One-Of-A Kind Artwork That You Will Love!

Author: Jennifer Thompson Gunn; Published: May 20, 2010; Category: Art and Joy, Bronze Sculpture, Stories-in-Stone Jewelry, Works on Paper; Tags: Bronze Sculpture Dogs, Commissioning Art, Figurative Bronze Sculpture, Figurative Sculpture, Jewelry, Pet Portraits, Sculpey; One Comment

I enjoy working with clients to create one-of-a-kind artwork for gifts, for their home or business.

The sky and your imagination (and mine) are really the limit in creating that special piece.

Here are some examples of artwork that I have created on a commission basis.

Cali The Cat
A group of friends gave a “shower” for another of their friends who had acquired a new kitten after living alone for a long time without a furry companion. One of the shower presents was a gift certificate for me to do a portrait in pastel of the new cat. I spent a lot of time photographing the cat (named “Cali), learning about the unique behaviors that made the Cali special so I could settle on just the right pose. The portrait, which was created in pastel, was a big hit. It was so well received that Cali’s owner had a party to show it off.

Billie Holiday
A man was looking for the perfect gift for his wife for Christmas. She loved jazz and the blues. He happened to be visiting one of my studio mates at a time when I shared a studio. He saw me creating a blues singer out of Sculpey. Sculpey is a plastic-like clay that is shaped and then baked as the final step. It comes in a wide range of colors. On the spot, he commissioned me to create a small sculpture of Billie Holliday, about 4” tall that could be used a holiday ornament. This was a time-consuming process as I researched various historical photos of the late singer. Then, I created my “take” on her–complete with the flower in her hair. The client was most pleased with the result.

Ginger The Dog
A couple came to one of my art shows and saw one of my pastels of a dog that reminded them of their own dog. They asked me if I would do a portrait of their dog. Ginger. Ginger was a wonderful dog but very old and frail. My challenge was to create a painting of Ginger that was realistic yet showed her when she was a bit more spry than when I met her. It took me multiple attempts to create the composition that made sense to me. When it was done, I presented it to her owners and they were very excited. Ginger died two months after I completed her portrait. Her owners told me that it really helped in their grieving process to be able to look at Ginger’s portrait. Please see Ginger at top right of blog.

I look forward to hearing about your special projects whether they are in paint, pastel, bronze or another medium. I love challenges. However, if I do not believe that I can successfully create what you want, I will tell you up front. Please call me or email for more information.

Making Jewelry that Encourages Positivity & Purpose

Author: Jennifer Thompson Gunn; Published: May 20, 2010; Category: Art and Joy, Stories-in-Stone Jewelry; Tags: Jewelry; One Comment

I have always enjoyed making jewelry, whether the materials are precious stones, silver, hand-wrought materials or found objects.

Long ago, my grandfather taught me about the many secrets inside dirt-encrusted rocks that we found strewn around the family property in Tucson, Arizona. He would pick up a stone and say” This is Malachite.” Then, he would see another and say” This is Jasper.” I did not really understand until he showed me how to cut and polish stones in his workshop. The malachite became a gorgeous deep green and the jasper was transformed into shades of rose and terracotta.

From these early beginnings, I have collected stones wherever I have traveled. I continue to add to my collection, focusing on semi-precious stones and sterling silver beads and clasps. Most recently, I have started to sculpt in Precious Metal Clay. This clay allows me to use my sculpting skills to create one-of-a kind pendants and beads that when fired become a high-quality hardened silver.

Stones come from deep in the earth and have been here a lot longer than man. Thus, many people believe that certain stones have properties that they can use to help them focus on goals, maintain a positive attitude or heal themselves.

My goal is to create jewelry that has special meaning to the wearer. Wearing a necklace with stones that are each selected for a certain goal helps the wearer focus on that purpose. Each piece of jewelry is different. I use high-quality stones and silver to create life-long treasures. I do not skimp: I believe that the bright flash of just the right stone and bead; in concert with just the right clasp, makes the jewelry just that much more special to the wearer.

