Imagine: A must read book!

May 10, 2012

I was browsing at my local Barnes & Noble store this weekend. (On a side note, I still am mourning the loss of Borders…I loved that place).  I came across a book with an interesting cover. It made me stop and look at it for a moment. Then I picked up to read on that it was about creativity, and the science behind it. Woah! I love learning about how the brain works, it’s something that has fascinated me in particular for the last year or two.

So I bought the book and I’m about halfway through, and this book is blowing my mind!! I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone interested in creativity, or tapping into their own more. It bunks the myth that there are “creative types”. While in fact we all have creativity inside our minds, it’s how we tap into it and unleash it that counts.

I’ve never been in a book club, but this book makes me wanna round up a group of people and discuss this to no end! Some of the interesting things I’ve learned so far include how Bob Dylan penned Like A Rolling Stone, how the color blue can double your creative output. And did you know sleeping, relaxing in a warm shower and taking a walk outside are great ways to be more creative? As well as traveling and tapping into your child like innocence/perspective. Now these are not just “notions” per se, science has proven them! And each chapter Jonah Lehrer uses studies, research and examples that will fascinate you.

 

I would like to end with this quote that I have always loved, that Lehrer uses in one of chapters of his book. It’s by Pablo Picasso, ” All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up”.

So don’t grow up, k? Haha! Enjoy your weekend, and go be creative!

Posted By : jessdurrant

Be More Spontaneous

April 18, 2012

Life is short, as they say. I don’t know about you but these last few years I have been while aware that time is a fleeting thing. Part of one of the reasons I started painting and pursuing a career in art a few years ago was to feel like I was living my life to the fullest. Believe it or not growing up and my early 20′s I was not confident and I did not take advantage of opportunities afforded me. I led a mediocre existence. After a few years into my marriage my husband and I started taking advantage of flight benefits from his job in the airline industry. The more we traveled the more we wanted to travel. So many of our trips became about spontaneous getaways. Say a weekend trip to Madrid. Or a long weekend in Mexico City. Many times it was us looking at a map and picking a place and planning a getaway a few days in advance. There is something that allows me to fill with adrenaline and excitement like no other than when traveling spontaneously.

One of my most spontaneous things I ever did as far as travel was to go to Barcelona for 48 hours by myself. I did not have a hotel reservation. The only Spanish I know is, “Donde esta la bibioloteca” from high school Spanish class. But I did know that I dreamed of seeing the Sagrada Familia, smelling the Mediterranean ocean and getting lost in a city where I don’t know a single person. Maybe that is scary for some. And yes, I did get a bit scared at first but then I realized…how many times in life do you get a chance like this?? And if you don’t do it now, you never will. Everything worked out smoothly in Barcelona. I didn’t have anything remotely scary happen to me, I found a beautiful hotel room and I saw the Sagrada Familia. The most amazing part was coming back on the plane (since I fly free only by traveling standby) there was only 1 seat left. And the seat was mine. No one else was vying for that seat-which is a rarity. Anyone who has traveled standby or works for the airlines knows this. It only confirmed to me that the trip and seat home was meant to be.

 

Creating art is the same way for me. I don’t plan out many of my artworks in advance. In fact most of my paintings happen very quickly. I think it’s because when I do spend a lot of time planning out a piece I end up over-thinking it. Every artist has a different approach, method and way they execute their artwork. Maybe I’m impatient, and I certainly am not a perfectionist in anything I do in life-especially with my art. What happens in most cases is I come across an image or two that I see and envision it as a painting. So instead of thinking too much about it, I just paint it. I don’t think about it, I just turn up the tunes and do it. I think watercolors are great for people who have this approach to painting. You have to work quickly with watercolors, and so that allows you to make quick decisions. Sometimes I fail at it, and sometimes I succeed. But the important thing is that I always keep painting. Never let a bad piece of art slow you down. Keep moving forward and keep striving to be a bit more spontaneous with your art. It will allow you to leave your comfort zone, and sometimes that will allow you to create something unexpected and wonderful.

So no matter what your talent, ambition or goals in life are go ahead and go for them. Be more spontaneous.

Here are some new artworks that I’ve created, and all of them were painted using my approach of painting spontaneously!

 

Posted By : jessdurrant

Many Thanks!

March 20, 2012

Blogging is not my forte. I am the first to admit this. I have so many friends who are such wonderful bloggers. Many of my artist friends are also graphic designers and can whip their blog into a thing of beauty. I love reading and finding blogs just like 99% of people. They inspire, encourage and allow us to find common ground with others. I hope I can get better at blogging with time. For now, I just like to share little snippets into what I’m working on and what I have come across that excites me.

