AAAaannnnnd give us a nice little lesson? Introducing COCO, obviously a bison, although she doesn’t seem to know that she are one. This is the coolest story! My friend and very talented artist Jennifer Stone, who also has a huge heart, adopted little Coco (back when she was little) after her mother rejected her. Coco has been living, and growing, with Jennifer and her husband since last fall. Here is another photo of Coco and a wonderful lesson that Jennifer is sharing with us this week.
JENNIFER AND COCO
Below are photos of my friend, Jennifer Stone and another photo of Coco. I have just loved following Coco’s story. The photo you see above is Coco looking longingly into Jennifer’s studio. She thinks she is part of the family. If you go to Jennifer’s Facebook page, you can scroll backward to see other photos and videos of the little furry one. Just about now you may be wondering where Jennifer lives. She lives in South Dakota, of course!
  
Jennifer Stone and Chuck with sidekick Coco
AND NOW…HERE IS OUR GIFT FROM JENNIFER. I HOPE YOU ENOY!
Step 1
My process begins with an idea on color and composition and whether or not I want my painting to be total abstract or abstracted realism. This piece began with some of my handmade collage paper and some newsprint. My knowledge of creating my own collage papers came from one of my very favorite artists, Anne Bagby! She’s a master! I had the privilege of studying with Anne last year, along with a couple of my best art buddies! In this piece I chose the cruciform composition and placed some of my papers using matte medium for a fixative. Sometimes I coat the entire painting with matte medium to preserve this first step, as I scrub out areas later with alcohol.
    
Step2
I add color, some that will be an underlying color in areas and also part of the finished piece. At this stage, I play with textural techniques. I splatter alcohol, water, scrape, lift, and stamp, all giving me interesting texture. When the canvas is still damp, I may tear a portion of the newsprint and reattach it in another place. I dry everything at this point. I always turn my painting all four ways to see if I find a better option to move forward with. I then choose my next color or colors to do some layering. Using the same techniques as in step one, I play, adding and deleting as I go, starting to develop my composition and design. At this time I incorporate line work, sometimes using my brayer turned on it’s side making lines of another color or dragging color from an area with paint I’ve just applied. I go back and forth scrubbing out areas of interest with alcohol.
    
Step 3
I begin to develop the center of interest, adding color and texture, stamping, etc., all to bring my painting to completion.
Step 4
It is in this stage that I do a lot of thinking and adjusting. I lay colored papers in areas to see if that would be a move in the right direction to achieve what my design instincts are telling me. This allows me an opportunity to photograph it and confirm if my instincts are right. By looking at the photo, it tells me a lot about where I need to connect shapes and if there are areas that need more developing. I love to just barely see graphics under the paint, as it has a feel of age and sentiment. I call this “Peek-a-boo”, a pretty technical term you will not find in any art text book I’m sure! To me, this painting is reminiscent of a Kimono, so that’s what I titled it!
    
I’m mostly a self-taught artist, but I attend workshops of artists that I admire to gain more knowledge of their style and techniques in order to further my education. That journey has been so gratifying, expanding what I know and meeting many wonderful friends along the way. I began this journey in 1992 and haven’t looked back! While raising our 3 daughters, I painted whenever time allowed. Now I am a full time artist living the dream! I have a beautiful studio next door to our home where I paint and teach workshops. We live on an acreage where we share our space with 4 dogs, 2 horses and 1 buffalo! My husband shares my love for animals so one never knows what will be added to our gang!
Following my Facebook page is the best way to see what is current in my studio. I invite you to “like” my page, Jennifer Stone Artwork and follow along with my adventures! I do have a website, www.jenniferstoneartwork.com, but I am going to be making some changes so that website isn’t as current as I’d like it to be.​
Thank you so much, Jennifer, for this really cool step-by-step. You must be a fantastic teacher! I hear that you’re always open to teaching venues that are out of state – especially in the southern part of the US during those cold S. Dakota winters?!
