Paper bags are fun to draw.

While teaching I sometimes draw too. So here is one of my drawings from the lessons. Paper bags are fun ...

Will add some in process as well so you can see the transition from start to finish.

Can do that with jewelry as well.

Okay so today is Sunday. Haven't done a blinking thing really. But here is another pic, just for fun. will take pics of some of my jewelry tomorrow.  It was pretty chilly and windy  today and yesterday. Wearing my hat and heavy sweater inside. Although it does not snow here, thought I'd post a snow pic from Missouri. It feels that cold to me. Brrrrr

I did this painting in Missouri. It was snowing out so I went out and took a pic. The pic was all grey even though it was color film, so I took a few liberties with it. (like I always do).

I love painting water and reflections. Of course it is even better to paint reflections on water. I have a teapot I love painting ( the movers lost the lid to it-crumble, crumble )  and I can see my reflection in it. When I paint the teapot, I'm always in the painting reflected on the teapot. Pretty slick. Haven't done the teapot in along time, hmmmm

Wow what a weirdo day. I teach on Wednesdays- two drawing classes, one watercolor, one oil. Two students never showed up and did not let me know. One get yanked by her mom because of bad grades. The oil class so far is a wish, many interested, none making the commitment. I keep hoping. I figure if I put it on the schedule it will eventually happen. Teaching art is sooo much fun,  I learn just as much as my students. I love it when others get as excited as I am about creating art.


 I started the above painting in Missouri and finished it in Florida. My friend and I were driving around in the sticks in MIssouri ( she lived in the sticks) when I told her to stop. Alongside the road were these massive leaves and waterlilies. The leaves were about 2 feet long, the flowers were bigger than softballs.   Huge. You couldn't even see the water, it was all clogged with foliage. Amazing. just right next to the road, hence-"Roadside Water Lilies"

I took lots of pics and the above painting came about. If you wish to see a better copy as well as most of my art go to: www.jan-bennicoff.artistswebsites.com or www.society6.com/janbennicoff

Oh and you can visit www.cityartscooperative.com

Thought I would post another one of the paintings which was  inspired by a modern poet. The poem was
The Tea and Sage Poem by Fady Joudah. I used only a fragment of it for two paintings.

"Because the each knows
the scent of history
It gave the people sage.

I like tea with sage
from my mother's garden.

next to the snapdragons."

Here is a watercolor inspired by a modern poet Fady Joudah. I used a fragment of the poem: The Tea and Sage Poem

"Because earth knows
The scent of history,
It gave the people sage.

I like my tea with sage
From my mother's grade,

Next to the snapdragons."

I am a director at CityArts Cooperative in Panama City, Fl We just put up a new show-Visual Poetry: Arabesque. All our work is inspired by Middle Eastern Poetry. Each piece has a tag with the poem and author it was inspired by. I read a lot of poetry by modern as well as ancient poets. It was surprising how many of them made me laugh and, cry.
The ones that made me laugh were also inspiring.

this one is funny: Two Giant Fat People

"God and I have become like two giant fat people living in a tiny boat. We keep bumping into each other and laughing. " Hafiz

then this one: Birds Don't Brag about Flying
"Birds don't brag about flying, the way we do.
They don't write books about it and then give
workshops.
they don't take on disciples and spoil
their own air time.
Who could dance and achieve liftoff with a bunch of
whackos
tugging on you?"

there were lots more. I loved them sooo much I ordered four books of poetry by Rumi and Hafiz.

This week I am working on my sign for the coop, necklaces, earrings, wire coils and spirals, and my "square" ( square piece of wood that you create art on for a fund raiser for one of our groups at the coop).

So far I gessoed it-there were knots on it and I did not want the knots to bleed through. Probably will do a landscape in acrylic.

The watercolor above was inspired by the poem by Hafiz:
How did the Rose?

How
did the rose
ever open its heart
and give to this world all of its beauty?
It felt the encouragement of light against its being.
otherwise we all remain too
frightened."