Between Storms

 

Between Storms   oil 9x12 inches

Purchase info here.  

Overlooking Pacific Coast Highway at Abalone Point from Moro Campground. I had just enough time to get set up and paint this one before the winds picked up bringing in the next rainstorm.  

Sunny Day Cottage & Some Workshop Demos

 

Sunny Day Cottage -an original oil 12x9 inches

Painted on location at Crystal Cove Historic District

Purchase info here.

In March I camped for a few days at Crystal Cove State Beach.  It rained most of the time, but I was able to paint between storms.  On the one predicted sunny day I took my first Uber to the historic district.  I got two paintings in that day.  I had just the right vantage point for this one, but apparently too close to the surf.  A surprise wave came up and swept my backpack into the nearby creek.  My tripod stayed put!  I was so relieved that my phone was in my apron, not my backpack!  Lesson learned.  And another:  I did the next painting with a drippy roll of Viva paper towels and they still worked!  I came home from camping and the quarantine and lock downs began.  So long ago, it seems.

Here are a few demos from my recent workshop.  It will give you an idea of what I teach; mostly how to get a clear division of light and shadow (among other things!)  These are simplified small studies.

Carnation Blues

 

Carnation Blues  -an original oil painting 10x10

Purchase info here.

There's a complementary color scheme here, and the carnations that seemed to live forever.  The little bottle is pure clove oil which I add to my paints to slow the drying a bit.  A variety of textures are included for interest all within a limited color scheme.  Like a lot of my works, it's better in person. It's framed and ready to hang.  Click on purchase link for more info.  

Lemon In Blue

 

Lemon In Blue  an original oil painting 8x8 in.

Purchase info here.  

Here is the second painting in the series with white carnations.  In addition to their wonderful fragrance, carnations are a very slow fading flower.  I think these lasted about three weeks!  They found their way into quite a few paintings.  

IN OTHER NEWS:  I'm really looking forward to teaching a workshop this weekend!  In the spring I had to cancel two workshops, so it has been a long wait.  I do have a few spots open in my October 3-4 workshop.  Email me if you're interested.  

Look At Me Lemon

 

Look At Me Lemon   -an original oil painting 8x8 inches

Purchase info here.  

I painted this from life in my studio back in March.  Back then it was just the beginning of what has turned out to be a long, long attempt at staying hidden from a virus.  The carnations held out for several paintings, which will follow here on my blog.  I am grateful every day that I'm a painter.  It's a somewhat solitary endeavor anyway.  I hope you are well and keeping busy.  Thank you for following my work here.  

Hummingbird Cafe -a plein air painting from the historical Los Rios District

 

HUMMINGBIRD CAFE   original plein air oil painting 9x12 in.  

The Los Rios District is located along the railroad station in San Juan Capistrano, and is really worth a visit if you've never been there.  It's a neighborhood with many structures dating back to the 1800's.  Some are still private residences, and others, like this one, house cafes, coffee shops, tea rooms, and gift shops.  Sounds commercialized, but it's not at all.  It still has its old time charm.  A favorite area for painters!  

This painting is currently available and on display at Mission Fine Art Gallery, located a short walk from where I painted this scene.  Email inquiries to me at karenwernerart@gmail.com

Laguna View -a plein air painting from Laguna Beach

 

LAGUNA VIEW    original plein air oil painting 16x20 inches   

Painted from Heisler Park, this is a favorite viewpoint of many painters.  It was February, so the beach was fairly quiet, and as is typical, the sun was trying to burn through the marine layer.  My aim was able to capture the diffused light and subtle warmth from the sun.  Can you feel it? 

This is a fairly large painting for me at 16x20.  It is in a dark wood frame with antique gold lip.  It is currently displayed and available at Mission Fine Art Gallery in San Juan Capistrano.  Located directly across from Mission San Juan Capistrano.  So go see it in person!  The gallery is now open every day 11-5.  

Also available directly from me.  Email to inquire: karenwernerart@gmail.com

Kicked Off Kicks -an original painting of Converse Allstars

 

Kicked Off Kicks    Original oil painting 9x12 inches

This is the third and last painting of the Converse Allstar "Woolrich".  There are just a few more in my Converse series.  

Colorful Kick

 

Colorful Kick   Original oil painting 8x10 inches

Click here for purchase info.

Continuing the series of Converse Allstars.  This one might be my favorite, but there are several more.  

In other news:  I have openings in my September 12-13 and October 3-4 Workshops.  Geared toward beginner/intermediate oil painters, we paint from life and have fun learning fundamentals!  These are in person workshops at my studio in Upland, CA.  Limited to six students.  Email for more information:  karenwernerart@gmail.com

Sunny In Blue

 

Sunny In Blue   Original oil painting 8x8 inches

This painting is custom framed and currently available at Vanessa Rothe Fine Art, 418 Ocean Ave.  Laguna Beach, CA.  Open Fridays and Saturdays, and by appointment.  949-280-1555

Stylin'

Stylin'   An original oil 12x12 inches  Purchase info here.   