UPDATE:
As it turns out, I won’t be able to join either of my groups in Spain next month. I had very high hopes, but recent mini vacas to the hospital have made my husband and I rethink ​the wisdom of that. So, I send them off to Spain with love and all of the preparation I could give them. In addition, cute little Barbara Barrett from Ireland will be teaching both groups. Karlyn Holman has also graciously offered to stay on after her own workshop for a few days to help out. So, they will be getting two wonderful spectacular teachers in my absence. They promise to send us photos and keep us informed so that we can all join them and keep up on what they’re doing! I want to be there, don’t you?!
Which brings me to another subject. If all goes as planned, I will be finished with treatments around the first of July. I think we should have a huge celebration of some kind, don’t you? These days, when I’m lying on the couch, my mind is wandering – thinking of what might be fitting for such a milestone. Hmmm…
Thanks so much for all of your emails and well wishes for me! I read every one of them. And thanks so much for reading.
If you like the blog, please pass it on to friends so that I can grow it.
Share via Email
Share on Facebook
Like Me on Facebook
Kathie xo
You are such a big winner in everything, Kathie!!! I know you’ll be back enjoying your group trips soon…..but in the meantime I know everyone going will keep you entertained and laughing with their emails of antics and art creations!
Keep up your recovery and Thank You for sharing with us.
God Blesses you everyday of your recovery journey.
I look forward to your Tuesday Tips. So sorry you are missing your trip and think the July celebration is quite the goal! I love your attitude! I believe a high school classmate of Ralph, Johnnie and myself, will be enjoying the trip (Karen Hebert).
Ralph sends his regard and we both look forward to hearing great news of your recovery.
Enjoyed Jennifer’s lesson & Coco’s story. Yes, we will all celebrate when those treatments are over! In the meantime, keep the faith & stay strong. You will get through this & there will be many, many celebrations to come. Xo
Thanks, again, Kathie for going over and above … always thinking of the rest of us. I know the workshops will be great, but there will be a spark missing … you!
Keep on keeping on, and soon you’ll be back doing what you love, I just know it. Think of all the other people who have been on the same journey and now it’s a memory … ! Still praying for you.
;0) Lynne
Prayers, blessings and love coming your way.
Norma Hinkle
So sorry that you can’t go, but God has more plans for you. Looking forward to July, Jeanne
Well this is a tough journey but in July you start the new normal. It won’t be exactly like your old life but I promise it will be exciting too.
Keep looking toward the light at the end of the tunnel Kathie! Before you know it you will look forward to new classes and trips! Thoughts and prayers are with you daily.
Looking forward to celebrating with you after your last treatment, Kathie!!! You are such a great role model for us all, staying positive and such a strong person in a little body! ( I’m 5′ 9″ and we always joke about the differences in our height). Loved your lesson, Jennifer!! What is better than collage?? Love my artist buddies!!! Big hug for you, Kathie!
Happy Tuesday Kathy,
Thanks for sharing your friend Jennifer with us! Love what she does! Celebration? I want you to know that the rest of your life will be a daily celebration. When your feet touch the ground every morning. The end of treatment will just let all the rules loose. I can not wait to see. You have always given your all to your talents God gave you, but watch out world. This little break is just giving you time to plan your next move! You are still in my daily prayers, do what they tell you to do, and the party is in site! Hang in, hugs, Barb
thank you so much for sharing your talent and those of your amazing friends. Great inspiration. Look forward to seeing you in July at Cherokee Trails.
July!!!!! YEAH and Independence Day. We could have a parade and fireworks for Kathie.
Hey Kathie, it has been a long time since I painted with you at Sara Carey’s but you have the most beautiful spirit I have ever had the pleasure of being around. I hope you are feeling fantastic again as soon as possible! I know all the joy and love you have shown to your students will come back to you a hundred fold. Thank you for being you. I wish you bountiful blessings.
I pray for you every day my Sweet Girl, and know you will come thru shinning! You are one of Gods special people, we are all cheering for you!
