jen oaks

Easy as ABC

2010-03-28T15:09:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to finally get this photographed and up on Etsy. It's been finished for weeks, but this working girl couldn't get a daylight photo for the longest time.

Let me tell you, it was pretty challenging trying to find Oklahoma animals for some of these letters, as you can probably tell by Unicorn caterpillar and foX. The most surprisingly difficult letter was N. Really. And then a friend unearthed internet evidence that newts do indeed live in Oklahoma. Yay newts!

If you are an Oklahoma retailer who'd like to carry this in your shop, please contact me (jen-at-jenoaks.com) for wholesale info. As always, it's right here in my Etsy shop. Up next is a more general, non-Oklahoma version for the masses, and then possibly an all-marine life version.

I originally made this for my two year old niece, Amelia, and I'm sending her one tomorrow. I hope you like it, babycakes.

April First!

2010-03-16T23:17:00.000-07:00

My MFA show is fast approaching! I'm really excited and can't wait to finish the new pieces I'll be showing. Two weeks from tonight, guys.

The official details:

"Urban Field Notes"
Gallery opening reception:
Thursday evening
April 1, 2010 — 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Gallery Exhibition:
April 1 to May 2, 2010 daily
10 am to 6 pm

688 Sutter Gallery, San Francisco

"Urban Field Notes" is a love song to the simple pleasures of city life. It's about cutting a clear path through the chaos of an urban environment, to arrive at a place where the city belongs only to you, the viewer.

Thirteen pieces are from "Downtown," my MFA thesis project and 2010 calendar, which will be for sale at the gallery. The exhibition also includes five brand new pieces that also explore the city theme.

All works are framed and matted archival giclee prints. Additional prints will be available for order.

See you there!

The calendar price drop begins

2010-03-07T17:15:00.000-08:00

Since it's now March (already?!), I've relisted my calendar at $18, down from $26. I've still got plenty, so if anyone's still in the market for one, here's your chance. Clicky!

Une Petite Update

2010-02-28T09:48:00.000-08:00

Hello, it's been too long. First the holidays, and then two months of feeling slightly adrift after graduation. And now it's springtime here in the Bay Area and I'm making big plans. More on that later.

First, I want to thank everyone who bought a calendar. For a while there, I was hiking to the post office with an armload two or three times a week. Awesome! Now, since it's nearly March and I haven't sold one in weeks, I think it's time for a price drop. I'm also going to start taking some apart and putting the individual prints (sans calendar grids) up on Etsy.

I definitely want to do another calendar this year, but there are several things I've learned from doing this one:

Make it smaller!
When deciding the size, have shipping envelope sizes in mind. Keep the size and weight within First Class postage regulations.
Print on lighter paper, and ask my printer to please not surprise me with an upgrade to 100# cover stock.
Have several other people proofread it so I don't end up with hilarious typos like February 34th. Ahem.
Or better yet, make it a perpetual calendar. Time-sensitivity issue solved.

I'll be exhibiting (and selling) framed giclee prints of each calendar month's artwork at my MFA show, which opens April 1st. But again, more on that later.

At last

2009-12-09T18:22:00.000-08:00

I am so late with this. Please forgive. I just wanted to show you a finished calendar, which arrived way back on Friday. And then it took a good three days to remember to get a daylight photo of one, and still it looks rather bluish with our north window light, but.. BUT. There it is.

They are luscious. And heavy. 1lb, 4oz. each, in fact. My wonderful printer surprised me with an upgrade to 100# paper, and when you multiply that by 250 calendars.. well, I can't even lift one box of 50 of these suckers. They have heft.

These calendars are special to me and I love that they feel special. They represent eight crazy months' worth of work, self-discovery, ideamaking, and as of last week, a Master's degree. Yeah! So thank you, calendar, for being my springboard to hopefully even more awesome stuff.

Win a framed print, help a rad org!

2009-12-04T11:01:00.000-08:00

A quick note... A nice, big, framed print of September is on the auction block at the Bay Area Girls Rock Camp auction TONIGHT at Local 123 Cafe/Gallery here in Berkeley. There's a huge assortment of awesome stuff up for grabs that I can't wait to see. But best of all, you get to support a completely rad organization that helps girls do what was basically the dream of my teen years, which is START A BAND. And one of those bands, Poison Apple Pie, will be playing at the auction tonight. Hell yes! So come out, rock, and bid!

Hey hey, calendar for sale!

2009-11-27T17:48:00.000-08:00

*gasp*

Could it be? I know it's Friday night, but this thing is DONE and I am ready to get it into your lovely homes. So it gives me great pleasure to direct you toward an actual Etsy listing for my 2010 calendar. Click it!

