Happy Holidays 2018! Where is my new work, you ask? In my head. With babysitting local children and working a new VA (virtual assistant) position along with traveling around the country and moving from a 2-bedroom to a 1-bedroom, my year has disappeared. No complaints! The new year is upon us and I look forward to creating cool and comfortable pieces.  Wishing you healthy and happy holidays and new year!

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY!

Thank you for checking out the blog. Scroll down below to see the first top 20 paintings that are marked down 75%.  Please contact me at jblikesmusic@gmail.com if you are interested!

 THANKS AGAIN AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Christmas Sale and Social Media Overload, Oh MY

Call me a slacker.  I can't believe that I haven't posted in a year! Paintings. Paintings. Chapters. Chapters. Babies. Toddlers. Five-year-olds. Facebook. Instagram. Cuba. Colorado. LA.   Life has been good and busy from my new "random nanny" job where I babysit various, sweet, adorable children in my neighborhood on an as needed basis to painting commissioned paintings and trying to build a series or two. (The good news is I tend to sell a few of the series then I am back to square one!)

I continue to experiment as you can see by scrolling the paintings below. My latest art adventure was shared with dear friend, Emily B. We attended Mark Nelson's "Image to Abstract" workshop at the North Shore Art League in Winnetka, Illinois. With his winning personality, slide show and demonstrations, I walked away after three days enlightened and ready to tackle more canvases.

Now for my sales pitch...it is the end of the year and I need to clean out the apartment! If you are searching for that special gift for a grad student or friends who still has college posters on their walls, support an artist! Whether it's me or another artist, the gift will last a lifetime!

As always, I am thankful for your interest and support. Happy Thanksgiving!

ps  You can also follow me:

 https://www.facebook.com/artworkbyjanibodell/
janibodell.artspan.com
artworkbyjani on Instagram

THANK YOU New Eastside News

BIG SHOUT OUT to Dan Patton for the article he wrote on me for the New Eastside News. I haven't read it yet due to being abroad! Thank you to those friends who have sent me well wishes! I am truly grateful.  So if you are checking out my blog because of the article, thank you!  Beside pet portraits, I paint a wide range of paintings...scroll down below....

Jim's Sunrise

Who is Jim? Jim is a new dog park friend. I ran into Jim, his wife, Jo Anne and their sweet dog, Spencer several times in the Park at Lakeshore East. One morning with his camera around his neck, and looking for his next shot, Jim stopped and shared some of his photos with me. He had just started a photography class. That afternoon, Jim and I became Facebook friends, and within days, I was in awe of his keen eye and his photographs. I was inspired. Then, I painted "Jim's Sunrise."  Thank you, Jim for your artistic perspective.

Dog Park = Dog Portraits

Connections. I love my recent connections--smart, kind, supportive and enthusiastic.

I am sending a big shout out to AJ, my Lakeshore East dog walker. If it wasn't for him, sitting on my apartment floor, petting Ellie (surrounded by canvases and painting supplies), I wouldn't have branched off to a new direction of painting dog portraits.

The conversation went something like this...
"Jani, do you paint dog portraits?"
 No, AJ, I don't, but I know someone who does. Do you want his name?
"No, YOU should paint dog portraits. People love their dogs. Just think of the business. I can pass your cards around."
Hmm...let me see what I can do. 

 And because of that conversation  I started painting dog portraits last month. So far. So good.
I have painted Ellie, Enzo, Snickers, Polar and Munchy. I love watching them come to life.  I am currently working on a bull dog. He will be in a contemporary style versus realistic or animated.

It took a stunning day in the park when I met my new friend and client.  I met Margaret when we were both taking in the beauty.  Margaret had just moved to the area and was in need of decorating her new apartment. That's where a painting came into play.

Thank you new connections--new friends.

Wishing you a sweet 16--a 2016 that is

In a couple hours it will be a fresh, new year! Wishing my friends, family and clients a healthy and happy new year. Thank you for your love and support. I would not be painting and writing if it wasn't for your encouragement and interest. Peace.

