Something New? A year in paint, 2021

As an artist, I thrive on newness.  The sort of newness you’d discover wandering around a new city, or browsing a flea market.  For me, a new story is a precious gem.  And even better is the mystery of what I might create with that inspiration.  It’s quite common to look around at my piles of artwork and think “yeah, this is okay, but what NEXT?”

Lately I’ve been blessed with quite a lot of newness, in the form of friendships with other artists here at Art150 (new spot for my studio), beautiful books I’ve sourced from places near and far, & a whole new situation that’s arisen from this Pandemic… plus a bit of extra time to settle in and play with paint. 

Grateful for it.

When I feel most free is when I can create.  Not every work has arisen from a state of bliss, but sometimes a little bit of turmoil is just enough to churn out something worthwhile..

Here are some of the pieces that I’ve painted and am most proud of, from 2021

  1. Parrots — now available as a greeting card.

  2. The Earth Cannot Wait. (original has been sold). This piece was first painted on a white background, then digitally altered to its current state - color on black. Its message is self-explanatory but powerful — “the earth cannot wait” — a call to action. You’ll find many animals tucked away, each trying to hold onto its means of survival in a cataclysmic moment of climate change.

  3. Birth of the soul

  4. Tiger, Pegasus Divine

  5. Ice Cream

  6. Actually from June of 2020, I’ve snuck in this painting because it seems so relevant - “Say we’re equal.”… a statement about rights, equality, & injustice.

Hoping we’re all headed for a 2022 that brings the kind of “newness” worth welcoming :)

“Parrots” by J.Heloise, 2021

“The Earth Cannot Wait” by J.Heloise 2021

“Birth of the Soul” by J.Heloise 2021

“Tiger, Pegasus Divine” by J.Heloise 2021

“Ice Cream” by J.Heloise, 2/2021

“Say We’re Equal” by J.Heloise, 6/2020