Nanner, Nanner Nanners. -SOLD

oil 6x6 inches magnify/purchase info I painted these nanners back in June. Seems like just a few days ago. Does anyone else relate to that? I like this painting a lot. Simple subject painted simply.

Still Life With Cinnamon Sticks

oil 8x16 inches magnify/purchase info Our apple tree yields these green apples. We don't know what kind they are, but they're great for pie making and painting. My neighbor gladly traded some of his pomegranates for a bag of our key limes. The cinnamon sticks fit with the fall feel and add line to the composition.

Debbie's Bowl -a still life painting in oil

oil 6x6 inches magnify/purchase info A great group of enthusiastic ladies joined me for my weekend workshop. I guess I was having too much fun to take pictures! Here's one of the demos I did for them. I painted about twice as fast as I normally do so they'd have more time to paint. No time to fuss over this one, resulting in fresh, chunky strokes. Tonight I'm off to demonstrate for the Tustin Art League.

Cider Mill Morning -a plein air painting from Oak Glen, CA.

oil 9x12 inches magnify/purchase info I recently got out to paint with friends at Oak Glen, specifically Snowline Orchards. It was a wonderful warm morning of painting followed by a nice lunch. We just beat the high winds expected in the afternoon. We drove home happy friends, happy painters, with our bellies full of warm apple cider mini donuts, apples and cider in the back seat. Not a bad day in the classroom for this old teacher. IN OTHER NEWS: This coming Wednesday night, Oct 12, I'll demonstrate for the Tustin Art League. 7 pm TUSD Board Room, 300 S. C St., Tustin, CA. Also, the OLD TOWN TUSTIN ART WALK AND PLEIN AIR COMPETITION is this Saturday, Oct. 15. Unfortunately, I had to cancel my participation this year due to some health issues. Nothing major. So if you were planning to visit me there, enjoy the art and music, and hopefully I'll be there next year.

Perky Pumpkin -a still life painting in oil -sold

oil 6x6 inches magnify/purchase info I'm celebrating Fall with an AUCTION FOR THIS LITTLE PUMPKIN. BIDDING STARTS AT JUST $5! Get in on the fun and if you're the highest bidder, you'll have this little painting in plenty of time to add to your Fall decor!

Limber Lemons -a still life painting in oil

oil 8x8 inches magnify/purchase info Second demo for Associated Artists. My time for this piece was very limited, so I painted quickly. Sometimes that's a good thing. No time to fuss over things. WORKSHOP NEWS: I have one open space in next weekend's workshop at my studio in Upland. Saturday and Sunday, October 8 & 9, 9am to 4pm. If you'd like more information email me quick! karenwernerart@gmail.com

Grapes & Granny -a still life painting in oil

oil 8x8 inches magnify/purchase info Here's a demo I did on the 10th for Associated Artists' Fall Show. I'm a big fan of taupe. It sets off the greens and reds nicely don't you think? (Cad Red M, Cad Yellow L, Ult Blue + white) The white adds value contrast and line. I enjoy painting while people watch. It's not about being in the limelight but just the validation that someone else is interested in what I'm doing, and I really enjoy sharing approaches and techniques with other painters. Thank you to those of you who stopped by!

Fall Color -a still life painting in oil

oil 12x12 inches magnify/purchase info I thought this one was going to kill me. I hope it doesn't look like there was a struggle. Happy Fall, everyone! Your comments and questions are always welcome.

A Little Bit Dinghy -plein air paintings from Balboa Island -sold

Here are some shots of the last two paintings I did as part of Just Plein Fun on Balboa Island.

A Little Bit Dinghy 8x8 inches was my quick draw. About thirty artists participated along South Bay Front, having two hours to complete a painting. It was fun and festive, with an awards ceremony complete with Olympic music and gold medals. This painting sold off the easel which was a great ending to a great week. Is my head really that big, or is the painting really that tiny? Ha!

This 12x9 was my thank you gift to my hostess, Joanne. It was so kind of her to open her lovely home to me and let me come and go as I please. This is an island cottage that I thought would make a cheerful painting with its sunflowers. The quick draw was the grand finale of the week. There you have it, finally!!! Here's a shot of the participants on Gala Night. I really enjoyed getting to know a few of these fellow painters. I hope to be invited again next year.

