Latest Commissioned Portrait

Private Commission, acrylic on canvas, 24x30", contact artist for commission prices

I apologize for the absence of posts. I have been extremely occupied with various commission related projects. My latest commissioned portrait is posted above. This job opportunity came through my father. A co-worker of his mentioned the idea of commissioning a portrait of her boyfriend's mother. My father was eager to give her my contact info and here's what transpired. This particular client wanted to give her boyfriend a birthday gift that would replace some of the grief that he has experienced due to his mother's passing 3 years ago on his birthday. I commended her for her thoughtful and compassionate intentions and promised her a great portrait. I used what few images my client was able to acquire for me and added the pearls and matching earrings as a last touch. This piece is one of my favorites. - Jared

"Big Gulp" Credit Card Art

Big Gulp, acrylic on credit card, approx. 2.5x3.5", SOLD

This is the second piece in my experimental credit card venture. I thought that large soda was great for the subject matter since credit cards are used for everything including $2 fast food purchases. I think that I heard the average college grad has $7,000 in credit card debt. It makes me sick to think that our society could potentially fall to its knees if a major credit disaster happened. My sister took the photo that inspired me to paint this. (check it out here). I can't wait to goof off with more of these commodity themed paintings. Give it a shot yourself and send me a pic. You can use those phony AMEX cards that come in the mail. Chao! - Jared

Fishers' Wharf

Fishers' Wharf, acrylic on canvas, 12x16", SOLD

This is my newest painting. I loved the colors on these fishing vessels. The reds, blues and whites compliment the warm yellow oxide base coat. I especially liked the reflections in the water. I find that water is a great aid in adding interest to a landscape composition, allowing you to carry colors in virtually any direction in order to enhance the visual appeal of the painting as a whole. This was painted on a museum depth canvas which allowed me to continue the image around the sides. I love the "extra" little bit that the deep sides add to the piece.

On a side note, my last entry of the dog portrait was viewed by the pop artist, Nathan Janes. (You can read his comment on the post below) I visited his website and was captivated while laughing the whole time. I would suggest that everyone visit his page. He really brings out the emotions of our four-legged friends! - Jared

New Dog Commission

Untitled, Acrylic on canvas, 16x20", commissioned - contact artist for price

Here's my second doggie portrait ever! I usually get photographs from patrons of either their relatives or pets for portrait commissions. This is because I don't have any of the expensive lights, cameras and PC programs to take professionally ranked images myself. So, I tend to get mediocre photos from dated family albums that make it difficult to capture a truly inspirational painting. This little pup was captured in a photo but the photo itself was not very inspiring. I added many colors to this piece to give it more life (because we all know this little devil has plenty of spark) and I additionally zoomed in close on his head. I think that it came out very well. I hope to do more of these in the future! If you want to see some really great pet portraits check out the works of Ron Burns. Have fun - Jared

Cedar Pocket

Cedar Pocket, acrylic on panel, approx. 22x18", $300

(scroll down to purchase)

Here is a larger landscape taken from a cross-country trip I had with a friend of mine years ago. I was fascinated with the mountainous terrain and I have always been intrigued by highways and roads. This piece follows two others of the same vein, just smaller. (Virgin River Canyon, and Canyon Highway.) I thought this turned out alright - I would have liked the clouds to have been a bit more flawless in their rendering as well as the mountain. At one point I felt that the span of concrete on the bottom left was too empty, so I added some graffiti on the wall. Then I felt that the graffiti became the focal point - the first thing that got attention. So I subsequently painted it out. I think the more tame, final version (without the graffiti) is more marketable and appealing. Let me know what you all think: graffiti or no graffiti? - Jared

Aegean Cathedrals - SOLD

Aegean Cathedrals I, Acrylic on canvas, 11x14", SOLD

Well, I have been posting very seldom as of late. There's no good excuse - just that I can't seem to multitask well; that's great if your a bomb technician, but not so good if your an average Joe. I have recently found a gallery here in Montgomery that I am pleased with and by which I am now being represented. The gallery is Charleston House and the co-owner, David Owen, is an accomplished artist. I have been working hard to paint the subjects that I enjoy, like this travel piece of the Greek Coast, with the hope of building up a descent portfolio and eradicating that tell tale collegiate portfolio filled with unrelated assignment pieces. I will be producing several landscapes in the near future, and have already, so tell me what you think about the new direction and forgive me my long siesta. - Jared

Anniversary Portrait on Cardboard

Monica's Parents, acrylic on cardboard, approx. 9x12"

A few days ago my wife and I shared our 2nd anniversary. So with the summer being a major anniversary season I thought I'd post an image of a anniversary painting that I did for a friend of mine. Obviously the hairstyles and clothing are a bit dated but I thought this was a great idea for an anniversary gift especially for one's parents. It was well received and I had fun painting it. I used cardboard but I think that you'd have to be told in order to know. So congratulations to all who may be sharing anniversaries this summer season and also to all those who are getting married. May you have many more anniversaries together....so that you can contact me in the future for an anniversary painting like this one! Chao - Jared

Photos From the Senior Exhibit

Here are a few photos of my senior exhibition at AUM thanks to my father-in-law, Bill. I am very happy that it is all over. It took a lot of time and effort but of course that was why it felt like a success. There were more than 30 pieces in the show with the majority being figurative works. The only complaint I have it that the gallery space at AUM is equivalent to a large janitorial closet. But there was a good turnout throughout the week and for that I am very appreciative.

Now that I am done with AUM I would like to say that if you are a dedicated artist or desire to be one then AUM isn't the school for you. I went out of convenience and I partially regret that decision. Look for a school that has a dedication to the arts, unlike AUM which is primarily focused on business. Also, I wish that I had been coached on what the real world is like once out of college. What's the best way to promote your art? to sell it? to get commissions? to compete well? Sure it's great to joke about being starving but once you're there I speculate that you're not joking about much - you're cursing it. I now look forward to daily painting and working on building a hearty portfolio for gallery submissions. Stay tuned - Jared

Collie

Collie Dog, acrylic on canvas, 11x14", SOLD

Here's a fun commission piece I had not too long ago. I couldn't remember when the last time was that I had painted an animal when I was asked to paint this collie. I thought that I was in for it but it actually went much faster than I had anticipated. I began with a raw sienna base coat and then drew in the details with white conte chalk. I then painted the dark values, then the mid tones, and left the white highlights for last. I really enjoyed this commission and can't wait to paint another pet portrait. - Jared

Senior Exhibition Flyer

If you live near Montgomery, AL please come and see the show but for everyone else you can check back here and see postings of the exhibition after the show ends. Thanks - Jared