three weekends because the working artist population is that big. Marin County has a two or three weekend Open Studio as well. Again, lots of working creative people live in the scenic hills outside of San Francisco. Generally the San Francisco Bay Area counties are rich hubs for artists and most areas have an organized Artist Open Studio Tour. Hope to see you at mine!

Next Show: Jenny Floravita's Spring Open Studio, May 22 & 23, 10am to 6pm...see my website for more details.

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Your Island Beach and Making Designs Work

SOLD

6"x6" oil painting titled "Your Island Beach", awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased for $100 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

This has been a very busy month of commissions for both of my painted glass chandeliers and my oil paintings. One project in particular had brought back memories to my earlier years as a graphic designer. At the time I had been out of college for about 4 years and I was designing for a studio in which the owner was a very talented designer in her own right. She taught me that no matter how many ways you could design something (could be anything like an ad, brochure, logo, etc...) that there was always yet another way.

Basically, I learned to always 'stretch my brain' in terms of design. I take that early lesson for granted as it comes naturally now. There's always a way to make another element fit or to rearrange information even when you've been through several rounds of innovative comps with the client.

These days I use my design skills on a regular basis. I use them in my printed collateral and in the printed collateral that I create for other artists and group art events, I use my design skills in my paintings when imagining a dynamic composition, in my chandeliers to give them that "wow" factor and I use them in commissions. Commissioned paintings can be especially challenging because you have to envision what the client is envisioning or you have the added challenge of taking an image and making it fit into a different shape or shapes (multiple canvases) to fit a wall space.

Looking back, I'm very thankful for my early life as a designer. Knowledge and experience are two things that I know are on my plate. They give me the confidence to know that I can create a commissioned painting with success.

A bit about the above painting: I don't have a side picture but the island house wrapped around the canvas. I sold this a couple weekends ago at a festival and it was an especially nice piece.

Next Show: Jenny Floravita's Spring Open Studio, May 22 & 23, 10am to 6pm...see my website for more details.

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Walmea Plantation Shack, and catching up from April

6"x6" oil painting titled "Waimea Shack", awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased for $100 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

April was a whirlwind month. I exhibited in two 3-day festivals, which can be really exhausting...and commissioned paintings that needed to be created/completed/delivered were stacking up. It's completely amazing how quickly the weeks go by, especially once my festival season hits!

The above Mini Master is another lovely Waimea Plantation Cottage painting. Honestly, I could paint these cottages forever if I didn't have such a strong desire to also create large works.

What do I have going on this month? Well, I am finishing four separate commissions, preparing for my Spring Open Studio event and I'm also in the process of creating new works for my next set of shows...speaking of...time to go up to the studio!

Next Show: Jenny Floravita's Spring Open Studio, May 22 & 23, 10am to 6pm...see my website for more details.

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Heading to Queen's Bath, Kauai oil painting

6"x12" oil painting titled "Heading to Queen's Bath", awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased for $185 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

Today I'm finally going to be able to work in my studio a bit. My plan is to concept out for my next set of new oil paintings. This will include prepping a new large-scale canvas and also painting a Mini-Master or two. Sometimes being an artist is a lonely job, which is why I enjoy my art festival season but right now I have the company of my hubby...who is doing various projects around the house and also helping me with my art exhibits.

It's hard to believe that my heavy-hitting festival season is just around the corner. Imagine: dark, early mornings where you're not quite awake, cold mornings, crazy set-ups with trucks, vans and trailers (us) jockeying into position. These days you can have some good shows and some bad shows... It's not a life for everyone but it's my life and it's what I signed-up for.

So see you soon!!!

Next Show: Menlo Part 28th Annual Sidewalk Fine Arts Festival, on Santa Cruz Avenue at El Camino Real, April (Fri, Sat, Sun) 16, 17, 18 10am-6pm (Sunday 10am-5pm), 90 professional artists, hope to see you there!

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Island Road, on being "Lucky" in Kauai

6"x12" oil painting titled "Island Road", awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased for $185 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

I've just returned from an intense three week hiatus from my studio. For the middle two weeks of March I was lucky enough to be able to travel to Kauai. "Lucky" is really the word that I used most often when counting my blessings, along with "fortunate" and also "hard working". Those words were spoken a lot when I realized that there weren't a lot of other people in the age range my husband and I are in or younger touring the island without their parents checkbooks visibly paying for the trip. What this means is that our generation just isn't enjoying the luxury of Kauai right now due to the times. We also didn't see very many families with children. And though we are not immune from what is going on, we are in fact directly effected as Itwrite, I felt thankful for what we could experience.

