Sun paintings by guest: Jeanie Nelson




I have these images of suns that always come back to me. I won't deny the Alexander Girard influence here, but it's a modern folkart style, and no one artist has a creative patent on. In general, I just LOVE mid-century modern. And everyone--from a Paul Klee painting to wrapping paper designed by an unknown artist--there are these beautiful, serene faces. As a kid I was fascinated by the way one continuous line curved to create the eyebrows and nose. I still hunt diligently through old illustrations and patterns, waiting for one of these faces to pop out at me, and show me yet another variation on such a simple concept.



A while back I bought a bunch of canvases, but couldn't bring myself to actually paint anything on them. I kept doodling these suns and starburst forms in my sketchbook, and finally I just decided to blow them up and paint them. They are gracing the walls of our humble and poorly-lit apartment, and have brightened up the mood tenfold. Painting them turned out to be rather painstaking for someone with my patience level, so I plan to silkscreen the designs and sell them as limited addition prints. But for now, there's always my little letterpressed "Suns" notecard.

11 comments:

chateaudelu said...

I am passing a torch, thanks for all the great posts, you deserve a Chic and Unique award!

http://chateaudelu.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-first-award.html

denene @ style and inspiration said...

These are so much fun!

porter hovey said...

Sooo great!! Love it!

Lisanne said...

Yeah! Can't wait for the silkscreens!

Anonymous said...

This is so unique it almost looks like wallpaper.

http://meetmeatpershingsquare.blogspot.com/2009/03/wall-nut.html

kristina said...

these are sooo beautiful!!!! your working is really amazing. i'm going to stalk your etsy shop for silk screens. :)

{dreamscapes} said...

These are just what I need on this rainy, dreary day!

Katie Ricky said...

I love these. They seem like a cooler version of what you see at small world at Disneyland (not that I don't love small world)

Anonymous said...

Wow! Love 'em! Really fun and happy!

Anonymous said...

Sun with faces have always attracted me. i have painted them on T-Shirts, on paper, over cards and on cushion covers.

Each time you paint them they seem to smile back at you. Your inspiration is kool.

Love them all!

little t jane said...

oh my goodness...i love these suns! so cute! thank you so much for introducing me to these...i absolutely love the happy, cheery faces!!! please may i have them all?!!! ;D

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