Why Shop Small?

Why shop small this holiday season? Or really why shop small anytime? Why shop local? Why does it matter? As a consumer we hold a lot of power. We get to decide how we spend our money and what we choose to buy. We make purchasing decisions all the time that help the economy as well as our local community or friends. 


Here are some reasons why we should try to shop small and why shop local.



Why Shop Small?

You are supporting a small business

A small business is just like the name says it is small. My business includes myself and help from my husband. Most of the work I do I am not paying myself (or my husband).


You are supporting a dream 

Anyone who owns a small business also owns a dream. I love making art and I dream of being a full time artist. That doesn’t happen if I don’t sell my art or if people don’t buy it. I’m passionate about art and each day I get to make art, sell art or write about it, is a great day. I’m thankful to be able to do this. I look forward to doing this full time and I thank you for being here! 




You are buying quality 

When you shop small you are shopping from one person or a few people on a team. There is a sense of quality in what you buy because it is not made in a factory, it’s not made by a machine and it is not produced carelessly. It is produced with love, time and care which helps give it quality and makes it a purchase that will last for years to come! 




Why Shop Local?

You are supporting your local economy 

By shopping local you are supporting your economy. You are paying someone who pays taxes in your area and you are supporting local places that that person is buying from. For example, if you buy soap at your local farmer’s market you are supporting the person who made the soap and in turn you’re are supporting the people who supplied the materials to make the soap. You aren’t supporting a big corporation where people are not paid properly for the work they do. 





You are supporting friends, neighbours, family and people in your community

By shopping locally, especially in a small community chances are you know the person or you know of the person through someone you know. It’s nice to support people you know. If you aren’t able to support someone you know, try to share their work with others who you think might be interested. 





You are saving on shipping costs and helping the environment

When you shop local, you can pick up the work locally, you can have the work hand delivered or you can purchase directly from the business. This saves on shipping costs for you and helps the environment by reducing the amount of shipping materials and gas/fossil fuel emissions. Win-win! 


If you can't shop small or shop local this holiday season. I understand completely. It’s been a hard few years with inflation, the housing market and the pandemic. If you can’t shop small or shop local there are other FREE ways you can show support to your favourite small business or artist.




FREE Ways to Support a Small Business if You’re Unable to Shop Small!

  • Follow them on social media! 

  • Share their posts on social media to your friends to help them reach more customers 

  • Like and comment on their social media posts - it helps them reach more people because of the algorithm 

  • Join their email list  (Join mine below!)

  • If someone is looking for that business - you can tag their business and give them credit 

  • Refer your friends and family to the small business or share why you love it 




You can follow me by clicking on any of the icons!


I have explained the reasons of why shop small or shop local this holiday season. It may not always be possible to shop small or shop local for a variety of reasons based on where you live and your financial situation. When you shop local or shop small it does make a difference. Remember that! 




Sign up to save 15% on my fine art by joining my mailing list. Just fill out the form below! 

Holiday Gift Guide 2022


Here is your Holiday Gift Guide 2022 to help you do your shopping for loved ones this holiday season. Scroll down to find ideas for the person you are shopping for. These are all items I sell. Some of the links are affiliate links meaning I get a small percentage of the sale but the price is the same regardless of whether or not you use my link. 



Holiday Gift Guide 2022

Holiday Gift Guide 2022 - for Mom

Peach Daisies
Peach Daisies
CA$90.00



Holiday Gift Guide 2022 - for Your Brother 





Holiday Gift Ideas - for Your Co-worker or Boss 





Holiday Gift Guide  - for a Teacher or Daycare Provider 





When in doubt you can buy a gift card! :) Click the button if you would like a gift card for my original artwork (this does not include art prints)



Here are some ideas in my Holiday Gift Guide for 2022! Please note the last day for shipping guaranteed by December 25th 2022 is December 14th. 




Giving art is a great gift idea to show you care and help to bring some joy and personalization this holiday season! 



If you are ordering from this website make sure you are on my mailing list to save 15% on your first order! Fill out the form and enter your email below! 









Why You Should Have a Collection in Art


Why should you have a collection in art? Why not  by art for cheap at Walmart or on Amazon? Why is collecting art so special? I will let you know, from the perspective of an artist. This perspective may be a little biased just as a warning! 



Collection in Art - Why does it Matter?

Artists are Paid Properly and Earn a Living Wage 

Supporting artists you care about and love is important. Art is more than just a hobby or a skill to an artist -it is their world, their joy and their fulfillment. Oftentimes, artists are overlooked, they are copied, told to give their art away for free and not valued in society. It’s important to pay an artist what they are worth. 



There is a lot that goes into the cost of an artwork. Materials, time to make the piece, education and training, shipping, marketing, planning and more. On top of that, artists are small business owners. They have fees like studio rentals, website fees, payment processing fees, tax and more! All of this goes into the price of a work of art. You have probably heard stories of a lot of famous artists living in poverty and not really making money until far after they have died. It’s important to pay artists who are living and recognize them for their creative and inventive contributions to society. Having a collection in art is a great way to support different artists you appreciate! 

collection in art daisy cyanotype

You Can Feel Good About Your Purchase that You Shopped Small or Local 

You can find local artists by searching hashtags of your area, asking if there are local artists in Facebook groups or checking out your local art market. You can find artists on Pinterest, Etsy, Society6 or Instagram. If you like an artist be sure to follow them and stay connected so you know about new art collection releases or any art markets they are participating in. It’s great to shop small and shop local to add to your collection in art! 



I am doing an art market Sunday November 20, 2022 in St. Agatha 

Be sure to enter your email below to stay connected about art events like the Christmas market or new art collections! 

Remember to join my email list to save 15% on artwork!


