May Day Mums -a plein air painting from my backyard

 

May Day Mums    oil 9x12 inches

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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

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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.  

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.   

Spring Things

                                                                     oil 12x12 inches

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 I am pleased to announce that this painting has been juried in to The American Impressionist Society's 20th Annual National Juried Exhibition. I'm very grateful to be included in this prestigious show located at the historic Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. Show dates: September 19-October 2. Opening reception September 20, 6=9 pm. If you are able to visit the show, please take a picture of it hanging, as I will not be able to attend!!! Email me at karenwernerart@gmail.com

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!

Spring Pickings -a still life painting in oil -SOLD

oil 12x16 magnify This half-head of cabbage was talking to me from inside my fridge. I might hold on to this painting for a while. It might be for sale at a later date. UPDATE: This piece is now available. magnify/bid to purchase

Spring Music -sold

oil 16x12 inches sold I had some challenges with this one, mainly because I completed it in several sessions and it dried in between. Ugh! I prefer working alla prima so I can manipulate edges. At the start the daffodils were mostly closed and the tulips perky. Second session they were all open and the tulips looked like they'd had a party during the night. Only the violin cooperated.

Spring Berries

oil 8x8 inches click for purchase information Inspired by our recent warm weather, I painted this high key piece more than a week ago. My mother was hospitalized last week, so going back and forth left me no time to paint. She's doing better now and I got back to my easel yesterday. I painted all day. Felt really good and I'm very happy with the result, which I'll post next.

Jar, Freesia & Fruit-SOLD

oil on canvas panel 8x6 inches

sold

Three friends who take watercolor classes from me came over and watched me paint this morning. We had a lot of fun...and food...(it's all about the food.) I offered them "brunch with entertainment". Above is the result. The jar was requested subject matter, and a good challenge. It has been a while since the last jar. I really enjoy demonstrating, but this week I've learned that while I can paint and talk at the same time, I may not be doing either at optimum level! I'm ready to go alone into my little paint cave and stay there. And I am done with freesias, strawberries and off-white backgrounds.

Magnolia Blossoms III -sold

oil on canvas panel 8x8 inches
SOLD
Well this is the last and my favorite of the magnolia blossom paintings. The mauve surface gave it the look I was after. For the most part I was able to put down a stroke and leave it. For that reason alone it really pays off to paint the same object over and over...especially for us "noodlers". I have to admit, I was relieved when they started shriveling up...I was ready to move on to something else!

Butterfly SOLD

watercolor on paper 7x7 inches

I'm posting today from Meridian, Idaho while visiting family. Finding a wireless connection has been the main challenge while traveling. I found a bit of painting time today and worked from a photo I had taken in Utah projected on my laptop screen. I'll post it the next chance I get. In the meantime, the painting above is a recent class demonstration. We worked from a good friend's photograph, and took a very realistic approach at my students' request.

Flowers

oil on linen panel 6x8 inches
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Flowers from an Easter bouquet, and some creeping fig from our back fence. With this one I'm practicing white again...the flower and the cloth.

First Orchid SOLD

oil on canvas panel 6x6 inches

Yesterday I spend nearly all my painting time trying to iron out image upload problems on the computer. UGH! If you see weird stuff on my blog, it's because I'm still learning how to do this. I had started this little painting the day before, and found time in the evening to finish it. After two years of waiting, watering and fertilizing this little kitchen orchid managed to bloom. Of course, I must document the event in paint! I hope you like it.

Standing Asparagus SOLD

oil on canvas panel 8x6 inches

Another sign of spring: asparagus in the grocery store! I'm really happy with this little painting. The pinks and greens produce a soft color balance. Last week at Carol Marine's workshop in San Luis Obispo I learned about color choice for toning your canvas. (And a LOT of other great stuff too! Click on my list to see her work.) Can you see the little bits of my pink ground poking through? I'm learning how to leave little bits instead of plastering the whole canvas with paint. I'm telling you, it takes a lot of self control for me to not overwork things! The drapery was difficult. I had to wipe it out and try again. I hope you like it.