Crystal History

 

Crystal History   oil 12x16 inches

Purchase info here.

I used one of my photo references for this piece.  A few years ago my husband dropped me off on the side of Pacific Coast Highway to paint this view.  I was just uphill from the Shake Shack safely behind a guard rail.  (If you aren't familiar with the history behind Crystal Cove's cottages, it's worth a Google.)

I painted for about three hours, and in just a few days the painting sold.  This one is for sale unfamed, but I have a beautiful custom white with silver lip frame available for purchase if you like. A very "beachy" look!  

Dock O' The Bay -SOLD

 

Dock O' The Bay    oil 11x14 inches  

Purchase info here. 

While visiting Moro Bay I did a field study of this exact scene.  It was my favorite scene in the whole place.  I loved the glassy water and the vibrant reds of this small fishing boat and dinghy.  A few nice folks came and talked with me as I painted and my husband brought me a cup of clam chowder.  A big fat seal was sleeping next to the dinghy and everyone wanted to know if I'd include it in my painting.  It was a bit hazy, but you can still see Morro Rock in the upper right.  My field study was quite rough and unfinished, so I decided to use as refernce for this studio piece.  

Boats In The Bay -a plein air painting from Morro Bay

 

Boats In The Bay  oil 8x10 inches

Purchase info here.  

In August we had an RV camping trip planned for Pismo Beach and Hearst/San Simeon. The night before we left I found out that the state campground in San Simeon had closed due to Covid.  We scrambled to find another spot and fortunately booked a space in Morro Bay.  What a blessing in disguise!  We enjoyed biking through town, eating fresh fish, and clam chowder.  I managed to squeeze in a couple of paintings.  For this one I positioned myself on an elevated boardwalk.  Morro Rock and the boats posed nicely for me, my husband helped carry my gear, and read a book patiently nearby.  It seems like so long ago now.  I've been housebound too long and I'm itching to travel and paint again.  I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that feels this way.  In the next post, a studio painting based on a plein air study from Morro Bay.  

Visiting Crystal Cove

 

Visting Crystal Cove  

 a plein air painting in oil 9x12 inches

Click on image to enlarge. 

Purchase info here.  

This is the last painting done during my February camping trip at Crystal Cove,  My backpack had nearly washed away in the morning, but I felt I had gotten a pretty good painting.  I ate my sack lunch and settled in on this building which is part of the visitors center.  While working I noticed this man (probably a volunteer with Crystal Cove Conservancy) walking around inviting children to come and do a craft. I remember hearing the appreciation of the mothers and excitement of the children showing what they had done.  The gentleman sat down just long enough for me to add him in, with a little head in the opposite chair.  If you're familiar with this scene, you'll know that the staircase leads up to the Shake Shack on PCH.  I hope this painting brings up your own memories of Crystal Cove.    

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.

Laguna View -a plein air painting from Laguna Beach SOLD

 

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

Signs At Capistrano- a plein air painting from the Historic Los Rios District

oil 11x14 Purchase info here. In August I joined the PAM Painters for a painting day in San Juan Capistrano. This is the first of two paintings I did on location that day. I was drawn to the light and shadow, the rustic old building, and the sign post almost hidden in the planter.

Laguna Coves SOLD

oil 9x12 inches Purchase info here. In June I took a plein air painting workshop taught by Jim McVicker. It was a wonderful experience, and this is my favorite of the four paintings I completed. The days were cloudy ("June Gloom", we call it) with the sun trying to burn through by afternoon. It's a difficult type of atmosphere to capture. With Jim's expert coaching, I think I got it. IN OTHER NEWS: I just hung 16 paintings in Claremont at INTEGRATIVE BODYWORK. 114 N. Indian Hill Blvd, Front Suite, Claremont, CA. Thank you to Suzannce Snijder van Wissenkerke for the opportunity. So if you're near Claremont, stop in and browse, or plan to stop in on CLAREMONT ARTWALK NIGHT, DECEMBER 7, 6-9pm. Refreshments served. My work will hang through January.