Enjoyed Coco’s story! And Jennifer’s art lesson! Thank you. I’m sorry you are missing your trip but obviously God wants you to rest. When all these treatments are over, we need to have a worldwide party going on at the same time! Looking forward to celebrating this, my friend! Lifting you up in prayer…
Keep hanging in there, dear Kathie!!! By the way, I love the movie ‘Buffalo Gals’!!! It has Melanie Griffith and Angelica Huston and others. Rent it for a nice pick me up and to see all those ‘strong women’– just like YOU!!! Hugs and prayers!!!
You are a trooper, even when you probably don’t feel up to it. Allow yourself those “human emotions”, but know that prayers are sent up each day from many friends and followers. THIS WILL PASS. Hugs to you.
Yes, Kathie, you need to do a celebration and we all need to be there to help you celebrate!
I send positive energy to you!
Hang in there, Kathie. Your amazing spirit is a great example to others.
love your post- Jennifer is the best and her home and studio would not be the same without Coco!! Love seeing. But if her process- soooo very talented!!
Thank you all soooooo much! Your comments and well wishes keep me going! YOU are an amazing group of peeps.
Yes, Kathie, a celebration is definitely in order! Though I don’t wish one day of our precious summer away, I can’t wait for that fantastic milestone. Thanks for sharing another of your great artist friends. I love her work and her fantastic ideas! Keep smiling, even when hurts. The end is in sight. xoxo
I think YOU deserve the celebration from all of us who love and follow you!!! What can we do to make your special occasion more special? I’m sure this group can come up with about a million ideas! Love you, Kathie. Hugs and good thoughts coming your way!
I enjoyed today’s blog Kathie. Yes…we will celebrate big in July when we get to see you here in the mountains. We will certainly miss you in Spain, but knowing you are focused on beating back the bad cells and getting stronger means everything. Love the Tuesday Tips and how brilliant of you to have guest artists sharing their talent and ideas. Gigantic hugs…Elaine
I’m sure your heart is aching being unable to make the trips this year. Not to fret, you are attending to more important tasks this year. Hmmm…celebration…
Wherever, whenever……let the party begin. I wanna be there. Let me know
We should all celebrate every day that you are 1 step closer to being well and back to being able to do the wonderful things that you do. We are all so very lucky to have you in our lives being the very radiant,personable person that you are. You are in our prayers daily and we can’t wait until you are through this glitch in your road of life. Prayers, hugs and many, many blessings to you and your family. Pat
I hope you have the best party. You’re going to have the largest group “in spirit”. It’ll will be great to see the pictures. Loved Coco. What a deer oh I mean buffalo.
Kathy, thinking and praying for your quick recovery. May God Bless you always, Pat Scribner.
Party in July, sounds awesome, count me in. Coco is so beautiful. Nice of Jennifer to share, I enjoyed it. ((( ))) xoxoxox
Thinking of you and sorry that your will have to miss your trip, but your health has to be the focus for you right now. July will soon be here and then we can all celebrate as you begin the new phase of your life. Love and hugs
Thank you Jennifer for sharing with us I enjoyed the lesson today and hope to try some . Kathie I know you were looking to go on the Spain trip, but you need to take care of Kathie first we all understand and will make other trips with you. I am looking forward to your trip here in Charleston SC in Oct. God is in control . All my love and prayers. Keep the FAITH.
Thank you for keeping us inspired. Prayers, love and hugs to you! 🙂
Just completed a weekend workshop with Kathy Miller Stone, water colorist, in Baton Rouge. We had 2 days of fun painting together. Of course, I was thinking of you and praying for complete healing soon. God bless you in the process and thanks for keeping the blog going. Love you!
This is interesting and really looks like fun to try. Thank you!
Hey Kathy, hope you are hanging in there this week. Will be keeping you in my prayers and hope to hear from you on your blog soon. Also hope you are able to enjoy this beautiful Spring weather. Just stepping outside is uplifting to the soul.
Kathy I was with you and Barbara under Karlyn in Italy; and I just got back from Spain, again with Karlyn. Your group will be in good hands. The trip was wonderful but I’m still recovering. You made a good decision to stay home.
love.andhugs to you.
judy