You are Buying Beauty, Love, Calmness and Joy 

When you collect art you are not just buying the piece of art, you are buying an emotional connection to the artwork. You are buying something beautiful that all your friends and family will comment on. You are buying something you love; that you can wake up to while you drink your morning coffee looking at it. You are buying something that gives you a feeling of calm or relaxation that hangs in your bathroom while you take a nice long soak in the tub. Lastly, you are buying joy, something that brings joy and reminds you of something special each time you look at it. Feeling these feelings day after day by being surrounded by beauty is a priceless feeling and worth having a collection in art.



Collection in art blue and white cedar cyanotype

You are Buying an Investment 

Art naturally goes up in value over time. Not always, I get that but it tends not to go down in value. Imagine buying a piece of art and having it be worth 10x or 100x more 10, 20, 50 years from now. That would be pretty cool! Original artwork is valuable and that is why it is priced significantly more than a print of a tulip painting at Walmart. 


If you think about it -it makes sense. An original painting of a tulip can only be sold once because there is one painting like it. Even if an artist tries to recreate it, it won’t end up being exactly the same. 


Where as if the tulip painting is sold as a print it can be printed over and over again to an unlimited supply. Therefore it can be sold cheaper since instead of selling one copy you can sell thousands or millions of copies. 


Original artwork is also about quality. By paying more you are investing in the quality of the art, how long it will last without the colours fading for example. 


Prints are cheap because they are printed cheaply. The colours are ink and not paint so they will fade over time and it will be a lot faster! 





To Personalize Your Home 

The difference between a house and a home is that a house is a building and a home is a place that is personalized for you and your family. There is no need to hang a generic print of a watermelon. Especially if you don’t like it. In your home, you can personalize the way you want so that your home is meaningful to you. You can hang framed family photos, photos from your vacation, art that connects to a feeling, a moment or memory, art that you love to look at and spend time with. 


Art makes a home feel loved and lived in. It makes your guests feel comfortable and at home. Art can add a personal touch because you picked it out and you decided where to place it in your home. 

collection in art handmade paper art

To Create a Legacy to Pass Down 

By investing in a collection in art you can pass the art down to generations because you are buying quality. Since art is an investment it can be cherished for future generations. 


I’m sure you can remember the art hanging in your grandmother’s dining room or living room. After your grandmother passes, think about how special it would be to own that piece of art you love or to be able to keep passing that art down to your kids or your kids’ kids. 


Buying quality original art or well made artist prints allows you to pass down a legacy of cherished possessions.



For the Thrill of Finding that Perfect Piece 

I love going to the thrift store or a garage sale and finding the perfect piece of furniture. Something that ties a room together and makes a room feel complete. The same joy and thrill can be found while hunting for art. 


When you are on social media and all of a sudden a work of art captures your eye; that is the thrill of finding the perfect piece of art! 


Art is not only about finding the perfect piece or the right piece but it’s about deciding where that artwork should live in your home. For more ideas you can read my post about where to hang art and art that pairs well together.


To purchase my art please check out my shop by clicking on the button below! 

I understand choosing the right piece of art can be a difficult and long process. Please contact me if you need help or would like ideas of where to hang my art in your home. 

Thank you for supporting me as an artist! 


Related Articles:

Art that Pairs Well Together 

Places to Hang Your Art 

How to Choose the Right Frame 

Shop my art



Wild Flowers of Ontario Project

I am doing a project with wild flowers of Ontario, specifically wild flowers of Waterloo Region, where I am from. I got a microgrant to do this project from Pat the Dog Theatre Company for $1000. This project pays for a week of work for emerging artists living in Waterloo Region.


The microgrant was awarded to 35 emerging artists in Waterloo Region. For the grant, I proposed to make a series of cyanotype prints of different wildflowers in Waterloo Region. I also proposed completing cyanotypes on different surfaces like canvas, fabric and wood. 

I am grateful to have received this grant and to be able to be paid for my time, research and the cost of materials to be able to make this project possible! 


Although, I have completed the flowers of ontario/Waterloo Region project. I know there are a lot more flowers of Ontario. I would love to have a large wall of flowers of Ontario cyanotypes. 

wild flowers of Ontario cyanotype by Jackie Partridge

Here are Some the Wild Flowers of Ontario I Have Made: 

  • Red clover 

  • White clover 

  • Buttercup 

  • Forget me not

  • Teasel 

  • Oxeye daisies 

  • Goldenrod 

  • Queen Anne’s Lace 

  • And more!


To see more pictures from my wild flowers of Ontario project -check out my instagram @jackiepartridge_


 If you have ideas for what wild flowers of Ontario I should use next please send me a DM or comment below in this blog post! 

What did I Learn from the Wild Flowers of Ontario Project?

There are a ton of wildflowers in Ontario and within the Waterloo Region. I was always surprised by all the types of wildflowers I could find within a small area like along the side of the road. Using a wildflower guide is a helpful way to identify different types of wildflowers. Often you can tell different types apart by their colour, leaf shape or the way the petals form. 

cyanotype of wild flowers of Ontario

What is a Cyanotype?

A cyanotype is a sun print that uses a chemical process coated on paper. When the chemicals are exposed to UV the yellow chemicals turn blue in colour. If you place something on top of the coated paper it will leave behind a beautiful white print! 

Learn how to make a cyanotype here!


See the Collection of Wildflower Cyanotypes



What will I do with the Cyanotypes of Wild Flowers of Ontario?

I hope to make more cyanotypes of wildflowers, covering all the flowers in Ontario one day. I will be using these designs and scanning them as digital files to make prints like cards, stickers and art prints. I will be selling my originals on my website before the holidays.


The best way to stay connected about art releases and to get a 15% off discount in my art shop is to join my mailing list. You can enter your email in the form below to sign up! 

Art Competition London



My art is featured in an art competition London, Ontario at the Kellogg Factory. The art competition takes place at an art gallery London, Ontario at 100 Kellogg Lane. The Art Competition London selected 100 artists to include 100 artworks. The exhibition lasts for 100 days and ends on September 8, 2022. 