These were SO much fun to paint!  My friend, Juli has a collection of Converse shoes.  In fact, she has so many, she can loan me a few pair and not miss them!  Imagine that!  More shoe paintings to come. 

 IN OTHER NEWS:  After ten years of posting on my blog, Google has chosen to significantly change the interface of Blogger.  I am learning.  So if you see something amiss, please excuse.  This old dog has to learn a new trick!

Still Life & Little Bird

oil 8x8 inches Purchase info here. This is a demonstration piece I did for a workshop back in January. I love this tiny ceramic bird. Years ago friends and I took a mosaic workshop and I quickly discovered that snapping ceramic tiles into little pieces with a hand tool was not for me. It was a fun day nevertheless, and I happened to come home that day with this little bird. It has found a place in many of my paintings since.

Backyard Still Life

oil 10x10 inches On a cool sunny morning in February I set up this cheerful still life in my backyard. What a pleasant painting session! That day seems so long ago now. Time moves slowly these days. Im trying to keep busy, stay positive and practice gratefulness. How about you? This painting is custom framed and available through Vanessa Rothe Fine Art, 418 Ocean Ave, Laguna Beach, CA. 949-280-1550 Here are some other pieces that have recently sold at Vanessa Rothe Fine Art:

Little Limes 6x6

Mandarin March 10x10

December's Paint

oil 6x6 inches FRAMED Purchase info here. This little gem from last December is available in person at Mission Fine Art, San Juan Capistrano. As of this writing, the gallery is open by appointment. Call 949-922-5350 or 949-212-8410 to schedule a private gallery tour at Mission Fine Art. You'll see beautiful work in paint, ceramics, sculpture and jewelry by fifteen accomplished local artists. The gallery hopes to reopen to the public in mid-August. Meanwhile, this piece is also available for purchase online through Daily Paintworks.

Juicy, Big And Little

oil 10x10 Purchase info here. I reworked this painting from September. I don't often go back into a dry painting, but here I think it was successful. The surface color was too orange. The added grapes give it some small dark shapes, and the cooler, neutral surface and background are more harmonious with the fruit. What do you think? Here's the original version:

Cherries!

MORE CHERRIES! This little series of cherry paintings is part of the "All You Can Eat" Show at Studio C, Claremont. This great little gallery is owned and operated by my friend, Elizabeth Carr. Currently, there are small affordable works hanging, and as always, ceramics, jewelry, fiber arts and all kinds of handmade things by local artists. It's a great place to pick up a one-of-a-kind gift. You can shop safely because Elizabeth is COVID conscious. Please wear your mask. She even has beautiful handmade masks for sale! Studio C Claremont 260 W. Bonita, Claremont, CA. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-6. Dear Daisy 5x5 inches on cradled panel, ready to hang. $125 at Studio C and online here.

Sweet Tweet 5x5 inches on cradled panel, ready to hang. $125 at Studio C and online here.

Peek-A-Boo 5x5 inches on cradled panel, ready to hang. $125 at Studio C and online here.

In-N-Out Cherries 5x5 inches on cradled panel, ready to hang. $125 at Studio C and online here.

Clippings, Coffee & Cream

oil 12x12 inches I'm delighted to announce the acceptance of this piece into The American Impressionist Society's 21st Annual National Juried Exhibition. Illume Gallery, St. George, Utah October 22-November 21, 2020. I'm especially excited to be included for two reasons: St. George is a drivable distance, so I'll be able to attend the AIS festivities and paint-outs for the first time. Here's hoping COVID has died down by then! Secondly, this is the 5th consecutive AIS show I have been included in, so in the fall I can apply for AIS Signature Status. I'm very grateful and humbled to be included with so many master impressionist painters. Follow me on Instagram: karenwernerart Website: www.karenwernerart.com

Olive Oil

oil 16x20 Available through Vanessa Rothe Fine Art, Laguna Beach, CA. 949-280-1550. Another fairly large piece with a simple color scheme of greens and yellows. I really enjoyed painting this piece because of the variety of greens. I also experimented with a bit of calligraphy at the finish. Below you'll see a picture of my set up. If you visit my page on Instagram (karenwernerart), you can go back in my posts to find 4 time lapse videos of me painting this piece. If you're in Southern California, be sure to visit Vanessa's gallery. It's a sweet little beach cottage chock full of beautiful Califonia, French and Russian Impressionism and Realism. A feast for the eyes!

Sunflower Blues

oil 16x20 inches This painting is available through Vanessa Rothe Fine Art, 418 Ocean Ave. Laguna Beach, CA 949-280-1550 www.vanessarothefineart.com I'm very honored that Vanessa has selected some of my work for her gallery. This is a larger piece for me, and one of the first in which I employed a simplified color scheme at her suggestion. In this particular case, yellows and blues in an impressionist style. I've always admired Russsian Impressionist paintings. When I brought a few still lifes into the gallery for the first time, Vanessa remarked that they would go well with the gallery's Russian Impressionist works. I was thrilled to say the least! If you're in Laguna Beach this summer, be sure to visit Vanessa Rothe Fine Art. It's easy to find, and within walking distance of Main Beach.

Sweet Bowl

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here.