Why is that Girl So Full of Joy?

"Jenna's Joy"
Oil • 28" x 22"

 

Today, I'd like to share with you the beautiful story behind "Jenna's Joy," a painting I was commissioned to create by Jenna's parents, Jim and Cyndi.

When Jim and Cyndi took this painting to the framer, one lady commented on the joy on Jenna's face. After Cyndi shared the story behind the piece, the lady urged her to have the story printed and placed on the back of the painting. I'm excited that Cyndi and Jim have given me permission to share that story with you today.

Before I do, I'm happy to announce that "Jenna's Joy" has received three wonderful honors:

• Bronze Award, 6th NTD International Figure Painting Competition (2024)
   
• 10th Place, Portrait Society of America's 2016 Members Only Competition.
   
• Inclusion in "Artists to Watch" feature in Jan 2017 issue of Southwest Art magazine (below)

Read the article online here

I praise God for these blessings, but to me, the highest honor was the privilege of capturing this beautiful story in paint. Here is the story behind "Jenna's Joy," told from the perspective of her mother, Cyndi:

The Story Behind "Jenna's Joy" By Jenna's mother, Cyndi Jenna and I had a really rough day yesterday. Just before school and immediately after, she was very angry with me about not getting her way. The resulting behavior was repeated disobedience, disrespect and hitting. I sent her to her room to calm down and then I wrote a list of her multiple infractions and the typical consequences. As I looked at the list I thought, “there is no way this little child can bear all of this punishment.” It just seemed like such a long, overwhelming list. Then God brought to mind something I heard at Bible study a few weeks ago. The chasm between us and God is so big (because of our sin) we can’t possibly cross it to get to him, much like Jenna couldn’t possibly bear all of the consequences of her behavior. Knowing that we couldn’t cross the chasm on our own, God provided someone to do it for us... Jesus. I wanted to be an example for Jenna of what Jesus did for us. I showed Jenna the list of mistakes and consequences and asked her how she felt about them. She said, “sad.” I told her that the consequences were too big for her to bear; she couldn’t do them on her own. I told her that the consequences of my sins are also too big for me to bear, so Jesus took them for me. “Why would he do that?” I asked her. “Because he loves you,” she said. “And I love you. So I am going to take all of your consequences and you will have all of your privileges... you are free,” I said. What followed was an example of how we should all celebrate our freedom. She lived life with abundant joy. She took off out the back door, leaped off the deck, ran to her play-set and jumped onto her swing. The smile, relief and joy on her face was unlike anything I had ever seen. On some level (perhaps better than I do) she seemed to understand the gift of freedom that she had been given, and she enjoyed every minute of it! I never want to forget the joy on her face at that moment. So when Jim said he wanted to have Jenna’s portrait painted, I knew just what scene I wanted to capture.

 

My Own Story of Joy It was a daunting challenge—how on earth was I going to capture the joy on Jenna's face? I hadn't been there that day. I could paint a smile, but how could I hope to depict joy? It would have been impossible if I hadn't experienced the joy of being forgiven too. The list of Jenna's infractions was long. So was mine. Reading God's Word, I learned there were many things I had done that God says are wrong. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," and I realized that "all" included me. Like Jenna, who faced difficult consequences, I was overwhelmed by God's punishment for my sin—"For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a)." How could I possibly bear that penalty? How could I ever pay that price? I simply couldn't— "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8–9) I couldn't pay the price for my sin, but I also didn't have to.   "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) This gift of life came at an unimaginable price, yet it cost me nothing. Instead of giving me the punishment of death I deserved for my sin, God provided a way out. He did this by sending His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for my sin by dying in my place. Why would God do that? The question is answered in one word—love. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) As a 14-year-old boy, I chose to accept God’s gift of life. With a repentant heart, I asked for forgiveness for my sin and placed my faith in Jesus as my Savior. Just as He promised, God saved me—   “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) If you see any joy coming through my paintings, it didn't originate from me. Many things inspire me to paint, but none inspires me more than my joy over receiving forgiveness and salvation through Jesus. This painting is a celebration of that joy. If you haven't received the gift of forgiveness and salvation through Jesus, I want you to know that this free gift is available to you. Jenna's mother mercifully waived the penalty for her wrongdoings. Similarly, a loving Heavenly Father extends His mercy and grace toward you. Would you receive God's gift of forgiveness by placing your faith in Jesus as your Savior? Thank you for taking the time to read this long post. If you'd like to chat about this topic, please feel free to email me at Contact@ClagueFineArt.com—I'd love to hear from you! Thanks again, and have a wonderful day. —Adam Note: All Scripture was taken from the King James Bible. Bold and italic styles were added.

