New Art

Oh yeah... I posted more of my new work for the Houston show at http://jennifermoreman.com Check it out!

Another Good Day!

This morning started with another walk with Christie and Nathan. It is one sure way to get me out of bed early! I hope we can keep it up! Isn't Nathan cute? Oscar and Nathan are two sweet blond boys... well, one is a puppy, but that is just a minor detail :)

Nathan running around in my front yard... I love his little onsie and flip flops!
After our walk I got inspired to make a quiche! I had a great one at Caffe Tazza on Saturday, and felt like being a suzi homemaker and baking before noon! It turned out yummy! Christie and Nathan came back over to try it with me. They liked it! I put lots of spinach, artichoke, shallots, garlic, cheese, eggs, milk and fresh basil and italian oregano from my garden. I also garnished it with my home grown tomaotes. I was excited to have everything I needed in my pantry. I am giving Martha Stewart a run for her money today! Ha j/k.

I am enjoying spending more time with our puppies. They are so sweet. Notice how Holly is sleeping on TOP of Woody! Typical Holly. Well, kind of sweet... this is how sweet they are before Woody, the black one, knocked over a giant glass of iced tea on the sofa. Nice!

Okay, I am off to finish up a giant buck deer and listen to MJ. Good afternoon planned!

My First Day

Today is my first real day as a full time artist. So far so good! I woke up rather early and met Christie and Nathan for a good long walk with my sweet Oscar. He was SO excited to go on a walk! It was hot, but not unbearable hot like it would be if we had gone later in the day. We have a date to go tomorrow too! YAY!

After my walk I took a nice long shower and made some breakfast. Then I sat down on the couch with breakfast and did a little gallery research. I ended up emailing 4 today. Hopefully they will respond and all want me! (Here is to hoping right!?)

After a little laundry, garden clean up and a little lunch, we got a huge storm. I sat and watched the rain on the porch for a bit with a glass of coconut iced tea and a fresh East Texas peach. It was so nice!

Then I got back to the art stuff and finished up a coyote. I am now about to start a giant deer painting.

Life is good. I am blessed and so thankful for a sweet husband who is letting me live out my dreams. Thank you Gregory!

Did I mention that I have been in my PJs all day? Well, not for the walk, but soon after! YAY!

Oh yeah... my whirl of the weekend was not much of a whirl. I did a lot of painting and went to the farmer's market Saturday morning. Then Sunday consisted of more painting and Christie and Nathan coming over to make peach cobbler. DELISH!

This is me at 4:00pm today!

FREE!

Houston Art Show Teaser

Ghost Riders in the Sky: 3, 24"x48" acrylic on canvas panels (48"x72" total)

Reclining Bovine: 36"x48" acrylic on canvas

The show opens on July 9th (my birthday!) I'd love to see you there! Click here for location information and more details: http://www.gallerialazzara.com/

Until I am Free...

Time until Friday, June 26, 2009 at 4:00:00 PM (Tyler time)

3		days
76		hours
4606		minutes
276386		seconds

It's Official

I have the world's BEST husband! He got me the adorable pink cupcake necklace from Tiffany's for an early birthday/happy last week of a desk job gift. Not only does he fully support my career change, he showers me with silver and pink Tiffany cupcakes to celebrate! LOVE HIM! Thank you sweet Greg! You are the greatest husband ever!

P.S. Did I mention it is my last week at work!? HOLLA!

Sweet T

My awesome friend Tracy wrote a super sweet blog about our first art lesson together. I love how she actually remembered what I said! Made me feel like a real, live art teacher! Love you Tracy P!

J-List: Budget Friendly Summer

Having recently quit my job to pursue a new career as a professional artist, I have been trying to cut back on spending. Now that summer is full on, I thought I would share a few of my tips and goals on how I can save a bit of mullah over the summer. My last day at the desk job is June 26th- HOLLA!

Sweet, Sweet Sonic:
My treat used to be Starbucks, but now I have switched to the ever popular Sonic Happy Hour. For under a dollar you can get a large fancy flavored beverage from 2-4. I have also been recently informed that large drinks are a whopping .99 cents before 11:00am too! Perfect and refreshing for an already super hot summer!

Heavenly Hotels:I am a HUGE fan of the discount travel websites! Esp. after just booking our same honeymoon hotel in Orlando for $68 this October!!! They often have discounts plus an extra 40% off specials these days because so few people are actually traveling. There is NO reason to pay more than $150.00 for a 4 star hotel! It is great! I am also a fan of hotels.com b/c they are a Dallas based company. Get away cheaply this summer!

