Jo Bradney

We had a brief burst of Spring weather this week, and I have been clearing wet leaves from around the new bulbs shoots, smelling the warming earth and seeing which plants have started to bud.  And with the clocks going forward this weekend, I am fully anticipating the return of summer.

Last summer we headed back home for my brother’s wedding and spent one day being bounced along the winding country lanes of the Isle of Wight on the top of a double decker bus. Best of all we had the front seats and got to “drive” the bus. I acted like a total tourist and took photos all the way (gotta love that digital). It was a lovely day, with memories of jolly days out with Nan and Grandad and anticipating trips to come with my new nephew.

And, at the end of the ride, an ice cream at the seaside. Can’t beat that.

color pencil landscape 2.5" x 3.5"

Phew! - I’ve spent the weekend framing the new charcoal drawings Chocolate Chocolate Chip and eCommerce. With the frame coming in at 30″ x 40″, I’m beginning to miss my miniatures.
So much easier to handle…store…ship…
hmmmm - maybe I was on to something there

Florence Weisz - The Eyes Have It

I hope you can stop by next Sunday to see the new work, as well as some excellent cube inspired works by my friends. This little beauty is from Florence Weisz.

Take a look at the preview page for The Cube and I

Opening Reception : Sunday March 14 11-1pm

March 14 - April 25 2010

The Cube and I
Gaelen Gallery East
West Orange JCC
760 Northfield Avenue
West Orange, NJ

www.jccmetrowest.org

Chocolate Chocolate Chip - charcoal and pastel drawing

these were so yummy - especially for no sugar added. Just as well I bought two boxes. It’s like finishing the first layer of chocolates, only to discover a second layer hidden underneath. What a delight!
(Not sure two boxes counts as “low carb” though.)

And such beautiful sage green boxes with irresistible blue stripey bakers string deserved a HUGE piece of paper - 30″ x 22″, my largest Carbon Footprint yet.

The original drawing will be included in the exhibition “The Cube and I” starting March 14th
(Lordy! I’d better get my skates on and frame it!)

Giclee prints are available from my Etsy store
Or drop me a line to arrange payment.

This charcoal and pastel still life drawing is part of the “Carbon Footprints” series.

I am really looking forward to seeing Booked 7- the  Book Arts Round Table Exhibition in South Orange.

I had such fun at last year’s show, and spent a delightful couple of hours picking up, reading and playing with all the books.

I am particularly looking forward to seeing my friend Ann’s book - “Walk with a Crocodile”, with it’s pull out pages and peepholes ~ looks like fun!

Ann Vollum : Walk with a Crocodile

peepholes and pull-out pages

Ann Vollum : Beastly Beasties

February 25th – March 13th 2010 open daily 10 - 4pm

Opening Reception : Thursday March 4th 6 - 9pm
Silent Auction : March 13th 2 - 4pm

Booked 7
Pierro Gallery at the Baird
101 South Orange Avenue
South Orange, NJ 07079
www.pierrogallery.org

color pencil still life?

Really not sure if this is a still life or not. It’s not what you expect from a still life - interesting objects, creating patterns of light and shade.

It’s just the pattern.

What would you call it?

Under the Shade TreeHomewards

just a quick note to let you know that I have three miniature drawings in the Silent Auction this weekend at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Morris Plains. The exhibit will be open throughout all their activities this weekend, so I hope you can stop by.

 Trinity Lutheran Church
131 Mountain Way
Morris Plains, NJ
973 538 7607
www.tlcmp.com

Homewards

Saturday February 20

Spaghetti Dinner
$15 adults
kids free 

On Harvest Eve

Sunday February 21

3pm Gallery Opens
4pm Concert featuring Morris Choral Society
$15/$10/$5 Adults/Seniors/Students
5pm Reception and Art Auction

…that makes me want to snuggle down with a good book?

Is it the calm serenity of the snowy garden and gently falling snow?

Because my studio is currently the most uninviting, coldest room in the house?
(note to self - fix the storm windows in the studio)

Or is it my furry reading companion?

Snow Day

Whatever the reason I have devoured the following in the last week

• Vision and Art: The Biology of Seeing Margaret Livingstone

Sort of work related, as it does have “ART” in the title, but in the opening paragraph there is a jolly quote from 19th century physicist Thomas Young:

“The nature of light is a subject of no importance to the concerns of life or to the practice of the arts, but it is in many other aspects extremely interesting”

and he was quite right, extremely interesting indeed, and with lots of juicy art illustrations too.

• The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier

vaguely work related, as it is about artists and making medieval tapestries…somewhat

• Ross Poldark quickly followed by Demelza by Winston Graham

Utterly self indulgent fiction, escaping to 18th century Cornwall to go romping with tin miners, lords of the manor and kitchen wenches

• Provenance: How a Con Man and a Forger Rewrote the History of Modern Art by Laney Salisbury & Aly Sujo

Just started this one, so pray for more snow and I’ll let you know how it ends by Friday.

Happy Year of the Tiger!

what favorite Chinese nibble will you be eating?
Make mine a Hot and Sour Soup followed by Crispy Duck

chinese noodles - charcoal drawing

This charcoal still life drawing is part of the “Carbon Footprints” series.

Buy the Original Drawing on Etsy

Proud Auntie Jo has been having a rather splendid few days back in Blighty to snuggle my new nephew; catch-up with friends and family and make a quick pilgrimage to the National Gallery to see Constable’s Haywain (amongst other gems). And how do I celebrate returning to the frozen NorthEast?

Oh dear - large coke and fries to go
(good job I didn’t make any New Year’s Resolutions really)

No title yet, so leave me a suggestion in the comments

Description : charcoal still life drawing of empty fast food wrappers, large coke and empty fries carton

This charcoal still life drawing is part of the “Carbon Footprints” series.

You are cordially invited to

“a celebration of heart”

a selection of “h’Art Work” from Exhibitors’ Co-op
Opening Reception : Wednesday January 20, 5-8pm
 

The Heart by Florence Wint

Hearts Up by Ed Hoffner

good lord, January has been a busy month - yup - another art show opening

This time I am offering you a chance to indulge in a little romance, desire and passion to celebrate American Heart Month as well as Valentines Day.

My fellow Exhibitors’ Co-op members have been busy creating over 50 works of art to warm your heart in this chilly season

There are pulsating abstract paintings; collages throbbing with color; the passion of “Heart Healthy” wine or the love of a freshly sharpened pencil.

We have the ethereal, wistful, romantic, cute and slightly bizarre - I guess love does funny things to us all.

For the PJ’s and Fluffy Socks Brigade, I have put together a tasty morsel to enjoy by the fire. But for those of you hardy enough to brave the frozen delights of New Jersey this Midwinter, I do hope you can stop by to nibble on an indulgent strawberry or two and enjoy

A Celebration of Heart

Show Dates : January - April 2010

Summit Medical Group
1 Diamond Hill Road
Berkeley Heights, NJ

Just a hop, skip and a jump from Rt 78 exit 43

www.summitmedicalgroup.com