Sunday, February 13, 2011

A Day at JB Woods

JB Woods is a company that makes one of my favorite things in the world, unfinished wood painting surfaces. Oh, I could hear my heart thumping as I walked the isles of their warehouse and thought of all the hours I could spend in painting bliss if someone would just lock me up there with some paint (and jelly belly beans). Oh, the treasures in the making that they had on their shelves...
Ahhh, I was in heaven. And, I was in good company, as you can see.I spent the day painting with Cynthia Erekson and a group of ladies who shared my love for her work. We painted her Lazy Lamb Farm design on a Workbench Widget Box. My box is still a work in progress (just call me Chatty Brenda, OK?), but you can see how cool it's going to look in the pic above. Cynthia is holding her sample, the pic doesn't do it justice. It was amazing.
Here is what I have done so far:and here is a close up of my little guy fishing. The coolest thing about painting with Cynthia is that her designs are fast, fun and easy. All her patterns have a story and this one was that the little man was fixing the fence (see the toolbox and all the broken fence parts in the scene???) but he was taking a break and decided he was going to spend it fishing. I never think of a painting as being a story but when I paint with her she always has one and I think that's part of what makes her work so wonderful. It's storytelling at its finest.
I'll post a pic of the box as soon as it's done. Hopefully later today.
Gotta finish it before it becomes an UFO or worse, I lose one of the parts... not that THAT's ever happened to me, LOL!
Hope your weekend is full of fun too.

14 comments:

Anna said...

I am quilt retreat and just shared the blog with my friend who is also a quilter/painter! love seeing your smiling face!

WoolenSails said...

You make me want to get back into painting again, what fun piece and love her story line. Now I know where you son got his wonderful smile;)

Debbie

trash said...

So when I come visit can we go play there?

Anonymous said...

What a beatiful piece. I am not familiar with this company and the work, but your post sure makes me want to learn more. I am not a painter but love the painted needlework pieces. Can't wait to see it finished. Thanks for sharing.

Irishgirlsews said...

Beautiful,you make me want to paint!
Wendy

carla said...

Hi!!!
It is looking good!!! I love that it has a story!!! Makes it more interesting!!! Just taking a little break fishing sounds like a story my boys would have told when they were younger!!!! Can't wait to see it completed!!!! HUGS

Mrs. Sew and Sew - Karen said...

Awesome I haven't painted in years. My saws are in the garage and dusty. I may have to dust them off and cut out something to paint. You are soooooo inspiring my friend!

Mrs. Sew and Sew - Karen said...

Ps. Forgot to say I love your painting. Good job!!! Very nice piece.

strawberrycream39 said...

Beautiful! Brenda you do such lovely work!

Jenny said...

Brenda! Love, love, love this! Is there anything you CAN'T do, girl?

dana said...

I didn't know you were a painter, too! What a great picture of you giggling with your teacher....and you're project looks wonderful!

YEARS ago, after I had taken my fill of ceramics classes, a fellow worker talked me into taking "folkart" classes. We did some oil paintings (using patterns), pen and ink and wood carving. I loved all of the projects....and so many of the little skills I learned in those classes I've been able to apply to other artsy/craftsy projects over the years.

I LOVED your smiling face in that picture.

Hope you've had a great Valentine's Day! dana

Deb said...

What a wonderful painting, love it! I'll have to go see if I can find Cynthia on the net, her design is adorable. Can't wait to see your finished project and so glad I just found your blog! Deb

sunnisandy said...

Beautiful, simply wonderful work!

Peggy Lee said...

wow what a great night to find blog friends who live in New Hampshire, I am new to your blog and wow how awesome.