Spring Demo -a demonstration for Westlake Village Art Guild

 

Spring Demo  oil 12x12 inches

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Here's a demonstration painting I completed for the Westlake Village Art Guild on Zoom.  I much prefer demonstrating in person, but this art guild made Zoom easy and successful for myself and the audience.  In fact, they created a video of the demonstration that is now viewable on their website.  If you're interested, here's a link to the video.  Many thanks to Wendy Gordin and the Westlake Village Art Guild!

Gray Day Fountain- a plein air painting from the Orange Circle

 

Gray Day Fountain  9x12 inches

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In May my friend Mary Jo and I painted at the Circle In Orange.  It was an overcast day, but warm enough that people were out walking, sitting and visiting as usual at this charming spot in Old Town Orange.  I finished most of this on location and did some minor adjustments in the studio.  I enjoyed the figures and calligraphy on the buildings, but the most interesting thing I discovered in my observations is that the fountain's rising water was a bit darker value than the cloudy sky.  My brain might have told me otherwise, but careful observation of what I really see is always the way to go.  Fun stuff!

Cannoli In Blue

 

Cannoli & Blue    oil 6x6 inches

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It has been a while since I've posted.  I took a few weeks off for family reasons, but I got back to the easel today.  Boy did it feel good to paint!  This little cannoli got painted then eaten back in May. 

 The Balboa Art Walk in September was fun and successful for me.  Thank you to all my followers who visited my booth! 

 At Mission Fine Art Gallery in San Juan Capistrano I have three pieces on display just until October 29.  On Oct.30 I'll be leaving the gallery in an effort to simplify life and slow down a bit.  So if you're in that area, perhaps you can stop by in the next two weeks and see my work in person. Below are some pieces that have sold recently at Mission Fine Art Gallery.  

Laguna Treasure 12x16

Mission Spring Fountain  11x14

Mission Bells 10x10

Cannoli Afternoon

 

Cannoli Afternoon  oil 10x10 inches

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I set this up in my back yard one cool afternoon in May.  It was still yummy hours after I had painted it!  I've had a couple of recent online sales, so I want to take the opportunity to thank all of you who enjoy looking at my art, making comments and making purchases.  Thank you sincerely for supporting my work.

Below you can see a painting I did as a surprise.  This family welcomed us into their backyard garden very early in Spring because I wanted to explore growing in buckets.  They generously shared all their gardening expertise, then picked us some salad greens to take home.  I happened to get a great photo with my iphone that I later painted from.  I surprised them with the painting just before they moved to Idaho.  Gardening in buckets worked well!  We have cucumbers, summer squash, cherry tomatoes, and two heirloom tomatoes all coming from buckets!

                                                     The Family Garden  6x12 inches

Mom's Notions

 

                                            

Mom's Notions  oil 8x6 inches

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My mom grew up during the depression.  She didn't waste anything.  She cut buttons off of old clothing and saved them in a cold cream jar.  You can see one of her old wooden spools of thread inside this antique mason jar.  I have enjoyed painting mom's buttons several times.  

IN OTHER NEWS:  

• I have 2 openings in my Sept. 18-19 Workshop.  Email me if you're interested. karenwernerart@gmail.com
• I'll be doing a demo on ZOOM Wednesday the 8th of Sept. at 7pm Pacific Time.  This is for the Anaheim Art Association.  I'm not sure, but you may be able to attend via ZOOM.  Visit the Anaheim Art Association Website and contact them. 
• The BALBOA  ART WALK is on!  SEPTEMBER 26 from 9-5 along the south bayfront sea wall.  100 artists plus live music!  I'll be near Pearl Drive and the fuel dock.  Park in the Balboa Pier  parking lot on the penninsula, take the ferry to the island on foot, and turn left when you get off the ferry. I'll have framed and unframed work for viewing and sale.  I hope to see you! 

Petals A Plenty

 

Petals A Plenty  oil 12x9 inches

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I painted this piece originally in 2017.  Recently I made some major changes, mostly to the surface and background in the interest of better color harmony.   I also added the fallen debris.  Normally I'd post the "before" photo, but I lost a lot of my files when my computer crashed a couple of years ago.  I hope you've had a nice weekend.  I got my second Covid vaccination on Friday and I'm almost back to normal today.  Stay well, my friends!

Gerainiums & Berries

 

Geraniums & Berries  oil 8x8 inches

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Some geraniums from my yard with local strawberries.  This vintage sugar bowl makes a set with the creamer in my previous post.  The shine gives off some nice reflections.  I painted this in March.  

IN OTHER NEWS:  I have a few spots open in my September 18 and 19 workshop.  For more info or to register, please email me at karenwernerart@gmail.com

Stawberries & Cream

 

Strawberries & Cream  oil 8x8 inches

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Painted from life in the studio, some geraniums from my yard with local strawberries.  I love green & red together.  

Too Corny?

 

Too Corny?  oil 10x10 on cradled panel

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I love the colors of Fall.  I had a great time with this one.  Though it may look tediously painted, I used a fairly large brush and painted the kernels in just a few steps.  This is on a cradled wood panel, ready to hang or frame as you like.  

Randy's Whate Tours

 

Randy's Whale Tours  12x9 acrylic

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A while back I bought some acrylic paint.  I wanted to play around with a fast drying water soluable medium.  I thought maybe they would be more convenient to travel with,  Well I haven't been able to leave my oils at home yet!  In any case, this is one of two paintings I have finished in acrylic.  We visited Monterey a few years back, so I used my photo reference for this painting.  

