Umbrellas On The Beach -SOLD

oil 9x12 inches Purchase info here. I painted this one quickly one afternoon during paint San Clemente. Artists can only submit two paintings, and this one didn't make the cut. The couple sitting in the chair packed up to leave and then discovered I'd put them in my painting. That was a fun moment! I have this one priced low since it's just a quick sketch.

Flowers In My Kitchen -SOLD

oil 12x12 inches Purchase info here. I painted this piece from a photo I took in my kitchen. My favorite part is the small bowl. Below are some photos from last week at Paint San Clemente. The three paintings pictured are available for purchase at the San Clemente Community Center Gallery through August 2. For more info on how to purchase, email me at karenwernerart@gmail.com

My quick draw "Semper Fi" 12x12 inches.

"Every Sunday Morning" 12x12 inches

"Calafia Cliffs" 11x14 inches

Camp Truck, 1948

oil 11x14 Purchase info here. A few weeks ago we camped for the first time at Silver Lake, which is in the Sierras on the June Lake Loop. Wow! What scenery! Couldn't wait to paint, but instead we were waiting out a vicious wind. After about two days, I set up to paint this scene. Even though I anchored my tripod, everything was moving, including my brush. I had a good start (looked like a drunk painted it, but I liked it!). Then a gust of about 75-80 mph. hit and forced me to pack up. I finished in the studio using my photo references. IN OTHER NEWS: Friday I'll go south to San Clemente to participate in Paint San Clemente Quick Draw and Plein Air Competition. It's my first time, and I'm really excited to find inspiring scenes in an unfamiliar locale. Follow my adventures on Facebook: Karen Laster Werner and Instagram: KarenWernerArt.

April Workshop Demo

oil 8x8 Purchase info here.

Little Bird

oil 4x4 inches Purchase info here. We just returned from a trip to Idaho. Catching up on my posting. When my painting time is short, I enjoy doing a simple 4x4 like this. This little painting would look sweet in a tiny easel sitting on a shelf.

Dock & Dinghy -a plein air painting from Balboa Island -SOLD

oil 11x14 inches This is one of the many paintings I'll have in my display at the Balboa Island Artwalk this coming Sunday. Don't miss the fun! One hundred artists along South Bayfront. Art of all kinds and live music too. Hours are 9-5. Park in the Balboa Pier Parking lot and take the ferry on foot across to the island. Stepping off the ferry, turn left onto the sidewalk and you'll find me.

Joyful

oil 11x14 inches Purchase info here. Last month I participated in "Art Uncorked" in Chino. While folks sipped wine and sampled local foods, I busied myself painting this. Music, food and friendly folks made for a pleasant painting atmosphere. I think that feeling came through in the painting. I want to sincerely thank Jane who added to her collection of my works with the purchase of two new paintings. Below are some other shots related to the event.

Demo For The High Desert

oil 10x8 inches Purchase info here. Thank you, Artists of the High Desert for inviting me to demonstrate for your group. It was an enjoyable afternoon for sure.

UPCOMING EVENTS: BALBOA ISLAND ART WALK MAY 20! One hundred artists along the seawall on South Bayfront! This will be my fifth year to participate in the BEST ART WALK IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA! I hope you'll plan to attend. You can find me near Pearl St. and the fuel dock as you turn left stepping off the ferry. I'll have 20 linear feet of framed paintings on display, and about a hundred loose paintings. Come enjoy the music, art and sunshine!

Demo In Tarzana and a special commission

oil 8x8 inches Purchase info here. April was such a busy month! It started with a demonstration in Tarzana with an enthusiastic crowd, expert camera and lighting, and the coordinator even treated me to dinner between setup and demo! Thanks so much, San Fernando Valley Art Association. Here's the before dinner and demo shot:

I don't usually take commissions, but early in the year I accepted a commission from the Caballero Family to paint property that has been in their family for generations. The Caballero's granddaughter was in my Kindergarten class quite a few years ago. This land and barn in Chino Hills, CA is now surrounded by houses. It's a precious gem that has been painted many times by myself and others. The painting is 24x36 inches which was good for me, and at Mrs. Caballero's request I added/invented lupine, poppies and sunflowers. Trying to put her memories on canvas and create a family heirloom, I felt very blessed to be able to do it.