BBQ Party!:
Have a BYOB or BYOM party! We used to do this in high school, and I thought it was always a ton of fun! The BYOM- which is what we did in hs- is where everyone brings their own meats for the grill. Not a huge deal if you are making burgers and hot dogs for everyone, but buying nice steaks for everyone can get pricey! You would then provide everything else, nice side dishes and beverages. You could also do the BYOB- Bring your own beverages, and then provide the rest. I don't think people mind this for Summer BBQs. They get that the economy is tough, and having people over is way cheaper then all going out! I wouldn't do a BYOB and BYOM though- that is just getting cheap!

Music to My Ears:
Outdoor summer concerts! These are always fun! Tyler has a big patriotic concert coming up on July 3rd with the Symphony. Most locations have one if not several summer concerts or theater performances each year that are 100% free! So much fun to pack a picinic, the dogs, a quilt and enjoy!

Calling all Bookworms!:
The public library. This is one I need to work on. I am such a sucker for Barnes and Nobles, but the library has the same books for FREE! I must, must, must start going to the library. I am a book nut and go through way too many to not take advantage of this gem! You can also have a book swap party where everyone brings in their old books and you borrow/trade for ones you have yet to read. I am thinking of doing this at my next book club meeting.

Get Rid of the Stupid Mannequin Commercials Please!:
Old Navy is the place to go for a cute summer sun dress that won't break the bank! Lots of color and cotton, which is great for keeping cool! They have so many cute styles! Yay Old Navy!
Those are a few of my tips. Not mind blowing, but every little bit helps right!? What are your summer budget tips? I'd love to add more to mine!!!

First Art Lesson: Success!

Last night my friend Tracy came over for a little art lesson. It was her first time to paint, and my first lesson! She decided to paint her sweet dog Darcy. I think it came out rather fantastic! Hooray Tracy!

Good Book!

Christie picked this book for our current Paper[back] Doll's book club read. I love it! I highly recommend! Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas

Whirl of a Weekend: Art, Friends and the Museum

This weekend was a goodie! My parents gave me a super fancy Dell computer for an early birthday present, and it came on Saturday! My sweet husband set it up for me, and I am also fully equipped with Adobe Creative Suite now- woo hoo! Thank you parents! I love you! They are in Virginia this week with my niece Katie. Going to the beach, the mountains and Williamsburg. I am jealous, but so glad they are having a great time!

I spent the majority of my weekend painting in my studio. It was lovely! I started and finished the cow... needs a name- any ideas?
Then last night started a giant horse trio painting. I'm not very far, but the hardest part in my opinion in laying it all out. That is done, and the under painting is done- so now I get to do the fun part! I love bringing it to life! I'll post another picture when I am done.

I can't decide if it is better so share my new artwork as I complete it, or until my next show opening. I feel like I loose a little of the suspense, but I really appreciate the feedback- good and bad! I think I will show it as I feel like it here, and then post it on my art website for the show. Who knows!

On Saturday night I met Christie and Nathan and 2 of Christie's friends at my favorite Don Juan's. I could so eat there every day of the week! YUM.

On Sunday Greg had to work, and I started to freak out a bit about my show, so we both got up really early to get crackin'! Sad we didn't got to church, but hopefully next week we will make it! By 11 we needed a break, and Greg suprised me with a trip to the movies to see Night at the Museum 2! It was a cute movie. I love Amy Adams as Amelia Earhart, and I loved how the art work comes to life. The plot was a little lacking, but the special effects were fantastic! After the movie I took Greg to his favorite -Buffalo Wild Wings, where I ate way too much and had a REALLY good pomegranate margarita! YUM!

Back to painting for the rest of the day while my hubs watched UT baseball. They are in the world series and won their first game last night- hooray for my husband being happy!

Today is my last Monday in the office! Next Monday I have jury duty so I am not counting it- Hip Hip Hooray!

That is all- it was a really good weekend!

Cow in Process

This is what I am currently working on. I love painting cows. They are such beautiful animals!


-- Post From

La Happy Jenny List

Here is a list of things that I am looking forward to doing once I am done with my job at the Foundation... 10 more working days (14 days including weekends) until I am a full time artist!
1. Wearing yoga pants, a tank top and a fun vintage apron to work everyday.

new work outfit by JennyLove82 featuring Nike

2. Working from my new home studio, which is about 3 feet from my bedroom!

3. Jamming out to my ipod as loud as I want while I sing along, which is frowned upon at my current desk job.
4. Going on a walk every morning around 9:00am with Oscar and taking pictures of stuff to paint- and getting to call it RESEARCH!
5. Having the freedom to go to the Rose Garden or park to paint during the week!

