A Tiger's Intense Gaze

My latest piece. I feel quite accomplished with this one!

Medium: Scratchboard

Size: 8x10

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September 1st I'll be having a solo show at the West Caldwell Public Library! I had to book this show a year in advance so I'm very excited it is finally here. If you live in the Northern NJ area go take a look!

Press Release

Before I get to the main topic of this blog post below is the finished portrait of Spirit. Considering my novice skills when it comes to backgrounds I am happy with the end result. I went for a more out of focus effect that afterwards I realize was a really good choice. Adding too much more detail like leaves and trees would take away from the cat. A little touch of leaf detail pulled it together.
Medium: Pastel
Size: 8x10
CLICK TO VIEW FULL SIZE

In other news I will be having my second solo show! I scheduled almost a year ago to display my work at our local library...and now the time has come! I had to write a press release to send to the editor of our town newspaper. Writing about myself is always a challenge...here's my attempt at making myself look good ;)

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Jessica Kale is an emerging artist who has lived in West Caldwell for 10 years. She has an associate's degree in fine arts and is currently working towards her bachelor's in illustration at New Jersey City University. Jessica's passion for animals inspires all of her artwork. To create realistic and soul captivating animals Jessica specializes in a unique medium called scratchboard. A white clay tablet that is coated in black ink and etching tools that are used to create fur and eyes. Jessica recently won Honorable Mention in mixed media for her scratchboard work at the Twelfth Annual Gaelen juried art show. Her pastels have also gained attention by being accepted into the prestigious Pastel Society of America. Jessica creates artwork through the essence of animals and is honored to be showing at the West Caldwell library.  

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Now if I could just get those motivation juices flowing and create at least 1 more new piece to hang before Sept. 1st!

A Quarter Project

In honor of the Feline Conservation Federations recent convention I donated a pet portrait. The winner contacted me and I have started an 8x10 pastel of a beautiful Geoffroy's Cat named Spirit. Considering the whole body needs to be included in the portrait I have to work pretty small. Thank goodness for pastel pencils! To do a fun comparison here is the finished head next to a real quarter to show the size.

The head took me two and a half hours. I'm starting to wonder if mini heads take longer then my large 11x14 heads. What I really need to do is put a stop watch on while I'm working. Hopefully more to come tomorrow.

New Pieces

I'm proud to announce that I have conquered a challenge for myself. I am trying to go bigger because alot of art shows require larger work...haven't exactly figured out why but anyway...I decided to challenge myself by doing an 11x14 scratchboard. I'm very pleased with the results and it gives me confidence that I may be able to go even bigger one day!
CLICK TO VIEW FULL SIZE
Size: 11x14
Medium: Scratchboard
Amazing Reference: Matt (http://www.flickr.com/photos/furlined/)

I'll be making prints available to those that are interested. Contact me or check out my Artfire store within the next few days.

Updates

I've been a bad blogger...I haven't posted in awhile. So, here we go! I finished a pastel drawing of 3 fox kits. It took me a long time and not just because it was a 12x19''...I don't have as much expertise in backgrounds as I'd like [been practicing!]. The background for this painting took awhile to make it look believable. Especially the tree trunk. In the end I'm pleased with the results.
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Medium: soft pastels & pastel pencils
Size: 12x19

Next... finished a commission from a repeat customer. I love repeat customers because it means they really liked their pet portraits. Also, they get a good deal for being a repeat.

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Medium: Scratchboard and Ink wash

Size: 8x10

Our county has a magazine of all the happenings in my area. I sometimes read the magazine to see if there is anything I would go to. I happened to open up this months and I was so excited that I did!

CLICK TO VIEW AND READ

Well, that is all the news for the moment. Have a happy 4th of July! I promise to update the blog more!

I've been published!

The amazing Feline Conservation Federation put in an article about me and my artwork!
CLICK TO VIEW FULL SIZE TO READ!

Societies and Shows

I am beyond please to announce I was accepted into the Pastel Society of America as an Associate Member! Getting into this society is amazing to me because any art society [animal, watercolor, illustration,etc.] of america is the top society for an artist practicing in that medium to be accepted into. It feels so great and a reassuring that all of the practice I have done and how hard I work is paying off!

Another huge deal for my career as an artist; I was accepted into a prestigious NJ art show called the Twelfth Annual Gaelen Juried Art Show. A few months back I entered 2 scratchboards and a charcoal for first jury. My 2 scratchboards were accepted into the show! Which was a major accomplishment in itself. The show opening was May21. All the work was amazing. There were category awards [1st place and honorable mention] for each category [photo,pastel,sculpture,mixed media]. 


I won Honorable Mentioned in the mixed media category for "Morning Light"!

Last was an awesome week!