Simple Solution for Professional Corners

Stretching your own linen offers the freedom to choose your favorite type of linen and to work in any size you wish (learn which types of linen we use here). However, stretching your own material also poses a couple of challenges.

Last time, I shared my method for preventing ripples (read lesson here). Unfortunately, there is another nuisance to avoid--excess linen at the corners can be so bulky that the artwork is prevented from fitting comfortably inside the picture frame! Today, I'll show you my method for making the corners of your linen slim and professional-looking.

Step 1: Trim

Using scissors, trim the excess linen so it looks like this:

Top View

Side View

Step 2: Fold

Fold each part as shown.

Step 3: Staple

Once the last part of linen is folded over, staple the material to keep it in place.

Repeat steps 1–3 for the remaining corners.

Now, your stretched linen can fit comfortably within your picture frame while also looking neat and professional. The only thing left to do is put some paint on that beautiful, blank linen!

Preparing the perfect surface is one thing. Creating a compelling painting is another! In my online video course, I'll show you how I communicate the beauty of portraits and figures from start to finish:

This online video course will launch in Fall 2018, but you can start the course today for free! For more info, please click the button below.

Learn More About Online Video Course

Three Pieces Inspired by Friends

Hello, Andrea here!

Adam and I are excited to share three newer pieces with you. All of these pictures were inspired by friends—a napping cowboy, the beautiful line of a friend's pose and the enjoyment of painting a model with artist friends.

I love it when I am able to paint alongside Adam's workshop attendees. I always learn a lot and have a great time painting with everyone. Drew is a friend of ours from church and an extremely talented country singer. During one of Adam's figurative workshops, Drew posed with his cowboy hat. He was happy to have such a relaxing pose!

"Relaxin' " by Andrea Orr Clague
Oil • 6" x 4" • $249
(Price includes framing and
shipping within the U.S.)

Sara is the daughter of an artist friend of ours. While all of us were on a painting trip in Colorado, Sara graciously posed for several painting and photo sessions. She is a wonderful model and a joy to capture!

"Sara" by Andrea Orr Clague
Colored Pencil • 12" x 8.5" • $550
(Price includes framing and
shipping within the U.S.)

Each week we try to attend our friend Cathy Kline's group painting sessions to practice and spend time with friends. Adam created this painting in about two hours at one of these sessions.

"Doug" by Adam Clague
Oil • 10" x 8" • Sold

If you would be interested in displaying one of these pieces on your own wall, just email Contact@AdamClague.com and let us know. We would be honored to have our artwork in your home!

•••

See you next time for more of our art and adventures!
—Andrea

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Six Steps to Stretch Linen Successfully

Ah, the feeling of painting on stretched linen! Artists' linen is nice and smooth but still has just the right amount of "tooth" to accept paint from your brush (Learn which types of linen we use in Our Favorite Painting Surfaces).

When you stretch linen, the material reacts to each brushstroke with a nice "spring." Furthermore, stretching your own linen allows you to work in any size you wish.

Today, I'll share how I stretch linen evenly and without ripples—nearly every time.

Step 1: Gather Materials

Here's what you'll need:

• Linen
• Stretcher bars (also called stretcher strips)
• Long square ruler
• Pencil
• Strong scissors
• Canvas pliers
• Staple gun
• Heavy duty staples (I use 5/16" T50 staples)

Step 2: Secure Stretcher Bars

After fitting your stretcher bars together to form a frame, ensure the frame is square by using a square ruler or by comparing the diagonal measurements of the frame (if both diagonals are equal in length, your frame is square).

Now, secure the frame by sinking a couple of staples in each corner.

Note: If your artwork is larger than 18" x 24" or so,
I recommend using thicker, heavy duty stretcher bars
like these from Blick. Otherwise, the tension of the
stretched linen can cause the frame to twist. On very
large frames, I add a cross brace for added support.

Step 3: Cut Linen

Cut a piece of linen generously larger than the size of your artwork. For standard-duty stretcher bars (about 3/4" thick), I add 3" to each length of my artwork (1.5" extra all the way around). For heavy-duty stretcher bars (about 1.5" thick), I add about 7" to each length of my artwork (3.5" extra all the way around). Obviously, if you use even thicker stretcher bars, such as the ones intended for gallery wrapping, you will need an even larger border of extra linen.

