Art and Life by Jessica Torrant

2010 Calendar available on Zazzle

2009-12-06T15:38:00.001-05:00

Finding New Ground by Jessica Torrant by livefunky
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Finding New Ground by Jessica Torrant Calendars from Zazzle.com

2009-12-06T15:38:00.000-05:00

Finding New Ground by Jessica Torrant Calendars from Zazzle.com

Let me introduce you to Bernie

2009-12-03T16:09:00.006-05:00

This is Bernie. My first grown up puppet and probably not the last. I bought Bernie from a wonderful Etsy seller http://www.beehumble.etsy.com/ (great name too, right?). He is the best and purchased entirely for our own amusement. Seriously, it's amazing what a blue mood buster Bernie is. It's just silly, bug eyed, fuzzy fun and I'm not ashamed to admit it!

In this shot, I think Bernie is thinking very philosophical thoughts. He's a deep thinker. My husband and I would like to make some Bernie videos so you may be seeing more of him down the road. If/when that happens then the whole world will have access to my unique brand of insanity.

As a funny aside, the creator of Bernie gave him that name and it's just too perfect, I had to keep it. When I was a little kid I called Bert and Ernie "Bernie" collectively - my parents say I'd point to the TV and excitedly announce "Bernie!" when they came on Sesame Street. I always thought it was just one of those quirky things kids do but now I can't help but wonder.... maybe I knew? haha Oh I'm just giddy with love for Bernie. Or Bernard. He doesn't care what you call him.

pic of the day 11/25/09

2009-11-25T16:34:00.001-05:00

pic of the day 11/25/09, originally uploaded by livefunky.

I didn't manipulate this picture at all. The sky was really this vibrant shade of pink!

Horizon paintings

2009-11-22T17:04:00.007-05:00

Horizon 6

Horizon 5

Horizon 4

Horizon 3

Horizon 2

Horizon 1

Here are my latest paintings - now available at www.JessicaTorrant.etsy.com.

pic of the day 11/20/09

2009-11-21T00:25:00.001-05:00

pic of the day 11/20/09, originally uploaded by livefunky.

This is a late night flash photo of one of the paintings I'm working on right now. I've got 12 in rotation - all 12" x 12", covered with texture. I hope to have some more pictures to share tomorrow in natural light of these works in progress.

pic of the day 11/19/09

2009-11-19T16:07:00.001-05:00

pic of the day 11/19/09, originally uploaded by livefunky.

Ahhh... a great big jar of Golden High Solid Gel and a box of canvases... I feel spoiled right now.

Busy week

2009-11-19T13:53:00.004-05:00

Coffee and Cream - Prints available at www.livefunky.etsy.com

This week has been flying by! I wanted to let you know that I've added prints to my livefunky shop. They are hand signed, packaged in a cello sleeve with a backing board and great to give as gifts (wink wink). Take a look at www.livefunky.etsy.com. Thanks!

Take me to the beach

2009-11-14T17:28:00.001-05:00

wells beach, originally uploaded by livefunky.

The summer came and went and I never went to the ocean. I think this is a first. Now it's November and I'm lusting for a day spent walking on the sand, dipping in and out of the last of the lapping waves as I stroll down a long path of land and sea for as long as my feet want to take me... Watching the birds swirl and dip and listening to their calls. The pulse and steady beat of the steps of my feet, the space between breaks, and the improvisational chorus of everyone else participating in the moment, there, at the beach.

At the beach everyone understands an unwritten code - be and do what you want to do, this is a space we share. If you want to be childlike and enthusiastic build sand castles and hoot and yell catching gnarly waves! If you want to sit in an invisible version of your living room, no one's stopping you from having that rectangle of sand where you set up your massive operation. And if you want to sit and stare out to sea you can and no one will disturb you or ask or wonder why. It's understood why. It's the beach. Heck, in a lot of places you can be naked at the beach - talk about freedom! Even if you aren't in the nude, bathing suits are pretty close to it, right? The rules at the beach are so much different than the rest of the world and that's a good thing (thongs at work, no thanks) but there's nothing, NOTHING like a day spent at the beach.

Just thinking about it puts me at ease...

Till next summer (or hopefully sooner)...

pic of the day 11/5/09

2009-11-05T15:09:00.001-05:00

pic of the day 11/5/09, originally uploaded by livefunky.

A gray day today in Ellington. I took my camera along with me to the post office and took this shot of our exciting downtown. Ha! Not quite...

Artwork by Jennifer Downey

2009-11-04T17:26:00.002-05:00

Artwork by Jennifer Downey, originally uploaded by livefunky.

Jennifer was so kind to send me a set of postcards with her gorgeous artwork. I particularly love this piece but see all of her stunning work at www.JenniferDowney.etsy.com.

Gift tag singles

2009-11-04T17:22:00.002-05:00

original art gift tag, originally uploaded by livefunky.

I'm almost finished photographing and listing the rest of my gift tags. Today I got these singles and there are a few more sets and singles left then it will be onto the next thing!

Available at www.livefunky.etsy.com.

pic of the day 11/4/09

2009-11-04T17:19:00.001-05:00

pic of the day 11/4/09, originally uploaded by livefunky.

My favorite groundcover gets a leafy blanket for the winter.

More gift tags

2009-11-03T16:00:00.001-05:00

Available at www.livefunky.etsy.com.

pic of the day 11/3/09

2009-11-03T15:55:00.001-05:00

pic of the day 11/3/09, originally uploaded by livefunky.

