Blog Archives - JEAN KIEGERL - ARTIST

JEAN KIEGERL - ARTIST

Details, details, ...

24/2/2026

It is a good thing I am well experienced in keeping records, charts, notes and to-do lists. They are very useful when setting up an event. What did we do last time? What worked? What didn't? Timelines, templates, press releases, invitations, posters, and on and on. I love it!
It just has to fit in with all the other life activities, life events, habits, duties, routines, and obligations. Where can I find a 36 hour day?

On the even more positive side, having the show paintings finished lets me think about 'what next?' I think it is time to start on the interest that got me into painting in the first place - figurative and portrait artwork. Scary, right? My few attempts in the past were not so successful. One time I used a sharpie to sketch and indicate shade areas . Not knowing that the ink would bleed through the acrylic paint layer (sometimes a few days later), I kept covering it with more paint. The poor woman still looked like she had been prepped for plastic surgery. Lesson learned. I eventually just burned that picture and started over. My second try in 2010 was somewhat better and the Tante Frieda's daughters convinced her it was her likeness. Her comment, "Well, there's no one left who remembers me that age anyway." That is quite similar to Leonardo's comment "What do you mean it does not resemble the Duke? Who will know in 500 years?"

I have a few weeks now to gather my resources for this next stage. A big section of my art library seems to be full of excellent anatomy and how-to books, my computer has portrait videos, and my subscription to Art Journey's online video library is paid up for a year. It's almost like this adventure has just been waiting for me.

Still thinking I can get to that mountain

16/2/2026

... even though I know there is a 1000 foot drop right in front of me on this ridge. And we are standing here in running shoes and no ropes. On the Google map, the spot where we are standing is Consolation Mountain, so we are not the first to get here, and no further...

Sometimes that is how painting works too. Just few more tweaks to make sure my favourite parts in the photo are actually in the painting. When these layers are dry and it has a frame... then I will actually be there - as an artist if not a hiker.

Show Preparation is starting

10/2/2026

This show is not as "someone else is in charge" as was the case with my 2020 show. More - ME, as show artist, decides the theme, title, poster image, date and time of opening reception, and who knows what else support activities. Yes, I know how to do it and I am pretending to be 60, but at 75 and out of the committee loop it might be a challenge.

I am thinking that my practical show title and theme might still be "Just a Local Artist" as that is actually what I do and my paintings show it. I can create a 2nd Edition of my photobook done for my 2020 show with the recent paintings added. I will have a print copy of these website journal entries as a photo book. I started it after my panic of not being able to access the Weebly host website and considering what would be lost if that site crashed or just went out of business.

For now, I am watching paint dry so I can varnish, or at least retouch varnish, to protect the paintings. I am checking for suitable frames in my basement collection, finishing canvas sidewalls and adding wiring hardware. Angelina Brooymans will be photographing and making canvas prints of some of my paintings. I have lots to do that is not actually painting right now.
I am gearing up for promotion via my website, Facebook and whatever else seems useful. However, fun rather than sales is my over-riding goal. This is my birthday present to myself in a post-Covid, post-flood evacuation and post-life crises world.

Watch out, World - I already have plans for my 80th birthday show! And I might still be 60 🤡

A little break to regroup and plan ahead

9/2/2026

The beautiful works in the current show at the Gallery are an inspiration - Claire Burnham is so young and so accomplished already.
The show was a surprise in another way - the Gallery is now smaller than I expected. The Gift Shop has expanded to accomodate more displays on a regular basis, not just during Summer and Christmas. Interestingly, several really active local artists are displaying their works in the Gift Shop as members there not just in Gallery shows. The Arts Council has a new Artist-in-Residence program and one artist paints publicly in the Program Space weekly. That initiative is really good to see.
I might have enough finished works already for my show in this smaller space. I am working with the Curator to start the show preparation steps - title, poster, reception event, documentation, publicity and the all-important "whatever shall I wear" decision!

Signed and framed!

6/2/2026

Well, that wasn't so hard. I should set own-deadlines more often.
One painting left to finish and a new one to start and complete. Then I can work on the varnishing, framing and wiring to have them ready for the April 6 show hanging day.
I am making great progress on my proposal to the Arts Council to encourage and support local oil painters. I know - another committee for me instead of painting, but it is also in my own interest to have more oil painters in the area. Maybe we will have enough to bring in workshops eventually.

Almost ready to sign

5/2/2026

Just a few more touches, maybe... or not. Let it dry a couple days and look at it again,

Details, details

4/2/2026

I am trying to get to the foreground trees, but actually all the background and mid-ground has to be done first. The trees will have 'sky holes' that the background shows through. Getting there though, this might be finished tomorrow morning.
In the meantime (like 5:30 AM), ideas for activities and projects during the April show are starting to percolate up in my busy brain. A brilliant one showed up this morning - I am working on the exciting details and $$$ funding :)

Well, maybe I just needed a deadline

4/2/2026

"The Butterflies' Meadow," 24 x 24 x 2", oil on canvas, 2026.

It's "set my own deadline" time!

3/2/2026

I am letting my paintings drag on too long, losing momentum and sometimes even the inspiration. So I have given myself only two more weeks to get the current and planned show paintings done. Finish them by Feb 15 and report to my Art Coach at our Feb 17 call. No excuses!
Why now? The Nicola Valley Arts Council's website just posted my show dates, so now it is official! April 7 to May 3