Here are the final month images that I sent to the printer last week. I went to a press check on Monday, and it is looking so good. Beyond excited over here.

Also in the shop are prints I made for Zinefest back in August. Better late than never?

The Final Countdown (dada daa daaaa)

2009-11-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

It's nearly there, everyone. Wednesday I sent le calendar to the printer, Thursday we tinkered with color profiles, and later this morning I'm going on a press check. It's looking really good for this calendar to be in my hands by -- now don't quote me on this -- ~~Wednesday night. I can hardly believe it. Stay tuned!~~ Aw, I was way wrong. Middle of next week, they're telling me. But I'll be listing them for sale in my shop on Friday, I think.

and finally, March and December

2009-11-09T14:21:00.000-08:00

These two were the ones giving me the most trouble. But I think I'm finally happy with them!

March:

December:

Next up: just a few more tweaks on the cover typography, then I send this baby to the printer. I can't wait.

January, May, August

2009-11-03T17:46:00.000-08:00

A little update: I do believe I've found the printing company who'll lovingly craft these calendars for me. This is definitely something to dance about, which is what I've been doing all day, in my desk chair, Wacom pen in hand. This is a pretty big step forward. One step closer to getting this thing into my shop, and onto your walls.

Now, where were we? Allow me to show you the three months I finished over the weekend.

January:

May:

August:

Only March and December left to go. And they're very close.

Two more months

2009-10-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

July and November are done! Sparkler smoke and marigolds and tomatoes! Pigeons and flying leaves and snowflakes!

Hopefully next week I can show you the remaining five months, plus the cover. I really love the cover.

Another calendar peek!

2009-10-12T09:21:00.000-07:00

**EDIT 12/9** To all folks still being directed to this post, this calendar is now available in my Etsy shop right here. **

All right. I've submitted to decor8. If I get in, this is the post people'll be directed toward for more information.

So hello there! I'm Jen, and this is my calendar. Since it's my MFA thesis project and all, I don't quite have it finished and printed and ready for you to buy. But I will soon! I'm hoping to have it out by mid November. Before Thanksgiving, for sure.

The description: It is a 2010 calendar with big, pretty illustrations of city life. It's light and fun and full of flowers, pigeons, vegetables, and power lines, just like my favorite pretty city, San Francisco. I'm calling it "Downtown" (yup, like the song).

The stats: 12" x 20", full color offset printed, wire bound at the top, and plenty of space to write. Once the month is over, the grid can be cut off and the remaining art could be framed. I'm hoping the price will be in the $25 range.

If you'd like to be notified when le calendar is up for sale, you can add this blog to your reader, or just leave a comment with your email address. I'll be selling right over here, in my etsy shop.

How about more peeks, hmm?

(click to embiggen)

Please stay tuned!

Announcement! And Calendar sneak peek!

2009-09-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

First up: I'm having my very own MFA show! Mark your calendars for March 4, 2010, at 688 Sutter Gallery in San Francisco. I'll be showing illustrations from my thesis project, plus a few additional goodies. There will also be a fun installation and even an animation to watch. I'm really excited!

I don't think I've even mentioned my thesis project here. It is a 2010 calendar with big, pretty illustrations of city life. It's light and fun and full of flowers, pigeons, vegetables, and power lines, just like my favorite pretty city, San Francisco. I'm calling it "Downtown" (yup, like the song). I'm nearly finished, so I thought it was time I gave the world a preview. My goal is to get this baby to the printer's and available for purchase by early November.

So, here are April and September, two months that are closest to being finished.

It'll be big, 12" x 20", because that's how I like my calendars. I've designed it with plenty of room to write, too, because even though we all use Google calendar and our smartphones by now, there is something really nice about writing an important date on The Calendar, and seeing it whenever you eat breakfast or talk on the phone. Don't you think?

I'm hoping to make it into Decor8's 2010 calendar roundup. Haven't submitted yet, but I'm close. Even if I don't make it in, this labor of love will be up in my etsy shop in time for gift giving season.

So there you go! Hooray! Now, back to work...

The Zinefest Experience

2009-08-24T17:34:00.001-07:00

I had a total blast at Zinefest. I sold a ton of prints, made some great contacts, and bought or traded for some really amazing stuff from my fellow exhibitors, including Jonas Madden-Connor, Geoff Vasile, and Sarah Oleksyk!

Sadly, I was hardly able to make it around the hall to do all the snooping/shopping I wanted. But there's always next year. And I will definitely be back next year.

I am so fascinated with zine-makers. They inspire me so much.

