JANNA VANDERVEEN

Archives

No matter how deep you fall, or to what depths you dive, I am there. I descended to the depths to be with you, but I didn’t stay there. On the third day, I rose and took you with me.

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.

I completed a second painting for a friend, in my series, “Be Thou My Vision.” I envisioned a girl holding a lantern, which cast light to dispel the shadows. Be thou my vision, Thy presence my light. Guide me through sunshine, And the darkest of night. ~ Janna Vanderveen

Like the tulip which lifts its head in silence, Revealing blossoms the color of crimson, Your beauty also shines forth, Revealing your value and worth. ~ Janna Vanderveen

I took some time to paint this weekend, amidst the stress that broken bones and too much time spent in an emergency room creates.  After things settled, I contemplated the beauty of the setting sun, the majesty of towering mountains, and my thankfulness for the life we have. This painting is a reflection of that moment.

My son Gabriel came home from middle school last week with an art assignment; to paint a Loretta Grayson style color theory tree. The project seemed a little daunting, so I offered to do one alongside him. Together we looked up Loretta Grayson’s web page and discovered that she had an on-line tutorial explaining how to complete this project. We’d been told to use water medium paints for our own project, versus the Caran D’ache oil pastels used… Read More

“She holds galaxies in her gaze and dreams life into existence.” ~ Janna Vanderveen My muse…Qinni. If you click on the word Qinni and follow the link, you will be taken to the artist’s YouTube page where you can watch a speed drawing of how the original artist drew this painting. This painting on my page, is my study of her painting, based on her speed drawing as a tutorial.

With the final edits of “The Shrouded Planet” finally around the bend, I’ve begun to dream of nebulas and the worlds of wonder that they contain. Lumen is calling, and the story of Daeryn burns through my veins. I’ve never been more excited to start writing a second book. Here’s to hoping that the last six chapters of my first novel fly by with ease. My muse…Tillith. This painting is a study of… Read More

Welcome to my wonderland, where even the barns whisper of stories untold. This painting is a study of Peter Woolley’s art.

Rainbows and pearls  Adorn fairies and sprites Who dust imaginations With magic and light. ~ Janna Vanderveen

Glazing washes of watercolor (the art of grisaille) involves layering translucent colors to create a range of values that glow. If that sounds easy, guess again.  There are days that I feel blind, like a child trying to make sense of letters on a page while learning to read. In truth, I am training my brain to see beyond the obvious, in hopes of interpreting the shadows and tones to enhance the light. Oh to attend a watercolor class by… Read More