While in Kauai we noticed that a few of our favorite dining spots including a 20-year established Thai restaurant and a lovely and elegant lunch place with a breath taking view of Bali Hai had gone out of business or were slated to close. We also noticed that the Guava Kai Plantation closed. As we drove around the island hoping to stop in familiar haunts we soon began to wonder which establishments were also closed. Other businesses that we frequented had moved or consolidated. A favorite breakfast joint (which was closed for lunch) teamed up with a dinner place that was closed for breakfast. Now the two businesses could share the rent more efficiently.

Last year I was "lucky, fortunate, hard-working" enough to be on Oahu a couple times so it's actually been two years since we had visited Kauai. So many stark changes in terms of business but the island will persist in it's beauty and Aloha no matter what. The people will re-build their businesses in new times to come and many will prosper soon if they aren't prosperous right now.

And this isn't to say that the island is in tough times because many still do well, I just couldn't help but be moved by the visible changes that I saw when we hoped to visit restaurants, shops and businesses that we looked forward to. Behind each one of those businesses are working people and that's my main point.

My time in the islands is essential to my life's work. It re-connects me to the subjects that inspire my paintings and I look forward to being a patron of the island as a way of thanks for the inspiration it provides for my work. Traveling to the islands is not a vacation but a journey that takes me to my next body of work as an artist. Now that I am back in California, I am preparing for my spring and summer festivals where I will hear countless professionals in lucrative careers tell me that I am so "lucky and fortunite" to be able to do what I do. Some will also understand that "hard working" is also a factor in my success as an artist.

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Path to the Beach

6"x12" oil painting titled "Path to the Beach", awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased for $185 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

I am hoping to wake up happily Friday morning to this beach path in Kauai. It leads to one of my favorite beaches. I'm looking forward to a little down time and a bit more exercise as well. A good swim in the ocean would be so refreshing...or perhaps sipping cocktails by the pool on the beach would be nice. A bit of a re-charge before my wave of summer shows and commissions hit.

Right now my day is far from that tranquil moment on the beach but I am getting there. I am preparing for my next show. Always so much to do and so little time. An artist is always creating and our life's work is never finished and that can pose some problems if we let our mind's get wrapped up in the mountain of work that we have set for ourselves. We often think of the next set of paintings before we're even close to finishing what we are currently working on. As a business woman, I am also filled with ideas on how to show my work to art enthusiasts. I'm always excited about my next set of shows as well. Between these two very distinct jobs lies an endless amount of work.

Because packing and prepping for a show is a somewhat slow and laborious job for me, I'm able to reflect on they "why" aspects of my life's work. One thing that I realize is that it's not always possible to always finish every single ambitious project that I lay out. Honestly, over the last few months I've remained focused and have worked steadily towards on my current body of work and for my upcoming spring shows. I am happy to say that this has lead me to accomplish a lot and that is always a good feeling. I have given it my best and my best is what will have to do!

Next show: San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, March 24-28, 2010 at the San Mateo Event Center, BOOTH # 649. More info here: http://www.sfgardenshow.com

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Life In Hawaii

6"x12" oil painting titled "Life In Hawaii", awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased for $185 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

This is a "new" size painting, being 6"x12". It allows me to create contemporary shaped scenes on a small scale. Those of you who regularly follow my work know that I enjoy creating paintings in contemporary shapes.

This is a short blog entry today as I'm preparing for my next trip to Kauai...as well as preparing for my next show for when I return.

Next show: San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, March 24-28, 2010 at the San Mateo Event Center, BOOTH # 649. More info here: http://www.sfgardenshow.com

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Visit Jenny Floravita in March at the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show

Artist Jenny Floravita working in her studio on a 36" custom commission. Each hand painted glass chandelier includes irons, electrical, chain and canopy.

Floravita's Painted Illuminated-Glass Chandeliers to be at San Francisco Flower & Garden Show
Jenny Floravita loves painting on glass because of the expressive feeling that she is able to infuse into every flower petal, every leaf, bird and accent through her brush strokes. Flowers are an inspiration in her work and Floravita paints both tropical flowers and wildflowers in her glass chandeliers and paintings. Floravita often refers to her chandeliers as her 'illuminated painted glass gardens'. She uses her hand slumped glass as her canvas and the resulting illuminated paintings are like a glimpse into another world.