6. Becoming a better wife by actually cleaning the house on a regular basis and letting Greg rest when he comes home from work.
7. Not having any more excuses and actually have time to write and illustrate my own children's book.
8. Teaching my new art students!

9. The extra time I will have a nights with my husband. I won't have to spend all of my evenings in the studio!
10. Finally becoming the person that I was always meant to be, and loving my job!

One Down...

14 to Go....Not sure if I am done with my Crazy Owl in the hole, but it is a start!

Stu-Stu-Studio!

After several weeks of daudling, and then a few days of SERIOUSLY hard work- I finished my art studio makeover! I had been painting in a small section of my guest bedroom. It was way too cozy, and I called it the hole. It worked for awhile, but now that I am going to be a full time artist, I needed some breathing room! We moved the bed to Greg's office, and did some serious rearranging and carpet paint proofing. I am good to go! SO excited to try it out tonight!

Here is my hole before:

Here is my beautiful, yet still cozy, new studio!

Note to self... work on straitening the pictures on the wall tonight!

Greg is not a fan of my leopard chair. It has been in my office- but is the PERFECT height for my mini easel.

Gotta love the natural light and all that floor space to move around!

I'm so excited to have my yellow sofa back in my life! It had been in Greg's office with a brown slipcover. I have missed it so!

I still might move a few things around, but it is workable for now! I am so excited! An entire room JUST for me to paint in! I see myself sprawled out on the red rug debating a painting in the near future!

Now what to paint first? Hummm....

I've Been Tagged: Jenny-ology

Rules: Copy and paste this into your blog, replace my name with yours and my answers with yours!

********** FOODOLOGY ***************

What do you like to put on your toast?

peanut butter and cinnamon

What is your salad dressing of choice?

Ranch, Honey Mustard or a yummy vinagerette

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?

I really like Cheesecake Factory, but in Tyler I would have to say Currents

What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it?

Chickfila or Pizza

What are your pizza toppings of choice?

Turkey-roni, Olives and Jalopenos

***********TECHNOLOGY***************

What color cell phone do you have?

iPhone with a hot pink cover

***************BIOLOGY******************

Are you right-handed or left-handed?

Right

Have you ever had anything removed from your body?

Humm no...

What is the last heavy item you lifted?

Last night I moved my lingerie chest to the other side of the room- I felt strong

********BULLCRAPOLOGY**************

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to

die?

No thank you

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

I have changed my name for the last time! I am a Moreman forever!

Would you drink a whole bottle of Hot sauce for $1000.00?

With out a doubt I would!

How many pairs of flip flops do you own?

Maybe 8ish? I tend to toss them after each summer.

*************FAVORITOLOGY****************

Last person you hugged?

My Greg

Favorite Holiday :

Valentine's DAY!

Day of the week?

Saturday

*********CURRENTOLOGY*****************

Birth month…….

July

Missing someone?

Always

Mood?

Sleepy, but excited

What are you listening to?

nothing- computer humms

Worrying about?

The thought of making up my current salary with just art money

***************RANDOMOLOGY*****************

First place you went this morning?

Work

Last movie you saw?

UP!

Do you smile often?

Most of the time these days!

************** QUESTIONS**************

1) Do you always answer your phone?

Most of the time

2) It’s five in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?

Christie

3) If you could change your eye color what would it be?

I'm keeping my browns

4) Do you own a digital camera?

It rarely leaves my side

5) Have you ever had a pet FISH?

Several. I am somehow REALLY good at keeping them alive for years and years.

6) Favorite Christmas song?

Joy to the World

7 ) Can you do push ups?

Ehh- not good ones.

8) Can you do a chin up?

No, sadly. I need to work on my upper body strength!

9)Does the future make you more nervous?

A bit- but I am so excited about it!

10)Do you have any saved texts?

yes, but no reason really- just lazy

11)Ever been in a car wreck?

nothing more than a fender bender

12) Do you have an accent?

Yes, and it is getting stronger the longer I live in East Texas

13) What is the last song to make you cry?

My dad's choir solo made me tear up a bit

14) Plans tonight?

Working a bit more on my studio redo

15)Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?

No, I have had a pretty good life

16) Name 3 things you bought yesterday.

Art supplies at Hobby Lobby, an easel at Goodwill and a ledger book at Office Depot

17)Have you ever been given roses?

several times. I like all but red ones.

