JANNA VANDERVEEN

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When you speak, Wild things rise and shine, All a flutter, And my dreams flourish, Golden in light. ~ Janna Vanderveen

Golden light grows In this secret garden green, With verdant blossoming flowers Dripping lush nectar sweet. Tantalizing magic is its song. ~ Janna Vanderveen

When the rocks cry out And animals sing They boast of love And peaceful things. Each hallowed night With reverent tone They linger in the embrace Of their Holy Unknown. ~ Janna Vanderveen This 16″ x 20″ painting was completed using Golden acrylics, FW inks, a variety of ephemera, chalk pastels, Derwent Inktense pencils, Caran D’ache watercolor crayons, and Luminance Pencils.

As I was placing the final details on this painting, I had tears leaking down my cheeks. I’d been listening to a song on repeat for several hours and its words touched my heart, awakening a new vision of love in a powerful way. “No lie, no fear, no tragedy, could keep you from loving me. From the mountain, to the earth below, your mercy won’t let me go. How great, how… Read More

There are moments when I layer prose into my paintings. Amidst the layers of ephemera, inks, watercolors, and acrylics, I nestle words of encouragement, whispers of hope, and expressions of gratitude. I like the idea of hiding within each piece of art, a secret letter of love, that maybe some will see and others will feel. I scrawl my thoughts in French, since it’s considered the language of love and it’s appearance… Read More

I followed a YouTube tutorial by Lucy Brydon, a Gel Printing master, to create this abstract-type, midnight landscape. It consists of many different layers of transparent colors. I used golden open paints, a Gelli plate, brayer, and Posca pens.

Mixed Media Painting | Penelope Bloom’s Ballerina Bunny Penelope Bloom has been on my mind again, along with her beloved toy bunny, reminding me of the purity and innocence of childhood. For a brief moment, I saw a Penelope Bloom bunny come to life, dancing in the light of the moon, free of everything that would weigh her down as she moved without constraints. Perhaps someday we will do the same. I… Read More

I recently completed an Ivy Newport class on abstract painting, which I loved!!! There I learned a whole new way of expression through art. I am drawn to the mystery of it all, with its implied stories and unique interpretations. In this mixed media painting, I first used charcoal, inks, ephemera, Inktense pencils, acrylics, and then Procreate. #GirlatDusk #IvyNewport #AcrylicPainting #CreateWonder

My daughter and I tackled another mixed media painting together, after she asked me to paint her a second puppy portrait to place on her bedroom wall. She drew this image over top of a mixed media, ephemera-rich background. I used inks, Caran C’ache Neocolor 2 crayons, golden acrylic paints, Winsor Newton Oil Bars, oil pastels, Posca Pens, Gelatos, and a Stabillo pencil to complete this look.  We both like how she… Read More

My daughter and I collaborated on this painting. She drew the puppy which I then painted using inks, acrylics, gelatos, neocolor 2’s, oil pastels, and oil paints. Her excitement as she watched it come to life was contagious. We will have to do it again.

When starlight dances, It bequeaths pure light, Empowering fireflies, And princesses alike. It whispers of magic, It resonates might, It sings in the darkness, And transforms the night. ~ Janna Vanderveen

This painting captivates me. I find myself contemplating the untold story within its layers, only to grapple with the feelings it evokes, ones of sadness, intrigue, and wonder. The forest looms, yet is beautiful. The princess appears to be lost and alone, yet is accompanied by her faithful friend (the bunny). Her bunny seems trapped, unless it climbed onto the branch to nestle in the crook of the tree’s arms, to better… Read More

This is the first, in a series of three watercolor thank-you cards, featuring my whimsical princess with her bunny.  I love how it turned out. I used a combination of artist grade MaimeriBlu and professional grade Winsor Newton watercolor paints on this 5×7 cards.

Even when the sun wanes, You are not alone, For in darkness, My love shines brightest for you. ~ Janna Vanderveen

This morning I wish you freedom and life. May your day reveal the sweet surprise of unfettered kindness as you walk in love with all you meet.  

She wanders alone, Exploring a world not her own, Seeking someone to love, And a place to call home. ~ Janna Vanderveen

Would you awaken the moon For a glimpse of the queen? Would you open your eyes And risk being seen? For she laces the frost With her silver-hearted breath, Creating beauty in madness, She whispers life into death. ~ Janna Vanderveen

I completed this 12 1/2″ by 19 1/2″ painting of “A girl in moonlight” using watercolor paints for her face, a variety of inks and watercolor crayons for her hair, modeling paste over ephemera to create textured clothing, and oil crayons over a layered background to create a dreamy sky. I love how she turned out.

Moons Runes Muttering buffoons A sordid lot, my crew Torn sails Broken rails The thorn of my travails A beastly ship, this canoe Rotten health Dwindling wealth No pride or stealth Given in search of you. ~ Janna Vanderveen Photo Credit: http://www.widewallpapers.us