Biplane Beauty -a plein air painting from Cable Airport

 

Biplane Beauty  9x12 oil

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The second painting from our day at Cable Airport.  This one was soon going back up, so I painted as fast as a could.  I got most of it in before our time to paint was up, and finished it the next day in my studio.  I loved the vibrant color of this plane.  

War Bird -a plein air painting from Cable Airport

 

War Bird  oil 9x12 inches

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In February my friend Martha invited me to join her for a plein air day at Cable Airport not too far from home.  A real "plane air" day! This war bird is privately owned by a Vietnam War veteran.  He's very proud of her and takes her up every Wednesday.  I had forgotten what type of plane it is, so I asked my good friend, Ken, a USMC Veteran who says it's a Stinsons L5. I regretted not having a very wide panel with me.  The plane is squeezed onto the 9x12 and will need a floater frame for sure.  

Valentine Bouquet

 

Valentine Bouquet  oil 12x12 inches

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I really enjoyed painting this bouquet given to me by my husband.  A variety of sizes makes a still life more interesting.  I painted the teeny tiny bits and lines last, and just as I expected, they tied the whole painting together.  One might think they were baby's breath, but no.  Even smaller!  I don't really know what they were, but they added sparkle much like a highlight on a shiny object. 

I HAVE SCHEDULED TWO FALL WORKSHOPS  September 18 and 19, and October 23 and 24.  These are two day workshops.  Everything you need to know about painting, (well almost!) in two days! Email me for more info: karenwernerart@gmail.com

Bird On Green

 

Bird On Green  oil 6x6 inches

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This is the last in my February series of green dominated paintings.  I have a collection of small decorative birds, of which this is a favorite.  The bits of plant debris gives it a natural look.  I like a bit of debris in a still life to make it look more random, less staged.  This painting is on a cradled wood panel with sides natural wood color, and ready to hang or frame as you like.  

We've done some traveling lately to the High Sierras and Idaho.  I'm anxious to get back into my studio on a regular basis.  I missed my paint!  

Cad In The Wringer

 

Cad In The Wringer  oil 6x6 on cradled panel

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I had a bit of fun with this title.  For those of you who are not familiar with oil paint, one of my favorite pigments, Cadmium Yellow Light, gets a squeeze here from my tube wringer.  I painted this little gem on a cradled wood panel, which means it can be hung without a frame.  The sides are 3/4 inch deep and natural wood.  It comes ready to hang.  I signed "Werner" at the top, which for some reason may not be visible here. Have a good weekend, everyone!

Painting Again

 

Painting Again  oil 8x8 inches

Email for purchase info: karenwernerart@gmail.com

I'm very happy to announce that this little still life has been juried in to The American Impressionist Society's 22nd Annual National Juried Exhibition.  Held at the 1516 Gallery in Omaha, Nebraska, the exhibit runs from September 9 through December 12th.  This is my seventh consecutive acceptance into an AIS juried exhibition.  Even so, when it's time to submit, I enter two pieces and brace myself for the rejection of both.  You just never know.  

In anticipation of the exhibit,  I painted a large still life work (16x20) entitled "When They Were Little" with the hopes that it would be chosen. I thought the size and ambitious subject matter would appeal to the juror.  Two may be submitted, but only one can be selected by the juror. This accepted painting in my opinion is small but mighty.  Sometimes the simpler statement, even though small, results in a stronger painting.  Maybe that's what the juror thought.  Then again, you just never know!   

Hogs

 

Hogs  oil on cradled panel 6x6 inches

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I really had a great time with this one.  On social media recently a post asked us to "describe your job badly."  I wrote, "I take sticks that have hairs on one end and put oily stuff on canvas---just the right colored marks in just the right places."  Here are my hairy sticks.  Well, a few of them.  

IN OTHER NEWS:  I'm happy to report that recently I have started teaching a bit in Orange County.  Twice a month I teach a small class inside Mission Fine Art Gallery.  Geared for beginners and intermediate painters, you will learn a lot if you study with me.  Purchase one class at a time, or a series.  Email me for more information.  karenwernerart@gmail.com

I'm sad to report that Vanessa Rothe Gallery will no longer carry my work.  We are on good terms, but nothing is forever.  So if you're in Orange County, CA and would like to see a few of my pieces framed and in person, head on down to Laguna Beach soon.  They will only be there for another two weeks.  I do thank Vanessa for the nine sales she made for me.  

Scattered Tubes

 

Scattered Tubes   oil 6x6 inches

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I painted this small piece on a wood cradled panel.  The sides are clean natural wood and unfinished.  It's a great contemporary look and ready to hang without a frame. It may also stand on its own on a shelf. 

 I always strive for looseness.  This painting has it; not labored over to make everything perfect.  In fact, "charmingly incorrect rather than irritatingly perfect." That's my goal.  Who needs a painting that looks like a photo?  We have photos for that.  

Wine For One

 

Wine For One  oil 12x12

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You would think I'm a big wine drinker, but no.  I love painting wine bottles.  Here's a hunk of fisherman's bread from Crab Cooker.  It's about 7 or 8 years old.  Age doesn't matter when you're posing for a painting.  I do enjoy a good dense piece of bread with a nice glass of Cabernet.  

Camelia Stages

 

Camelia Stages  oil 12x9  

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Right outside my studio window lives a full grown camelia that blooms her heart out in January.  I clipped this small branch and noticed every stage of blooming.  I thought that was pretty cool.  The fully opened bloom being only partially visible helps the viewer roam around to see the other stages.