Voting closes for the Art Competition London on September 4, 2022. There are two $100 000 prizes one is for people’s choice where you can vote for your favourite artwork and the other is for juror’s choice where the jury will select their favourite artwork. 

map paper installation by Jackie Partridge

100 Kellogg Lane is a transformed space it used to be the old Kellogg Factory. Now it is a communal hub in London, Ontario that has a brewery, indoor climbing centre, art gallery, Starbucks, icecream, hairdressers and more! 


See the Art Competition London This Summer 2022

Click this link to see where different pieces are located: https://100kellogglane.com/uploads/2022/05/cid57AA9844-8638-4CD6-9456-AEF560EF4750.pdf 



With each email address you have that counts as a vote! Please share this voting link with your friends and family to help me win! 

Vote here: https://artcomp.awardsplatform.com 



How to Vote

You can vote by registering an account you need to add in your name and email and create a password. Follow the instructions of the password -it needs to be 12 characters, have an uppercase, a number and a special symbol like an !.

Once you receive an email you can click on the link and you will have to sign into the account you made. Next find my artwork “Precariously Perched.” Make sure to hit the vote button. It will say voted when you are done!

Thank you for voting!



What am I showing in the Art Competition London?

I am showing a piece called Precariously Perched. This piece is a large site-specific installation that features many twisted strands of map paper balancing on tiny pins that come out from the wall. The piece is about fragility and the passage of time. Some pieces of map paper rest on the ground with empty pins on the wall signaling the passage of time. You can read more about this project here.

Precariously Perched map paper installation by Jackie Partridge

Precariously Perched - Photo taken by Scott Lee

Make sure to Vote for the Art Competition London! 

You can vote for your favourite artwork here: 

https://artcomp.awardsplatform.com


What would I do if I won the Art Competition London? 

It would be a great honour to have my art recognized. Often as an artist you are not paid properly and it’s hard to make a consistent income with your art alone. I would use some of that money to invest into my business so I could be an artist full time! I would use some money to buy a house and of course to make sure it has a studio. Lastly, I would use the money to produce more free content like YouTube videos on my painting channel and other free resources on my website! 5% of the money I would donate to help the environment. 

Precariously Perched, twisted maps on a pin by Jackie Partridge


Again, please share this voting link with your friends and family to help me win! 

https://artcomp.awardsplatform.com 


Thank you for sharing the voting platform and for voting for my art in the Art Competition London for my work Precariously Perched. It really means a lot! 




Related Articles: 

Vote for my art in the competition here!

Check out 100 Kellogg Lane

See my other art installations

Learn more about Precariously Perched!







Where to Buy Frames for Art


Where to buy frames for art? There are lots of stores that sell frames. You can check well known stores or look for a local framing store in your area. You can experiment by seeing what frame will work best by looking for frames at garage sales or thrift stores. 



You can buy frames for art pretty much anywhere. It all depends on your budget. You can consider getting frames with glass or plexiglass. Glass is better quality and tends not to scratch and lasts longer but a lot of plexiglass is made to look like glass. 


When getting art framed it is good to get a UV protection added into the glass to prevent the artwork from fading over time especially if you are framing original artwork. 

where to buy frames for art

Other Considerations for Buying Frames

  • What other art/photographs are you framing and do you want the frames to match?

  • What size of frames do you want?

  • Do you need matting for around the artwork or photograph?

  • Do you want wooden frames or plastic?

  • Glass or plexiglass?

  • Do you need an UV coating on the glass for the artwork?

  • Where will you hang the art and will the frames be close together like on a gallery wall? 



Stores that Sell Frames

  • Michaels - often has deals and a great time to stock up on frames. They also offer a discount to get artwork professionally framed. 

  • Ikea 

  • Walmart 

  • Don’t forget to check your local framing store 



Good luck with framing art in your home. Make sure to read some of my other articles linked below! Remember you can always upgrade your frames as you go. 



Related Articles:

How to Choose the Right Frame 

Best Tips for Framing and Displaying Art 

How to Frame Cyanotypes 



Click one of the icons below to follow me on social media for more tips and to stay connected. Be sure to follow me on Pinterest to see my board all about framing ideas and inspiration.


stores that sell frames

How to Save Money Decorating Your House 



Decorating a house can be a lot of work but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Here’s some ideas for how to save money decorating your house. Learn how to save money decorating your house by reading more! 



How to Save Money Decorating Your House 

  1. Make Your Own Artwork

One of the easiest ways to save money decorating your house is through the artwork. You can make your own art. Yes, even if you have never painted and made art before. A great way to learn how to paint with acrylics is through YouTube. You can check out my YouTube channel- Jackie Partridge Art to follow along with one of my painting tutorials and learn how to paint with acrylics on canvas. 




Read this article about getting started with acrylics to know what art supplies you actually need to begin painting. 


Before creating your artwork you will want to decide on the colour palette of the room. What colour will the walls be? What colour will the fabric be? What colour is the furniture? You want the artwork to complement all of this. 


By making your own art it will also be a nice personal touch and a good conversation starter to have with your guests who enter your home. Plus making your own art is a great way to save money decorating your house.


If you are still not feeling confident with artistic abilities you can also choose to print and enlarge photographs and then frame them. Black and white photos or sepia tone photos act as great home decor. 


2. Art Prints and Printed Decor Pieces 

Another way to save money decorating your house is through making use of printed art and printed decor pieces on stores like Society6. Society6 is known for their quality and low prices and works with artists like myself by paying them a commission for their original art designs. 

These links are affiliate links meaning I get a small commission from Society6 for mentioning them.


Daisy Pillow Shams

Daisy Throw Pillows 

Palm Throw Pillow

Palm Wall Clock

3. Invest in Artwork You Love 

The last way for how to save money decorating your house is to choose artwork that you love. When you invest in handmade art you are purchasing quality. Quality that does not come from mass produced artwork at Walmart. The art you love can be treasured for years to come and passed down to generations. 