Inspiration surrounds me. Chicago oozes subtle and quirky beauty from hydrangea gardens in the park at Lakeshore East to the Michigan Avenue bridge.  We have Grant and Millennium Parks, gardens, harbors, museums,  the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. And, the music doesn't stop whether it's a local lunch joint  or the House of Blues, Thalia Hall, City Winery, The Hideout...just to name a few.  Inspirational sounds support my vision.  My canvases are endless at this point. Below are my ten recent acrylic and oil paintings, followed my older pieces. Thank you for your interest and support.

Summer in the City Inspiration

I moved to the city of Chicago in the late spring, and I have been painting and creating nonstop ever since.  With my easel set up over looking the lake and music rumbling from Grant Park,  I can't help, but be inspired.  Feeling thankful.

ALMOST Spring 2015

Happy Spring. Seriously, happy sunshine, happy warm weather, happy no snow (unless I have a pair of skis on my feet), Happy St. Patrick's Day. I am wearing an olive green sweater and eating green mint M&Ms btw.

I am currently painting gifts, working on a collage, getting my blog back in order and writing chapters for the book that will be published 30 years from now when I am dead. I never was one to be the center of attention anyways--too stressful. But then again, I haven't been offered a million dollars to talk at a PTA meeting, so maybe there could be some financial incentive to being the center of attention in certain situations. I'll let you know if things change!

On the family front,  my mother in law, Diane Carlson passed away in January. She was one amazing mother, grandmother and mother-in-law, and she truly was a wonderful role model for me.  She will be sadly missed. Her favorite saying when situations were just okay, i.e. like finding a quarter... "well, it's better than a sharp stick in the eye."

 I am so proud of my kids...Madeline is at U of Denver studying psych/premed and enjoying Colorado. David is living and working in NYC and loving it. We have a new member of the family, Ellie,  Little Mischievous Cockapoo. She keeps me on my toes. And, I sold the house in La Grange by word of mouth. WOOT Woo. I am currently living in "Historical" Riverside. (that is what every sign around the area announces. It's a nice town, not sure if there needs to be a historical hype. Olmsted designed the area, which by the way is really screwy--everyone gets lost.)

So, sing the song "Happy" or "Let the Sunshine" because winter is almost over!

Spring 2015

Sending a big shout out to Mark L.  Thank you for your recent decoupage commission!  It truly was a blast creating artwork out of documents!  I am pretty sure this is the beginning of another avenue for me!  And, in the works is a commissioned painting of the McDermott boys on a pier in Michigan.  Perfect timing since summer is in the wings. And Kelly P., #1 beach scene client, Thanks AGAIN! 

Life is good.

Art, Art and more Art

After six years, my job-sharing partner and I quit our administrative job at SPM.  I am painting again. And, I mean really painting. I am scheduling my days and making it my focus versus randomly spitting out artwork to please my need for creativity and commissioned pieces.  Currently I am painting small pieces due to the fact that I have a puppy in my life, Ellie.  It's like having a new born child. My life revolves around naps!  I am using acrylics, but I really need to get back to oils for some of my serious/detailed ideas. Please see my recent paintings below...

It has been a crazy year.  I had to put Lucy down in August due to cancer, thus the reason for a somewhat spontaneous purchase of Ellie in Denver (while I was visiting Madeline for Parent's Weekend! "Oh Mom, let's go to a pet store and see what breed you like." Next thing you know it, I am calling Southwest Airlines, "Hi, yeah, I am standing in a pet store about to buy a puppy..." I was planning to get a dog, just not in Denver!  Ellie is unconditional love. My friend, Mark died. Another crushing blow to only realize that our lives are a gift. He was a gift to so many people. So much of my artwork was inspired by him.  I will always be thankful for his friendship.

Madeline transferred from Boston University to the University of Denver. She absolutely loves it.  She is a Delta Gamma and volunteers at a school for the blind. She is focusing on pre-med/psychology. And yes, I am very, very proud.

