Exploring the Richness of Experience: The Gathering Collection

The Gathering Collection started as a glimmer of an idea to book a last-minute overnight trip, planned for the sake of getting outdoors and out of the house for a night. On our way, we stopped for a hike at a stunning waterfall, soaked in the mid-September palette of green-golds and hints of orange, and watched as the kids found their favorite sticks and perched on rocks and stumps that made the best chairs.

Golden Pond, 24”x 18” | click to view details

We spent the night tucked away in a cabin at the edge of a small town only 40 minutes from our home. No outing with young kids was perfectly idyllic, but we sat around the campfire in the evening to talk, read, and play after a lively outdoor dinner. I happened to wake up the next morning as the sun was starting to rise over the edge of the pond next to our cabin – slowly at first through the trees, and eventually lighting the day above. I sat and observed the colors change in the clear sky as the sun rose, changing from golden yellow to soft yellow-green to powder blue and eventually periwinkle. And rather than describe the view of sunrise over the pond, I’ll show you what I saw, below. 😆

Green to Gold, 40” x 30” | click to view details

The trees in “Candescent” were just off to the side of that pond view, and I was struck by the warm sunlight that illuminated the treetops, contrasting with the pure blue sky behind, slowly fading to shadowy trunks near the ground.

Candescent, 24” x 36” | click to view details

As I settled into the regular autumn routine back home, I took these compositions back to my studio and set to work. As I painted – sometimes in our tree-framed backyard bathed in changing colors – I thought back to the joyful activities and scenes of our weekend away. And those thoughts sparked other memories that have slowly gathered over the years – those intangible, steadfast gifts that stay with us for a lifetime, even as life and circumstances change.

Outstretch, 24” x 18” | click to view details

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As we near the holiday season and head into the uncertainty of a new year, I’m thinking less about what I can resolve to do differently, and more about how to strengthen the goodness that’s already there. I’d like to gather even more of those rich, joyful experiences through deepening relationships with those near and dear to me, taking more time to enjoy nature, prioritizing quality conversations over coffees and backyard meals, and maybe striving for a little more adventure. And as I go, I’d like to get more comfortable embracing imperfection – in the spirit of the generations of hardworking, resilient people who continued working, living, and creating through their own uncertain times before ours.

Misty, 12” x 12” | click to view details

The Gathering Collection is centered around intangible, permanent gifts like these that we gather over a well-lived lifetime. The ones that continue to serve as a guiding light – even when darkness is all around – offering a steadying hand on paths through unknown territory. The ones that inspire us to keep moving, keep creating, and keep helping where we’re needed.

Magic Hour, 12” x 12” | click to view details

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I’m grateful that you’re here to take in the creative expression of some of my warmest recent memories. I hope this has sparked a few thoughts of your own joyful time with loved ones, and kicked off your own gathering process of those intangible gifts you call your own.

This collection of 7 one-of-a-kind pieces is available now. You can view and collect your favorite(s) here!

Soothing Summer Scenes: The Open Air Collection

Since taking a trip to my home state of Minnesota over the summer, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to best describe the “Open Air” feeling that I experienced there. More than just a passing thought, this feeling comes about when you’re truly “powered down” from the usual, day-to-day routine – allowing a bit of space between yourself and your day-to-day obligations. 

Good Fortune, 36" x 24"

For me, these deep-breath, peaceful moments that encompass the “Open Air” feeling came when I woke up before the rest of my family, brewed fresh coffee, and simply sat on the back deck to take in the stunning view of sweeping farm fields and lush forest ridge lines. Or when I perched on a sun-warmed rock to watch my kids play at the edge of Lake Superior as its waves sparkled in the sunlight. Or when I took time for quality, open-ended conversations with my spouse, my family, and my good friends over a walk, coffee or meal.

Painting Beautiful Day, 24" x 30"

One of the reasons I love painting landscapes reflected over water is that it captures the magical way that water, acting as a mirror, amplifies the beauty and light around it. It works to expand on what’s really there – just as giving yourself the quiet, calm space to just be helps to amplify the good that exists within you. To me, these water reflections symbolize the ability to unapologetically take up space, to claim time for quiet and rest, and to see who you are and what surrounds you – captured for a moment in time – reflected back at you. 

Detail of Almost Home, 24" x 18"

Just as you might place a mirror across from a sunny window to brighten up a dark room (one of my favorite interior design tricks!), a calm body of water amplifies the light that’s already there – giving each gentle ripple and wave a chance to double as its own ray of sunshine. The overall effect, for me, makes the space feel even larger and more majestic. In a beautiful lakeside setting, time itself even seems to expand – offering room for pausing, reflecting, and re-setting. It’s in these moments that I’ve personally felt the strongest senses of calm and re-balancing. All the not-actually-important clutter moves aside, and I allow myself to focus on the things that really matter. And in taking that time away, I usually return home with some new ideas and fresh inspiration!