Born in the Bay Area, Jenny Floravita has been a painter all of her life. Her career in fine art really blossomed after 2000 when she decided to take a leap of faith and switch from graphic design to pursue her fine art. Floravita began her career in fine art as a watercolor painter. Life as an artist is a constant transition and through the years she has gone back and forth between oils and watercolors, painting both flowers and island scenes. She has been creating custom glass painted chandeliers for three years. The chandeliers compliment her exotic flower and island landscape paintings well.

Jenny Floravita's chandeliers and paintings are inspired by exotic gardens from her travels through warm lands. The San Francisco Flower & Garden Show is a perfect fit for her work as it brings flower and garden lovers from around the country to see amazing award winning gardens, prominent speakers and flower vendors.

Jenny Floravita's chandeliers start out as flat, architectural grade glass that is cut, slumped and then etched. Each chandelier is made by hand from the glass, to the irons. She wants people to realize that a tremendous amount of work goes into each chandelier as these are not simply fixtures from hardware stores. They are custom, hand-created works of art. Jenny can create just about any size chandelier as she works both smaller and large and she has shipped chandeliers successfully all over the country and beyond.

Her special painting technique in which flowers and leaves look as if they will pop right out of the glass allows her to paint with the same freedom that she feels when exploring a deserted island beach or a hidden wildflower garden. There is an amazing 3 dimensional effect to her glass paintings that captivates viewers and makes them feel as if they have a blooming flower garden that is contained right in the glass canvas that is ready to burst out at any moment. Floravita wants you to know that, "Every time you look at my illuminated painted glass gardens, you will see something new"!

Jenny Floravita will be an exhibitor at the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show at the San Mateo Event Center, March 24-28 and will be showing booth her custom painted glass chandeliers and her oil paintings. She is also proud to have one of her chandeliers in the main garden display. Look for one of her chandeliers in The Urban Oasis garden exhibit by Arthur Brito and Bryan Gordon. Meet the artist herself in Booth # 649. Preview her work at the below websites.

Chandeliers--> http://www.floravitalights.com

Paintings--> http://www.floravita.com

Facebook--> http://www.facebook.com/Jenny.Floravita.Painted.Chandeliers.andArt

Chandelier blog--> http://floravitalights.blogspot.com

Mini-Masters blog--> http://www.jennyfloravita.blogspot.com
follow on Twitter--> https://twitter.com/jennyfloravita

For more info on the 2010 March San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, visit: http://www.sfgardenshow.com

**********
Next show: San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, March 24-28, 2010 at the San Mateo Event Center, BOOTH # 649. More info here: http://www.sfgardenshow.com

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Walk to Queen's Bath on Kauai

6"x6" oil painting titled "Walk to Queen's Bath", awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased for $100 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

When you walk down to Queen's Bath on Kauai, you will see this scene once you are at the bottom of the hill and on the impressive lava rock platform. Queen's Bath is further to the left but what really strikes me about this entire area is it's serene beauty in contrast with some incredible ocean crevices where the water rushes in and angrily bubbles like a cauldron. I really need to capture some of those scenes in a large painting.

The lava rock itself is a beauty to behold. It's Hawaii's natural beach! There are little reflective pools of water, left over from the surf that crashes up onto the lava. There is also a beautiful little waterfall that empties into the ocean at this point. I've embellished by adding flowers. I'm looking forward to trekking to Queen's Bath very soon.

Next show: San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, March 24-28, 2010 at the San Mateo Event Center, BOOTH # 649. More info here: http://www.sfgardenshow.com

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Hawaiian Pacific Surf

6"x6" oil painting titled "Hawaiian Pacific Surf", awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased for $100 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

What I love most about this particular beach on Kauai is the action of the surf. You can always count on endless, dynamic surf that just keeps rolling in and it makes this beach so beautiful any time of day. I love this! And this is what I want to wake up to when I'm spending my few precious days/weeks in the islands each year.

This isn't the big surf of the famed North Shore, it's just good, reliable wave action that is the beautify of the Pacific Ocean. From what I've noticed this part of the island is hardly ever flat.

I'm very much looking forward to my next journey to the islands in the coming weeks. My next trip with provide me with both needed rejuvenation and also new inspirations. But between now and then, there's lots to do for this busy artist...so back to work on Super Bowl Sunday!