As In A Mirror

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. Orange is such a luscious color! I have two openings left in my upcoming workshop, April 21 and 22 at my home studio in Upland, CA. Beginners and intermediate. Still life can be fresh and lively. Still life can teach you how to paint, improve your skills and prepare you to paint any subject. I'll show you how. You'll learn A LOT while having fun, coffee, laughs, and snacks. Find out more by emailing me at karenwernerart@gmail.com

This Little Piggy SOLD

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. I love this little painting. Am I allowed to say that? I think so. The Queen of Daily Painting, Carol Marine, gave us permission long, long ago.

Sunflower & Friends

oil 8x8 inches Purchase info here. I painted this simple arrangement as a final demo for my last workshop. Gala apples will give you a run for your money with their subtle color shifts. I grumbled a bit while painting it, so I suppose the demonstration was on how to not give up too soon! My April 21&22 Workshop has two openings left if you'd like to jump in. Info and to register: karenwernerart@gmail.com IN OTHER NEWS: Upcoming demonstration APRIL 3 in Reseda, CA for the San Fernando Valley Art Association. 6:30-9 pm.

Demo In Yorba Linda

oil 8x8 Purchase info here. Please see the picture below for a more accurate view of this painting. I was quite happy with this demo when I finished, but when I got home I noticed that the tomatoes were floating. The next day in the studio I got them to sit down. Maybe you can see the difference in the two photos. For my fellow painters out there here are my tips to avoid floating objects: Correct shape and placement of shadow, gradating value in the shadow. The shadow is darkest right up against the edge of the object. In fact, it is usually as dark as the bottom edge of the object. IN OTHER NEWS: A "Paint the Lively Still Life" workshop is scheduled for April 21 and 23 at my studio in Upland, CA. Open to beginner and intermediate painters. If you'd like to register or for more info, just email me. karenwernerart@gmail.com

Fat Cat With A Knife

oil 8x8 inches Purchase info here. SO much better in person. Here we have the first of several paintings in an unplanned series of red and green color schemes. Here's an easel view. More accurate with the good old iphone.

Peanuts & Coke

oil 10x8 inches Purchase info here. Heroes Bar & Grill is our go-to restaurant in nearby Claremont. I couldn't resist the light shining through my husband's Coke. Painted from my photo reference. I taught a workshop this last weekend to a very lively bunch! We had so much fun that I forgot to take pictures. I love teaching, and I'm very grateful to everyone who signs up and travels from other parts of Southern California to study with me. So if you've taken a workshop with me, THANK YOU! New dates for April and May to be announced soon.

Totally Tubular

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. Paint tubes are as pretty as wine bottles. That's what I think. I had a great time demonstrating in Yorba Linda last night. Pics from that coming in a later post. My workshop this weekend is full. Soon I'll be setting dates for a workshop in April and another in May. If you'd like to get on my mailing list for announcements of workshops, email me: karenwernerart@gmail.com Don't worry, you won't be bombarded with emails from me, just 3 or 4 per year.

Sprinkles & Stripes SOLD

oil 10x10 inches Purchase info here. Tomorrow night I'll demonstrate for the Yorba Linda Art Association. Open to the public. 6:30 pm 4999 Casa Lima Ave, Yorba Linda, CA.

Fiesta SOLD

oil 10x8 inches Purchase info here. Same objects, different arrangement and size. WORKSHOP NEWS: Last weekend's workshop was a big success with six hard working painters! Some serious work went on, but a lot of laughs too! I have one opening in my March 3&4 Workshop: Two days of fun, instruction and lively still life held in my Upland studio. Email me if you'd like to take this last spot. karenwernerart@gmail.com

Sangria

oil 14x11 Purchase info here. Some favorites: translucent grapes, a pretty wine label and glass.

Skippy

oil 10x10 inches Purchase info here. After a while, the smell of peanut butter overwhelmed my studio and I felt like I was actually painting with peanut butter. Looked like I had peanut butter on my brush, looking at peanut butter, smelling peanut butter....