Always, 24" x 12"

I’ve found that life’s joy and satisfaction doesn’t come from the next fun distraction, but from savoring the real-life, slowed-down moments. It’s all too easy to allow our true selves to be squeezed smaller by overflowing schedules, demanding work, and distractions of all shapes and sizes. I’m hoping that if you haven’t given yourself a chance to take up some space and spend time in a quiet, distraction-free place (preferably surrounded by nature!), that you take this as a sign to plan it in! And when it’s not an option to take that vacation, a piece of art from The Open Air Collection can deliver a mini-dose of that feeling each time you view it. ☀️

The Open Air Collection is available now! All 6 one-of-a-kind works were carefully crafted to reflect the joy in savoring that “Open Air” moment. View and collect your favorite(s) here. Be sure to sign up for Jenna’s Collector’s List here to make sure you don’t miss out on any future collection releases, print releases, discounts or freebies!

The Awakening Collection: the unfolding of spring

As I set out to paint The Awakening Collection, I followed the rhythms of spring as it unfolded before my eyes. The snow-crusted, cloudy days of March slowly made way for the rain (and mud!) of April, flecked with a few bright bursts of daffodils, hyacinths and clover. The white-and-brown landscape welcomed a bit more green each day, and in these first weeks of May, spring finds us in full, celebratory bloom.

Without fail, spring surprises me each year with its fullness of color and abundance of blooms. Almost as if I’d never seen them before, the spring greens, soft pink cherry blossoms, fragrant lilacs and magenta crabapple trees are suddenly around every corner with an almost unrealistic beauty.

Essence and Glimmering, each 18” w x 24” h

I used nature as my guide to paint The Awakening Collection, and simply painted what I felt and saw. The pair of 18” x 24” pieces I began with, Essence and Glimmering, use the early-spring browns of the rocky landscape to contrast with the vibrant sunrise color that reflects on the water in the foreground – promising brighter days to come. Several other pieces – Lifted, Mystic, and In The Heights) show the view from the ground as colorful treetops unfold in full spring color – seeming to awaken from their winter dormancy. 

In The Heights, 24” w x 36” h

As I thought more deeply about spring, and nature’s “awakening” from winter, I considered some parallels in my own life. Having our second baby in the first month of pandemic lockdown and returning to remote work (while working to build this very longed-for art business) was a textbook recipe for burnout. But like all of us in those months, no matter the situation we found ourselves in, we just had to slog through. It wasn’t all bad – there were moments of satisfaction and even pure joy, and most importantly relief at the sheer luck that our friends and family stayed healthy. That aside, I found myself very much in “survival mode”, relying on phones and ipads to connect with others and the world from the safety of home, also turning to screens to relax with what little down time I had.

Detail of Glimmering

Now that the days of panicked survival mode are (mostly 😅) over, I’ve been working to shift from “doing” mode – mostly on autopilot – to “learning” mode. I’m getting more intentional about looking up from the screen (even tucking it out of sight if I can!) to be more awake to what’s happening around me. I’m reacquainting myself with the joyous simplicity of paying attention – to what’s happening in the landscape around me, to my conversations with loved ones far and near, and to the delight of my littles as they discover and play.

Detail of Sway

I’ve worked to make space to learn about anything from time management, mindful parenting, and better business strategies to how to build a better campfire and look for edible plants in nature. We’ve even been trying to stop googling silly questions and use them instead as conversation starters in face-to-face interactions with friends and acquaintances.

Mystic, 30” w x 24” h

Collectively I think we’re still coming out of our post-pandemic cocoons, and reacquainting ourselves with all that awaits us. Some things may look a bit different this season, but spring holds an important reminder of resiliency and strength. Like those first spring buds to appear, then be buried in spring snow and quickly reappear, we can make it through hard things. And on top of that, there’s a softness to spring that reminds us to be gentle and patient with ourselves as we continue to stretch and grow. 

The small batch of original paintings that make up The Awakening Collection is available now!

The Radiance Collection: The Art of Slowing Down

If I’m being honest, winter isn’t my favorite season. And I’ll admit it: whenever winter starts to settle in, I get a little grumpy. As the winter coats come out and the heat turns on for the first time, kicking up its musty smell, my mind fills with all the limitations that winter brings. Gone are the days when we can take the kids on a quick neighborhood walk without spending WAY too long layering on the warm clothes, hats, mittens and boots. Chance meetups with friends and neighbors won’t happen as easily when we’re all tucked away in our cozy homes. And half of the plans we make will be canceled anyway with the onslaught of head colds, stomach bugs, and worse that come with sending little ones to school… not to mention the occasional snowstorm that slows us down or stops us completely.

Cathedral Pines, 15” x 30”

Late last fall, I stumbled on a book called There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather, chronicling a Swedish-American mom’s journey raising 2 young kids. The author offers a humorous and science-backed account that lets us into the Nordic way of life – focusing on the value of time spent outdoors every day as an essential part of childhood. She paints a picture of a more open-ended childhood for Swedish kids that involves spending hours outside each day, in all seasons – and the healthy development and learning that happens naturally through the experimenting, risk-taking, and socializing that kids participate in instinctually when they’re outside. Reading about the slower pace for kids (and grownups!) that’s viewed as “a given” in other parts of the world helped me to think more creatively about the approaching winter.