As in the photo above, place the linen face down with the frame face down on top. Make sure the frame is centered and straight.

 

Quick Tips

• Don't step or kneel on your linen, as this can create bulges or dimples. Clean your work area, as even a small piece of debris can emboss a divot into your linen.
   
• Ensure you cut a piece of linen that is square. First, draw pencil lines on the linen where you intend to cut. Before cutting, make sure the pencil lines are square by checking them with a square ruler or by comparing the diagonal measurements.
   
• I find using scissors the easiest way to cut linen.
   
• To ensure even tension when the linen is stretched, make your cuts parallel and perpendicular to the weave of the linen.

Step 4: Find a Diamond

Wrap the linen over one side of the frame and secure the linen with a staple. Place the staple directly in the middle of the stretcher bar (below).
 

 

Note: I place my staples along the side of the stretcher bar
rather than along the back, because this allows a better angle
for the canvas pliers to stretch the linen tighter. However,
with a gallery wrap, you have to staple along the back
of the stretcher bar to keep the staples unseen.

Using canvas pliers, firmly stretch the opposite edge of the linen over the opposite side of the frame. Staple directly across from the first staple (below).
 

Now, stretch and staple in the middle of the third side. Do the same on the fourth side. Once you have a staple in the middle of each side of the frame, the linen should have creases in the shape of a diamond, like this:
 

Step 5: Continue
Stretching and Stapling

Next, add two staples to each side of the frame—one staple on either side of the middle staple. Place these staples about 2 inches apart. Each time you add two staples to one side of the frame, add another two directly across from them on the opposite side of the frame.

Continue adding two staples at a time to each side, working from the middle outward, toward the corners.

 

Helpful Tips

• As you stretch the linen, pull at a slight angle away from the middle staple. This will help prevent ripples.
   
• The goal is to create even tension over the whole surface of the linen, so try to use the same amount of force with each pull of the canvas pliers.
   
• I pull the linen with quite a bit of force, but nowhere near enough to rip the linen.

Step 6: Fix any Ripples

Normally, I don't encounter those pesky ripples along the edges of the frame when I use this method. However, they do still happen occasionally. Hold your canvas at different angles to the light, and any ripples will become evident.

To eliminate ripples along the frame edge, use a screwdriver to pry up the staples that span the length of the ripples. Then re-stretch the linen, pulling at an outward angle to flatten the ripples, and re-staple.

Once your linen is stretched evenly and without ripples, gently hammer in any staples that may be raised.

 

Helpful Tips

• If your linen slackens over time, you can tap stretcher strip keys
  into the corners of your frame to re-tighten the linen.
   
• Lightly wetting the back of your linen can flatten ripples once dry.
  However, water can be harmful if your linen contains a
  water-soluble substance such as rabbit-skin glue.

•••

Stretching a smooth piece of linen is one thing. Creating a compelling painting is another! In my online video course, I'll show you how I communicate the beauty of portraits and figures from start to finish.

The course will launch in Fall 2018, but you can start the course today for free! For more info, please click the button below.

Learn More About Online Video Course

Unfortunately, rippling is not the only nuisance when stretching linen. The excess linen at the corners can be so bulky that the artwork is prevented from fitting nicely inside the picture frame! Next time, I'll show you my method for making the corners of your linen slim and professional-looking.

See you then!
—Adam

Invitation to Our Family Tradition

Today, Andrea and I would like to invite you to enjoy one of our favorite family traditions. As you join us, we'll show you nine paintings we've never shared publicly until now.

Since our wedding, Andrea and I have instituted a few family traditions. This one holds special importance to us. Each Christmas, Andrea and I harvest a tree from our own property (we have enough volunteer evergreens for many Christmases to come!). After selecting the perfect tree (usually one that resembles Charlie Brown's), we use it to celebrate Christmas in an artsy way. 