Stop by this great little gallery when you're on the island. Some of the work from the event is still on display. 229 Marine Ave, Suite E, Balboa Island, CA. 949-723-6171

Gallery Glow -a plein air painting from Balboa Island, CA

oil 12x9 magnify Our week of painting ended on Friday morning with all work due into the gallery by 11 am. I started early and planned to choose as subject close to the gallery in order to get it framed and in on time. I had previously considered painting the gallery itself. This morning's overcast gave the lights inside a warm glow. The crooked painting and gold frames added to the charm. This painting is available at Huse Gallery, 229 Marine Ave, Suite E, Balboa Island, Ca. 949-723-6171. IN OTHER NEWS: This coming Saturday, September 10th I'll demonstrate all day at Victoria Gardens, Celebration Hall, Rancho Cucamonga. Hours: 10 am to about 5 pm. with a break for lunch sometime. If you're in the area, come on out and enjoy Associated Artists of the Inland Empire's Fall Show. It runs from Friday morning the 9th at 10 am to Sunday at about 4. Lots of great art and demonstrations too. It's free!

Island Kids -a plein air painting from Balboa Island, CA. SOLD

oil 9x12 inches magnify Sorry my posts are slow in coming. I'm still getting my energy back two weeks after my sinus surgery. No oil painting (breathing solvent fumes) for me for another week. I can't tell you how anxious I am to get back to it. Meanwhile, this painting has a story. I set up to paint in some late afternoon shade. While drawing in, I planned to watch for people on the bench and include them. Along comes two moms with kids in tow. The kids are interested in what I'm up to. They walk right up and start asking questions. I tell them I'm drawing in, then mixing the colors I see while watching that bench for people I could put in my painting. "Can WE be in your painting?", the boy asks bursting with excitement. Well, sure. But I have to take your pictures, so go ask your mom if that's okay. Well the moms were as excited as the kids. I told them I needed one adult on the bench for a size difference. They went back and forth a bit about which of them "looked better" to be in the painting! I settled it by picking the one with the red hat. Turns out this is a Balboa Island family. They were "home." No wonder they were excited. I painted this in two afternoons. During that time another friendly island resident told me all about the little upside down sailboats. Each boat is assigned to a nine year old on the island who is taught to sail by a sixteen year old who learned the same way. The children's names are on the rack. The masts are sticking up in the center of the rack. I've spent a lot of time on Balboa Island over the years, but hadn't ever thought about what childhood would be like growing up there. So different! Back to the painting, I thought the helmet added whimsy, and their little dangling feet and shadows added charm. The grandparents came to the gallery and bought the painting. This will go down as one of my favorite plein air experiences.

Cinnamon Stop -a plein air painting from Balboa Island -SOLD

oil 8x8 inches magnify Blue Chair Bakery on Marine Ave. has the most delicious cinnamon rolls! I started painting during the morning overcast and added the light near the end of my painting session. Cars and people came and went. I snapped shots of people on the bench as I painted and added them in last. No time to eat a cinnamon roll, but I treated myself the next morning. This painting is framed and available at Huse Gallery, 229 Marine Ave., Suite E, Balboa Island, CA. 949-723-6171

Morning Walk -a plein air painting from Balboa Island, CA -sold

oil 12x9 inches magnify I chose a nice cool spot Wednesday morning. The street lamps were still on when I started. The sun eventually broke through. This view is looking toward "the little island" from Balboa. The painting is framed and available at Huse Gallery, 229 Marine Ave., Suite E, Balboa Island, CA. 949-723-6171. This is one of my favorites from the week, having a quiet peaceful feel to it. WORKSHOP NEWS: I have one space in my October 8-9 Workshop, and three spots in my November 5-6 Workshop. We paint still life from life in my large studio building in Upland. Limited to 6 students, you'll get a lot of individual coaching. Suitable for beginners with some experience and intermediate painters. If you're in Southern California, treat yourself to some good instruction. One of my recent attendees told me, "I feel like I got two years of art school in two days!" For more info, email me at karenwernerart@gmail.com I'll email you a description of the content and cost.