It’s also your home. You need to feel excited, inspired and confident living in your home. You want people to feel welcome, safe and happy. Artwork can provide those feelings especially if you are picking art that truly makes you feel happy. 




Save 15% off artwork by entering your email address to receive a discount code. 

Jackie Partridge Daisies Cyanotype, 2021
Sold Out
Daisy Cyanotype 2
CA$50.00
Rainbow Field 4
Rainbow Field 4
CA$110.00


I hope you feel more confident in how to save money decorating your house and that you can live in a house you love surrounded by art that makes you happy! 


Related Articles:

My Society6 Shop

10 FLower Prints Society6 

Coastal Wall Art and Decor




 5 Cards for Family 


Giving cards for family is a thoughtful way to show that you care about your loved ones. Cards for family are cards they will treasure and hold onto for years to come. With my cyanotype cards they have a blank interior making them perfect to write a personalized message for any occasion. You can give these cards for family or to friends. These minimalist floral cards are perfect for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, sympathy cards, get well cards and more! 



There’s something special about receiving a card in the mail that shows that the person really went the extra mile in taking the time to choose the right card, write a thoughtful message and send it off to be mailed. I’m sure you can think of a few people in your life that could really appreciate receiving a card to show that you are thinking of them. Maybe a grandparent? A friend who lives out of town or someone special who is going through a hard time. 




My fine art cards for family are designed to be collected and treasured. After the occasion has passed the card can be cut or folded and put in a frame where the artwork on the front of the card can be displayed and cherished as a personal keepsake. 


About the Card Designs 

These cards are created by me with the cyanotype process. The cyanotype process is a chemical process that involves the sunlight to create a blue pigment. After the prints were created I scanned and edited the designs so they could be printed on cards. 



5 Cards for Family 

Some of these links are affiliate links meaning that I get a small percentage for sharing the link with you. Thank you! 


Daisy Handmade Cards 

These daisy handmade cards are sold individually or as a package of four. They are sold with white envelopes. They have a white interior perfect for writing any message you choose. The minimalist daisy design suits any occasion or holiday. The minimalist navy and white cyanotype would look great in a white or wooden frame to make a lovely and affordable artwork for after the lifespan of the card. 

Daisy Cyanotype Cards
Daisy Cyanotype Cards
from CA$6.50


Ideas for these cards for family: 

  • Wedding and Anniversary cards 

  • Valentine’s Day Cards 

  • Mother’s Day Cards 

  • Birthday Cards and more! 



Click the button below to purchase daisy cyanotype cards! 



Farm Field Wheat Card 

These cards are sold as a pack of 3, 5, or 10 and printed with Society6. This card has a white interior perfect for personalized messages and comes with white envelopes.



Ideas for sending these cards for family and friends: 

  • Father’s Day Card 

  • Birthday Card 

  • Thinking of You Card 



Click the button below to purchase wheat cyanotype cards!





Botanical Cards 

These botanical cards are great cards for family with beautiful floral designs. The cards have an all white interior. Afterwards they can be framed in a wooden or white frame. The cards are printed from Society6 and come with a white envelope. Sold as a pack of 3,5 or 10.


Ideas for sending these cards for family: 

  • Birthdays 

  • Weddings and anniversaries 

  • Valentine’s Day 

  • Mother’s Day 

 

Click the button below to purchase floral cyanotype cards! 



Pine Printed Cards 

Pine printed cards are wonderful cards for family or friends. These minimalist cards are great for a gardener or nature lover. The cards have an all white interior, are printed from Society6 and come with a white envelope. They are sold as packs of 3, 5, or 10.



Ideas for sending these cards for family: 

  • Birthday cards 

  • Get well cards 

  • Father’s Day Cards 



Click the button below to purchase pine cyanotype cards! 




Palm Leaf Cards

Palm leaf cards are printed by Society6 and sold individually. These cards have a blank interior and would look great framed after in a white or wooden frame. The cards come with a white envelope. They are sold in packs of 3, 5, or 10.


Ideas for sending these cards for family: 

  • Retirement or graduation cards

  • Father’s Day 

  • Thinking of you




Click the button below to purchase palm cyanotype cards! 



Click the button to head  to my Society6 shop 



Click the button to shop my cyanotype daisy cards. 


Related Articles:

Cyanotype Pine Cards

Cyanotype Palm Leaf Cards

Botanical Cyanotype Card

Wheat Cyanotype Cards

Daisy Cyanotype Cards


Click one of the icons below to follow me on social media and stay connected. 

Valentine’s day gift ideas for her


Valentine’s day is coming up. Here are some Valentine’s day gift ideas for her to help get you started! Valentine’s day gift ideas for her will help you choose the right gift to impress your special valentine. I have listed a bunch of ideas to help you choose the best Valentine’s day gift ideas for her. Check out the Valentine’s day gift ideas for her below! 

Valentine’s day gift ideas for her - make a handmade gift 

Nothing says, “I love you” like a handmade gift to show how much you care. You could make chocolates, chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, cupcakes, bath salts, bath bombs, candles, soap, a wood carving, knit a blanket …the list goes on and on. Think about a special talent you have and try to make a personalized gift around that. If you like painting you could try making a painting -feel free to check out my YouTube painting channel for beginners to paint a special landscape painting as a nice gift. You could even watch one of my tutorials as a fun date activity. Crack open a bottle of wine and paint along! 



Floral Cyanotype Printed Card

Valentine’s day gift ideas for her- the card 

You can make your own card or choose to write a personalized message on one of my cards. My cards are made with a cyanotype art print you can write on the back of the print and then it can be framed to be displayed in your home for years to come as a special memento. The following links are affiliate links meaning I get a small portion each sale. Thank you!

