Pomegranate In Winter

 

Pomegranate In Winter  oil 10x10 inches

Purchase info here.

In late fall this young pomegranate tree in our backyard glows with the most beautiful yellows, golds and greens.   On a warm day in December I set up my paints outside and enjoyed capturing the glow.  

Toast & Honey

 

Toast & Honey  oil 12x12 inches

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On a cool overcast morning in June, I gathered these items and painted in my backyard.  In Southern California we call this weather "June Gloom."  June gloom has its own beauty; colors seem clean and clear.  I enjoyed myself, painting and listening to the birds.  Though the natural light gave the scene almost non-existent shadows, it has a cool feel and color harmony that I'm quite pleased with.  This painting is so much better in person!

Macs In The Grass

 

Macs In The Grass  oil 10x10

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This is a favorite of mine.  Painted jusst outside my studio door, MacIntosh apples.  I do think they are the prettiest apple!  Our Japanese Maple trees provided the delicate fall leaves.  

Beth Ann -a plein air painting from Morro Bay

 

Beth Ann   oil 11x14

Purchase info here.

In August of 2021 my husband and I camped in Morro Bay.  The RV Campground graciously gave us a spot at the last minute when all of the state campgrounds closed abruptly and we lost our reservation.  What a blessing this turned out to be!  We were within walking distance of Morro Rock and the boats docked in the bay.  A tiny hunk of Moro Rock is visible in the upper right corner.  This is one of three plein air pieces still available from that trip.  

Below is another plein air piece I did on a trip to Idaho in March.  I love painting old structures, and the  junk on the outside was especially enticing.  I have family that lives in Kuna on this old family farm property.  This is the original homestead house built on 80 acres in 1908.   I surprised the current owner with the painting to thank her for letting me paint on her property, but more than that, I felt that she should have it.  She had grown up there, and has wonderful memories of her parents and grandparents, and how proud they were of their farm purchased in 1965. They grew sweet and feed corn.  Much of the farmland in Idaho is being developed into housing.  I hope this parcel will stay in the family. 

Old Idaho Homestead   oil 9x12

(sorry the photo is a bit blurry)

 

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

 

Gray Day Fountain  9x12 inches

Purchase info here

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 Afternoon -SOLD

 

Cannoli Afternoon  oil 10x10 inches

Purchase info here.

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

Afternoon Tea With Lewis & Rossetti

 

Afternoon Tea With Lewis & Rossetti  12x12 oil

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I painted this in my backyard on a warm January day.  Tea and gingersnaps with two good reads: CS Lewis and poetry by Christina Rossetti.  This painting in on a homemade panel with rough tooth, so the painting is full of texture. 

 

I have a few spots open in my May 22-23 Workshop.  Open to beginners and intermediate painters in oil.  Email for more info: karenwernerart@gmail.com

"Toast & Jam" Made The Cut! -SOLD

 

Toast & Jam   oil 12x12 inches

Available through Reinert Fine Art, 

Charleston, SC April 1-30

I'm thrilled to announce that my backyard plein air piece has been juried into the American Impressionist Society's 5th Annual National Small Works Showcase in Charleston, SC April 1-30.  This is my sixth consecutive acceptance into an AIS National Show.  I'm truly grateful to be included again.  There were 1,357 entries, and 154 were chosen.  

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.  

Garden Decor -a plein air painting from my garden

 

Garden Decor  oil 14x11 inches

Purchase info here.

Another remembrance of Spring here.  "Garden Decor" is a little bit more civilized name for "yard crap", which is what a friend of mine calls this stuff!  lol.  Do you like this kind of stuff in your yard?  I do.  

May Day Mums -a plein air painting from my backyard

 

May Day Mums    oil 9x12 inches

Purchase info here.

On this particular day in May the milder weather enabled me to paint in the sun and thus closer to my subject.  My favorite part of this set up is the blue pot against the brick color in light and shadow.  The closer vantage point allowed for more detail in the little pot of succulents. I have painted the trowel handle in this painting and On The Garden Wall to whatever color would work best for the painting.  It's really a pale green. 

 I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.  We had 8 of us (not all of us) around our table to enjoy an 18 lb. fresh turkey.  (Lots of leftovers!)  Our grandson read aloud Psalm 33.  I recommend reading it if you have some quiet time today.

I'm thankful for many many blessings, including being able to paint almost every day.  I'm sincerely thankful for  all of YOU who follow my painting journey and purchase my work.  

On The Garden Wall

 

On The Garden Wall    oil 9x12 inches

Purchase info here.

This is more of my work from April.  It was a very warm day, but the roses and lavender were in full bloom.  I had this beautiful little pot of white mums.  Compelled to do some plein air painting in spite of Covid lockdown and the heat, I positioned myself in shade under both an avocado tree and a beach umbrella.  I had a great time and was happy with the result.  The next day was cooler, so I was able to paint this lovely subject again from a closer vantage point.  That one is coming up next.  

Patio Roses

 

Patio Roses  oil 12x12 inches

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April floribundas from my yard, painted outside on my kitchen porch.  My mother's old patio set depicted dates back to the sixties.  In high school I took geometry during summer school.  I remember sitting in one of these chairs for many days copying "theorums."  At the time, it was the only math class I got an A in because it was visual, and I got to "draw."  At this point in my life I can't even tell you what a theorum is!  

Spring Shadows -a plein air painting from my backyard

 

Spring Shadows   oil 12x9

Purchase info here.  

In April I had a glorious glob of blooms in my backyard: rannunculus, irises, and various poppies.  They really were this dense.  The shadows cast over the edge of the concrete caught my eye too.  I eyed them for several days thinking about what time window would be best.  I set up in early afternoon knowing the shadows would get longer, but I'd need to stick to my original draw in.  I worked fast to keep it loose. It was a good challenge.   

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.

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

 

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

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

SOLD Apples & Poms-Some Gallery News

In & Out Apples 6x6 SOLD Vanessa Rothe Fine Art

Backyard Poms 8x8 SOLD Vanessa Rothe Fine Art. I'm very pleased to announce the recent sale of these two small pieces at Vanessa Rothe Fine Art. Thank you, Vanessa! Vanessa's gallery is as beautiful as they come. Located at 418 Ocean Avenue in Laguna Beach, it's a quaint cottage chock full of California, Russian and French Impressionism as well as contemporary realism. In November, Vanessa approached me about carrying my small works. I'm so grateful! Below is a sneak peak at a few paintings on their way to the gallery soon. Be sure to visit when you're in Laguna Beach. For more info on Vanessa Rothe Fine Art, click here. Thank YOU for following my work by reading my blog posts. Stay healthy!

Sunny In Blue 8x8

Backyard Still Life