Nature's Way Studio Blog

New Studio Space In Progress

Jeanette Fournier — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:51:39 +0000

Sorry I haven’t been in touch with regular posts here lately but I have been painting…walls that is. This photo is the view from where my new “creative zone” will be at our home. That is, if we ever get the house ready for moving into! Feels like an endless amount of work at the moment but it will be worth it once it’s done. Nothing ventured, nothing gain…right!? I’m finding it hard to work inside when I’ve got this gorgeous pond and all the birds and wildlife to distract me. Have already seen a diverse amount of waterfowl to watch and photograph for future art inspiration. My painting arm is just itching to get back to the drawing table! As a wildlife artist, I couldn’t have asked for a better location to live and I’m sure there will be lots of new artwork as a result. Now, back to the business at hand of cleaning, painting, packing, unpacking etc…

2012 Legacy Exhibition at Bryan Memorial Gallery

Jeanette Fournier — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:55:02 +0000

Title" Wading & Waiting"

I’ve been selected as one of 20 artists to participate in this year long exhibit at the Bryan Memorial Gallery in Jeffersonville, Vermont. This is an exciting as well as challenging opportunity and I’m working hard to have many new paintings to share with you. The show opens on Sunday, May 6th, with an opening reception from 3pm until 5pm. There will also be an awards ceremony at 3:30pm (the Magic 8 Ball says “It Is Certain” when I ask it if I’ll be the recipient of an award…so I remain hopeful!). I hope to see you there, and if not on Sunday, be sure to get in to see the show in the coming months.

Art Adventure #3 – From The Idea Box

Jeanette Fournier — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:27:17 +0000

I know…I’m a little behind schedule on my plan of choosing something from my “idea box” once a month. I should be up to art adventure #5 or at least have completed #4 by now. But, all in good time, right?! Have had one to many irons in the fire this Spring I guess. However, here’s my art adventure for this month. White is so very hard to paint and I haven’t quite “got it” but I keep trying. Thought I’d give this Snowy Owl painting a go, and well, you know what they say…practice, practice, practice. I love the intense yellow-orange eyes and the distinctive markings on the feathers. Should have a finished piece to show you shortly.

Black Capped Chickadee #8

Jeanette Fournier — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:51:37 +0000

Black Capped Chickadees are, without question, one of the most regularly requested paintings I create. Guess there are lots of people out there who like Chickadees as much as I do! Here’s a small commissioned piece I just finished to share with you.

Signs of Spring (white tail deer)

Jeanette Fournier — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:15:29 +0000

Title: "Stillness", size 4" x 5"

Aside from the emerging black bears, another sure sign of Spring are the newborn fawns of white tail deer. I haven’t actually seen any fawns yet this year…it’s still a bit early for that here in the northern mountains of New Hampshire, but, who knows what else will be early following a mild winter and these unseasonably warm temperatures! Here’s a small painting of a fawn hiding in the grass to share with you this week. I have no particular plans for it yet…well, other than to sell it (hopefully!) and see it go to a good home.

Black Bear painting in progress

Jeanette Fournier — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:45:41 +0000

Title: "Awakening"

This year, an early Spring seems to be a sure thing here in the northern reaches of New Hampshire and one sign of that is the emergence of black bears, awakening from their winter hibernation. My husband and I always have a contest as to which one of us sees the first bear of the season, with dinner made for the victor as the prize. In celebration of the spring season, I decided to create a painting of a black bear, which has the “working title “Awakening”. Here’s the progress on it so far.

Painting In Progress (Great Blue Heron)

Jeanette Fournier — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:59:32 +0000

I’m working on a few small paintings this week…was intrigued by this great blue heron, stealthily hunting and all but concealed, in the thick reeds along the border of a pond. I thought the closely knit wall of reeds would be challenging to paint as well as providing an interesting background. Any suggestions for a title…anyone?

Finished Watercolor Painting (pileated woodpecker)

Jeanette Fournier — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:23:21 +0000

Title: "Flash of Red", 12" x 20"

The most recently completed painting to come off my drawing table. This painting will be part of my exhibit at the Bryan Gallery this Spring. Several more in the works for this show…stay tuned!

Art Adventure #2 – Idea Box (great horned owl)

Jeanette Fournier — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 20:13:28 +0000

Great Horned Owl Sketch 8" x 8"

While I enjoy painting tremendously, drawing and sketching is my first love. There is something about having a blank sheet of paper in front of me and a pencil in hand that awakens my imagination like nothing else. Some days I just feel like drawing and this sketch is something I worked on yesterday afternoon. I decided it was time I opened the “idea box” again, and with eyes closed, put my hand in and pulled out a reference photo. This drawing is still a bit “rough” but I was simply looking to indulge my desire to draw for a bit without worrying about it becoming a finished piece.

Work In Progress (white birch trees, pileated woodpecker)

Jeanette Fournier — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:42:45 +0000

My progress has been a bit slow this week…too many irons in the fire. However, here’s a peek at how this painting is coming along so far. I’m saving the woodpecker for last…my reward for completing all the fine details in the white birch trees. Stay tuned!