I have submitted a proposal and painting to an Open Call for Artists by 3rd Ward, a gallery in Brooklyn. The Judges will choose one winner from all submitted portfolios that will win a large cash grant, 3-months of studio working space and a solo exhibition held at 3rd Ward.

*crosses fingers*

The other cash prize goes to the highest rated painting online by the public.
So… it would be amazing if you could go to this link and click Rate This Artist, at the top of the webpage.
The gallery allows you to rate once each day until July 31st.
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http://jessicasiemens.3rdward.com/?preview=true
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Thanks,
Jess

Project Proposal:
The photo submitted is a work in progress. If I am selected as the winner of the three month residency at 3rd Ward, I will complete this painting and paint three more giant landscapes, one each month. The landscapes will balance between abstract brushstrokes and highly rendered objects on a grand atmospheric scale. They will be colorful expressions inspired by the immense, vibrant and recycling nature of existence.

I have turned the painting upside down and I like it!
It will be a dual directional painting

My latest commission… Giant Landscape!

Yesterday I spent all day building the canvas.
I cut the wood bars, screwed in the hardware and stapled on the canvas.

Today I started painting with some house paint Jose had laying around.
Here is the color by color progression…

I have just completed a commission,  a rendering of Toulouse Lautrec’s painting “Femme Se Coiffant”.

Rainbow Reflections oil on canvas 48×60inches
By Jessica Siemens

Rainbow Reflections oil on canvas 48x60'' Jessica Siemens 2010

After taking a photo at Torrey Pines Beach, I was inspired to paint this beautiful scene from nature. The variety of color in the stones, seaweed and the small rainbow reflections in each bubble of sea foam screamed “PAINT ME!” that is.. if colors could talk. I used a variety of painting techniques to recreate the textures I saw on shore on my canvas. Thick globs of white oil paint scraped on with a palette knife resemble foam, the smooth brush across the weathered stones and the small black splattered specks to recreate sand.

This painting has touched my soul and is the first of many like it to come. To paint the beauty I see is my calling.

During the San Diego State University Student Award Exhibition I was presented with the Aztec Shops Purchase Award for my painting Blue Leaves.

It was extremely exciting and I am so thankful that I have sold another painting to the University. The Aztec Shops have installed my painting in their conference room. I think it looks wonderful in its new home.

Blue Leaves by Jessica Siemens in San Diego State University Aztec Conference Room

Jessica Siemens Blue Leaves Aztec Shops Purchace Award 2010

Blue Leaves Aztec Shops Purchace Award 2010

This year the Advanced Painting Exhibition was amazing! There was a huge turn out during our opening reception. People filled the galleries while eating delicious food, talking about our paintings and listening to Sullied Accolades preform live.

This was a wonderful final show for our class at SDSU. Many of the advanced painting students, along with myself, will be graduating this Saturday May 22.

Advanced Painting Exhibition 2010 San Diego State University

Advanced Painting Exhibition 2010 Jessica Siemens

Advanced Painting Exhibition 2010

Dyptic By Jason Gibb

Oil on Canvas by Jordan Cantwell

Mixed Media on Canvas by Rebecca Shockley

Rainbow Reflections by Jessica Siemens oil on canvas

Earlier this week I entered  ”Which Pair?” into the Southern California Regional Juried Award Exhibition by The San Diego Art Institute, Museum of the Living Artist in Balboa Park. My piece was accepted! And will be displayed in the Museum of the Living Artist April 10 – May 23, 2010. My good friends from the SDSU Art Department Sheena Rae Dowling and Stephanie Mead also had their paintings accepted by the Juror.

The Awards Presentation and Grand Opening Reception is this Saturday, April 10 from 6 to 8pm.

Please feel free to drop by if you are near Balboa Park or if you just want to check out some art.

This is the San Diego Art Institute (SDAI) website: http://www.sandiego-art.org/

I have just finished my latest commission! I was asked to do a reproduction of Gustave Caillebotte’s “Floor Scrapers”. Reproducing another artists masterpiece  is a challenge. This painting in particular took lots of time due to its realistic nature and its vibrant color contrasts. This is my second reproduction, my first was of Picasso’s “Guernica”. I am pleased with how it turned out and I will be giving it to my patron this weekend .

Gustave Caillebotte's Floor Scrapers by Jessica Siemens 2010 oil on canvas