Soft Light, 30” x 15”

Now I’m no perfect parent, and I can’t say that we’ve made it outside every day as a family, but the book helped me reframe my thinking about winter. I started to consider not if – but how – we could get outside to actually enjoy the days. And a few simple additions to our closet – like waterproof, all-season pants for the kids, and lights to keep us visible on after-dark walks – have made it much easier to embrace the dark and cold.

Ember, 20” x 20”

The author’s second book, The Open-Air Life, takes some of the same concepts and applies them to people of all ages. Friluftsliv (Norwegian for “free-air life”) is the Nordic practice of getting outside to slow down, clear the mind, and enjoy simple activities without an agenda – like swinging on the porch swing or walking the dog – and more active excursions like hiking or skiing. And while I’m not trying to sell books, I’m sharing this to set the scene for my renewed mindset as I approached the pieces in The Radiance Collection. I could have called it the “Friluftsliv Collection”, but I think that would’ve confused my non-Norwegian-speaking friends and collectors. 😂

Luminous, 24” x 36”

While it’s true that winter isn’t always convenient, it does bring an unparalleled beauty on those rare days when the sun glows through a snowy forest scene, or adds sparkle to the gentle ripples of a lake. The scenes I’ve captured in The Radiance Collection may not represent the everyday winter weather that can feel gray and gloomy, but they focus on the gems – or the days that show us just how beautiful winter can be. And when your habit is to get outside every day, these are the days that stop you in your tracks and show you it was worth the wait. ✨

Love Letter, 24” x 18”

It’s no coincidence that I used gold paint in many of these pieces to show the luminous reflections of the low sun on wintry waters. Be sure to take a look at the short videos I included in the web listing for Majestic, Love Letter, Ember, Wisps, and Soft Light to show how the gold paint changes with each angle!

Majestic, 40” x 30”

While we can all stand to add a bit more open-ended outdoor time to our days, the reality is that we need to spend SOME of our time inside – and that’s where art comes in! May each of the pieces in The Radiance Collection inspire you to slow down when you can, get outside (even if it’s just for a minute), and enjoy the view – no matter what the season. ☀️

The Radiance Collection is available now! You can view and shop the pieces here. Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!

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January ‘24 Studio Updates

It’s hard to believe 2024 is already upon us! I soaked up the last week of 2023 with family and friends, and took some much-needed time off from the daily grind. Like many, I’m headed into 2024 feeling a little more relaxed, a little behind 😅, and (a lot of) inspired to get going on a new year of paintings and projects!

About those new paintings… I’ve got a few nearing the finish line, and a few more in the works! My newest collection is well underway, and it’ll be released in February. I’ve been drawn back to painting watery reflections in softer, more wintry palettes. I’ve also been stopping to notice that beautiful light that shines through the landscape in the late fall and winter – when most of the vibrant colors have turned to shades of brown, and the evergreens finally have a chance to steal the show. 🌲 You can preview some of the new pieces below!

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One of the projects I’m most excited to release in 2024 is my new online painting course! If you’ve always wanted to learn to paint, this will be a great opportunity to learn at your own pace from the comfort of home. 

I’m breaking down my 20+ years of painting know-how into a series of fun, easy-to-follow video lessons. I’ll be offering special pricing for the first group to sign up for my course, so be sure to add yourself to the waiting list to stay in the loop as we get closer to the course release! For now, you can learn more here! 

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Just a heads up: The Print Shop will close at the end of this month for its annual spring refresh! Wednesday, January 31 will be the last day to place your order for your favorite print(s). 

As usual, I’ll mix it up and offer a different selection when The Print Shop reopens in the spring, so don’t miss your chance to grab the print(s) you want! If you’re like me 👋, you’ve been doing a little shopping for yourself now that the holiday rush is over. New art is a great way to treat yoself and refresh your walls when the holiday decorations come down! Check out the selection of prints here!

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I completed another commission in time for the holidays, and am excited to share it with you!  This one commemorates a special milestone birthday for a friend, and I was beyond honored to take on the project. 🥰My commission spots are filling up quickly for 2024, so if you’ve been mulling over a commission project of your own, fill out the form on my commissions page to get started! Drop me a line at jenna@jennapaulsen.com if you have questions.

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THANK YOU, AS ALWAYS, FOR BEING HERE! 🎨 

MORE ART COMING SOON,

December ‘23 Studio Updates

December can feel like a whirlwind of activity and preparation, with all the joy and tiredness that comes with it. As the year draws to a close, I've been reflecting on 2023 being my first (full calendar) year as a solo art business owner, and feeling profound gratefulness for this opportunity to do what I've always wanted to do. Your support, encouragement, and enthusiasm have made it all possible, and I can't thank you enough! 

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With 2024 just around the corner, you can bet I've got some new art in the works! Here's a sneak peek at one of my newest pieces – coming in February as part of a new collection!

new work in progress!

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2024 Commission Openings

I’m starting to book commissions into 2024! If you have an idea for a painting you’ve always wanted, it’s not too late to get on my list! take a look at my commissions page to get started. I’m eager to share my latest commission after the holidays!

one of my favorite commissions of 2023, Ascendent

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Shipping deadlines +
last-minute gifting

If you're still mulling over an art gift for the holidays, be sure to place your order by Thursday, 12/14 at the latest to ensure it gets there in time! 