Pots, Pots, Pots! -a plein air painting from Balboa Island

oil 10x8 inches magnify On Tuesday afternoon, the second day of Just Plein Fun, I walked the island looking for shade and inspiration. Specifically, inspiration IN the shade! The multiple pots at this little cottage caught my eye. I have a thing for potted plants myself. I loved the reds against blues and that small pot directly in front of the open Dutch door. I thought about leaving out the giant pot in the foreground, but maybe the golden color might be a nice foil to the others, and maybe it would lead the eye in to the focal point. Sometimes you have to entertain some maybes. Your comments are always welcome. This painting is available at Huse Gallery, 229 Marine Ave. Suite E, Balboa Island, CA. 949-723-6171

Wearing my nametag backwards so it won't create it's own little painting on my shirt. Tomorrow I'll have sinus surgery. I might not be posting for a while.

Bouys & Boats -a plein air painting from Balboa Island

oil 12x9 inches and framed. magnify Monday, August 1st was pretty warm on the island and I ended up painting in direct sun. So by Tuesday I took advantage of morning overcast. At first, no sun and shadow, but they were both on the way, so I planned to add the lights at the end of my painting session. Available at Debra Huse Gallery, 229 Marine Ave, Suite E, Balboa Island, CA 949-723-6171

Island Posse -a plein air painting from Balboa Island -SOLD

oil 12x9 inches magnify Here's first painting last week at "Just Plein Fun" on Balboa Island. I'm very happy to announce that I was awarded Third Place and a Purchase Award for this piece. Thank you to esteemed judge Jean Stern and Debra Huse Gallery. About my process: While setting up and drawing in the design, I had my phone ready and watched for people, interesting cars and such going through the alley. I chose these little kids from the ten shots I took. I then drew in the figures. I painted the entire scene, then the figures from my phone. I love being able to include simple figures in my work. In four and a half days I managed to finish 7 paintings. Someone asked me recently if the pressure of competition gets to me. No. I love the process of painting SO much, I just do my best like I usually do, enjoy myself, then put it out there for people to see. It is what it is. Some will love it, some will like it and some will not. That's art. I'll post all the paintings in upcoming posts. Here's a better photo of the painting.

Winning any award is the icing on the cake. Do I look happy? You betcha!

Cupcake -SOLD

oil 6x6 inches magnify/purchase info Here's a treat from the Local Baker in Upland. This morning I'm packed up and headed to Balboa Island for Just Plein Fun. I'm SO looking forward to a week of painting in one of my favorite locations!

Lemon Lime -SOLD

oil 6x6 inches magnify/purchase info July is flying by with not much painting going on here. We spent two weeks in our motorhome visiting family in Idaho and camping in Idaho and Lake Tahoe. Our Idaho granddaughter traveled home with us, so this week we're showing her everything fun in Southern California and that's a lot! IN OTHER NEWS: I'm excited to announce I've been invited again to Balboa Island for the Just Plein Fun Invitational. Come visit Balboa Island next Monday, August 1 through Friday, visit the Debra Huse Gallery to find out where each of the eight artists are painting at any given time. Come to see the gallery fill up with beautiful fresh work created during the week. The Big Brush Off (quick draw) this year is on Sunday and open to amateurs and professionals. For more information, click here.

Donut & Coffee -a still life painting in oil

oil 18x18 magnify/purchase info I loved working this size. This is on gallery wrapped canvas 1 1/2 inches deep, sides painted and ready to hang. If you are interesting in purchasing this piece and live in Southern California (Orange, San Bernardino or LA Counties) I will hand deliver and refund $20 of the shipping fee. I'm hoping to paint a companion piece for this in August. Meanwhile, we're off on a camping trip for a few weeks, so I won't be posting. I hope you're enjoying summer!

Jelly & Coffee

oil 6x6 inches magnify/purchase info Just catching up on some of the small still life I did in June. This one was right around National Donut Day. I gave it a squeeze for some jelly excitement.