David graduated after three years this May and decided that he always wanted to live in Savannah, Georgia. SO, my response was...go ahead, you are 22, life is short--just make sure you are employed!  So he is living there and is employed at the Mansion! I am thrilled for him and very proud.

I am hoping to sell the house soon, though I have been dragging my feet to put a sign in the yard. I have had a few interested couples through word of mouth. I can't decide when to bite the bullet. It all depends on where I live--Chicago or Boulder. Yeah, quite a stretch, I might just rent for 6 months in Boulder to see if I like it. I did apply for a job there. We'll see! All I know is that I will keep on painting no matter where I live!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Well, we all have our "gifts" and keeping up on my blog, isn't one of mine.  I am a slacker! However, this week I was inspired by a new friend who is updating his website along with another artist friend who is quite a good blogger. It's hard to keep up with the Jones.

So on the family front, David graduated after three years from New York Unversity in May, majoring in drama. I am so, so proud.  He plans to live in Chicago this summer and will find a job and head back to NYC in the fall. Madeline had an outstanding academic year at Boston University.  She has decided to transfer to the Unversity of Denver in the fall--she loves Denver and the campus and the sunshine. Selfishly, this mama is thrilled. I can't get enough of Colorado.  One word that comes to mind is groovy. I have rented a cottage in Chautauqua in September. I hope to write and paint and paint and write topped off with a little bit o' soul searchin'.

I've been working.  I have been at SPM Marketing & Communications for almost 6 years. The biz is constantly growing and always crazy.  I love the people. It's a big family.  I am also assisting art instructors at Bottle & Bottega in La Grange.  This assisting will eventually lead to instructing, which freaks me out.

And finally, here's what's happening in my art world...last weekend, Emily (my SPM job-sharing partner) and I attended Patti Mollica's "Fast, Loose & Bold Painting Workshop" in Rising Sun, Indiana.  The whole weekend was terrific-- lots of laughs on the 5 hr. car ride (I think I need to pay Emily for at least 3 hrs of a therapy session--she gives good advice!).  I loved drinking wine and listening to music at the outdoor cafe of our sweet hotel with our fellow artists. And I can't say enough good things about the workshop.  Patti was a delight and a super instructor. And after allllll that, the bug came back and I painted this weekend. It's good to be back in the swing since I haven't been swinging that golf club as much this summer.  

Last month I wrote two chapters for my "book." It's a book of essays. It's funny. Well, I think it's funny.  Would I like it published? Of course, it's a goal.  If anything, it's a good release when something wacky happens in my life, and lately there is a lot 'o wackiness! And as a friend said to me when I shared some info, "You can't make this stuff up."

Enjoy the summer!

First day back at work after a terrific week in Palm Desert with mi madre. Hope to hear from the folks I met from Iowa who did the ASL walk! Hope you like the blog!

2013!

Happy New Year! Time is flying by AGAIN!!!!

...in a Bodell nutshell...David is graduating from NYU in May (a year early due to two full loads of summer school).  Madeline is a freshman at Boston University and doing quite well.  I am VERY proud of my kids and their focus. It was great to have them home for the holidays.

Speaking of focus...I have lots to focus on. I'm still working at the ad agency every other week.  My artwork continues to be on consignment at Twiggs in Naperville and Hammer Boutique in La Grange. Valentine's Day is coming so I need to crank out some more pieces!

And finally, sending prayers for peace and thoughts of smiles to all my friends who have lost loved ones in the past year. Take care, everyone.

January 2012--It's been awhile

Sorry friends, it's been awhile since I've posted. Life and work have been great, yet crazy busy, so busy, I can't believe it's 2012.

In my art world, I FINALLY finished painting the commissioned piece of The Howe Girls. Thank you, Will! Currently, I am working on another commissioned piece for Dixon Law Offices, Buffalos and a Barn which is very exciting yet challenging. I'm painting a couple small ones for another client, and hopefully will have two more commissions this spring. I just dropped of 18 paintings to a new store which is opening in February in Naperville. And, to kick in one of my New Year's resolutions, I am looking for more options to get my artwork out there since I will have TWO going to college next year! Gulp. Keep your fingers crossed!