The Woodsy Pine Card

The Palm Leaf Beachy Card

The Floral Print Card

Daisy Cyanotype Card



Floral art 

Flowers are a traditional gift but think of how you can make them last forever. My blue cyanotype designs have a calming and minimalist look and feel to them.  Join my mailing list to save 15% on artwork -just fill out the box on the top of this link. You can purchase a cyanotype print of some flowers or greenery. Click the button below to take you to the cyanotype shop.


Floral and botanical designs

If your valentine likes flowers you can take a look at some of my popular cyanotype designs. Choose to have an artwork printed on a mug, T-shirt, sweatshirt or more! Click the button below to take you to the cyanotype print shop. 

Handmade paper art 

For someone with a minimalist design style you can select a piece of handmade paper art. Handmade paper has a beautiful and rich texture to it.  Head to the shop to see artwork by clicking on the button below! 


Art Commissions

Be sure to contact an artist a few months in advance (minimum) but have a look at this link if you would like an original artwork created by me to match your colour palette and suit your home decor. Click here to go to my commissions page. 



There are lots of Valentine’s day gift ideas for her that I have shared. Take the time to think and plan the perfect gift for your loved one. It’s never to early to plan for the next Valentine’s day! 



Related Articles

Cyanotype shop

Cyanotype print shop

Handmade paper shop

Art Commissions 

 Join my mailing list to save 15% on artwork -just fill out the box below! 




2021 in Review

Happy Holidays to all of you! Wishing you all the best during this holiday season. Here is to a happy and healthy 2022! Here is a look at 2021 in review for me and my art business. Here are the goals I made for 2021- you can read about how I maintain my goals here!



2021 in Review - my goals

Post consistently to social media (5x a week to instagram, 1-2x to facebook, every day to Pinterest, twice a month to my email list, blog post 3-4x a month, YouTube 2x a month)

I did well with these goals and was able to really grow my following. I was more intentional this year with planning what I wanted to post and doing it ahead of time and not last minute. I took the summer off from posting on YouTube to allow me to focus on other projects and relax after a stressful year of teaching during the pandemic. 

Apply to art calls twice a month - I want to have more exhibitions this year!

With Covid there are still less available exhibitions but I did participate in a few exhibitions including Landscape Transformed in Orillia, a paid opportunity with Create Waterloo to do my Patched installation in Regency Park during the month of July. I had a grant project from the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund for a series of acrylic painting tutorials - link to playlist and link to blog. I also participated in the Mask Required exhibition at Gallery Stratford. I have a current exhibition for SHOW. 21 which is a juried group exhibition of emerging artists -with 10 other artworks present. My work Precariously Perched is on display until February! My solo Patched exhibition at the Kitchener Public Library has been tentatively rescheduled for next year. 

Spend time in nature for inspiration- I find this really helps with my art practice.

Once a month Gordie and I made it a habit of hiking, campinging or walking outside. I’ve taken lots of photos that I have shared on Instagram

Make consistent art sales- I would love my art to be my main source of income.

I have started to make more consistent sales with my art and in April I started a Teachers Pay Teachers Store and in October I started a print shop for my cyanotype art with Society6 . Having these extra sources to sell my art and art teaching resources has allowed me to have more consistent income and I am excited to watch it grow next year! 

2021 in review - goals sheet

Keep my website updated monthly- I like reviewing my website at the end of each month to make sure everything is current.

In August, I created my www.jackiepartridgeart.com website where it focuses more on acrylic painting, YouTube channel, my TPT store, art teaching articles and tips. My www.jackiepartridge.com website now focuses on my contemporary art, my paper art in my shop and blog posts related to my art news and contemporary art practice/what I am working on in the studio. I have liked keeping these areas separate but I have definitely doubled my workload! 

Set boundaries for teaching for more work life balance- no work on Friday nights and Saturdays, no emails past 7pm, no marking on the weekend.

This past summer I worked the month of July at a day camp at my school. I was very intentional not to start working on school stuff until the end of August so that I could have a break from school. I did well not responding to emails after 7pm and will continue to do that this year as it gives me more time to relax. 

Make art during school breaks- Teaching full time has made me really miss having time to make my art.

During school breaks I started working on cyanotypes and creating print designs - you can see them here! I also worked on my painting tutorials from a grant from the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund- you can watch them- here.  I also installed Remnants outside and photographed it this year. I finished my Patched installation video. 

2021 in Review - 

Overall, 2021 was a great year for me. It was my first year teaching full time in the classroom. I had a lovely small class of 12 grade 4 students. We had a fun time going to the park, learning together and seeing them grow. This year with Covid was challenging! We were online twice. We wore masks and it was hard to not see each other smile. 

I made it a habit of going outside more. It was hard to see people less and not being able to hug people especially when I’m not really a hugger. 

I worked on starting to new streams in my art to continue to grow my business. I read a lot of books this year including: Everything is Figureoutable, You are a Badass at Making Money, 

My friends are having babies. My sister-in-law got married.


2022 Goals 

  1. Exercise 2x a week

  2. Purchase a Home 

  3. Have 5 exhibitions or publications 

  4. Grow my mailing list by 200 people 

  5. Grow my YouTube to 500 subscribers 

  6. Have 200 products in my TPT store



Thank you so much for following on this journey. I appreciate you being here and supporting me along the way.



Here are some FREE Ways to Support me (if you aren’t doing them already)

  1. Join my mailing list ( I send lots of tips, free products and painting tutorials) -join the box below

  2. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel

  3. Follow me on Pintrest 

  4. Like my Facebook Page

  5. Follow me on my instagram

  6. Follow my TPT store if you are a teacher

  7. Follow my Cyanotype Print Shop



Lastly, I would appreciate it if you like something I post to like, comment or share to help me to reach more people! 







Coastal Wall Art and Decor

Coastal wall art and decor are a great and affordable option to add to your home to create a beach house or coastal feel. Coastal wall art and decor printed by Society6 come in both framed and unframed options. Coastal wall art and decor on Society6 are printed on wall art, home decor, office supplies, bedding and more! I have different cyanotype botanical prints available in my Society6 print shop but one of my favourites is the beachy palm leaf design! 