Vintage lamp and a stained glass piece by Kelvin Mays.

pic of the day 11/2/09

2009-11-03T15:49:00.001-05:00

pic of the day 11/2/09, originally uploaded by livefunky.

picture of the day

2009-11-01T17:42:00.001-05:00

11/1/09 - high contrast, originally uploaded by livefunky.

Gift tags on Etsy

2009-10-30T19:27:00.001-05:00

gift tags set one front, originally uploaded by livefunky.

I listed three sets of my original art gift tags in my Etsy shop today. You can check them out at www.livefunky.com.

Recycling art - gift tags

2009-10-27T15:08:00.006-05:00

Here are some gift tags I've been making using sketch paintings on paper that have collected over the years. They weren't good enough to sell as is but made for interesting designs to create one of a kind tags with. I just got a new multi colored stamp pad (that I LOVE and I want to buy all of them!) so I'm playing with my own hand carved stamps as accent pieces on colored cardstock. It's an overcast day today so I just took this shot to give you an idea of what I'm working on. I'd like to photograph them and list them in my Etsy shop as soon as I have a nice sunny day to shoot.

In other news, I'd like to extend a great big THANK YOU to Tsvetelina of www.pearlk2.etsy.com/. I was the winner of this gorgeous bag on her blog giveaway and I absolutely love it! I've already used it packing it with heavy bead boxes and other crafty things going to a friend's house and it handled the load no problem with style. Take a look at her shop or go visit her other sites at www.pearlforu.blogspot.com/, www.facebook.com/pearlforu and www.twitter.com/pearl2k.

Autumn Leaves

2009-10-22T16:03:00.003-05:00

Autumn Leaves, originally uploaded by livefunky.

Available at www.JessicaTorrant.etsy.com

Subtle Shift

2009-10-13T15:14:00.001-05:00

Subtle Shift , originally uploaded by livefunky.

New acrylic painting on 16" x 20" box canvas. Available at www.JessicaTorrant.etsy.com.

Works in progress

2009-10-12T17:41:00.001-05:00

cup of tea and paintings in progress, originally uploaded by livefunky.

I worked on a new batch of paintings today. One (not seen here) is finished and another is very close. I should be able to photograph them tomorrow if the light is right.

October makes itself known

2009-10-09T15:10:00.004-05:00

This is a set of muslin bags I worked on a few weeks ago, hand stamping them with my own carved stamps and painting them. They are gift bags to ship my stamps, magnet sets and other little trinkets in. I've been thinking about packaging a lot lately...

Okay, there's no denying it - October is here and not afraid to show it's spooky, mysterious and shifting states. One day the sun is shining in a perfect blue sky, the next day heavy grey clouds hover over the land, blocking out the sun entirely. I had a really productive day yesterday and was looking forward to photographing a batch of products today but the weather wouldn't allow it. It's that time of year when you have to officially let go of summer (it may still be warm out, but there's no denying the falling leaves) and welcome the transition. That has been difficult for me year after year in New England resisting the winter months and the many ways they restrict me. This year I'm going to work on being happy with what the moment has to offer. To be aware of how I react to the change of season emotionally, creatively, physically. To accept it rather than resist it and make the most of what it has to offer me.

The other night the wind was wild and I was all set to work the night away online when the power went out. I have to admit my techy addiction got the best of me and I was annoyed when it became clear power wasn't coming back on any time soon. I lit a candle and began reading. I found the sounds of the night outside and lack of stimulus from the computer and tv to be so refreshing and exactly what I needed though I didn't realize it. Forced peace - if that's what it takes, so be it, right? Anyway, that night taught me once again to roll with it, baby.

A few other notes to mention...

Facebook Fan Page - Join me on Facebook (if you're so inclined). In the Discussion board on my page I have started a bunch of discussion "threads" that are really just category markers for people to add their links to. Jewelry, Bath and Body, Ceramics, Fine Art, etc.
http://facebook.com/JessicaTorrant

Etsy Traveling Art Journal - http://etsyjournal.blogspot.com/ This project is back in action again and I should be getting Book 5 at some point. I'll keep you updated as I find out more information.

Conversation

2009-10-08T19:17:00.001-05:00

Conversation - Acrylic mixed media painting on 18" x 24" canvas, 2009
Available at www.JessicaTorrant.etsy.com.

Original Art Pendants

2009-10-08T15:07:00.011-05:00

Winter Tree

Sunrise Abstract

Translucent Floral

Mint Folk Flower

I think I've found a good way to photograph these new art pendants on my antique wildflower book. I love this book. I've had it since I was a teenager and used it as a reference for painting a floral banner around my best friend's bedroom on a spring break from high school. I also decoupaged color photocopies of the images on my kitchen cabinets when I moved into this house in 2001. This book has been a source of creative inspiration for almost twenty years! The images are black and white plates of wild flowers - some of which are hand tinted (see the background of the last image for a great example).

But back to my pendants... these are the pieces I've been working on the last few weeks. They are each double sided with original, one of a kind paintings/mixed media on the front and back of the 1" x 2" glass pendants. The backs are sealed with several layers of a glass like finish using 3D Crystal Lacquer. Aanraku silver bails are attached and a complimentary black satin ribbon is included with beaded ends. http://www.livefunky.etsy.com/.

Little Tree