"Never, never, never give up"! - Winston Churchill

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for". – Georgia O’Keeffe

This commission, “Hawaiian Splendor” is a 36”x48” acrylic on canvas.  I re-painted the ocean at least three times before I was happy with the results.

For me, there are three types of paintings that turn out well.

1.  The first type is the painting that flows effortlessly like a fine tuned symphony producing beautiful music.  I suppose it's like catching that "perfect wave" and riding it all the way to the shore.  I never give up!

2.  The second painting is the one that I wrestle with, painting certain areas again and again.  Actually, the ones I struggle with lead to new discoveries and results that surprise me.  They afford an opportunity for growth.  This struggle reminds me of the grain of sand in the oyster.  The oyster takes the discomfort and spins a beautiful pearl.  I never give up!

3.  The third painting is the one that I have no idea how to do.  I pray, asking God, the ultimate Creator, to show me what to do and to guide my brushes.  The exhilarating part is getting the answer and finding myself doing things with the paint that I've never done before. That’s why I never turn down commissions, they throw me out of my “comfort zone” and that’s where the magic happens!  I never give up!

Sometimes, I think I must be related to Winston Churchill because for better or worse,  I never, never, never give up! -  © 2012 Jill Saur

My website:  CLICK HERE

©1990-2012 Hawaiian Painting by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

Trees In Art

"If you reveal your secrets to the wind, you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees." 
- Khalil Gibran

My new 8"10".5" oil palette knife and brush painting, "Relinquished", is richly textured on the trees, revealing their "bone structure" against the value tones of winter. The title suggests that place in life where we relinquish ourselves and open up our hearts and minds to fresh inspiration and new possibilities.

I love aspens in winter. Their beautiful white trunks and dark branches mingle with the dark shadows cast upon the white snow, creating a profound beauty that is best experienced in silence.

This painting is available to purchase by contacting me through my website.  CLICK HERE

©2012, Trees In Art by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

Eliot O'Hara

Eliot O'Hara (1890-1961), Maine Seaside Town in Early Morning Fog, 1927, watercolor

My mother, Sandra Pope, had the opportunity to study with American Watercolorist,  Eliot O'Hara before he passed away in 1961.  He had a tremendous influence on her style and love for painting.  As I study this tree painting by Mr. O'Hara, I can't help but wonder if her soulful tree renderings were inspired by Eliot O'Hara himself!  It's more than likely that his influence on my mother has indirectly impacted my rendering of trees through watching my mother paint!  

"O'Hara was one of America's most widely respected watercolorists and teachers. In addition to an extensive exhibition record, he wrote eight books and produced more than 20 films on watercolor technique. His work can be found in more than 60 public collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Academy of Design, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the OMAA". - The Ogunquit Museum of American Art website:  

Eliot O'Hara (1890-1961), Maine Seaside Town in Early Morning Fog, 1927, watercolor

I suppose that we never truly know the ripples that our lives,  create in the life of another person.  To see my work, please visit my website.  CLICK HERE

Still Life Art by Jill Saur

Fresh off the easel, this is my new 8"x10"x1.5" palette knife pear painting. It's loaded with texture and drenched in soft, light hues. I've named it, "Gentle Touch".  It was inspired by something totally unrelated, Vincent Van Gogh's, "Sunflowers".

To buy this painting, or see more of my work, please visit my website:  CLICK HERE

©1990-2012 Pear Art by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

Pear Still LIfe Painting by Jill Saur

Fresh off the easel, my 6"x8"x1.5" palette knife oil painting, "Solitude", is textured vibrant, and full of movement.  I think that Vincent Van Gogh would agree that the shape of the pear is similar to the shape of the human figure.  When I render them, I pay attention to the nuance of the hues reflecting the light in the room and the subtle shape and curvature of line that defines it's own unique presentation.

I would love for you to become a collector of my art and experience the joy of owning original artwork that uplifts and inspires your soul!

  My website:  CLICK HERE

©1990-2012 Pear Still Life Painting by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

Abstract Trees In Art

Today, I reflected back on my 16"x20" acrylic abstract tree painting, "Fire and Water".  While painting this deeply emotional piece, I watched it emerge before my eyes as if I wasn't painting it, it was painting me!  

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you". Isaiah 43:2 

My website: CLICK HERE

©1990-2012 Trees In Art by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

Trees In Art

"A tree against the sky possesses the same interest, the same character, the same expression as the figure of a human." - Georges Rouault (French Painter) 1872-1958

Fresh off the easel, my 11"×14"x1" acrylic palette knife painting "Delightful Encounter",  has loads of texture. This painting was inspired by one of my "special trees" that I like to photograph down at the Chattahoochee River.

This painting is available to be purchased by contacting me through my website.

www.JillSaurFineArt.com

©1990-2012 Trees In Art byJill Saur, all rights reserved

Trees In Art

Trees in art, my favorite subject to paint!  What's the allure?  Since the beginning of time, in fact since Genesis, trees have been and continue to be used to teach us great lessons in life.  In art, I've been inspired by Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh's renderings of trees. 