Next show: San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, March 24-28, 2010 at the San Mateo Event Center, BOOTH # 649. More info here: http://www.sfgardenshow.com

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Paradise Cottage and the Dynamics of Squre Compositions

6"x6" oil painting titled "Paradise Cottage", awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased for $100 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

Many of my recent paintings are square and I'm inspired to create many of my next wave of large oil paintings in the square format as well. I love the dynamic compositions and the contemporary feeling to the square shape. It is less traditional and can result in a big impact on a wall, if the piece is large in scale. You can even give a 'traditional' subject a very contemporary twist by painting it on a large square canvas, which is what I did today with my ongoing exotic flower series, which I'm preparing for my next two art shows in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Both my tropical flower paintings and island landscape paintings have adapted nicely to this format. I admit that it can be a challenge to make a square composition work but I enjoy challenges and I'm also aware that I employ my years of experience as a graphic designer in the process of selecting the final composition.

Over the past couple years, I've learned to literally see my world cropped within a zillion different dynamic compositions. My coconut palm portraits are likely responsible for my beginnings down this particular path because my goal was to capture the gesture of the palms in tall, skinny compositions. The tall skinny shapes are just as contemporary as the square shape and though much of my natural painting style is highly traditional in terms of technique, I use these interesting shapes to inspire me to go beyond the "traditional".

The painting above is titled Paradise Cottage and I've composed the composition with the plantation house at the very bottom of the canvas, with only a sliver of the grass line. These paintings are all created on what is called "Gallery Wrapped Canvas" and this does give the painting a stronger 3D presence on the wall. The grass and beach lines continue on through the bottom of the canvas so depending on your perspective, the scene looks very complete.

Hope you've enjoyed my little slice of paradise for today!


Next show: San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, March 24-28, 2010 at the San Mateo Event Center, BOOTH # 649. More info here: http://www.sfgardenshow.com

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Waimea Living and Thank You to Livermore Art Association & Pleasanton Art Association

6"x6" oil painting titled "Waimea Living", awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased for $100 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

I would like to extend a big Thank You to the Livermore Art Association and the Pleasanton Art Association for inviting me to be their guest speaker Monday evening. I truly enjoyed this event and it was really nice to meet all of you in person. And Thank You to everyone who braved our stormy weather to come and stay so late. I hope that my presentation will help some of you to carve your own paths in your fine art endevors.

And a big Thank You to Jeanie, my mother-in-law, for helping me with the presentation. We're lucky to have such smart teachers and we should treat them right! They are very under appreciated by the sate.

And Thank You to Pat Smith for purchasing one of my small Mini Master island cottages...because it reminded her of her holiday stay at Kauai's Waimea Plantation Cottages with friends.

Now, about my Mini Master above: I'm continuing in my delightful plantation cottage painting series because so many of you have memories of staying in cottages just like this one on the islands. This cottage is from the Waimea Plantation Cottages on the Westside of Kauai and I must admit that these cottages do provide endless inspiration for my paintings.

What I particularly love about this painting is the livable feeling that it has. I've composed the composition so that just a sliver of grassy ground can be seen at the bottom and this allows for maximum height for the very tall and magestic coconut palms that help to define this small village of ideal island retreats. The actual painting has high-contrast in colors and the splash of flowers in the foreground completes your island experience.

Stay tuned and you will see many more of these paintings as I have a current stash that are just waiting to be released. I have also created quite a few medium-large exotic flower paintings, in preparation for my solo gallery show at Kumquat in San Francisco, which starts in March.

Next show: San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, March 24-28, 2010 at the San Mateo Event Center, BOOTH # 649. More info here: http://www.sfgardenshow.com

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Blue Island House ....and Size is everything

6"x6" oil painting titled "Blue Island House", awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased for $100 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

24"x18" oil painting titled '"Just Another Perfect Day" drying, awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

Usually I let the public tell me what size they would like their paintings to be and they do this by collecting some sizes more often than others. Patterns. You start to learn them before kindergarten and they serve the thoughtful artist well. And for the most part, in the last couple years I've done better with either very small paintings or very large works, with the odd show thrown in that breaks all the rules. That's what I believe my market today is very large and very small, based on public feedback.

Funny thing is that, I find myself painting in a size (24"x18") that I don't normally believe sells all that well for me at festivals. In March, I have an annual solo show in San Francisco at a gallery that tends to sell these medium size paintings. The ceilings heights of many average San Franciscan homes are short and many of the older homes have smaller rooms. Keverne, the gallery owner, prefers medium and smaller works and gets nervous if I show up with too many large paintings, so I'm doing my part now to assure that this doesn't happen. And of course, without a crystal ball it's impossible to tell how many paintings I will need for this show. Usually I sell a few but the year before last, I sold out...around 16 in total. Actually, I had to replenish paintings a few times. Keverne might have jinxed that luck by saying in only a way that she can say 'It'll probably never happen again' but that's ok, I'm going to be prepared for just in case. Artists, this would be a great example of painting for a niche market.

