lawn chair

Illustrated Stories - A Lawn Chair in Makanda

Hi there. How are you?

In today's edition of "Illustrated Stories", I'm sharing one of my favorite pieces I've ever made. I created this piece in 2013, when I was neck deep in my lawn chair phase.

This mixed-media illustrated chair is constructed with collaged paper and ball-point pen.

This mixed-media illustrated chair is constructed with collaged paper and ball-point pen.

The Story

I came across this chair on the roof top deck of the L.L. Bell building, on the Boardwalk in Makanda, Illinois. When I saw this slightly wonky chair and this scene, I knew it would make for a great mixed-media illustration.

The colors, lines, and textures of the chair, wall, decking, and screen door were screaming to be drawn! I love rendering wood, especially of the old, weathered variety, so I knew this piece was going to be treat to make.

My filtered Instagram shot of lovely chair I spotted in Makanda.

My filtered Instagram shot of lovely chair I spotted in Makanda.

The photo I took in Makanda, that became basis for my illustration.

The photo I took in Makanda, that became basis for my illustration.

I took my source photos for this piece with my iPhone. I am continually amazed at the power of the camera it contains. The iPhone beautifully captures the light, color, and detail of the scene.

My completed mixed-media illustration

My completed mixed-media illustration

Process and Materials

There are four different kinds of paper in this piece. The brick was rendered on a piece of orange patterned paper. The tonal pattern was just subtle enough that it doesn't detract from the overall scene, but instead adds some interest and texture. The decking was crafted out of a gray paper, and the door was drawn on top of a bit of vintage ledger paper. (Can you see the faint blue lines in the white areas of the door?) The chair and the other brown areas were drawn on brown craft paper. I love the soft texture and look of craft paper and it makes its way into many of my pieces.

All of the dark you see here was done with my trusty Bic ballpoint pen. Inking up my pieces is by far my favorite part of my process. Addingthe detail with ink really makes these scenes come to life!

The Title

I've often thought of my chairs as stand-ins for people. If you think of them that way the title "I've Seen" makes sense. The weathered old chair has surely been a silent observer to much up on the roof of this historic building on the Makanda boardwalk.

This piece is way too cool to be sitting on a shelf in my studio. Go on, buy it! Here's the listing:

Original Mixed Media Chair Illustration - I've Seen
Sale Price:$175.00 Original Price:$300.00

This is a one of a kind mixed media work that captures a lovely old chair found on a rooftop deck in Makanda, Illinois. Read more about this piece here.

THE DETAILS: The work measures 10" x 8" and is mounted on a 2" deep cradled wooden box. With a small sawtooth hanger on the back, it comes ready to hang or can sit on a ledge or shelf.

Collaged paper, black ball point pen and Prismacolor colored pencils were used the creation of this work. It is finished with a protective UVA/UVB coating and clear varnish, so that the papers won't fade over time and it is water resistant.

The piece bears my initials on the front, and is signed and dated on the back.

THE SHIPPING: Your piece will be wrapped in a handmade fabric bag, carefully packaged in a sturdy box, and inshipped to you via USPS mail with insurance and a tracking number. I take great care to make sure my pieces are wrapped and shipped securely.

FREE shipping within the US and $10 flat rate shipping everywhere else.

Please contact me with any questions.

OTHER INFORMATION: Please be aware that while I do my best to photograph the colors true-to-life, all monitors display colors differently, please allow some variation between what you see on your screen and what you see in real life.

Copyright © Jennifer Mullin
All Rights Reserved.

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That's it for today. Please share this post with someone you think might enjoy my work. Ciao!



Lawn Chair Love

Hi there. How are you? 

I'm happy to have another finished work to share. Entitled "Summer will come again. Someday", this piece seems quite timely. Winter just doesn't want to leave us this year! I about had a come-apart this week when it snowed all over my dafodils! 

I came across this scene while I was attending a party at an old golf course clubhouse a few months back.  I was drawn to the vintage metal chair, but also liked the way the plastic chairs were stacked up behind it. 
 
 
You may have noticed that lawn chairs and outdoor scenes have become quite common in my work. I just can't seem to get enough My trusty iPhone camera is filled with scenes featuring lawn chairs that I find when I'm out and about.


I found this one on a porch in Lowertown Paducah, Kentucky, when I was doing an art fair there last spring. 


This guy was found on a roof-top balcony on the boardwalk in tiny Makanda, Illinois. 


My newest piece,  features these beauties that live on the front porch of my friend Heather's house. 

Do you have a favorite lawn chair? Would you like to see it featured in my work? Please send pics! If I use your chair, I will send you a free print of the piece when it's completed. Sound good?

Hope you all is well in your world. Ta-Ta for now!


Finally.....Some New Work!


Well hi! How are you? 
I'm pretty darn excited to have a new piece to show you! It's been a very long time coming.

Making new work has really been on the "back burner" during our home renovation.  Spare time was spent making this place liveable. When I did steal a minute to work on art, I felt guilty for not working on the house. On the other hand, I was also guilty when I wasn't making art, as it really is one of my "jobs."   

Now that we are moved into the new place, and the majority of the renovation is complete, I have finally been able to dedicate some time to artmaking. I just polished off this still untitled work this weekend. This beauty measures 10x8 and was completed with collaged papers, black Bic ballpoint pen, and a dash of colored pencils.

My studio is all set up now and I just ordered a fresh supply of cradled hardboard, so I have no excuses not to work! Please do publicly berate me if you don't see me sharing new things on a regular basis. Really.....berate! Write me messages, call me, post on here on the blog, my facebook, my twitter! I have to keep working. Time is of the essence! My goal is to do a show a month from May-December, and if I'm going to make that happen, I have to be consistently making new work.

So, what do you think of this new piece? Do tell. Any ideas of how to keep myself motivated and working?  And lastly, if you're interested in purchasing this piece, do drop me an email.

See you again here real soon. Promise. Ta-ta for now!