And if you're still scrambling for just a few more last-minute gifts (like I am! ), here are a few suggestions!

• digital gift cards: They can be used on anything in my online shop, including original artwork, prints, card sets, and anything else I offer in the future! Email me at jenna@jennapaulsen.com with any questions about these!

• art card sets: these make fantastic gifts for teachers, coworkers, friends, you name it! They also fit nicely into stockings

art card sets: always in season!

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Thank you again for being here! Wishing you & yours the happiest holiday season!

A guide to framing art prints

I get a lot of questions about framing, which is no surprise given the overwhelming number of options available! Local frame shops are a great choice when you're looking to frame your piece, as they have a wide selection of options and the expertise to frame your artwork professionally and beautifully. However, the cost of professional framing isn’t within everyone’s budget, and that’s where DIY framing comes in!

If you're up for doing your own framing, there are some great options out there. I've put together a few steps to help save you time and guesswork when you're looking to frame your print yourself! The prints I offer in The Print Shop are printed to the edges of the paper, so there's no need to trim the piece once you receive it – it's ready to drop into a standard-sized frame.

The frame in this example includes a mat, but you can follow the same instructions for an un-matted print if you’re using a frame that’s the exact size of your print.

Step 1: Gather Supplies

You’ll need:

• Your frame (frame shown can be found here)

• Your print (an 11x 14 size of Jenna’s “In The Open” print is shown, sold in The Print Shop)

• Acid-free double-sided tape (I recommend this tape)

• Scissors

• butter knife (optional)

• glass cleaner (optional)

• pencil (optional)

• latex gloves (optional)

Step 2: Disassemble your frame

The frame pictured is enclosed with metal tabs. I use a butter knife to carefully bend back the tabs while preserving my fingers!

If you’re using a previously-used frame with brown kraft paper covering the back, carefully cut it the paper around the edges with an x-acto knife or scissors.

You may also need a screwdriver if your frame is assembled with screws.

This step would be a great time to clean the glass with glass cleaner, allowing it time to dry fully while you work on your next steps! If you have a pair of latex gloves, be sure to put them on as you clean the glass to avoid adding unwanted fingerprints!

Step 3: Place your double-sided tape

• With clean hands, carefully remove your backing board (and mat, if included) from your frame, and remove your print from the plastic sleeve

• Place your print on the backing board, and place the mat on top. Re-position the print between the mat and backing board to get it positioned correctly – so no gaps are visible between the print and the mat

• Keeping the print in place, slowly remove the mat without shifting the print – it may take a few tries! Place a finger on the print to hold it in place as you lift the mat. You may even want to mark the corners of the print on your backing board with a pencil – taking care not to mark your print

• Using your double-sided art tape, begin sticking tape directly to the backing board (cardboard or fiberboard) to mark the edges of the print. This is what your print will stick to, so be sure to get the tape under where the print will lay. Re-place your tape as needed. When you're finished creating a line of tape for each border, you will have a grid of tape on your backing board.

Step 4: Place and adhere your print

• Peel off the white backing for the tape on all sides

• VERY carefully position your artwork on the sticky side of the tape. Press along the line of tape to ensure the print is adhered to the tape around each edge.

• Tip: I find it helpful to stick down one edge first, then remove the backing on the other 3 tape edges and slowly stick the rest down – this way you’ll be sure your print is positioned correctly as you’re adhering it!

Step 5: Place your mat

• Line up your mat with the backing board – be careful not to lay it down too quickly in case any of your tape is exposed around the edges of your print!

• Lay your mat down carefully over the print

Step 6: Place matted print in your frame, reassemble and enjoy!

• Lay your matted print back in your frame

• Reassemble your frame

• Pat yourself on the back and enjoy your newly-framed art!

A final note on frames

Your choice of frame and matting (or decision to leave out a mat) is individualized to your taste, preferences, and blending with the other decor in your home or business. While I can’t make guarantees on quality or service, I have enjoyed working with the following framing vendors:

• Arttoframe

• AmericanFrame: your best option for DIY custom sizing

• Blick

• Framebridge

• Michaels: offers ready-made frames (for framing yourself) and custom framing

• Opposite Wall: clean, modern frames at a competitive price point. Easy-to-navigate website and lots of square options!

If you do decide to go the professional route, here are some of Apartment Therapy's reader favorites for local framing shops around the US, and a quick read from Forbes on the importance of shopping local – around the holidays or any time!

The “In The Quiet Collection”: Exploring the Interconnected

If you’ve been following my work (or even if you’re brand new to it), you can safely assume that I’m fascinated by trees. Their towering presence and ever-changing beauty are usually among the first aspects we notice. But trees – just like people – have so much more going on than meets the eye.

Ephemeral, 36” x 24”

As I began this collection, I contemplated the magic that trees bring to the world, and considered the parallels to us as humans. We’re beautiful creatures on our own, each of us possessing our own life force, talents and energy – and yet, when we communicate, share one another’s burdens, and offer our gifts to one another, we’re much stronger as a group.