Please note the links in this blog post are affiliate links meaning that I get a small commission for purchasing through these links. 

Check out coastal wall art and decor - by clicking the button below! 


Click any of the links to take you to purchase the palm leaf print on Society6.


Related Articles 

How to Frame Cyanotypes

How to Make Cyanotypes 

Shop Jackie Partridge Original Artwork


Join my mailing list to be the first to know when sales or new designs come out! 

Exhibition at Show.21


From November 22 until February 27, 2022 I will have my work Precariously Perched on display at Cambridge Art Galleries- at Queen's Square Gallery as part of their group juried exhibition for emerging artists.

This was the first paid CARFAC fee exhibition I took part in and I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to exhibit my artwork and to be paid for it. Paid exhibitions help allow artists to be valued for their work of making the work, delivering and installing the work, picking up the work and advertising the work like the video I created below.

You can check out their link to see more information


I will be showing art with: Olivia Brouwer, Lupita Guerrero, Anahí González, Anne Hamilton, Brubey Hu, Abby Nowakowski, Lauren Prousky, Brenda Mabel Reid, Racquel Rowe, and Ahmri Vandeborne.


See a video about the installation below:


About Show.21 in Cambridge

Established in 2005, Cambridge Art Galleries’ biannual exhibition SHOW presents the work of emerging artists based in Ontario. Selected from an open call of submissions, SHOW.21 presents the work of eleven artists with connections to Waterloo Region and surrounding areas.

Here is the digital exhibition brochure

About Precariously Perched by Jackie Partridge

Precariously Perched is a site-specific installation that uses tiny pins and balances twisted strands of maps on the pins.  You can see and read more about the project here!

Precariously Perched resembles a walk or a horizon line. Some twisted strands of maps rest on pins while others fall to the floor signaling a passage of time. In this exhibition, I have twisted strands of maps and pins wrapping around a column by the window and then they start at the wall near the top and decline down like a mountain towards the bottom of the wall. 

Precariously Perched by Jackie Partridge - installation in Montreal - see the exhibition in Cambridge by visiting Cambridge Art Galleries.

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10 Flower Prints Society6

Flower prints Society6 are a great and affordable option to add to your home. Flower prints Society6 come in both framed and unframed options. My cyanotype flower prints on Society6 are printed on wall art, home decor, office supplies, bedding and more! I have different cyanotype botanical prints available in my Society6 print shop but my favourite would be the daisies -flower prints Society6. 

Please note the links in this blog post are affiliate links meaning that I get a small commission for purchasing through these links. 

Check out my Flower Prints Society 6 - by clicking the button below! 


You can click any links to take you to purchase the flower print on Society6.

Flower Prints Society6 Home Decor

Daisy Wall Clock

Daisy Mini Print 

Daisy Recessed Frame Print 

Daisy Framed Mini Print 

Daisy Throw Pillow

Daisy Wallpaper

Daisy Coasters

Daisy Pillow Shams 



Other Popular Flower Prints on Society

Daisy Mug

Daisy Duffle Bag

Daisy Fanny Pack

Daisy Zip Pouch

Daisy V-Neck T-shirt

Daisy Wrapping Paper 



Again you can check out my Society6 Print Shop to check out my other designs and products! Just click the button below! 



Related Articles 

How to Frame Cyanotypes

How to Make Cyanotypes 

Shop Jackie Partridge Original Artwork



Join my mailing list to be the first to know when sales or new designs come out!

What to Buy Someone Who Likes Art

What to buy someone who likes art? This may be hard if you don’t like art yourself but as an artist and someone who loves art. I want to help you out! Below is a list of ideas for what to buy someone who likes art! Feel confident in buying the right gift for someone who likes art.


What to Buy Someone Who Likes Art - for the Walls


Rainbow Field 4
Rainbow Field 4
CA$110.00
Add To Cart

What to Buy Someone Who Likes Art - for the artist or aspiring artist

  • A great sketchbook

  • A fancy paint brush

  • Golden acrylic paint - a great company with luxurious paint and rich colours!

  • Easel 

  • A nice journal and pen from Indigo or Staples

What to Buy Someone Who Likes Art - for the reader



What to Buy Someone Who Likes Art - for the viewer 

  • A camera or nice camera bag 

  • Camera cleaning kit 

  • Tripod 

  • A book of art from their favourite artist 

  • A calendar made by their favourite artist


Some of My Favourite Cyanotype Print Designs

These links are affiliate links meaning I get a small commission when you purchase through the links below! Thank you!



I hope you like these ideas of what to buy someone who loves art. Leave a comment below if you have other ideas of what to buy someone who loves art. For more ideas connect with me on social media by clicking on one of the icons below! Check out my shop for original -handmade art here!


How to Frame Cyanotypes

How to frame cyanotypes is something I get asked all the time. Framing art can be challenging but framing cyanotypes has its own set of challenges. Original cyanotypes made through the cyanotype process need to be framed differently than a cyanotype print which is a print or a copy of the original cyanotype artwork. Learn how to frame cyanotypes below!

how to frame cyanotypes



How to Frame Cyanotypes

Original cyanotypes are created using UV light. If they are constantly exposed to direct, bright UV light (sunlight) they will fade over time and can fade faster than other artwork that faces direct sunlight. While it’s good to always preserve artwork in glass that is UV protected it is especially important to frame cyanotypes using UV protected glass.


When hanging your original cyanotype artwork it is recommended not to place the prints in direct sunlight for this reason. Cyanotypes can handle daylight but do not  hang them in a very sunny room or directly near a bright, large, and sunny window.


Check Out My Cyanotype Print Store for Framed and Unframed Prints


how to frame cyanotypes - wheat cyanotype by Jackie Partridge



If Your Original Cyanotype Artwork Does Fade:

You can try placing the cyanotype in a dark place, such as a cupboard or drawer for example, for a few days. If a small amount of air is there they should return to their original blue colour.  