18) Current hate right now?

The fact that I can't live on 6 hours of sleep anymore

19) Met someone who changed your life?

Several people!

20) How did you bring in the New Year?

Eek- I don't remember. I think I was home with Greg?

21) What song represents you?

Blessed by Brett Dennen

I welcome the sun,

the clouds and rain,

the wind that sweeps the sky clean

and lets the sun shine again.

this is the most magnificent life has ever been.

here is heaven and earth

and the brilliant sky in between.

blessed is this life

and I'm gonna celebrate being alive.

blessed is this life

and I'm gonna celebrate being alive

I dwell in the darkness

I let in the light

I sleep in the afternoon

and become the noise in the night

I trespass in temptation

suffered in sacrifice

but I awake each day with a new sunrise

blessed is this life, oh

and I'm gonna celebrate being alive

blessed is this life, oh

and I'm gonna celebrate being alive

22) What were you doing at midnight last night?

Cleaning and studio making!

24) What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?

Oh man I am tired!

I Tag: Christina, Becca, Garza and my mamasita!

Zack is BACK!

Oh my gosh this made me smile!

P.S. Holy Moly Zack Morris was my 400th post!

Whirl of a Weekend: Birthday Fun, Pa's Solo and UP!

I really had a fun and super busy weekend! Friday night we stayed home as usual. With Greg working for like 12 hours + a day, and both of us getting over the cold from H-E-double hockey sticks, we were beat. I made turkey meatballs and pasta.

Tasty, but Greg is still not a fan of me giving up beef. He didn't complain (much) though!

On Saturday Greg went to work... boo, and I headed to Canton, TX for my sweet niece Katie Rose's 9th birthday! I can't believe she is 9! Blows my mind! She is turning into such a sweet young lady! The family had lunch together and opened presents, and then Julie went to go get two of her best buddies for a day at Splash Kingdom Water Park in Canton and a slumber party! Splash Kingdom is a neat Christian water park. My parent's church even has VBS there! Let me know if you want your kids in on that one! I hear it is awesome! My sister got Katie the American Idol game for Wii. I had way too much fun with that and totally made a fool of myself. Loved it though! Katie is way into the American Girl stuff right now, so Uncle Greg and I got her the Chrissa doll. My parents got her the Felicity doll b/c they are taking her on a special trip to Williamsburg, VA this week! They are going to Myrtle Beach and to a cabin in the mountains too, but Williamsburg is the main event. I am jealous! We went one year when I was about 10 for Thanksgiving. I had my very own Felicity doll for the entire trip, and loved it. I hope Katie loves it too!

I'll try to post pictures of the birthday party as soon as I get them from my sister. Here is a picture of Katie the day she was born. It was right after I graduated from high school... I feel old!
I headed home late Saturday, worked on cleaning my green room (my guest bedroom, art studio and closet) and then crashed. Sunday morning I woke up early and drove BACK to Canton to hear my dad sing his first ever church choir solo! (My dad below with our sweet late Memaw. I was going to take a picture while he was singing, but I didn't think it would be appropriate at church...)He rocked the house! Well, it was traditional Baptist church music, but he did great! I was so impressed and so proud! I can't wait for his next one! We headed to lunch and then I headed back home after a rather long trip to the grocery store- blah. When I got home I continued my cleaning, which seems to never end and hung out with Greg- whom I have been missing a TON!

Just about when Greg starts to get ready for bed (7:30pm these days!), he surprised me with a trip to the movies to see Up! I was so excited! I have been dying to see it, and it did not disappoint! Pixar never does! I love, love, loved it! The colors, the dogs, the balloons, the little fat kid, the love story- LOVE. I wish I worked for Pixar. I would just think of fun random things to put in movies all day. Those people must be the most creative people on the planet. Amazing!We had fun with our 3-d glasses. Greg is stealthy...I am just a nerd who loves Disney movies!

When I got home, I worked on the green room some more. I am so close to being done! We are going to move the guest bed to the orange office, and put the love seat in the green room. Does anyone else name their rooms by their colors? I'll show you pictures when we are done. I am excited to have a bigger area to work! It will be great!

I had a wonderful weekend! Next weekend I will be painting... which will be true of all week nights and weekends until July 2nd. I'll try to post some pictures of that too!

Oh, check out these pictures I took last week of the waterway that feeds into the creek behind our house. It got really high really fast! Crazy! Wish I had a raft to do some rapids! Ha- j/k.