Towering, 30” x 40”

I painted many of these pieces in the quiet, with my phone in another room. The kids were back to school, and I savored those truly quiet moments, finding it easier to contemplate new thoughts, make fresh plans, and get those ideas down on canvas.

As I formed each tree in this collection, I thought about the on-the-surface gifts trees offer to us humans (think shade on a warm day, oxygen, and even stress reduction when we spend time in nature, etc.). But the life of a tree is much more complex. In his book, “The Hidden Life of Trees”, Peter Wohlleben writes: “...together, many trees create an ecosystem that moderates extremes of heat and cold, stores a great deal of water, and generates a great deal of humidity. And in this protected environment, trees can live to be very old.” This got me thinking of the parallels to us as humans, and how, as social beings, we care for one another through our countless gifts of time, energy, talents, resources, generous spirits – and how like trees, we’re always stronger together.

Whenever I paint trees, they start to become characters for me – personified by their shape, posture, fullness or sparseness, and vibrance of color. Like a person, an individual tree encapsulates so much more than the trunk, branches and foliage that meets the eye. As part of a forest, a single tree communicates with other trees around it through its root system, and even through the air. The larger, stronger trees support the weaker, younger trees – and together they are equipped to communicate about threats to their ecosystem. 

Sunday, 12” x 12”

In creating the In The Quiet Collection, I’m exploring this concept of communication and sharing of energy and talents. Visible lines extend outward, seeming to lengthen each branch and leaf, connecting tree to tree, and extending each tree into the air above and the ground below. These lines connect the whole scene and blur the boundaries, so that each tree almost seems boundless – symbolizing that interconnectedness.

I imagine the branches and boughs as outstretched hands, offering friendship and support. These signals can be overlooked if we’re bustling around in a distracted mode, but much easier to recognize In The Quiet.

Jubilate, 12” x 12”

You, without a doubt, extend positive energy into your own network – maybe through your gifts and talents, your friendly smile, your helping hand, or simply your quiet-yet-solid presence that offers support to a friend or loved one. My hope, as you view this collection, is that you’re able to envision with gratefulness your own “forest” of people – those who shaped you into the person you are, and those who continue to support you today. And beyond that, I hope you recognize your own unique gifts that strengthen and enrich the lives of those around you.

The In The Quiet Collection is available now! You can view the collection here, and join my email list here to ensure you have early access to all future collections.

The Light of the North Collection: Observations + Inspiration

When I sit down to paint, the quiet setting aside of other cares and daily responsibilities happens naturally. I prep my paints, select my brushes, and decide which piece I’ll start on – and even light a candle to signal to myself that it’s officially time to paint. The soft scrape of bristles on canvas accompanies the clinking of brush handles against the water jar (and maybe a podcast). All of these slow actions and little rituals gradually pull me into full focus on the scene I’m painting. 

TRAVERSING LIFE’S MOUNTAINS

As often happens when I start a new collection, the message behind the work comes in to focus as I’m doing the painting – not ahead of time. With each mountain, slope and valley that emerged on canvas, I thought of the real challenges we face in life, and how the energy and courage required of us can feel like, well, traversing a mountain.

Even from a young age, we learn to accomplish big things. I’ve watched my own young kids learn to walk, experience disappointments big and small, have their teeth grow in – only to fall out(!), and leave the comfort of their always-together-pandemic home to be in new school environments with unfamiliar faces. Once we make it through those “first” milestones of childhood, the world has plenty more waiting for us – challenging milestones like loss and grief that stretch us to our limits, and long-awaited accomplishments that inspire joy and celebration.

CELEBRATING OUR SHARED PERSEVERANCE

This collection is about the adaptability of human beings – to make it to the top of one mountain, only to find another (higher and steeper) mountain on the other side, and trust ourselves enough to keep going. Collectively, we went through a worldwide pandemic that shook up all of our lives and challenged every last one of us. It forced us to set aside all that we’d taken for granted and live in unfamiliar territory for a LOT longer than we’d hoped. If we’d known how long that journey would take when we set out, we may have given up – but we kept on when the climb got steep. Looking back, we can take pride in our adaptability – in all that we’ve overcome, all that we’ve created, and all the resilience we take with us into the next chapter.

Vista, 40” x 30”

If you’ve spent time in the north and observed its tumultuous weather patterns, you know that some adaptability is required! These pieces celebrate the northern landscape – in its rolling fields, rough-cut mountains, winding rivers, and windswept grasses. The north isn’t exactly known for its gentleness, and while conditions can be harsh and cold in some seasons, they can be idyllic and breathtakingly beautiful in others. These pieces in the Light of the North Collection show a broad range of northern landscapes, all united in their rolling motion – through undulating skies, sloping hills, and flowing water. 

Upstream, 24” x 24”

Ribbons, 12” x 12”

WHERE TO FIND

The Light of the North Collection is available online here. I invite you to take in the sunlit slopes, calm waters, jagged rocks and robust trees. While you do, be sure to think about what “mountains” you’ve overcome that inspire a little pride in your own life. And don’t miss your chance to own for yourself the piece that speaks to you most! 