Cyanotypes are not recommended for rooms subject to high humidity such as kitchens and bathrooms either. The humidity can affect the paper and damage the print especially if the artwork is not properly framed. 

DSC_0139.jpg
Black Eyed Susan Cyanotype 1
CA$50.00

Tips for How to Frame Cyanotypes

You should frame cyanotypes in the traditional way with a solid frame and matted so that the print doesn't touch the glass and there is a small amount of oxygen within the frame. This helps the blue colour from fading over time. Float mounting can also work as long as the print doesn't come into direct contact with the glass. 


Using UV resistant glass will help to prevent some fading over time but do remember not to hang your original cyanotype in a place that has direct bright sunlight or a place with high humidity. 



I hope you found these tips helpful for how to frame cyanotypes. If you purchase a cyanotype of mine I would love for you to send me a photo of it framed and hanging in your house. 



My Favourite Cyanotype Prints

These links are affiliate links meaning I get a small commission when you purchase from the link! Thank You!

Jackie Partridge Big Fern Cyanotype Art, 2021
Fern Cyanotype 4
CA$90.00

How to Make Cyanotypes

You might be asking how to make cyanotypes? Let me tell you first what a cyanotype is...Cyanotypes are an old photography/printmaking process that involves creating a blueprint with exposure from the sun or UV light. The process uses two chemicals: ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide. The process was discovered in 1842. Read on to learn from artist Jackie Partridge as she reviews the process of how to make cyanotypes!

How to make cyanotypes- this wheat print is being washed to remove chemicals

How to make cyanotypes- this wheat print is being washed to remove chemicals

Fun Fact About Cyanotypes

Cyanotypes were used to create house blueprints and that’s how the blueprint got its name. Of course blueprints are created digitally nowadays. 

 


Materials for How to Make Cyanotypes:

  • Paper or fabric

  • Plastic gloves

  • brush/sponge

  • Container of water for rinsing 

  • Water

  • Chemicals: ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide

  • plants/flowers to create the prints

  • A sheet of glass or plexiglass

how to make cyanotypes


How to Make Cyanotypes:

  1. Mix the chemical solution in the dark by mixing half and half of each chemical

  2. Apply the chemical solution with a brush/sponge to the paper or fabric (thin and even coat)

  3. Let the paper dry for a few hours in the dark

  4. Store paper somewhere the light can’t get it

  5. Fill a container of water to rinse the prints 

  6. Lay your coated paper in the sun and add your botanicals on top - can add a sheet of glass or plexiglass to keep the plants secure

  7. Set a timer and test your exposure times between 3-30min. (3min if it is full and direct sun)

  8. Rinse the paper in the water and let the paper dry (Make sure all yellow residue is off)

Learn about my wildflower cyanotype project here!

Creating cyanotypes is a bit of an art and science. There is a lot of testing and experimenting to see what works. To learn more about this process you can purchase a detailed lesson with instructions, tips, video tutorial and examples for cyanotypes here: 


Cyanotype print design made with pine by Jackie Partridge
 
 

My Favourite Cyanotype Prints

These links are affiliate links meaning I get a small commission when you purchase from this link! Thank you!

Pine Branch Framed Mini Print

Palm Leaf Wall Clock

Palm Leaf Fanny Pack

Palm Leaf Backpack

Palm Leaf Unisex V-neck T-shirt

Daisy Duffle Bag

Fern Mug

Wheat Throw Pillow


Cyanotype Prints by Jackie Partridge

In my new series called Garden Prints- I use the cyanotype process to create these original prints. Each one is slightly different. I use foraged plants and flowers from my mother’s and grandmother’s garden to create these special prints. 


Related Articles:

Learn how to make paper out of blue jeans

Learn how to make paper out of plants

How to frame cyanotypes

Check out my Cyanotype Prints- here!
You can check out other art in my shop -here!

Shop Cyanotype Daisy Cards -here!

Join my mailing list to save 15% off my cyanotype artwork

How to make cyanotypes - lay flowers (forget me nots) on the coated paper and cover with glass in the sun

How to make cyanotypes - lay flowers (forget me nots) on the coated paper and cover with glass in the sun

Clouds Installation

Clouds is an installation of 150 found  doilies by Jackie Partridge that have been embedded with poured abaca pulp. This installation was created in 2016 while I was studying my Master of Fine Arts at Concordia University in Montreal.

I experimented with this installation by testing out different lighting and playing with different perspectives and camera angles when documenting this installation. This installation took over 4 hours to complete. 

Next time I would present this work I would create pillows on the floor to invite viewers to lay down and look up at the clouds. 

I created this work with found doilies and I poured on abace pulp. I placed the doilies in the paper press to squeeze out the extra water. Then I let them dry flat for 24 hours. I hung the doilies with different lengths of thread attached to rods on the ceiling. I would love to continue to create thousands of these and hang them in a larger venue. 

Doilies are a symbol of history and domesticity. I see them as floating ghosts of all the grandmothers I grew up with when I was younger. When I was born I had 8 grandmothers including great-grandmothers and great-great grandmothers. Each doily is special and unique. Some are colourful and others are plain. Some are intricate and detailed and some are simple and plain.


The floating doilies were hung with thread cut at various lengths to look like floating clouds in the sky.



These are made with vintage doilies collected from thrift stores, garage sales and my grandmothers.



There are still pieces available from this installation in my art shop - you can check them out here! 


These vintage crochet doilies look beautiful framed in a white or wooden frame! 

Daffodil
Daffodil
CA$90.00
Add To Cart

Check out my shop to purchase any doilies!

To see my current artwork- click here!

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3 Tips to Style a Shelf

3 tips to style a shelf so that you can display your art collection proudly in your home. Learn from artist Jackie Partridge on how you can display art on a shelf! Do you have open shelving in your home? Or maybe you would like to add shelves to display your art collection, family photographs, some candles and fresh cut flowers. Maybe you have even tried to style your shelves before and they just end up looking either too crowded or worse.. BORING!

