My pocket book is happy

Posted on March 31, 2022 by janalynch

Ok, we got the word.

This region had the greatest need for Store Director within the H-E-B company, so they put us here in Bastrop. Kevin will travel to various stores around this area for probably a year, or forever until they determine which store will be his.

That’s good news because we like it here.

We will probably need to rent a place in Bastrop for six months or so, maybe even a year.

Let the search begin. I wish I could just paint a place for us to live like I’m doing for my Monster High Doll. She’s a lucky girl.

I’m painting a bedroom for Monster High Doll to sit in.

Sherry Ann asked a good question, so I included it here: Is Kevin happy?

Sherry Ann, oh yes. This is an exceptional company. They want to make sure their leaders are fully immersed in their culture, and it’s a good one. H-E-B is very favorable to their workers. The money is great and the insurance is even better. Everything is great. I’m still getting over the shock that this area was not even an area where we applied for work. It’s lovely, and God must have a plan for us here. I know He does.

UPDATE:

We found our place! It’s 420 sf of living space, which is huge compared to the 300 sf we’re living in now. It’s a golf course hotel converted to apartments, I think there are 16 units. It has a floor-to-ceiling glassed-in atrium that I can see out from my bed. The ceilings are extremely tall. The bathroom sink and the kitchen sink are one and the same. Lol. Funny, tiny living is…but my pocket book is pleased, as we are hoping to build our final tiny home somewhere, some day.

Loads of beautiful outdoor living space. The guy who lives across from me built a water feature in front of his door. I can’t wait to have comfy outdoor chairs so I can listen to the lovely sounds.

Tomorrow I’m going to First Friday in Historic Downtown Bastrop to see if I can rent a studio art space in a co-op.

More stories to come about our strange, transient life. Thanks for following me!

Dragon finds it’s way into the attic

Posted on March 24, 2022 by janalynch

It’s a new day. Let us be abundantly happy in it (Psa 118:24). Especially if you get to have a pet dragon in your attic.

I managed a bit more detail on her yesterday. Should we put a name tag on our pet dragon?

What would our dragon’s name be, if we did?

Now…

Lucky #MonsterHighDoll – and maybe Chloe. (BTW Nicole Sligar you have the coveted first right of refusal on this one.)

Today I get to see one of the most influential persons in my life as she prepares for her promotion, her next adventure into the other side of this deal we call human life on Earth.

It’s been 52 years since we’ve laid eyes on each other.

She saved a little dyslexic girl (me) from a lifetime of stomach ulcers and low self-esteem issues by assuring the world around me that I I wasn’t trying to be this high IQ jerk by not completing my lessons in school…that I simply didn’t think like the rest of the world.

There’s way more to this story, but i’ll leave that to another day.

So off to Kerrville, Texas we go… ❤️

Monster High Doll excited for her room to be complete!

I solve problems. Yeah, right!

Posted on March 15, 2022 by janalynch

Ok. This is my life now and It’s not going to resolve anytime soon.

I’m such a control freak, I solve problems, that’s what I do…so this is a super tough test for me, coupled with my new joint pain. These are crazy times, but feeling sad about the fact it’s over for me. This is my life now. Lol! We are nomad.

Anyway, if this doesn’t resolve by like April 15 – we must have a place by May 15 – I’ve got to look for more temporary living space for, say, three to six month’s worth of some kind of rental.

Ok, know me? For those that do…which would I enjoy more? An apartment with a pool? That’s a built-in community, and I bet moms and kids would paint around the pool with me. They have a garage I could rent to have one last, huge garage sale.

Or, should I rent a house with a garage and a yard for the dogs, and then rent a small co-op art space in historic downtown Bastrop?

Buying anything permanent is off the table right now as we still do not have a clue where Kevin’s final store will be.

FYI – HEB is the bomb! Crazy good how they favor the employees. Need a job? It’s the best health and life insurance we’ve ever had. They need you.

Last day in the pool and hot tub today. We move back to Harmony House on the river tonight.

Thank you, Best Western, for bailing us out for 5 days.

Completed at BW on 3/15/22 and available for your personal collection.