In the past, I've sold lots of exotic flowers with coppery backgrounds through my solo shows in The City. I've also sold some of my contemporary palm portraits in narrow and tall sizes and it never fails that I end up selling multiple Mini-Master paintings to people who see my work on the internet or through my own website. When a particular painting is at a gallery, I simply let the gallery owner handle the sale and make the commission. This way we both win and they handle the shipping.

Here's the other thing that never seems to fail to happen: I sell, sell, sell when I'm in the islands. It's likely good karma and I do try to be good. In March, I'll be going to Kauai right after I deliver the new works for my show. Also, our traveling laptop usually decides to go haywire with broken keyes galore and for some reason, it doesn't like for me to answer emails during this period either. (I'm going to now knock on wood to the awesome gallery sales part but Not for the bad computer luck). Did I mention that artists are usually superstitious? We can't help it! You never know when your next big sale or big month will appear.

So please tell me, what size paintings do you collect? I would love to know!!!


Next artist talk: Livermore Art Association and Pleasanton Art Association/PAL meeting, January 18, 7:30 PM at Cultural Arts Building, Pleasanton

Next show: San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, March 24-28, 2010 at the San Mateo Event Center, BOOTH # 649. More info here: http://www.sfgardenshow.com

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Paradise Can Be Yours ...and Optimism in 2010

6"x6" oil painting titled 'Paradise Can Be Yours' drying, awaiting a new home...
Painting can be purchased for $100 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

CNN online has a new poll tonight and the question is: Are you optimistic about 2010? Yes, is my immediate answer and as I write, 73% of the readers who took the toll agree. Working artists tend to be optimistic in general. I think I've written that line a lot lately and it's because when I think about the economy and the business of making and selling art for a living, it's impossible to not acknowledge the perseverance of the artistic spirit.

We working artists tend to have an intense desire to step out of the box and simply 'make' something that may not have function but will definitely add to the ascetic life of the collector. I question myself about this often and yet I have no real answer on why I feel this desire. Artists are born simply wanting to create and to survive, we must present our works to the public. Why some people are born this way and others not is a mystery to me. As a question to myself I sometimes ask: why didn't I have a desire to become something practical, like a dentist, for example. (For the record, my dentist does wonder the same thing when he sees me at my check-ups and remembers that I am an artist). Optimism is definitely a driving force behind keeping the inspiration for art alive.

Ok, there are the odd balls artists that are truly pessimistic (and they are grumpy at exhibitions, complain about everything) and then, yes, there are many manic artists. It's impossible to not have a few of them. Come to think of it, us creative kin probably all display some form of manic or compulsive trait, to say the least.

Artists who create for a living must be full of the feeling that there is a future for their work. Every industry has it's ups and downs and the American artisan movement (my term) is no different. And 2010 will be a much better year for those of us who are still exhibiting. If anything, those of us who are still in the game are even more creative than we were in years past. Our work is better and our ideas in general are more innovative. This is all happening during a time when a big portion of the US is now accustom to buying 'art' and everything else from big box stores at unbelievably cheap prices. This alone has forced us, as a group of modern gypsy artists who travel the posh towns and the internet, to be the best that we can be. Yes, there is still the tent factor (and I have a funny story to share at a later date about that) but basically we are still very viable in the small business world.

About the painting above: it's one of my newest Mini-Masters and it's titled Paradise Can Be Yours and is a 6x6 oil on gallery wrapped canvas. This is another one of my North Shore Kauai paintings. When it's dry, I'll post a straight on view of this painting.

Now, that's looking up to a great 2010!!!

Next artist talk: Livermore Art Association and Pleasanton Art Association/PAL meeting, January 18, 7:30 PM at Cultural Arts Building, Pleasanton

Next show: San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, March 24-28, 2010 at the San Mateo Event Center, BOOTH # 649. More info here: http://www.sfgardenshow.com

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Own your own Hawaii Beach House

6"x6" and 12"x6" oil paintings drying, awaiting new homes...
Painting can be purchased for $100 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

As we roll into the new year, I've been here working in my studio, contemplating the direction of my work (as always). The life of an artist is filled with challenges: which painting or set of paintings to work on next, which colors will set the overall tone of a piece, composition, solving spacial/color issues, choosing shows, etc... The list goes on and on and I haven't even touched the tip of the ice burg nor have I even touched upon how I go about selling my work and making a living, ie, running a small business.