The Take Me Back Collection: a walk down memory lane

We all have those favorite, memorable places – a view of a beloved lake or coastline, a mesmerizing skyline, a path through emerald-studded woods – that serve as the backdrop for a joy-packed vacation, a relaxing getaway, or precious time with loved ones. And because we’re mere mortals with jobs, families, and other responsibilities that anchor us to a different place, we may not be able to live in those places all the time. But we can choose to live with artwork that “takes us back” to that memorable spot, giving us a mini-dose of that experience every time we enter the room.

LET’S GO BACK

This new collection started with some images that “Take Me Back” to some of my own favorite places and moments in time – when the weather was beautiful, and the scene was a serene, replenishing respite from the busy-ness of regular life.

While the art pieces take us through different locations, viewing angles, lighting conditions and times of day, they’re all centered around the spring season. Each piece’s palette combines dark browns reminiscent of the soaked earth after a spring rain, and an unlimited variety of greens set against cloudless-sky blues, glowing yellows, and coral-pinks – revealing the landscape as it emerges from snow cover and comes to life.

Sage, 24” x 24”

“Wandering”, 40” x 30”

PLANTING THE SEEDS

Because I love adding more layers of meaning (and paint! 😉), the collection also takes me back to some older sparks of creativity. If you’ve been following me prior to this collection, you may notice similarities between these pieces and work I’ve done in recent years – on themes of windswept trees at the coastline, majestic evergreens seen from the ground, and forests of trees whose branches blend with the sky. Like a beloved vacation spot, I could visit these ideas a thousand times, and find something new to happily explore each time.

Detail view of Unbridled, 30” x 40”

”Whispering”, 24” x 18”

WHERE TO FIND

The Take Me Back Collection is available starting May 19th in my web shop – I invite you to enjoy the rich details of every piece! Don’t miss your chance to own your favorite!

Many of the pieces will also be exhibited at the Allentown Art Festival in Buffalo, NY on June 10-11, 2023 – so if you’re in the area, be sure to come see me and my available artworks!

Lastly, be sure to sign up for monthly email updates so you can stay up to date on other shows and events where you can see my work in person.

“A Rainbow of My Own” | a DIY mural + kids room redo

As often happens in households with kids, things move at a pretty fast pace around our house. When I slowed down long enough to look at my kids’ shared bedroom, I realized that beyond providing a place for them to sleep and store their clothes (and too many books and a few toys), the room hadn’t otherwise kept up with their needs and interests. As my daughter’s 6th birthday approached, I decided a (relatively) quick and budget-friendly DIY project would be a memorable gift – and fun for her little brother, too!

We’ve got a 1911 Craftsman-style house in Syracuse with 4 squarish bedrooms, and throughout the having-babies and working-from-home pandemic years, we’ve done a LOT of room swapping. Right now, our 2 kids (6 and 3) are sharing a former guest room. We endured a long phase of one-on-one soothing in the middle of the night for both kids (meaning between 2 parents and 2 kids, everyone was up at some point in the night 🤦🏼‍♀️), we decided to put the kids together for nighttime snuggles! It’s been working like a charm, and it also means they share a full-sized floor bed, which needed a little jazzing up.

Before getting too far into the weeds, I approached the overall project by rethinking the design and function of the room. In most cases, stopping to think – about what the room USED to be, and how that’s different from the function you want from the room NOW – will give you a wealth of information! Here are some questions to ask yourself about simple changes you can make:

• what (if anything) can be taken out? Starting with the guest room phase of this room, we’d been storing our own (grownup) books, CD’s and craft supplies on the upper shelves of the bookcase, which looked cluttered (and meant we couldn’t access things as well when the kids were playing or sleeping in their room). And of course, taking out the outgrown clothes and toys helped a ton! 

• What’s going to serve your updated needs (and spark a little joy!)? In the case of this room, swapping light pink walls for purple – and adding a rainbow – was a MUST (purple and rainbows being my daughter’s current favorites)! The bed and artwork also needed an update in order to make the kids’ room feel like it was truly theirs, as well as the shelves with more space for their more-current things.

• What do you already have that can be repurposed? Most items that I used to style their bookshelves and walls were already in the house! I looked at a few other styled kids’ room shelves for ideas – globes, framed graphic art, baskets, neutral stuffed animals and wooden toys were common themes, and we already had them! Giving those things more breathing space on the bookshelves (by getting rid of the items that didn’t belong there) helped to elevate the way they looked. And of course, being an artist, I had a perfect art piece, “Mirroring”, to bring out the new color scheme and set a calming tone for the room! 

“Mirroring” in its perfect purple setting

Shelves with function and a little pre-owned style

Now, on to that mural! It was a fairly quick (aka single afternoon) project, and I started with that same “what do I already have that I can use for this?” question to get the ball rolling! 

• Use your leftover paint: I knew I didn’t want a bright, primary color-based color palette, but something a bit more muted and calming. Turns out that we had PLENTY of paint on hand that we’d used in other rooms over the years, so I started there. The only color I purchased just for this project was the (new) purple! 