I’m grateful I get to work on Monster High Doll House next. Way, way, way lighter subject than the bleeding Statue of Liberty.

Strange days.

Posted on March 13, 2022 by janalynch

This piece is close to being done. Her hands, the torch, the snake tongues all need work. I can’t stand the way the torch doesn’t overlap the book. Lol. Like I said, it needs some work still. And it needs about two weeks of me just looking at it to see what else it needs.

FYI: Her tears are printed in my blood and the fingerprints on her tablet are blood. So I guess this is mixed media. Putty, acrylic and blood.

Nathanael Chavers has first right of refusal. It was because of him that I realized its importance. It’s probably my most important work to date.

Titled: No longer viable, a cautionary tale ® 2022 Jana’s painted Artist

Second photo shows my view from my Best Western bed; strange days we are living in.

You’re going to die.

Posted on February 28, 2022 by janalynch

In case you were unaware lol

Then one day you wake up and realize you’ve got a million addictions that got you into this shit show…then it’s a sad day when you can’t get drunk no mo or smoke no mo or eat processed foods or sugar or nothing fake (I’ll pause and take a deep breath). You’ve got to work double hard not to lose your muscular system. It’s hard fuckin’ work, but you hope to not be like every other old person with a million doctor’s appointments every month, taking tons of pills that over time cause cancer and shut down your bodily functions…

And you better add a chiropractor because your spine is compressing, which means your brain isn’t receiving the information it needs to keep all systems on “go.”

I’m writing to help “laugh at myself” because basically I’m dying. Yep…we all are.

Get used to that thought my friends, because if the thought of death scares you, you’ll waste your life.

I’m looking forward to what’s next on the other side of this deal we call human life. Sadly, unless I get hit with a piece of shrapnel, I’ve got more time here because I did all that stuff I said above. I even get my teeth cleaned four times a year. Lol.

Why am I motivated to do all this? No idea. God has a plan for me.

❤️

Employee appreciation

Posted on February 28, 2022 by janalynch

New art I painted for Neighbor’s Kitchen and Yard

Brandy, the best bartender in town! Go meet her!

It’s Thank You day for the employees at Neighbor’s Kitchen and Yard who tolerated my ass over the last four weeks. It’s been so much fun painting here! I can teach anyone to do this, so whatcha’ say we start an interest list? Who would like to learn to express themselves through art?

I started teaching art a few years ago in Ruidoso, NM at Jana’s Art Cave, my working studio. It became a tourist attraction for visitors looking for entertainment aside from skiing, hunting, and fishing. It was so much fun for all ages to enjoy together. If you guys are interested, I would love to do it again in Bastrop. However, I’m going to need a location.

Originals will be available soon on my new website that’s being built. You’re welcome to watch the progress at JanasPaintedArtist.com.

I hand signed the front and added a special note to each employee who assisted me over the last 4 weeks.

My Artists…you won’t believe what we are trying to build for you!

Sarah and Cameron are two really neato kids. They will rise to the top like cream in a butter churn!

The food is so good. Here is a bread-less Italian sub. It’s not on the menu but Neighbor’s Kitchen and Yard aims to please!

I can teach anyone to paint what they see with a twist of fantasy. I’m collecting an interest list NOW, Bastrop Texas. I need a location, but that’s usually not a problem. If you’re looking for exact, take a photo…’cause this class ain’t for you.

Student work from a 4 week paint class full of drink and eats over at Lost Hiker Brewery, Ruidoso NM

A somewhat normal day in the life of an artist

Posted on February 27, 2022 by janalynch

My view as I contemplate my day.

I so wish I could just paint on the more light-hearted “A bedroom suite for my favorite Monster High doll,” she’s vintage now, and deserves a place to live in some lucky little girl’s bedroom.

But I must carry on in a dark, but not hopeless place. As so many of you have expressed interest in the piece. Nathanael Chavers gets first right to refuse her. Lol! After that it’s open game. Lol!

So I must complete it.

This part will be hard to paint. This piece that I’m calling “People desperately fleeing the USA,” is from a vision I had over seven years ago.