With some knowledge about composition and art display you will be able to style better shelves in your home. Read my three tips below!

3 Tips to Style a Shelf


Tip 1 - to Style your shelf- Experiment and play

Part of styling is about having fun and arranging items to what you feel drawn to. Everyone has their own personal design style and this shows up in how we dress ourselves and how we decorate our homes. Through playing and experimenting you will naturally discover what your eye is drawn to and what you enjoy looking at. Remember the whole point of open shelving is displaying the items you love. Through the experimentation process you will discover what works by fiddling and tinkering until you find the spot that is just right for your objects. You can really play with different textures on a shelf by having a mixture of textured objects that interest you.

How to style your shelves with art. Art displayed on shelves


Tip 2- to Style your shelf-Add books

You can use books to stack them horizontally and put items on top of them to create different heights or levels. You can also display the books vertically by using hardcover books to stand up on their own or you can use book ends. A large heavy object like a plant can also act as a book end. Books help take up space and can be arranged as beautiful and colourful objects. They also look natural- we are used to seeing books on a shelf. You can arrange your books by size or even by colour. The Home Edit does a great job of arranging books by colour in what they call rainbow order. 


Tip 3 - to Style your shelf-Create variety and a focal point 

It helps to understand composition to make a styled shelf look beautiful and not too crowded. Even if you don’t understand composition just know that you need a focal point. You should aim to have one focal point per shelf. You can create a focal point on a shelf in a number of ways - including through contrast - dark objects next to light or soft next to rough etc. You should create space around the object you want to show off. You might pick an object that is larger or bright to be your focal point. The focal point should stand out from a distance and be what your eye is attracted to when you look at your display shelves. 

How to Style your shelf. Artwork on a shelf
Blue and White Vintage Burst
Blue and White Vintage Burst
CA$90.00
Add To Cart

Other Helpful Posts:

How to Choose the Right Frame for Your Art

Find the Perfect Place to Hang Your Art

14 Considerations for Buying Art

Avoid these three things:

  • Avoid making things look to symmetrical or perfect

  • Avoid making the shelves look to crowded -just in an artwork there should be areas for you to rest your eyes

  • Avoid keeping things the same-take a look at Pinterest for inspiration. You can follow some of my home decor and art displaying boards for ideas. With shelving you can change out items to add holiday or seasonal decor like flowers, leaves, pumpkins or pinecones. The possibilities are endless. Just remember you can rearrange your shelves at any time which is part of the fun! 

Follow me on Pinterest for more inspiration!

Need some art for your shelf? Check out the art in my shop!


Follow me on social media by clicking one of the icons below!

Phlox Cyanotype by Jackie Partridge, 2021
Phlox Cyanotype
CA$50.00

Winding Road- Art Installation by Jackie Partridge

Winding Road -art installation from 2016 completed in Montreal by artist Jackie Partridge. Here is an art installation from my archive. Winding Road is an art installation from 2016. It is made from Mylar, ink, and thread. It measures 18’x 3.’ I made this work while completing my MFA at Concordia university in Montreal, QC.

I loved using ink and seeing how it pooled to dry making interesting overlapping line drawings. This artwork was inspired by driving along the countryside and looking out the window. This work later turned into an art book - you can see that here!

I chose to paint and draw on a frosted mylar because I like how it looks foggy and isn’t fully transparent. It has a really nice effect when it is backlit with lights in an art exhibition. 

I later turned these paintings into Fielding Through and Field of Green. For the work Fielding Through I sewed some of these pieces together using white thread and my sewing machine to create an accordion style book that was able to stretch and pull a part. For Field of Green some of the larger pieces were hung on the wall behind the sheet curtain of painted fabric. 

As an artist, I often rework my artwork to add to it or to morph it into new artwork or installations. I like that art is able to change and evolve over time. By taking a look at my current artwork below you will be able to see some similarities between pieces as art is inspired by previous pieces.

To see my current art practice -click here!

Winding Road ink on mylar installation by Jackie Partridge

Winding Road ink on mylar installation by Jackie Partridge

Detail of Winding Road by Jackie Partridge

Detail of Winding Road by Jackie Partridge

Related Articles and Artwork

Fielding Through - inspired by this piece

Field of Green -inspired by this piece

See my current art here!

Check out my shop here!

To see current artwork follow me on social media - by clicking one of the icons below!

Fields -Mirror Installation by Jackie Partridge

Fields is made from colourful sewn thread and flax handmade paper. It measures 18’x 3.5.’ I made this work in 2015 while completing my MFA at Concordia university in Montreal, QC. 

I created this artwork by sewing on a dissolvable fabric and layering different colours of thread. Sometimes, I would have a different colour in the bobbin and a different colour in the tread. I sewed in a back and forth manner to resemble the repetitive motion of planting and harvesting crops in fields. After sewing, I dissolved the fabric and took the pieces to the paper making studio where I squeezed flax pulp through a tube in patches of the sewing. Once I was done applying the pulp I put the artwork through the paper press to squeeze out excess water as part of the paper making process. Then I let the artwork dry flat; it took about 24 hours to dry. There are about 10 separate panels of this artwork in total. 

The pieces of this art installation are quite delicate and fragile. I suspended them with thread that tied onto the individual pieces. 

Usually this installation is hung against the wall but in this installation from 2017, I got to hang this textile artwork in front of the mirror. I loved how the thread was reflected and looked like a long continuous line drawing. When the artwork hangs against the wall it does create some really beautiful shadows.I would love to add to this piece and make it larger in the future. 

You can see the original installation of this piece - here!

Jackie Partridge and Fields thread with handmade paper installation
Detail of Fields installation

Detail of Fields installation

To see current artwork - click here!

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To see some of my current art please follow me on social media - by clicking on one of the links below!