Prints for sale at Zinefest

2009-08-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

It's pretty much all Zinefest, all the time over here. My little kitchen table is covered in prints, cellophane bags, and various festive bits to make myself a banner. It's all very exciting.

Here's what I'm bringing!

Coffee Contraptions (8x10)

A Spork, a Fifth, and Some Weeds (8x10)

Employees of the Month (Cuddles, Sweetums, Precious, and Josh, 5x7)
There are 64 of these little buggers.

Crossed Lines (14.75 x 11.5)
Which you've seen before. Oh, the prints don't say ©jen oaks like you see here.

This is only my second time participating in anything ending in -fest or -show. I'm super excited. Bring me a coffee and say hi.

Finally, a site update

2009-08-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

13 new pieces are finally up on my site. I also created new categories within Illustration: Surface, Children's, and Miscellaneous. My entire thesis is surface design, so expect that category to fill out considerably around December.

Included in the update is this poster I made in Silkscreen class back in April. It's not the real poster for this show, of course, but I love it anyway.

El Travo Collabo

2009-08-11T23:06:00.000-07:00

I finally submitted my contribution to El Travo Collabo last week. Here it is! It's titled "Sergeant Sprinkles Meets Corporal Punishment."

Read all about it and the rest of the rad Collabo over here.

Zine Fest Ahoy!

2009-07-05T19:51:00.000-07:00

So, I will have a table at the very awesome San Francisco Zine Fest, August 22 & 23!

I'm bringing lots of the stuff currently for sale in my shop, as well as some NEW (and very affordable) silkscreened prints, and hopefully some blank notecard sets.

So if you're one of the probably four people who read this blog, stop by and say hello!

The sweet poster is by Andy Hartzell.

Berkley Illustration Sale!

2009-06-19T17:36:00.000-07:00

Quick! Ryan and Lucy at Berkley Illustration are having a buy 2, get 1 free sale until midnight PST tonight! We just bought Mr. Squirrel over there, plus Mallard and Robin. I love them so much already. So dandy.

Academy of Art Spring Show

2009-06-11T17:57:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to have four of my pieces selected for the Academy's Spring Show this year! I am a little late blogging this, and as such, ~~the show has closed and now only~~ (correction! Still open til July 24) the online gallery and its rather poor digital photos are available for viewing. But I'm grateful for any online gallery of all this great work, and the show organizers did a fabulous job.

The pieces that got in aren't on my website yet, but will be soon. Every time I wait this long between site updates, I forget whatever newfangled Java thingy I've employed and it takes me a while to remember how to use it. Anyway, here they are:

A fancy hen die-cut birthday card (5x7, ink & digital)

Retro lingerie self-promotional stickers (5x7, ink & digital)

Polly prepared peach pastries while Pinky purred (children's book illustration, 8x10, ink, watercolor & gouache)

The Fort (children's book cover, 9x12, ink & digital)
totally 100% autobiographical, haha

Shop update!

2009-05-26T22:40:00.001-07:00

It's my first shop update since I opened it in 2006. Can you believe it?

First, I've got some silkscreened prints. I have so loved learning to silkscreen, and you'd better bet I'll be in that lab until I graduate, cranking out more whenever I have the time.

"Crossed Lines" - 7 color silkscreen on medium weight cream Rives BFK. Inspired by the Mission District in San Francisco, kinda where we used to live, and where part of my heart will stay.

"Dear Prudence" - 9 color silkscreen on heavy weight cream Rives BFK. It's a fancy lady with peonies, faceted beads, and a bird wing.

Next up, ten -- count 'em TEN -- altered playing card paintings. I did a suit of playing cards (hearts of course) for a show at E2 Gallery in Eureka, California back in December. 7, 8, and the Queen sold at the show, and now the rest of the suit is up for grabs in my shop.

So there you have it!

A Free Print at Indie Fixx

2009-05-04T08:44:00.000-07:00

First of all -- hey, hi. This is my new art and illustration blog. Perhaps you added the rss feed to your reader in like 2005 when it was my knitting blog, and now suddenly I'm posting again and it's like Christmas! Except no more knitting posts here. It's all art, all the time. I'm gonna do my best to use this space for news and updates.

Second of all -- the awesome Jen Wallace at Indie Fixx has been running a project called Feed Your Soul. She's commissioned a whole gallery of really great FREE (exclusive) prints for our download. What a great idea! Jen W asked me to participate, and my contribution went up today.

Fun! Anyway, go visit and download some art! I just got a badass new Epson and I can't wait to print some of these pretties for my walls. Thanks Jen W!