Tres Tomates

 

Tres Tomates  oil 8x8 inches

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Tomatoes posed for me last April in this Spanish style bowl.  

Three Birds

 

Three Birds oil 6x6

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From my collection  of ceramic and glass birds.  They're the only birds that will pose for me.  

Orange Bowl & Lemons

 

Orange Bowl & Lemons  oil 6x8 inches

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Meyer Lemons from our tree.  My favorite part of this painting is the cast shadow on the right hand lemon.  

Mandarins In Blue

 

Mandarins In Blue  oil 6x6

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Painted from life in my studio.  A blurry photo of a sweet and simple painting.   

Sunflowers & Bird

 

Sunflowers & Bird oil 9x12 inches

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Like many artists, in March I painted several sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine.  I felt really upset by the unjust destruction and suffering taking place there. I imagined that had it been the 1930's or 40's the US and our allies would have acted differently.  Time has passed now, and sadly it's no longer headline news here.  How is it that one country obliterated another while the world watched and did nothing to stop it?  I'm not a politician or military person.  I'm just a painter, but my heart goes out to the Ukrainian people.  

Lemon Joy

 

Lemon Joy  oil 10x10 inches

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I hope you're enjoying your summer.  Here's a summery painting from my work in March.  Our lemon tree is perhaps my favorite tree.  It's a Meyer, so the skin is smooth and a rich deep yellow.  The smell of the juice is heavenly!  

Demo In Green & Red

 

Demo In Green & Red  oil 6x6 inches

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This little assortment of shapes gave me a good subject for demonstration during my January workshop.  I taught five workshops in five months, and I must say I'm a bit burned out!  Are you looking forward to summertime?  I sure am!  If you purchase this painting, you'll find that it's much prettier in person.  

Grapefruit

 

Grapefruit   oil 6x6 inches

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The pink of this pink grapefruit turned out to be an illusive color.  It was hard to mix.  Why is it called grape fruit? It has no grapeness whatsoever.  

Apples & Friends III -SOLD

 

Apples & Friends III  oil 6x6 inches

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Here's a little demonstration I did for a painting class in a gallery.  Lighting is so important no matter where you paint.  Too much direct light on your canvas and palette, and you'll unknowingly paint too dark.  Conversely, if you paint in deep shade or dim light, you'll paint too light.  In this circumstance I had a skylight above me giving me too much light, causing me to paint darker than I normally would.  Nevertheless, I like the result!  

Apples & Friends -SOLD

 

Apples & Friends  oil 6x6

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I painted this quick little piece as a class demonstration.  You can't beat painting still life for learning how to render the 3D form of objects.  It's very possible to paint simply and directly with a large brush and still get a realistic look.  No need to noodle away with tiny brushes! 

I'm getting ready for our Christmas celebrations, so in case this is my last post before Christmas, Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Thank you for your interest in my work, and may your New Year be a healthy and happy one!

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!  

Lemon Juice

 

Lemon Juice  6x8 oil 

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This is my next attempt at undermixing paint and imperfect brushwork using a scruffy hog bristle.  In the upper right background shape you can easily see the striations of color within a brush stroke.  This is what I'm after with this approach.  I see some energy and movement back there rather than just a monotonous plane of color.

Berries & Branches

 

Berries & Branches   oil 10x10 inches

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Since the strawberries were still perky, they took part in this, my next painting.  Here I was going for an organic, botanical feel, with the hand thrown bowl and branches cut from our still bare apple tree.  This bowl has made it into quite a few paintings.  The outer glaze is so dark, it makes for some subtle reflections.  This was a complicated painting, but I'm happy with how it turned out.

Carnation Blues

 

Carnation Blues  -an original oil painting 10x10

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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.  

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

Crueller, Coffee & Cream

oil 8x8 inches Purchase info here. The paintings I've been posting lately are all from September's Strada Easel Challenge: paint from life every day of September. One of my favorite color combinations is here; pink/red and orange. Then I decided on green as a secondary color complement. Thus, color harmony with a sweet subject. I have a collection of coffee cups. This "50's Cup" as I call it, brings to mind some good old days. Mom drinking Folgers poured from the Farberware electric percolator. She would ask me to put in the half & half until it was "just the right color."

Coffee & Cream SOLD

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here.

A Fruity Wine

oil 10x10 Purchase info here. You might wonder why I include wine bottles in my still life so often. They provide a strong vertical anchor to the design, taking the scene up and breaking up the top horizontal edge of the picture plane. The labels often echo the colors in fruit, creating unity and color harmony. The green bottles are often very very dark so they add value contrast. Wine is festive, and adds to the upbeat feel of the work. There you have it! IN OTHER NEWS: I'm really looking forward to demonstrating in Huntington Beach on Wednesday! For more info, see my December 30th post.

Oranges In Aqua

oil 6x6 Purchase info here. Another in my June series of painted edibles. Orange and aqua are interesting together. Do you agree? I have a frame available for this painting, or purchase unframed. Email me for info on the frame: karenwernerart@gmail.com