However, the single painting that influenced my love for telling stories by rendering trees was one painting that I saw when I was a teenager.  In fact, I watched every stroke being applied as the soulful rendering of this one tree came to life.  The artist was my mother.  It was sort of a fantasy painting with a light that emanated deep inside the forest, where a little cabin rested comfortably in the woods.  It wasn't until years after my mother passed away that I heard my Uncle relate what he thought my mother was portraying in this painting.  It was the only time I ever saw my Uncle cry.  

We move so quickly in this world.  I hope as a people we don't forget to slow down and stop to enjoy the beauty and the meaning in our everyday lives! 

These two 36"x48" acrylic paintings on canvas are both for sale.  Although they are two separate works of art, they are meant to go together.  Separate, they stand alone, together, they complete one another!    www.JillSaurFineArt.com

©1990-2012 Trees In Art by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

Trees In Art

My 18"x24" acrylic painting, "Winter Solstice", represents the transition between the seasons in our natural world and in our lives. The path challenges the viewer to see life as an exciting journey, even though we don't see what lies beyond. 

Both the original and a limited edition hand-embellished giclee is available on my website.

CLICK HERE.  I invite you to become a collector and experience the joy of owning artwork that uplifts and inspires your soul! - Jill Saur

©1990-2012 Trees In Art by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

Art Trees

This is one of my favorite places to sit and meditate down at the Chattahoochee River. This tree has been the subject for a number of my paintings.

There's only root keeping this tree alive, and has been for many years. You can literally see the river through the trunk at the base of this tree. It's just an amazing example of sheer "will to survive". 

To see my artwork, please visit my website.  CLICK HERE

Trees In Art

This 12"x12" palette knife acrylic painting on wide-bordered canvas is titled, "Joy".

This piece was inspired from a photograph that I took when I was in Taos, New Mexico. I came across a pocket of light that was brilliantly streaming through the woods and reflecting in the water before me. I decided to render this with thick paint, and a palette knife. If there's just a small amount of light in the room, this painting radiates a warm glow.

"Joy", is available on my website. I invite you to become a collector. My patrons always have time to "live with" my work to be sure they're happy with their purchase. I invite you to become a collector and experience the joy of owning artwork that uplifts and inspires your soul! 

To see this painting on my website, CLICK HERE

©1990-2012 Trees In Art by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

Inspiration and Art by Jill Saur

"Inspiration is not a sudden light from space but a compulsion born of sharpened observation and perception". - Bud Biggs, American Artist, 1906-1985

I don't paint what's popular, what other people paint, or even what I think I should paint. I paint what I'm "driven" to paint. The elements and principles of design, color theory, and technique are instruments in the symphony but they are not the conductor, I am.

Perhaps that's why I titled this 36"x48" acrylic painting, "Symphonic Twilight". In the twilight hours, I was inspired by an aspen grove in New Mexico. There was just a hint of purple and I just ran with it!  If there is just a hint of light in the room, this painting just glows.

http://www.jillsaurfineart.com/gallery-one---aspen-tree/symphonictwilight-36x48.html

©1990-2012 Aspen Art by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

Chattahoochee River Painting by Jill Saur

"Here, on the river's verge, I could be busy for months without changing my place, simply leaning a little more to right or left". - Paul Cezanne

"Soliloquy" is the title of my 48"x48" acrylic on canvas painting. This is simply my expression of what I feel when I am down by the Chattahoochee River, not far from where I live. This is my refuge away from everything that's NON-RIVER. This painting hangs in my home. This way, when I'm not at the river, I'm at the river!

Though the original hangs in my home, a hand-embellished, limited edition giclee is available to purchase on my website.  CLICK HERE

©1990-2012 Chattahoochee River by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

Milton New York Apple Orchard by Jill Saur

I'll never forget this commissioned painting and where it went when I lived in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. This is a 40"x30" watercolor snow scene of an apple orchard and barn. This barn had been in the same family for three generations. It was owned by a young man engaged to his lovely fiance. She commissioned this painting for him as a wedding gift.

Before I could even finish this painting, there was a terrible fire that destroyed this historic structure. This rendering of their beloved apple orchard was received with tears. 

I love commissions.  If you have a special place or scene that you're fond of and would like it rendered in either watercolor, oil, or acrylic, please contact me.  My website has other examples of commissioned pieces and shows my process in working with my clients.


CLICK HERE

©1990-2012 Apple Orchard by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

Red Pepper Still Life by Jill Saur

“Color is both the visible fact and the miracle of light and transparency is the quality of being lighted from within.  Watercolor pigment lets the light shine through where it is reflected by the paper.  This unique quality of transparency is the essence of magnificent watercolor paintings”. – Bud Biggs 1906-1985 American Master Watercolor Artist. -  Bud Biggs was my first watercolor professor.  I’ll be sharing more about him in the future on my blog

What does this 8”x8” acrylic painting have to do with a watercolor painting?  Everything!  I painted primarily in watercolor for fifteen years before I crossed over into acrylic and oil painting.  I brought my love for transparent painting and achieving that beautiful “warm glow” in my work.  Over the years, acrylic and oil paints have been developed to have more of a transparent look.