What is exceptionally challenging for me is the fact that I work in a few different disciplines equally well. I paint my island scenes in both oil and watercolors as I do my tropical flowers. And my reverse painted chandeliers are a total work within themselves and that's taken me on an interesting journey these past couple years...but I won't go into that here as this blog is for my 'traditional' paintings.

No, what I want to tell you is that as an artist, I'm filled with inspiration most days of the week. And it's difficult to pick the next painting. I'll be at my easel, as I was today, and I'll switch directions right before I start a painting. It's a process in my mind that I go through...and as an artist, I'm constantly challenging myself to learn more about my paintings and the subjects that I paint and how they are going to be approached. It's hard to explain but it's a process that I bet a lot of artists struggle with: reigning in the inspiration. And let me tell you, having too much inspiration sure beats the few days in the month where I just don't feel like painting at all (and indeed, I don't paint on these days).

Lucky for me, today was an inspired day!

And while I'm at it, the photos above are paintings drying in my studio and are from this past week. They are my newest Mini-Masters. As I was painting them, I was thinking that the island cottages that have have been so popular with my collectors are an excellent way to "own" your own beach house. No monthly dues or electric bills and you don't even need hurricane insurance! Now how good of a deal is that!

Next show: San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, March 24-28, 2010 at the San Mateo Event Center, BOOTH # 649. More info here: http://www.sfgardenshow.com

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Escape, tropcial beach oil painting

Escape, Oil Painting on Gallery Wrapped Canvas, 6" X 12"
Painting can be purchased for $125 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

I'm excited to be painting oil on canvas again. It's often a challenge to work in different mediums, different sizes, etc... One of my passions is obviously my island landscapes. The next two paintings, which are drying are more sugar island cottages. I'm looking forward to walking this beach in March...

Next show: San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, March 24-28, 2010 at the San Mateo Event Center, BOOTH # 649. More info here: http://www.sfgardenshow.com

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

San Francisco Flower and Garden Show

Fresco Watercolor Painting on Board, 8" X 8"
Painting can be purchased for $125 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

I am excited to announce that I will be exhibiting at the upcoming San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, March 24-28, 2010 at the San Mateo Event Center, BOOTH # 649. My elegant painted chandeliers in flower themes will be on display as will my tropical oil and watercolor flowers, which are inspired by the wonderful flowers that I see through my travels in the Hawaiian Islands.

More information about the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show can be found here: http://www.sfgardenshow.com

To see more, please visit my websites: www.floravitalights.com
and www.floravita.com

Bird of Paradise Flower Painting Commission and Hanging Original Art in Your Bathroom

Oil Painting on Canvas, 12" X 12"
SOLD
Contact the artist, Jenny Floravita

This blog entry brings me to the subject of "Is it suitable for original paintings to be hung in bathrooms"? And the answer is Yes, if the room is not too humid and has proper ventilation. I've sold countless works, usually oils but sometimes watercolors, that were destined to add beauty to bathrooms.

By adding an original oil painting to the wall of your bathroom, you are adding class and originality to your space.

This particular oil painting was a commissioned piece for a client, who also purchased another exotic flower painting. It is destined for a special place in second home in Mexico. I had to match the background and accent cobalt blue colors to a tile, that is being used in the room, seen below.

A bit about Birds of Paradise... they originate from South Africa and are pretty hardy in California and can be seen through out the tropics and sub-tropics. I grow them in my garden here in Northen California. The weather is nice and warm in the summer and though there can be a bit of cold in the winter, the plant survives.


See more tropical paintings on my website:
www.floravita.com

Also check out my reverse painted glass chandelier blog:
http://floravitalights.blogspot.com/

Evening in Kauai, Kauai Hawaii tropical island beach painting

Oil Painting on Canvas, 6" X 6"
Painting can be purchased for $95 plus $6 s/h: from the artist, Jenny Floravita

I'm getting ready for a big art festival in La Jolla in June, the La Jolla Festival of the Arts and I've been trying to carve out precious time to create new island paintings in oil and watercolor. This little gem was the study for a 36"x24" oil painting that I've already completed.

What I love most about the islands are their gorgeous sunsets and sunrises. It's absolutely the perfect way to both start and end your day! Now wouldn't this tropical island painting remind you of your last island getaway?

See more tropical paintings on my website:
www.floravita.com

Also check out my reverse painted glass chandelier blog:
http://floravitalights.blogspot.com/