I have long had a dream to build a small studio so I could paint every, single, possible day! My current “plein air” studio is my beautiful open-air back patio. The spectacular Sedona sun, the cerulean-blue sky and direct access to the amazing Southwest wildlife have made it the perfect place to paint – except… when the temps go over 100, when it is windy, rainy or snowy! This means there are many, many days when my canvases sit waiting for me. Because I work in oils , I like good ventilation which is perfect outside but in our little slice of heaven home, there just is no spot inside to paint. I have so many paintings to get on canvas, I decided this was the year!

I have designed a 10′ x 12′ studio that will be just large enough and mostly windows (w/screens) to accommodate multiple “works in progress”. Needless to say, I am very excited! But, like most struggling artists, how to finance?

After much consideration, I decided to offer for sale one of my very favorite artworks I completed as I was teaching myself to paint over 30 years ago! Like so many other self-taught artists, I studied and copied the masters. My guiding inspiration was Vincent van Gogh. At the time I began to seriously paint, I was working at a small college in Portland, Maine; Westbrook College. And tucked away in the corner of the campus was the most extraordinary art gallery, the Joan Whitney Payson Gallery of Art. There were masterpieces from Monet, Renoir, Matisse and more. But, what greeted you as you entered the gallery was the most breath-taking of all, “Irises” by Vincent van Gogh. I could sit for hours just staring at every single element of the painting, the powerful colors dancing off the canvas and the emotions it evoked in every twisted iris stem. Of course, I had to paint it.

I spent three years working on the artwork interpreting every detail as I saw them. I tried to see what he saw, feel what he felt and somehow put to canvas the beauty of nature and his powerful emotions expressed through color. I think it is only fitting that this painting could now help me as I move closer to my dream of painting every day.

In the art world, 70 years after an artist passes, his or her work goes into the public domain and today’s artists may create their own interpretation of works by the masters copyright free. In fact, the art of Vincent Van Gogh is perhaps one of the most copied artists today. I see that original interpretations of his work can exceed $100,000. Vincent must be smiling! My interpretation of the famous “Irises” is offered at $25,000 and will be sold direct. The size is 15″H x 30″ W and is oil on canvas. I framed the art in a classic and ornate museum- style gold frame which adds three inches all the way around (total size 21″H x 36″W). Please contact me at jenfarnsworthfineart@gmail.com with any questions or if you would like more images. UPDATE! I have just added an Etsy page to complete a purchase directly: https://www.etsy.com/listing/767684474/irises-reimagined-by-artist-jen  

With my thanks to all the artists who have come before me and to my cherished collectors and friends who have supported me in this grand adventure!