Even though this red pepper still-life painting is rendered entirely with a palette knife, and lots of texture, the paint retains a certain amount of transparency that gives it an ethereal glow.  I’ll forever be grateful to Bud Biggs and the privilege of studying with a true American Master.

“Red Pepper Charm” is rendered on a wide-border canvas with the image painted on the sides.  It is available to purchase by contacting me through my website.  I would love to welcome you into my family of happy collectors!  If you have any concerns about purchasing a painting through the internet, not to worry, I offer a money back guarantee within the first week!  CLICK HERE

©2012 Red Pepper Still Life by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

Aspen Tree Painting

My 40"x30", acrylic aspen tree painting, "Autumn Gold", is all about the path we choose to follow in life. Aspens are amazing trees. I call them "The Giving Trees", because they are deeply connected to one another under the ground. They are even able to grow a new tree from the offshoot of one of their roots.

Although we are connected to other people in so many different ways, we all must choose the path that we are to personally follow. My path involves expressing myself with brush, paint and canvas, inspiring my patrons through my artwork. It also includes teaching others the "joy of painting". I have some amazing students and look forward to their arrival at my studio every week. Watching them create, grow, and interact with one another, is a beautiful gift that I don't take lightly!

This original painting is sold.  However, a beautiful hand-embellished giclee (limited edition) is available on my website.

http://www.jillsaurfineart.com/gallery-one---aspen-tree/autumn-gold-40x30-original.html#previous-

© Aspen Tree Painting by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

Red Tulips On Canvas

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Sending a few flowers your way for Valentines Day.  I'm only revealing the heart of this painting.  To see the rest, please click on the link below.

CLICK HERE

Pear Painting by Jill Saur

This is my new 60"x36" acrylic on wide canvas painting, "Choice Encounter".  It's about the choices that we get to make in this life. The pear in the middle represents a woman who is being flattered by a new love interest, the pear on her right.  The pear on the left is watching to see if he will lose the love of his heart.  Life, it's all about choices.

As you can see, this is a big painting!  It's vibrant, alive, and if there's just a small amount of light in the room, this painting positively glows!   At first, I painted the entire painting with a brush.  Afterwards, I went in with a palette knife and textured the entire painting with more paint.   

This painting is available to purchase at Matilda's Art Gallery in Historic Roswell, GA.

www.JillSaurFineArt.com

Jill Saur with her Pear Painting, "Choice Encounter"

©1990-2012 Pear Painting by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

"Painting It On The Side" by Jill Saur

Since day one, I've preferred to work on wide-border canvases.  I'm fortunate that my clients love that my work is wrapped around the side.  It's a clean contemporary look and avoids the need for a frame.  When I opened my own gallery, I took the risk of hanging my work this way.  It was an instant success!

It's really a winning proposition because if a client does want a frame, they can have a floating frame made to suit the painting.  In all the years that I've been selling my work this way, nobody has requested a frame!  It's so much easier to hang those large paintings over the fireplace (especially on stone) when the work is light.  

To see more of my work, or to request a commission piece, please visit my website.

www.JillSaurFineArt.com

©1990=2012 Flower Painting by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

"Lionfish Painting" by Jill Saur

The lionfish is eerily beautiful. Although I've snorkeled in a number of reefs throughout the Atlantic and Pacific, this painting was inspired by photos that I took in the Gatlinburg Aquarium, one of my favorite aquariums in the United States.

This 40"x30" oil painting, "Lion In Blue", is available on my website. 

www.JillSaurFineArt.com

©1990-2012 Lionfish by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

Tree Art

"With brush, paint, and canvas, I wear my heart on my sleeve".  - Jill Saur

This 12"x12" acrylic tree painting is available on my website.  This is one of my favorite places to take a walk, sit, and gaze at the beauty of the Chattahoochee River.  Everyone needs a place to go to get away, think, and relax.  I hope you have that special place.

To see this painting in a larger format, CLICK HERE.

© 1999-2012 Tree Art by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

Tree Art by Jill Saur

Each morning when I wake up, I look out my window and think about how different the day is from any other day that I've experienced.  It sets the framework for a mindset that is open to new possibilities and adventures.  The painting below is from a memory of a special day in Colorado.  I simply wanted to capture the nuance of that unique moment in time.

This little 8"x10" aspen tree oil painting, "Summer Nuance", is available at Matilda's Gallery in Historic Roswell, GA.  I have other similar paintings available on my website at www.JillSaurFineArt.com.

©1990-2012 Tree Art by Jill Saur, all rights reserved