Since my last post things have continued to stay busy. More of my work has been geared towards client based jobs. Right now I am working with Westfield Malls, an international mall chain based in L.A. I finished a wonderful project with IN London Magazine. I was able to paint Etro, Chanel, Ralph Lauren all approved by the fashion houses PR themselves. The magazine team was a pleasure to work with. It was so exciting waking up and painting for them. That’s when you know you have chosen the right job.

I also am so grateful for the press I have received in the last few months. Many thanks to SHOP 4 Kids magazine in Australia for featuring my Australian Dreams No. 2 watercolor. ELLE Brazil for featuring my print, It’s A Black and White World. JEZEBEL magazine for a small blurb about my artwork on a local level at Fab’rik East Cobb. And Damernas Värld in Sweden for featuring my painting, Art Deco Glamazon. RUE Magazine and Danielle Moss for featuring my prints in the February issue. And I can’t forget QVC for featuring my artwork throughout their website and television coverage for NY Fashion Week Spring 2012! Also a big thanks to bloggers everywhere who have ever posted about me. Blogging is such a strong tool to spread my art. So much of my success is in a good part due to people sharing my work. So THANK YOU!! Here are some of visuals of the places my art has been featured. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

Posted By : jessdurrant

You Make Your Own Luck

January 22, 2012

Happy New Year everyone! It feels so good to be done with the Holidays and focused on a new year and new projects.

Things have continued to stay busy and exciting for me. Being a full time artist is such a treat and I feel so grateful for all the fans and supporters of my artwork. I reached my 1000th sale on Etsy a week ago. And I’ve had many great spots of my artwork these last few months ranging from Glamour’s website, Rue Magazine,  N.E.E.T Magazine, Vhcle Magazine, The Washingtonian Magazine’s blog, and some international magazines in Australia (reveal coming soon) and Sweden. I also had the chance to license a piece to QVC for an event they are hosting to industry insiders. With all of that…and a few new projects on the horizon I feel overwhelmingly elated.

All of that has made me think a lot about  an article I read once. It was about how we make our own luck. I wish I could find the article for a point of reference right now. But I’m sure you get the gist of it. We all have more power and control over our lives then we sometimes see. I know this is true for me. I used to be frightened of taking risks, and didn’t believe I was entitled to success. Crazy right? A year into my artistic endeavors I realized I needed to silence my inner critic and just go for it full fledged. I also started to believe that if I kept working hard and doing what I love that opportunities would come their way. I love this quote:

“To hell with luck. I’ll bring the luck with me.” The Old Man and the Sea

So go make 2012 your luckiest year!

And here are some random favorite photos for the week…enjoy!

Cate Parr’s beautiful watercolors are one of my favorite things to look at. She’s a sweet friend I found through our mutual career path.

 Ever wondered how to hang art? This is a great photo to hang in a collage type of way. It’s so unexpected yet stylishly cool.

Posted By : jessdurrant

Glamour Magazine Website Feature

December 27, 2011

Happy Holidays everybody! I hope everyone has been having a great holiday season! I don’t know about you but I am ready for 2012.

2011 has been a great year for me and my little art business! I am super grateful to be able to make a living as an artist. I am encouraged and inspired by my fans. Without them, none of this could have been possible. If I could share any words of advice or inspiration to you if you’re thinking about doing something with your own talents it would be to write down your goals. (Great way to start the New Year). Visualize your desires and dreams. I believe those things give you a good chance at succeeding. One of my favorite quotes from Andy Warhol kinda sums up my belief system for the year.

I have always felt that if I focus on my art, and my art alone that people will see that. I don’t want to get wrapped up in anything else. So while others are deciding if they like my art…I will keep making more art. And you can apply this to anything you’re doing in life. Stay true to what you love, and don’t let the world around you change what you are creating or wanting to create.

So while I was creating and working my booty off for holiday sales and shipments, I was sooo pleasantly surprised when I received an email from a customer saying she saw my work on Glamour Magazine’s Tumblr. I couldn’t have pulled up their page faster! I was so happy to see that the Fashion Editors’ at Glamour Magazine had not only shared one of my fashion illustrations (The Yellow Bow) on their Tumblr but also had included it on their website for a last minute holiday gift guide and on their Facebook page! I could not have been more flattered, surprised and extremely elated! I did a few little dances around my apartment to celebrate!

You can find the Glamour Magazine Article on their website here: http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2011/12/megan-gustashaw-tackles-all-th.html?mbid=tumblr

Their Tumblr Page is found here: http://glamour.tumblr.com/

And you can follow them on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/glamour

Here’s to 2012 and loads more artwork! Thank you to everyone for your encouragement and support. I truly appreciate everything that has happened this year!

Posted By : jessdurrant

Relaxing in Santa Fe

December 12, 2011

For my birthday week this year I wanted to travel to a new place and do something nontraditional. Now my birthday week is always the week of Thanksgiving, so it can makes things a bit tricky. As much as I love being with my family and eating the turkey my husband and I were craving a bit of relaxation for just the two of us.

