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Friday, February 22, 2013

Paint Party Friday: Week 50, Year 2 Check In Featured Artist: Jennifer Begay


image courtesy of Jennifer Begay
 
Welcome to Week 50, Year 2 of Paint Party Friday! This week's featured artist has art in her blood and a passion for nature... It is no wonder that her watercolors wow us weekly. Please welcome Jennifer Begay!

Please tell us a bit about your personal history with painting. (When did you start painting? How has your painting evolved since you first started?)
My Grandmother on my father's side was a Watercolorist. One of the best. She spent years (50+) learning and teaching it. Studying under Clive O'Leary, Lee Weiss, Claude Croney, Zoltan Szabo, Tom Hill, Frank Webb, George Cherepov, Tony Van Hasselt, and Betty DeMaree. My father was an Art Teacher at Alta High School. He learned from his mother as well as taking workshops with a lot of the same people as my grandmother. He was educated in Colorado and Utah and received a B.A. Degree from Brigham Young University. He won many prestigious awards on his watercolors and is represented in many collections throughout the United States and Canada. He taught Watercolor lessons at night in our basement and sold paintings on the side to help make ends meet. We were always taking paintings to, and attending various art shows.

As far back as I can remember I had a set of Watercolor paints. Crayola when I was younger, and on my 10th birthday I got a set of the real deal Watercolors and brushes. (Grumbacher and Windsor and Newton) most of which were hand me downs from my grandma and father (which I still have). I also got a coupon (at said birthday) to attend Watercolor classes in my basement with about 6-8 other people (mostly older ladies). I LOVED it!

I took art classes all through Junior high and High school. In high school we had a block schedule where you have "A" days and "B" days. So you attend half your classes on an "A" day and the other half on a "B" day. My senior year I had it arranged so I spent all of my "A" day and half of my "B" day in Art. I took Painting and had 2 back to back drawing classes and AP (Advanced Placement)Art. I received an Art Scholarship to UVSC where I took 3 painting classes and a couple of drawing classes. I was planning on a career in teaching art like my father but youth and stupidity got in the way. I dropped out and went to work for my uncle in his Dental Lab sculpting teeth out of wax to be turned into crowns. I did that until my first child was born. Didn't do a whole lot of drawing or painting during the next 5 or 6 years mostly due to very young children and the fact that I didn't have a space to do it. I'd always get the paints out to do Christmas cards every year and would hate the fact that I was "no good " at painting anymore.


image courtesy of Jennifer Begay
 
A few years ago we finally moved the kids to a room in the basement and that freed up a room upstairs that we turned into an office/painting room where I could leave my stuff out. I painted more often but not a lot. I started this blog in September of 2010 and I finally had a creative outlet. Even if nobody was looking at it it forced me to create again. 2 years ago I set myself a goal to, every Wednesday, post all of the paintings I had finished that week. It forced me to be painting every week and my art work is showing the practice I've put in. I did this for a little over a year .

A few years ago I found a blog (Paint Party Friday!!!!) where I can link up my art work with other people around the world. It's nice to have a place I can share my art work finally and see other's work and get inspiration that way.


image courtesy of Jennifer Begay
 
What are your favorite techniques, media, and tools to use in creating your paintings?
Watercolor has always been my paint of choice. Probably because it's what I've always known. I tried acrylics and oil in school but I love Watercolor the best!!!!
 

image courtesy of Jennifer Begay
 
What is your favorite thing to paint? Why?
Nature. It's all around us and is ever changing. Mountain scenes especially. It is breathtaking to say the least. I think nature was made to be painted with Watercolors. My parents installed a great love of nature in me and it goes hand in hand with painting. Anytime I am out, I am constantly thinking to myself, "I'd love to paint that" or "that would make a beautiful painting".
 

image courtesy of Jennifer Begay
 
What is your proudest painting moment and/or greatest painting achievement so far?
Being able to feel confident enough in my work to give people paintings as presents has been very self fulfilling. Also my aunt asked me to paint a painting for her that she could display next to one that my father had done for her years ago. He has now passed away. I felt very honored that she would want to hang one of my paintings next to one of my Dad's since I always felt he was so much better than me. 


image courtesy of Jennifer Begay
 
What's next in your painting future?
Not really sure. I'd love to maybe enter some contests or sell some paintings. Someday I'd like to be as good as my Grandmother and Father.