Homemade lattes are a warm welcome from the cold.     After stringing the lights and hanging our ornaments, I'll bet you can't guess what we do next… ;) We paint the tree!   When the holidays are over, we re-plant the tree alongside others that have served as Christmas trees in years past. Below are our Christmas tree paintings from all five years of marriage. Seven of these have never been shown publicly until now. After sharing our Christmas tree paintings, I'll show you two more never-before-publicized paintings. Enjoy!   2012 (Left: Andrea's | Right: Adam's)

2013 (Left: Andrea's | Right: Adam's)

2014 (Top: Andrea's | Bottom: Adam's)

2015 (Top: Andrea's | Bottom: Adam's)

2016 (Left: Andrea's | Right: Adam's)

Two More Never-Before-Publicized Paintings

Because our Christmas tree paintings hold special memories for us, we don't sell them. However, these two winter-themed paintings are available (UPDATE: "Paper House" is sold):
 

"Paper House" by Adam Clague
Oil • 6 x 6.25 • SOLD

Above: The paper house and trees are Christmas decorations made by Andrea. The glow of the lights against the geometric shapes are reminders of the simple pleasure of a warm, welcoming home.

Below: Deep tire tracks in our freshly-fallen snow created a beautiful pattern that was inspiring to capture on canvas.
 

"Snowy Tracks" by Adam Clague
Oil • 4.25 x 6.25
To inquire, please email Contact@AdamClague.com

See you next time!
—Adam

Be the first to see our latest paintings

Subscribe to Our Latest Artwork & Adventures email newsletter below to see our new work before the general public. If a painting catches your eye, you'll have first dibs on purchasing.

Email Address

First Name

Last Name

• Also keep me informed of workshops and other art instruction

Our Favorite Painting Surfaces

Hi!

Today, I'm going to share our favorite painting surfaces and when we use them.

1. Stretched Linen
(For Larger Studio Paintings)

The first time I painted on linen instead of typical cotton, I knew I would never go back. To me, the difference between linen and cotton is like the difference between fabric car seats and leather car seats (heated ones). Simply put, I love how linen receives paint from my brush. Furthermore, some believe linen is longer-lasting than cotton.

Because linen is more expensive, Andrea and I purchase it the cheapest way possible—by the roll. We also wait for sales and coupons, which online art supply stores issue frequently.

Here are the three types of linen we use:

• Claessens Double Oil Primed #13 (very fine texture)
• Claessens Double Oil Primed #9 (fine texture)
• Claessens Double Oil Primed #15 (medium texture)

Generally, we prefer the smoother #9 and #13 linens for subjects that are softer, more delicate, and require more detail, like a young lady's portrait. We like the coarser #15 linen for more textural subjects like landscapes. However, this is totally a matter of preference, so please try a variety of surfaces to discover what you like best.

We use stretched linen for most of our larger studio paintings. However, when we travel, we use another surface that is much lighter and takes up less room…

2. Linen Mounted to Gatorfoam Panels
(For Traveling)

In case you're not familiar with Gatorfoam, it's like foam core board, but much more dense and durable. It is also very lightweight.

Before switching to Gatorfoam, Andrea and I used hardboard (HDF). However, hardboard is heavy, and when you're traveling (especially flying), every pound counts. Gatorfoam helps us avoid those overweight baggage fees!

The best price for Gatorfoam
we've found is at FoamBoardSource.com.
The shipping is expensive, but overall, the prices at
FoamBoardSource.com seem to be lower than at most other suppliers.
In addition, FoamBoardSource.com pre-cuts the Gatorfoam
in various sizes, including 8x10 and 11x14.

You can enjoy the texture of linen without the bulkiness of stretcher bars—just mount linen to Gatorfoam with a glue like Miracle Muck. However, if you have to prepare a large number of panels, mounting linen to each one can be time-consuming. This is why Andrea and I frequently use another solution…

3. Primed Gatorfoam Panels
(For Traveling with Little Prep Time)

For one particularly long painting trip, Andrea and I prepared 80 panels (below)!
 

If we had mounted linen to each of these panels, it would have taken forever! To save time, our preferred method is to simply prime Gatorfoam panels with acrylic gesso or Gamblin Oil Ground.
 

Helpful Tips:

• Many acrylic gessos are very absorbent, which makes your paint dry and become matte very quickly. We like Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Gesso because of its low absorbancy.
• Both acrylic gesso and oil ground can be sanded to the smoothness of your liking. 
• Apply primer with various rollers and brushes to find the texture you like best.
• Gamblin Oil Ground can take several days to dry, but adding a few drops of drier medium can speed the process.

•••

Choosing the perfect surface is one thing. Creating a compelling painting is another! In my online video course, I'll show you how I communicate the beauty of portraits and figures from start to finish.

The course will launch in Fall 2018, but you can start the course today for free! For more info, please click the button below.

Learn More About Online Video Course

Finding your favorite linen is only half the battle… Next time, I'll share 6 Steps to Stretch Linen Successfully!

See you then!
—Adam