• Spend more time taping than painting (and re-tape if necessary): I decided to eyeball this mural – which gives it a more handmade/kid-friendly look, and also cuts down on the time I would have spent measuring exact angles and perfecting straight lines. This meant that the taping was truly the most important part! I started with the ceiling as the top of the rainbow, and worked my way down on either side, taking care to step far back as I went. You’ll see (below) that I re-taped the left side of the rainbow after noticing it looked a bit lopsided!

• Have the right supplies on hand: I used these mini paint rollers (4”) and brushes, which worked perfectly for filling in the rainbow stripes. Frog tape is also super adhesive around the edges without taking any paint off upon removal, which was ideal for this project. The 1.88” width was just what I needed to separate the colors! 

The first tape stripe in place

a bit more…

…all of the stripes are taped! But it’s lopsided…

…that’s better!

Painting in progress…

…and done! Now to wait a bit for drying time

Tape removed and ready for the grand reveal!

Here’s a quick list of the colors in the mural:

• Coral/red: Sherwin Williams 6874 “Ardent Coral”

• Light Pink: Sherwin williams 6610 “Koral Kicks”

• Green: Valspar 6007-6A “New Avocado”

• Light blue: Behr (PPU12-9) “Frozen Pond”

• Dark blue: Sherwin Williams 7602 “Indigo Batik”

• Purple: HGSW 6284 “Plum Dandy”

• White: custom color match to our trim/baseboards

And here are links to a few of the other things shown in the room!

• Bedding: Pillowfort Pom Comforter set (White, Full size)

• Bed canopy (in pinkish purple)

• White string lights (sewn into the canopy)

When I surprised them with their “new room”, both of our kids were THRILLED! The 3-yr old remarked “A RAINBOW OF MY OWN!” (the title of a favorite book of ours by Don Freeman, author of the Corduroy books) – and that comment alone made all the effort totally worth it! 😅 

A project like this doesn’t have to be overwhelming (or time-consuming OR expensive)! Be sure to join my email list to stay up to date with other blog posts on totally achievable, approachable DIY projects, modern landscape artwork, and thoughts and tips on styling your home!

The All is Calm Collection: a Warm Introduction

I didn’t plan to paint a winter-specific landscape collection this year. I wasn’t all that excited about winter to begin with, as we’d just done some work on improving our backyard in the fall – just in time to put away all of the cozy furniture and fire pit until spring. But I tend to soak up what I’m seeing around me like a thirsty sponge, and once I’ve seen something worthy of painting, I can’t un-see it! 🙈

IT’S ALL ABOUT COLOR

One of my favorite aspects of winter is the season’s ability to play with color in a way that no other seasons can. Here in central New York where the winter days are short, the sun’s position is low in the sky and casts a warm, yellow-toned light on the landscape around it. It leaves a beautiful contrast between the yellow/coral/orange glow cast on objects in the sun’s path, and the bluish-purple shadows around them. On particularly frosty days, there are plenty of soft pastel colors to see, adding a sweet softness to a landscape that can feel anything but sweet.

Detail view of Sanctuary, 30” x 40”

THE QUESTION

Instead of telling you the meaning behind the collection, I’m posing a question! In the bleakness of winter, when all the brightness, warmth and ease of summer is stripped away, what’s still there for you to create warmth, calm and joy? For many of us, winter represents the harshness of life – the dark, cold, unforgiving landscape that requires us to bundle ourselves (and our families) up before going out, to scrape off icy cars and shovel sidewalks (lift with your legs, not your back!), troubleshoot burst water pipes and other inconveniences… the list goes on! For me, it feels like a “closing in” as we plan to spend more of our time inside rather than out.

In the midst of that harshness, there remains something (or some things) that get us through. For some, it’s the steady click of knitting needles, or the simple ritual of taking time to read for pleasure every day. For others it’s making music with a group, or working toward a new goal with a sweaty physical activity. While the love and companionship of family, friends and pets certainly helps, I’m talking more about these activities we turn to – even look forward to – that help calm us, and ease our minds when life starts to feel a little harsh. I hope something comes to mind as your joy-boosting activity – something you do just for yourself!

Taughannock Trees, 24” x 36”

This collection represents those pleasurable moments – when the sun cuts through the frigid landscape and makes everything else a bit brighter, lighter, and more bearable. For me, the act of painting has been a long-time friend through good times and not-so-good, and one of the most useful tools in my toolbox that I know I can turn to in any season of life. I’d love to hear what activities come to mind for you – drop them in the blog post comments!

WHERE TO FIND

I invite you to come in from the cold and warm up by checking out all of these new pieces! Click here to view the All is Calm Collection on my website. And be sure to sign up for monthly email updates so you can stay up to date on shows and events where you may be able to see them in person!

My favorite collection of 2022

Shhhh! Don’t tell the others…

As each collection of new paintings develops and unfolds, the story behind the collection reveals itself – and the Up Close Collection is no different. The Up Close Collection hit the scene at the end of November 2022, and I’m excited to share a more in-depth look at the inspiration and process that helped shape the pieces.

