Floral Patterns

 

Floral Patterns  oil 9x12

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I enjoyed painting this so much. The repeating shapes and back and forth of light and dark was like play for me.  It's even prettier in person.  

Resting Sunflowers

 

Resting Sunflowers  oil 8x10 inches

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It's okay for flowers to rest sometimes.  Sunflowers especially have difficulty holding their heads up when they stand in a vase. 

In The Kitchen

 

In The Kitchen  oil 12x12 inches

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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.  

Sunflower Song

 

Sunflower Song  oil 20x16 inches

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A simple color scheme in yellow, green and blue.  I painted this from life in my studio featuring  a pitcher that belonged to my grandmother.  This piece is in a handsome custom wood frame, dark, distressed with gold lip.  Pictured below.    

Small Joys

 

Small Joys   oil 8x8 inches

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I very much enjoy painting on a square format.  This design in particular is typical of my work.  The eye moves around the painting. Nothing is smack dab in the center.  The weight of the vase and sunflower is balanced by the tangerine and foliage above.  Objects are unequal distances apart, and there is a variety of sizes and shapes.  I think about these things when I compose a still life.  I hope you like it!

Flowers & Grapes

 

Flowers & Grapes  oil 12x9 inches

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Here's a floral I did in November. I hope you like it. I love painting the colors of Fall,  but weather-wise, give me Spring and Summer!  Finally I have pole beans sprouting, bulbs blooming and California poppies popping with color.  I've been working on a large beach scene from a photo which is not my favorite way to work.  Can't wait to get out to paint!  If you celebrate Easter or Passover, I hope it's a happy and meaningful one with family and friends!  

IN OTHER NEWS: There are two openings in my May 22-23 Workshop.  Email me for more info:karenwernerart@gmail.com

Great news!  Recently Oil Painters of America invited me to write a post for their blog.  It published last Monday, March 29.  The title: STILL LIFE: More Than What You Might Think.  To read it, click here. 

The American Impressionist Society's National Juried Small Works Showcase has opened in Charleston, SC at Reinart Fine Art, and runs through April 30.  I am grateful to be included in the show with the piece below, Toast & Jam  12x12.  I'm not able to be there, so if you visit the show, please take a picture of my painting and email it to me!  Thank you!

Toast & Jam  oil 12x12

Gallery Arrangement

 

Gallery Arrangement  oil 12x12 inches

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On a day when I was working at Mission Fine Art in San Juan Capistrano, I brought my paints and these still life elements with me.  The background color made for a nice harmonious color scheme, and the shadow shapes added interest.  I love this mustardy yellow or yellow ochre in a painting.  

Lumpy Lemons And Exciting News

 

Lumpy Lemons  oil 10x10  

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What to do when life gives you not only lemons, but lumpy lemons?  Add a sunflower and paint a still life!  What a challenging year this has been to say the least.  I have family members and friends now with COVID, and thankfully they are managable cases.  I hope you're well and looking forward to a better year ahead.  

IN OTHER NEWS:  Recently I was granted Signature Membership of the American Impressionist Society.  This means I have been juried into 4 AIS National Juried Exhibitions.  My work has been included in AIS shows in Wisconsin, Michigan, New York City, Texas and Utah!  Signature Membership also means I can sign AIS with my name on my work.  I'm grateful to AIS for this honor.

Here's another lemon painting currently available at Vanessa Rothe Fine Art in Laguna Beach.  Call 949-280-1555 to inquire.  She does ship.   Lemon & Delft oil 10x8 inches

 

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.  

Lucky Lemon -SOLD

 

Lucky Lemon  original oil 12x12 inches

Purchase info here.  

Status and a Meyer lemon from our yard with the addition of some grocery store flowers.  A cheerful painting!  I have the perfect frame for this piece.  Email me if you'd like to purchase it framed.  karenwernerart@gmail.com

Sunny In Blue -SOLD

 

Sunny In Blue   Original oil painting 8x8 inches

This painting is custom framed and currently available at Vanessa Rothe Fine Art, 418 Ocean Ave.  Laguna Beach, CA.  Open Fridays and Saturdays, and by appointment.  949-280-1555

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

Sunflower Blues

oil 16x20 inches This painting is available through Vanessa Rothe Fine Art, 418 Ocean Ave. Laguna Beach, CA 949-280-1550 www.vanessarothefineart.com I'm very honored that Vanessa has selected some of my work for her gallery. This is a larger piece for me, and one of the first in which I employed a simplified color scheme at her suggestion. In this particular case, yellows and blues in an impressionist style. I've always admired Russsian Impressionist paintings. When I brought a few still lifes into the gallery for the first time, Vanessa remarked that they would go well with the gallery's Russian Impressionist works. I was thrilled to say the least! If you're in Laguna Beach this summer, be sure to visit Vanessa Rothe Fine Art. It's easy to find, and within walking distance of Main Beach.

Tea Time And A Dog Portrait

oil 11x11 inches Purchase info here. Here are some of my favorite things to paint: liquid in a cup (tea or coffee), lemons, old books, and flowers. This is the last of the four 11x11 paintings I did in November. Below, an easel shot of one of my favorite dog commissions: "Shadow." I didn't get to meet this dog, but he sure looks sweet! The photo reference was especially unique, with very warm afternoon light coming from below the dog's head.

Madeline

oil 11x11 inches Purchase info here. I really enjoy painting the things of childhood. It conjures up memories of my own childhood and thoughts of my children and grandchildren. It's a magical time. When was the last time you smelled a brand new crayon? This painting is on hardwood 1/2 inch deep with sides stained. It is ready to hang or frame in a simple floater frame of your choice.

Goodness

oil 11x11 Purchase info here. Second painting of four 11x11's. Ready to hang, or it would look great in a simple floater frame of your choosing. These squares would look great grouped together. Two more coming up!

Abundance And Other Stuff

oil 11x11 Available at Square i Gallery in Claremont, CA. Call 909-625-2533 to inquire. After I finished the 30 Day Challenge in September, November continued to be a great month of painting. I completed four pieces for Square i Gallery's 11x11 Show for December. It was my first year entering this odd-sized show. This piece is painted on a wood panel 1/2 inch deep and stained on the sides. I prepped the panel with muslin and gesso, which made a great light toothed surface. It is ready to hang, but would also look great in a simple floater frame of your liking. Below you'll see my conglomerate photo of the September paintings (one missing) laid out on my studio floor. Also below, a dog portrait commission for a fellow artist. I loved painting Bounder! The client gave me a great photo to work from. It's 14x11 and was a gift for her husband. I love being part of surprising someone with a heart-felt gift! To commission a dog portrait, email me at karenwernerart@gmail.com

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

Kitchen Sunflowers

oil 9x12 inches Purchase info here. Backlit scenes always intrigue me. This one is a morning in my kitchen.