**

Thank you for sharing your lovely paintings and story with us, Jennifer... We'll be cheering you on as you enter contests and start selling your paintings! We hope you will consider entering one (or more!) into our upcoming auction. ;)

To learn more about Jennifer, please visit her at:
 
 
**Would you like to be a PPF Featured Artist? (Of course you would!)
Click here for more details!**


 
 
111 painters and partyers last week!!!! WOW!! Thank you for making this such a fun and hopping party!
 
As always, please make sure to use your post URL address NOT your blog home page URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 Check-Ins.
Hope you have a marvelous week!

32 comments:

  1. So funny! Jennifer lives about 30 minutes from me....in Utah. Thanks for another great week!! I look forward to PPF all week long!!

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  2. Jennifer certainly takes after her grandmother and father! Those are wonderful nature scenes!

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  3. Beautiful work, Jennifer! I especially like those gorgeous rocks/abstract.

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  4. Hi Kristing & Eva,

    This is my first time taking part, and it looks great. Thank you for running PPF :)

    I love Jennifer's work, and her interview was fascinating!

    Thanks again,
    Jane :)

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  5. Slowly coming back into my drawing routine. :) Jenn, your landscapes are GORGEOUS! Such beautiful paintings.

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  6. Lovely paintings Jennifer! Happy Paint Party Friday everyone :)

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  7. I have always admired people who can paint like this- they are wonderful Jennifer. Happy PPF to our lovely hosts and everyone.

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  8. fantastic watercolours..really like those gentle poppies..happy ppf

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  9. nice to meet you Jennifer.Wow-your paintings are so beautifully detailed and those poppies are gorgeous!!! Happy PPF everyone!

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  10. Also a big fan of poppies - they are just great Jennifer !

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  11. Wonderful interview of Jennifer, thank you! HPPF!

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  12. beautiful water colour paintings, especially love the poppies. Great interview. Happy PPF everyone, Annette x

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  13. Great interview Jennifer - thx for sharing YOU! LOVE the poppies much (my favorite flower). I admire watercolor artists ... such a tough medium for me to work with but you have it mastered ... beautiful work! Happy PPF all (thx Kristin & Eva for keeping us together!) ❤

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  14. So nice to see Jennifer's work. It is wonderful to have that feeling of pride in what you do and to share it with friends and family.

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  15. Jennifer's paintings are beautiful! So refreshing and they reflect so well the outdoor beauty!

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  16. Such gorgeous paintings..lovely interview...shine on..your work is fantastic and so beautiful!
    Victoria
    Happy PPF everyone

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  17. Dear K and E
    I posted two by mistake please keep #65 and erase #66
    KAT

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  18. Jennifer's works are always so beautiful. My dh and I are struggling with setting up the new desk computer in its armor. Lots of wires to string through small holes. I promise I will visit around when we are set up. Rome wasn't built in a day so it may not be today.

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  19. I am so flattered by everyone's kind words about me and my artwork!!!! Thank you Kristen and EVA for hosting this every week and for featuring me!!!! Thank you thank you! I love all the great people who participate in PPF every week!!!! What a great group!!!!

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  20. I loved hearing Jennifer's story. Her watercolor art is lovely - Thanks Kristin and Eva for all you do each week. You bless all of us!

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  21. My first link doesn't work for some reason so have entered it again. Sorry about that, x

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  22. What a great interview. I love the poppies!

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  23. Thank you for the interview, very interesting! Jennifer you are very talented, wonderful artist!

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  24. Fabulous artwork and blog Jennifer.

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  25. Wonderful job you are doing with PPF ~ lovely ! Carol McKenna

    my link today should not have Tues on the end ~ sorry for the faux pas ~ link is right though ~ Happy Weekend ^_^

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  26. Wonderful interview! I love her watercolors, the flowers at the top are delicate and amazing.

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  27. Linking up some sketches and some jewellery today (not exactly painted but creative all the same!)

    Thanks for hosting :)

    Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity

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  28. Dear Kristin and Eva!

    Just made contact to the Newtown Memorial fund and hope to be able to participate in the auction. I thought it would be too complicated for me, but I'll give it a try :-)

    Thank you for hosting this phenomenal blog and community!!!

    Ilona

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  29. Wow' Paint Party Friday really helps us get more art done! Good job Jennifer! Patsy

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