PAINTING THE SCENE

I spent much of September, October sketching, painting and refining the pieces – when the sun was still bright, and the outdoors (here in Syracuse) was still inviting. I set my mind to soaking up that radiant fall sunlight with my spouse and kids, doing my best to minimize distractions and really engage with my family, observing my kids as they played and explored. I’d also put my annual professional development set-aside funds (a must for solopreneurs!) into a time management and productivity course called Time Genius, which helped me get to the root of planning joyfully productive days. The course presented some super-helpful strategies on how to squeeze the most of what really matters to me (time with my family and time to create art!) out of my days, and even leave some time for rest and gathering new inspiration.

THE MESSAGE

As we find ourselves at the beginning of another year, I think it’s important to acknowledge that no matter what hopes and desires we have for our new year, a year is a relatively long time – and a mixed bag! The optimism we feel about our shiny new goals is exciting and empowering, but that focus on achievement doesn’t speak to every aspect of the year. 2022 was one of my best years yet, as I’ve finally gotten to where I’ve wanted to be for a long time – an artist with plenty to work on, and nobody but me calling the shots! But 2022 also brought loss, grief, and closed chapters. There were bittersweet reminders that time – to spend with our loved ones and soak in the joys of the present – is by far our greatest gift. And that’s really what The Up Close Collection is about: capturing the beauty, in all its rich detail, of the present moment. 

“Ethereal”, 40” x 30”

With that thought in mind, I applied it to the landscape, focusing “up close” on the details that are easy to overlook – the way sunlight is filtered through fall leaves, or the way a tree trunk presents a rainbow of colors with the help of highlights and shadows. And as is true with any piece of art, each painting in the Up Close Collection represents a snapshot in time. The leaves will fall, the sun will go down, the season will change – but we know that life keeps moving. And that even if it looks a little different next time around, the warmth, light and beauty will be back.

Enjoyment, 30” x 40”

WHERE TO FIND

I invite you to view the Up Close Collection here on my website! The pieces are all for sale via my online shop, and I welcome any questions at jenna@jennapaulsen.com. Also, be sure to sign up for monthly studio updates email so you can stay looped in to my new works in real time, plus early access to the pieces, and of course the occasional freebie! 

A fresh start

Hello!

Welcome to my brand-new-for-the-new-year blog! Reflecting back on my past year (or so), I’ve done plenty of writing for social media and my email list, but I’ve lacked a permanent home to thread those thoughts together. And so without further ado, the blog is born! 

If we’re not already acquainted, I’m so glad to “meet” you! And if we know each other, HI! I’m happy you’re here. My name is Jenna (Landsom) Paulsen, and I’m an artist, wife and mom based in Syracuse, New York. I create modern, impressionistic landscape paintings with a focus on striking color relationships and visual textures. My work is inspired by the landscapes of central New York and the upper Midwestern US – rural Minnesota in particular (as that’s where I grew up). I haven’t always called myself an artist, though I’ve been practicing art throughout my life! It took me more than a decade out in the “working world” to gradually embrace the idea that my passion for creating art could become my career.

I think everyone is born with a natural gift – a “special sauce”, if you will – that makes them uniquely suited for a particular path. I’ve known for awhile that creating art is my “special sauce” – something that lights me up, brings joy, and grows into something bigger and better when I feed the flame. When I was coming up in the ranks of art school, the scene for artists looked very different from what we see today, and the possibilities for becoming a full-time artist straight out of undergrad (with zero money to speak of) looked pretty bleak at best. I focused on landscape painting in college, and continued to paint over the years whenever I found the time amidst full-time work, grad school, and a couple of big relocations. As social media became more widespread, I observed other artists grow their online presences (and businesses) without necessarily having the out-of-home studio space, gallery representation, storefront, or teaching positions that I thought were required of “real” artists. 

When I had my first kid in 2017, my maternity leave was the first time I could remember having some real time and space to think. I noticed the ways in which these new (adorable, exhausting) demands on my time and energy actually sparked my creativity — because I needed to get more done in less time, and think on my feet in any given moment based on the ever-changing needs of this new little human. My time was no longer “my” time, so I learned to use small pockets of time each day for something that was only for me – even if it meant I’d have to pivot to something else with no notice! I laid out my watercolors and paper next to my nursing chair, and began quietly painting with one arm while my baby slept in the other. I worked on larger pieces at the dining room table while my baby slept in my kangaroo-style front carrier. I shared with friends and started to accept commissions again, and made it my mission to keep up my painting practice – even as we welcomed a second kid, and endured an all-parents-on-deck pandemic (which was NOT welcome, but came anyway 😂).  

One of my first paintings post-baby – a re-ignited spark of creativity!

I launched my new online storefront and art Instagram account in 2021, and made the break from my day job in HR to pursue art full-time in 2022 – a milestone I thought might never come! 🥳 I create and release 4 quarterly collections of paintings each year, along with an ever-rotating cast of prints and gift items.

I’m working on some new things for 2023, so stay tuned! I’m beyond grateful to my teachers, friends, and family who encouraged me to continue creating and sharing my work, and most of all to my spouse for being my greatest source of support. I’m eager to share my artwork in this new blog format, as well as thoughts on all sorts of topics near and dear to me!

Thanks for joining along!