Limber Lemons -a still life painting in oil

oil 8x8 inches magnify/purchase info Second demo for Associated Artists. My time for this piece was very limited, so I painted quickly. Sometimes that's a good thing. No time to fuss over things. WORKSHOP NEWS: I have one open space in next weekend's workshop at my studio in Upland. Saturday and Sunday, October 8 & 9, 9am to 4pm. If you'd like more information email me quick! karenwernerart@gmail.com

Grapes & Granny -a still life painting in oil

oil 8x8 inches magnify/purchase info Here's a demo I did on the 10th for Associated Artists' Fall Show. I'm a big fan of taupe. It sets off the greens and reds nicely don't you think? (Cad Red M, Cad Yellow L, Ult Blue + white) The white adds value contrast and line. I enjoy painting while people watch. It's not about being in the limelight but just the validation that someone else is interested in what I'm doing, and I really enjoy sharing approaches and techniques with other painters. Thank you to those of you who stopped by!

Fall Color -a still life painting in oil

oil 12x12 inches magnify/purchase info I thought this one was going to kill me. I hope it doesn't look like there was a struggle. Happy Fall, everyone! Your comments and questions are always welcome.

A Little Bit Dinghy -plein air paintings from Balboa Island -sold

Here are some shots of the last two paintings I did as part of Just Plein Fun on Balboa Island.

A Little Bit Dinghy 8x8 inches was my quick draw. About thirty artists participated along South Bay Front, having two hours to complete a painting. It was fun and festive, with an awards ceremony complete with Olympic music and gold medals. This painting sold off the easel which was a great ending to a great week. Is my head really that big, or is the painting really that tiny? Ha!

This 12x9 was my thank you gift to my hostess, Joanne. It was so kind of her to open her lovely home to me and let me come and go as I please. This is an island cottage that I thought would make a cheerful painting with its sunflowers. The quick draw was the grand finale of the week. There you have it, finally!!! Here's a shot of the participants on Gala Night. I really enjoyed getting to know a few of these fellow painters. I hope to be invited again next year.

Stop by this great little gallery when you're on the island. Some of the work from the event is still on display. 229 Marine Ave, Suite E, Balboa Island, CA. 949-723-6171

Gallery Glow -a plein air painting from Balboa Island, CA

oil 12x9 magnify Our week of painting ended on Friday morning with all work due into the gallery by 11 am. I started early and planned to choose as subject close to the gallery in order to get it framed and in on time. I had previously considered painting the gallery itself. This morning's overcast gave the lights inside a warm glow. The crooked painting and gold frames added to the charm. This painting is available at Huse Gallery, 229 Marine Ave, Suite E, Balboa Island, Ca. 949-723-6171. IN OTHER NEWS: This coming Saturday, September 10th I'll demonstrate all day at Victoria Gardens, Celebration Hall, Rancho Cucamonga. Hours: 10 am to about 5 pm. with a break for lunch sometime. If you're in the area, come on out and enjoy Associated Artists of the Inland Empire's Fall Show. It runs from Friday morning the 9th at 10 am to Sunday at about 4. Lots of great art and demonstrations too. It's free!

Island Kids -a plein air painting from Balboa Island, CA. SOLD

oil 9x12 inches magnify Sorry my posts are slow in coming. I'm still getting my energy back two weeks after my sinus surgery. No oil painting (breathing solvent fumes) for me for another week. I can't tell you how anxious I am to get back to it. Meanwhile, this painting has a story. I set up to paint in some late afternoon shade. While drawing in, I planned to watch for people on the bench and include them. Along comes two moms with kids in tow. The kids are interested in what I'm up to. They walk right up and start asking questions. I tell them I'm drawing in, then mixing the colors I see while watching that bench for people I could put in my painting. "Can WE be in your painting?", the boy asks bursting with excitement. Well, sure. But I have to take your pictures, so go ask your mom if that's okay. Well the moms were as excited as the kids. I told them I needed one adult on the bench for a size difference. They went back and forth a bit about which of them "looked better" to be in the painting! I settled it by picking the one with the red hat. Turns out this is a Balboa Island family. They were "home." No wonder they were excited. I painted this in two afternoons. During that time another friendly island resident told me all about the little upside down sailboats. Each boat is assigned to a nine year old on the island who is taught to sail by a sixteen year old who learned the same way. The children's names are on the rack. The masts are sticking up in the center of the rack. I've spent a lot of time on Balboa Island over the years, but hadn't ever thought about what childhood would be like growing up there. So different! Back to the painting, I thought the helmet added whimsy, and their little dangling feet and shadows added charm. The grandparents came to the gallery and bought the painting. This will go down as one of my favorite plein air experiences.