Summer Photo Fun: Artist Jana Botkin

I don’t know about you, but I’m so glad that Summer Photo Fun Is Back! I’m having such fun sharing the work of a few of my artist and photographer friends. I’ve enjoyed their work so much over the past couple of years, and it makes me happy to feature them here on my blog. I hope you’re enjoying meeting some very talented ladies!

Today I’m thrilled to introduce you to Jana Botkin, an amazing artist I’ve gotten to know through blogging. You may have noticed her comments here on some of my posts. Isn’t it great how the internet makes it possible for us to meet people we’d probably never meet otherwise? That’s how someone like little ole me, a gal from the Heartland, can connect with a west coast gal like Jana. Gotta love it, right?

Jana is a studio artist from Central California. This means that she carries her camera around with her, continually gathering ideas for new oil paintings and pencil drawings. She and her newly retired husband spend much time at their cabin in Sequoia National Park. Jana refers to herself as a “Regional Artist from Quaintsville.” She blogs regularly about her art and life at http://www.janabotkin.net/. Outside of her profession as an artist, she is a knitter, dark-chocolate fiend, might have a bit of a cat disorder, and is a follower of this blog :)

Today Jana is sharing some of her flower photography. She has assigned some personality descriptions to each. Enjoy—and consider which ones you most identify with! :)

Indian Paintbrush comes early and stays late. Can you relate?

Perhaps you are always a little bit tired, like these Languid Ladies.

Ranger Buttons – do you like to hang out in a group with people just like you?

Perhaps you think you are successfully masquerading as something else, like these Elephant Heads.

The Leopard Lily has the most stunning smell – are you giving off a sweetness?

Are you always cold? These are called Blue Lips.

Maybe you are beautiful but prickly, like this Thistle.

Are you a Wallflower? This flower is. Really.

Knotweed is a delicate and detailed little blossom. Are you complex?

Which flower do you identify with the most?

Jana, thanks so much for sharing your work with us!

“Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come . . .” Song of Songs 2:12a

*Be sure to visit Jana’s website and take a look at her art work. I especially love her work in pencil. The painting at the top of this post is called Farewell Gap. It’s a 6×6 oil painting on wrapped canvas and sells for $50.

*Be sure not to miss the previous post Summer Photo Fun: Artist Jeneal Rogers!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, will come out in August. Sign up is free and to the right!

Comments

  1. What beautiful photos, Cheryl! I don’t even recognize most of these flowers. Sure wish we had them here in SC!

  2. Vonda, all of the photos were taken by Jana, and she lives in California. I agree, they are gorgeous shots!

    And everyone, I forgot to mention that I most identify with the Ranger Buttons. I love to hang out with my writing buddies — and of course with my friends and family, too! :)

  3. Cheryl, thanks for prayers for health.

    How exciting about Jana’s feature! She is such a talented, witty, and sweet gal. I enjoy my conversations with her.

    I don’t know which flower I am, but I was delighted by the elephant features in one of them! What a hilarious Artist God we have.He must have been having fun that day. :)

    Jennifer Dougan
    http://www.jenniferdougan.com

  4. What a relaxing journey this was. Nature is so beautiful. Jana’s photos and paintings are beautiful.
    Thanks!

  5. I agree with Jennifer. I love the elephant flowers. I have never seen or heard of them before, but I want some. I think I can identify best with that plant because sometimes I think people are not seeing the real me, but they probably see who I am better than I think they do.

    I’m going to try to see more of Jana’s paintings now.

  6. I have been to Jana”s site and loved looking through her work. She does a beautiful job. I’ll be visiting it again, I’m sure.

  7. Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing these with us, Cheryl. I think I’m more like the Indian Paintbrush but not really for the reason you mentioned there. I don’t usually arrive anywhere early but I do like to stay late! I love the Indian Paintbrush for it reminds me of Oklahoma!! I have a small vase in my study with Indian paintbrush & Bluebonnets in it, reminding me of the years we lived in TX & of my OK heritage, combined to leave me a soft spot for each state!

  8. So glad you’re enjoying Jana’s photos, everyone! The captions/personality descriptions of the flowers are hers as well. So much fun, huh? :)

  9. I love the pencil drawings of homes. What a neat way to have a keepsake of your home!

  10. These are just gorgeous!!

  11. Vonda, I bet you have some fantastical flowers of your own in SC that I’d LOVE to see.

    Jennifer, I agree with you on those Elephant Heads – aren’t those a hoot? And thank you for your sweet words, my friend.
    About Nancy – thank you for your kind words.

    Jeneal, it always makes me feel warm and fuzzy when an accomplished artist likes my work. I sort of feel like an elephant head, a dork posing as an artist!

    Laura, I didn’t know there were Indian Paintbrush in Texas and Oklahoma too! How have you kept them preserved??

    Kristin, I LOVE to draw houses (and cabins) in pencil. Thanks for liking those – and thanks for the info about the cinnamon. ‘Twill be interesting to see if it has made a difference.

    Alicia, they are gorgeous indeed. I get a little carried away, especially when I see a new one. God is overwhelmingly creative and generous with the variety of flowers!

  12. Jana, I feel exactly the same way about your comments about my work. It’s always really neat to hear anybody say nice things about your work, but then when I saw what a great artist you are it felt extra special.

  13. Jeneal, “great artist”?? Oh somebody pop my head. Thank you, my new best friend!

  14. Her pictures alone look like paintings!! Beautiful! I love the descriptions with the flowers!

  15. I agree, Emily, and everyone else who has left comments as well!

    Jana, Emily’s (Elastagirl’s) comment is a real compliment. She is a professional photographer, and I will be featuring her work later today!

  16. Emily, you like my photos?? Oh my. Thank you! iPhoto is my best friend. 8-)

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