Trestles

oil 8x16 inches Purchase info here. Painted from my photo reference taken while on a camping trip in San Clemente. We went on a nice long bike ride that gave us great views (and photos) of our beautiful Southern California Coast, and a little peek at the surfer lifestyle. Here's a detail shot:

Moonstone Beach (SOLD) & Some News

oil 11x14 Purchase info here. I painted this piece on location near Cambria, CA. A friend and I spent a few peaceful days in April camping at Hurst San Simeon campground. IN OTHER NEWS: I'm happpy to announce that my painting, Spring Things, pictured below has been juried into The American Impressisonist Society's 20th Annual Exhibition to be held September 19- October 2 at the Salmagundi Club, NYC. Thank you, AIS!

Mustard In The Canyon

oil 8x10 inches Purchase info here. In March I camped and painted en plein air at Moro Campground which is part of Crystal Cove State Park. Everything was blooming from our abundant rain this year. Speaking of rain...Yesterday's Artwalk on Balboa Island had plenty of rain and wind! What a challenge it was to keep my work and wood frames dry! Thank you to all who visited me; old friends, collectors, fellow painters and future painters who want to take one of my workshops. On a challenging day your interest in my work was VERY much appreciated!

Vintage Camping -SOLD

oil 9x12 inches Purchase info here. This is the second painting I did while camping in Ventura. There's nothing better than finding a vintage vehicle to paint. She was on her maiden voyage so to speak, and the new owners were so proud and happy! When I paint in a campground usually a small crowd gathers, coming and going as they follow my progress. It's a lot of fun talking with them and answering their questions, especially those from children. Kids rode their bikes and scooters around me while adults, beer in hand played cool music and a rousing game of corn hole right behind me. Too much fun! I hope this painting finds it's way to the VW's owners.

Quiet Beach, Emma Wood -SOLD

oil 9x12 inches Purchase info here. In September we camped in Ventura and I had the opportunity for some plein air painting. I tried to capture the feeling of the overcast morning and the sun trying to burn through.

Jacaranda

oil 8x10 inches Purchase info here. In the springtime Jacaranda trees in Southern California are just spectacular. I found this one near Mission San Jan Capistrano in front of a little Mexican restaurant. Jacarandas always remind me of my mom. She was not an artist, but had an eye for nature's beauty. "Kids, would you look at those Jacarandas!", she'd say. That was back in the days when kids with no seat belts looked out big car windows.

Don't Look Up Here - a plein air painting of The Crab Cooker, Newport Beach -SOLD

oil 12x12 inches. Purchase info here. I'm back! July was a rough month full of one malady after another. Glad that's over!!! It's time to catch up. The Crab Cooker is an iconic restaurant in Newport Beach that holds memories for an untold number of Southern California families and visitors as well. Great food and fun decor, like the signs that say; "Don't look up here!" and my favorite; "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." New heavy construction right next door damaged the old foundation, so this year it's due to be torn down and rebuilt. People are scrambling to eat there and artists are scrambling to paint it before the tear down. My chance came in June. I stood on a narrow meridian in the street and painted until I felt a bit blinded, then treated myself to their Manhattan Clam Chowder and a shrimp cocktail. Yum! I added the figures the next day in my studio.

Casita -a plein air painting from San Clemente. SOLD

oil 8x10 inches For a closer look and purchase info click here. I love this little house which is a Nature and History Museum at San Clemente State Beach. Emily and I got to paint in the shade and visit the Museum too. She painted beach rocks she had carried up the hill the day before.

Beach Houses

oil 9x12 For a closer look and purchase info click here. Last month we camped for a few days at San Clemente State Beach. It was a "paintcation" and our granddaughter, Emily joined us. First morning we had a heavy mist, so we painted under our awning. Emily painted her cat, Daisy in acrylic.

Weed Pickin'

oil 8x8 inches Not for sale. For a closer look, click here. Mr. Richard Bumann graciously allowed me to take pictures of him while he weeded. Painted from my photo reference taken on a spring visit to historic Bumann Ranch, Encinitas, CA. Thank you to artist Rita Pacheco for inviting me to join her on this unique plein air opportunity.

Seashore & Tulips

oil 12x9 inches For a closer look and purchase info, click here. A pretty warm day even for the beach, I hid under our awning for this one. Mother's Day tulips from my grandkids...is this a still life or a seascape? Hummm.