I feel perhaps it’s important, but ! I’ll let the world decide. For all this is “no longer viable,” but it’s a cautionary tale, if only we can stop looking for relief in all the wrong places.

Oh, some fun news today!

I can teach any of you to paint what you see with a twist of reality. If you want your art to look exactly like your scene, take a photo; this class ain’t for you. Lol. I’m looking for location to offer a class. Any ideas?

The prints of my Nieghbor’s painting are complete, thanks to the help of Bastrop Signs & Banners. Love those guys. Check ’em out local artists!

Anyway, the sun is out and I’m going to go for a run/dance and then deliver to the hard working staff these hand signed prints today. They’re now my new friends over at Neighbor’s.

I had so much fun with you all over the last month painting your scene.

Fun news: Bastrop Opera House, thank you for inviting me to help paint sets. Omg. What a blast!

Pretty good day ahead, all and all.

LIVE LIFE LARGE!

Lady Liberty

Posted on February 26, 2022 by janalynch

Miles away from completion.

I started this painting 7 years ago; I had a vision I fear is coming true.

Sitting in front of this painting is daunting. It’s a sad look at the possible decline of my home country.

My skill level back then didn’t allow completion, but I believe I can finish it now. We shall see.

It’s titled “No longer viable” a cautionary tale. We can turn this around if only we would look up. God is in this deal if you want the help.

I accidentally cut myself opening the packaging on my new blade. Believe me, I was not looking forward to cutting myself on purpose. Thank you God. Your timing is always perfect, for today was the day. Lady Liberty needed to be crying tears of blood.

That hurt. So does my heart looking at this painting, but I believe it needs to be said.

This is where I leave it tonight. My own blood all over it. Just as my heart is heavy, this canvas is heavy with plaster.

Shipping it will be spendy. Lol. Just say’n…

Doing this painting hurt my soul. It’s dark, and I’m a light.

Update: Lady Grace, my dog, tried to clean up the blood spill on the painting.

She’s my little wound care specialist. She tried to extend help to Lady Liberty. We need to take a lesson from her. Lol. But please don’t lick my painting.

Lady and Sissi Grace enjoying the sunshine by the Colorado River

It’s not too late to turn our country around. I pray daily for the USA, that her leaders will make wise, selfless, decisions in her regard, and that God has exposed evil for the world to clearly see.

I’m afraid this is where the world is headed. Totalitarianism. Is this what we want? Total annihilation of individuality and freedom? They are sugar-coating this deal to make our youth think it’s a better plan. It isn’t. And if all you elites think you will benefit from this, you won’t. Only a very few, very evil trillionaire, dictator-type rulers will benefit, and I bet you ain’t one of them. It all looks so pretty and correct to lure you in. Change your mind, all of you amazing, creative individuals. We need you now more than ever. Learn tolerance, grace, forgiveness, and integrity, as all are essential elements of love.

Go and be free! Live life large!

^® Painted Artist 2022.

Good example of “teach a man to fish”

Posted on February 15, 2022 by janalynch

Well, I’ve brought these paintings out of storage to work on, along with Marta Swanner’s Boogie Board^®. My goal for completion is March 8th, 2022. Cross your fingers…

I wanna thank my cousin Jay Lynch, all things online genius Guru, for teaching this goofy artist “how to fish online” to make money, instead of simply giving me a fish. He’s now helping me develop my website, blog, and online store, not leaving me alone to flounder…Ha! get it?

If we’re correct about the direction he’s taking us, to all my artists that I love with all my heart, we be onto something big for you guys.

All the while it’s just me, hanging at the “Zen River House,” the new name we’ve given our small space near the river in Bastrop for now. I’m a little nomad at heart.

Hey, Neighbor’s Kitchen and Yard, I had the art that I painted at your joint digitized at Bastrop Signs & Banners. Now I’ll be thinking about what we can do with it! Lol! I fell in love with the Manager, Matt Murphy, over their banners. Check ’em out local artist!

Jay Lynch is teaching this old dog new tricks. Here we go…NFT designs to the MetaVerse and Beyond!

Means so much to me