Paintings of France, Italy and Beyond

In the evenings, my husband and I love walking through our Bellevue neighborhood, and we try to do it most days that our schedules and the weather will allow. There are a lot of avid gardeners in our ‘hood, and in spring it seems like every nook and corner has a touch of color.

The other evening we took a back alley detour and came upon this scene. It was striking in the light of dusk as the building and the irises were backlit. I came back in the morning to see if I still found interest, and I did. It was a different light, to be sure. But there was a certain pattern that played across the path and fence that I liked enough to do this little pochade.   

“Color Surprise”
Oil on Canvas, 6×8″
Click here for more info.

If you’ve looked around my website you might notice that I have a thing for sheds. I guess I like the simplicity of the form, and the interesting texture of the walls and rooftops (the more decrepit the better.) I’ve sure painted my share of the French Provencial versions; called “cabaneaux” en Francais.

Call me crazy but I also have a thing for certain alleys. They can be kind of a “grab bag” though– I don’t always see (or smell) the most pleasant things. But sometimes when people let their private gardens spill over into the walkways I can find quite a surprise of color.

Jennifer Young; Vibrant Landscapes
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Three days of rain has given way to sun, so I finally had an opportunity to photograph a little plein air painting I did last week at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond.

“Golden Veil”
10″x8″, Oil on Canvas
Click here for more info.

As the painting was in progress, a member of the garden staff told me that this little rose arbor is the setting for many a bridal portrait at the garden, so I thought I’d given it an appropriate title.

This was one of those hazy mornings when the sun was playing peek-a-boo behind cloud cover, giving off a cool, soft light. The result was a rather soft-focused, romantic effect. Then again, maybe I just had “bride” on the brain! 

Jennifer Young; Vibrant Landscapes
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Last week was like the black hole of productivity for me. Let’s see…

1. Our plumbing conked out, which meant we had to get our pipes replaced by way of a now huge hole in our guest bedroom where the ceiling used to be.
2. We discovered the starter on our car died after we came out of the grocery store with arms full of groceries.
3. My internet connection has been refusing to cooperate (fingers crossed for this post.)
4. I have what I *hope* is not turning into bronchitis!

Still I did manage to eek out this painting, which brings to mind the lovingly tended gardens of Tuscany. Ah, la dolce vita. Life is, after all, on the whole very sweet.

“Wall Flowers, Pienza”
Oil on Canvas, 24″x20″
More info here.

Jennifer Young; Vibrant Landscapes
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Announcing a new “Art for Food” charity auction for the Central Virginia Foodbank (CVFB). I admit it isn’t easy to put some of these works up for auction, but it’s a good cause, so what the hay. I love this little Provence lavender painting and I hope you will too… and I can always use this work as a study to make a larger piece in oil. Opening bids are just $24.99 and 95% of the proceeds will be donated to the CVFB:

“Summer Garden” (Provence, France)
Watercolor/pen & ink on Arches heavy watercolor paper, 8×10″
Auction starts at 12:30 EST on 2/07/08

This auction has ended, but you can bid on the latest auction here!

Jennifer Young; Vibrant Landscapes
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This painting sold last night at my gallery exhibition preview, but it’s still on view tonight for the First Fridays downtown art walk. It is a companion to another Tuscany painting I blogged about a couple of days ago:

“Lingering Light, Tuscany II”
Oil on linen, about 3.5″ x 7.75″

If you’re doing the downtown art walk tonight in Richmond, come by Jennifer Young Studio & Gallery and see all of the “Small Stuff” — miniature paintings and prints –on display for the holiday season. The gallery is located at 16 East Main Street between 1st and Foushee.

If you’re not in Richmond, I am continually uploading new paintings to my web gallery, or you can see them offered first here, on the blog. I’m also offering free shipping (with some restrictions) until the end of the year, for holiday shopping convenience.

Useful links:

Ideas for hanging “small stuff”
How I pack paintings for shipping
My purchasing FAQ’s
My gallery information (and virtual tour)

Jennifer Young; Vibrant Landscapes
Oil Paintings and Art Prints Online
My Website
Subscribe to my newsletter
Subscribe to my blog
Contact Me!