When I mentioned that Santa Fe could be an option we quickly looked up the flight loads and saw that it could totally work out for us to get there. (My husband works for the airlines so we can travel on stand-by for free). So we packed our bags, made arrangements and headed to Albuquerque  Thanksgiving day.

From Albuquerque we rented a car and drove about an hour North West to arrive in Santa Fe. It was quiet, beautiful and we even found a restaurant serving a Thanksgiving Feast.

My favorite aspect of deserts (I’ve lived in Las Vegas, Phoenix and Southern Utah-all beautiful deserts) are the gorgeous sunsets. We caught some great photos as the sun was setting on Thanksgiving.

 

One of the main reasons I wanted to go to Santa Fe was to see the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. We took a great tour of the museum and really learned a lot about Georgia’s life. The thing I find most striking about Georgia was that she was a successful woman artist from her 20′s until her death at 96. Not many artists can have that kind of success in their lifetime. Let alone a woman. She really is one of the first American Woman artists of the 20th century to have critical and commercial success.

 

All in all, the trip was fantastic. We had some great New Mexican cuisine. I found a great turquoise necklace and enjoyed browsing all the local shops. Sometimes you just need a few days away from your reality to give yourself a much needed dose of inspiration and invigoration.

 

 

 

 

Posted By : jessdurrant

The Art Station

November 30, 2011

Last night was my final teen art class for the season. I teach a few hours a week at a community arts center in Kennesaw, Georgia called The Art Station. I teach an adult painting class as well. Teaching allows me to break away from being at home in my studio/office all day. But more importantly it gives me a chance to paint with others, and just have fun!  Any teacher will tell you that you learn so much from teaching.

Here are some photos I snapped from last night’s class. My students were so extremely sweet and very talented. I had been teaching them the wet-on-wet technique with watercolors and india inks that I use. For our last class I thought we could paint maps-since they are one of my favorites subjects.

 

 

 

 

I seriously get a little sad whenever one of my classes end. You can really bond with people through working on artwork together. It doesn’t matter what age. I have taught ages 11 to 72! And I can’t help but always think of how many of my art teachers and professors helped encourage and inspire me. I hope to give that back to the students I teach.

For more information on the Art Station visit their website at: http://artstationcobb.org/ or you can always check my website for current and upcoming courses I will be teaching there.

Posted By : jessdurrant

Exciting news

November 14, 2011

Things have been quite busy for me these last few months with exciting projects. And it’s about time I blogged about one of them!

One of my paintings titled World Map No. 6 has been hugely successful for me. I sell prints of it numerous times a week, in various sizes up to 36 x 48″. I was elated when Emily Henderson of HGTV’s Secrets of a Stylist contacted me about featuring my map in her Holiday Gift Guide E-Magazine. The E-Magazine went live on November 1st! It’s chock full of so many great items. And what excites me most about it, is that Emily chose so many Etsy sellers to feature. I truly appreciate people who shop on Etsy. I have bought art on Etsy as well, and I am always so excited to receive my purchases directly from the maker. So if you’re looking for something different to give this year check out Emily’s guide, or just hit up www.etsy.com already!

 

 

Below is the link to Emily Henderson’s Holiday Gift Guide. I’m on page 156!

http://issuu.com/stylebyemilyhenderson/docs/hgg_eh_2011

 

 

 

 

Posted By : jessdurrant

Missoni Madness

September 28, 2011

So if you’re as into the Italian label Missoni as I am, you may have ventured to Target on September 13th. If you did, you may have witnessed some madness. Women buying clothes like it’s the end of the world. I was practical and found one perfect cardigan! The one Margherita Missoni wears in the ads. I was a happy camper! I love their patterns and colors. They are totally inspiring. A few months ago I created a watercolor titled, Missoni Tunic.

 

 

Did you snag up any Missoni for Target??

Posted By : jessdurrant

Spitfire Designs

August 16, 2011

 

My friend Holly Thomas, whom I met while volunteering at the Philly Art Museum a couple of years ago is a fabulous jewelry designer. She’s the kind of woman you notice from across the room because she is so put together. She’s always wearing fabulous jewelry, whether it’s her own designs or something she picked up at a flea market. I wanted to share some of her stunning necklaces with you. She’s such an inspiration to me.

 

 

 

Blue Monday

Stunning for Stella

 

 

Silver Congo

 

 

Holly and I cooling off in Philly!

 

If you’d like to see more of Holly’s work please visit website at:

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spitfire-designs.com%2F&h=_AQA_8T7d

Or become a fan of Spitfire Designs on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Spitfire-Designs-Jewelry/94802700851?sk=wall

 

Posted By : jessdurrant