As an example, I created one necklace for a clinical hypnotherapist who works with people who have serious health issues. The necklace was combined with a series of stones that represented each of the chakras, sterling silver beads, and a snake as a pendant. The snake is a symbol of healing. (No mystery that the symbol for physicians for over a hundred years has been the caduceus which consists of a staff intertwined with a snake.) The hypnotherapist loves the necklace. She wears it regularly, particularly when she sees clients.

Another necklace that I created had Labradorite and Sunstone as the main components. Labradorite is a bit of a chameleon. It can flash purple, green, blue or look gray – depending on the stone and the light. It is a stone with magical protection. It works well with the orange-gold, saucer-shaped stone, Sunstone. Sunstone has a story that includes leadership, personal power, creativity and a heightened ability to positively address any self-doubt that you might have. It was given as a gift. I was told that as soon as the recipient put it on, he felt wonderful…and that, to me, is the ultimate compliment.

Another of my jewelry commissions was for a woman who was a university professor: After years of hard work, she received tenure at her university. Her family gave her the necklace as a gift. I created it based on what I knew of her personality, her preferences and achievements. It was created for “Continued Realization of Her Goals and Dreams”. One of her favorite colors is purple so I picked the purple stone, Sugilite, for the key stone. Sugilite is a gorgeous stone that conveys the properties of spirituality and enlightenment to help people achieve their dreams. Other stones that I included were Labradorite, mixed beryl (Amethyst, Aquamarine) and Sunstone. Amethyst increases Sugilite’s protective qualities and offers protection from negative influences and helps the wearer maintain balance and clarity. The cool blue Aquamarine has soothing and cooling properties. It is also a stone of good luck and clarity of communication. It is described by experts as the stone of “empowerment.” With this combination of stones and silver accents, it is a power-packed necklace. The professor loved the necklace and immediately wore it to her next presentation.

I give special thanks to The Book of Stones: Who They Are & What They Teach, by Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian. I use this comprehensive book as a reference guide for insight into the properties of the stones that I use for jewelry.

I look forward to making jewelry for you or for you to give as a gift.

Pastel Art: From Grief to Joy

Author: Jennifer Thompson Gunn; Published: May 18, 2010; Category: Art and Joy, Works on Paper; Tags: Art and Joy, Works on Paper; One Comment

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In 2001, my studio was a shared space on the third floor of what was an old Civil War hospital overlooking King St. in Old Town Alexandria. It had wonderfully high ceilings, lots of windows, and the original pine floor.

I was looking forward to holding my first, self-produced, art show at the studio in October. The invitations were carefully created with the image, Goodbye for the Summer shown at the top of this blog post. I had worked for over a year on this pastel which was close to life size.

The invitations landed in local invitees’ mailboxes on September 11.

This art show became one of the most memorable events during that difficult time because of the joy that it generated. To my surprise, many people came to my art show in October. The tragedy did not keep them away.

Serendipity was a part of the event as I had already designated the William Wendt Center for Loss and Healing in Washington DC as the recipient of a donation. The Center helps children who have lost a loved one. I always choose at least one charity to receive a donation from some of the proceeds of each of my shows: This charity was chosen long before 9/11.

Goodbye for the Summer was auctioned to the highest bidder at the show: All of the proceeds went to the William Wendt Center. The subject of the painting is Mrs. Mary Cleer McLaughlin, known far and wide in Old Town Alexandria for the joyful way that she conducted herself each day in her job. The scene shows her on the last day before summer vacation with two of my dogs. Mrs. McLaughlin was a crossing guard for decades in Old Town. Miss Mary, as she is known, has retired, but is still recognized by children, parents and her four-footed friends when she walks down the streets of Old Town Alexandria.

The event was a success for the Center, for me, and for everyone who attended. We all had fun, enjoying art and each other’s company.

Joy trumped grief!