My part time job at SPM Marketing & Communications is just fine. We acquired 6 new clients which makes for a wild and busy advertising agency. We received Ipads for Christmas! All is good. My job-sharing partner, Emily is terrific. We are going on our 5th year as a team!

On the family side...Thanksgiving was spent with Madeline visiting David at NYU. Scratched the Macy's Day Parade off my bucket list! The weather was 50-60 degrees and sunny the whole weekend. We had turkey dinner with some of David's friends who didn't go home for break. We walked for hours. We saw "Sleep No More" which was the coolest play I've ever experienced. It was a wonderful weekend.

David came home for 20 days for winter break. It was great to have him and his friends around the house again. His departure is always bittersweet--his vampire hours are tough to get use to when it is usually so quiet. It's like having a newborn again! He's a sophomore now in the New Studio dept. for musical theatre. He has a supporting lead role for a musical in March. I'm soooo proud and happy for him. He's pretty excited since freshman year students weren't allowed to be in shows so they can "focus" on classes. I'm not sure if he'll be home this summer. He might study abroad or work/take summer school in NYC.

Currently Madeline is working at Hammer Boutique and occasionally babysitting. She applied to nine schools in Chicago, Philly, Boston, Cambridge, DC and NYC. She will find out in March if she is accepted to any of them. She's had three interviews w/ alumns which is good. This waiting game will add a few more grey hairs to my head. She's interested in psychology tied into sociology and anthropology. I can't tell you how proud I am of her termination and dedication. She will be great at whatever she does. She'll probably change the world!

As for me, I am happy and healthy. Life is good because I have some really wonderful friends surrounding me with love and laughter. Happy New Year!

Lovin' Summer

Finally we have a summer...blue skies, fluffy white clouds, sun, heat AND music. Music in the burbs, music in the city, music in the parks, music in the car! I can't get enough. I don't know about you, but music just soothes my soul.

Looking forward to visits from friends, visiting friends, festivals and more summer!

It's June 1st!!

The grass can't get any greener and the weeds can't get any bigger! Do you know that there are some very pretty weeds! Should we break out in harmony and sing a John Denver song, "Sunshine on my shoulders, makes me happy"to keep that sunshine in our Chicago sky??? I've been singing "Rain Rain Go Away..." Someone's not listening!

So David came and left--two weeks in town--now he's back in NYC, working and going taking a full load of summer school. Yes, I said, working. There is a God. Madeline has finals this week, so far so good. Her summer involves babysitting, volunteering at the food pantry, Service trip to Hawaii (yeah, let's figure out who's the smart one here! I had to sign Habitat for Humanity forms, followed by a Jet Ski form, following by surf boarding lesson form! Hmmm.), and traveling with moi to look at colleges in Durham and D.C. then heading straight to NY to visit her brother. Jani and Lucy are throwing a party! I will be w/o kids for three weeks, obviously giving me a taste of what it will be like in a year. As far as my summer, I won't be doing anything because my kids have spent all the money!

On the artist front, I am psyching up to paint a commissioned piece of two adorable girls on a beach. I'm finishing up a 24 x 36" Oil for Madeline. It's nice that my daughter requests paintings! And, Gallery's Choice in Downer's Grove and I are trying to come up with some dates for an Artist's Showcase featuring four of their artists (me included). In the meantime I'm slapping painting on canvases, hoping to get some ideas flowing.

Enjoy the summer! I will. Hope to hear from some of you soon!

I've updated...more paintings

It was sweetly pointed out to me yesterday, that I hadn't updated my photos! So here are the latest. Thanks PB for the suggestion and ego boost!

Art & Vision - April 29th from 5-8pm

SPEX Eyewear asked me to come back for another exhibition! Open House - Friday, April 29th from 5-8pm (it never ends at 8:00!!) 104 S. Washington Street, Hinsdale Beverages and appetizers will be served (I need to entice you some how!)